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Everything You Need to Know About Treadmills
Whether you work out in your home or a gym, treadmills are seemingly ever-present.
If you are green to the world of fitness, a treadmill is a good choice for you to kick off your physical training regime.
However, when it comes to purchasing a treadmill, its huge range and variety can be bewildering for buyers.
But you can put your mind at ease – this guide answers all the whats, whys and hows of a treadmill!
FAQs- A look at your Queries & their Answers
1. How do treadmills operate?
Treadmills primarily operate on a motor that spins the belt. Most treadmills have at least 2-ply belts of the same thickness.
Here, the stronger the belt, the better is its performance and durability. Its size ranges between 14- and 24-inch wide and 45- and 63-inches long measurements. The motor is generally between 1.5 and 4 horsepower and enables the rotation of a tread’s belt as you run, jog, or walk.
This rotation of the belt is supported by rollers. Moreover, they also reduce the excessive pressure on the motor and belt.
A treadmill featuring larger and heavier rollers performs optimally and exhibits a longer lifespan.
Additionally, there is another critical component of a treadmill called the deck, which is an extension of its frame. It is the area that supports all of a user’s weight.
Furthermore, the deck also bears the constant pounding from a user’s feet as well as absorbs shocks.
These components work in harmony with an array of electronics that enable heart/pulse monitoring, and speed and incline control, among other functions.
2. How to decide which treadmill you should buy based on your body weight?
Let’s say your weight is 100 kilograms. If you wish to buy a treadmill for brisk walking, you can easily select equipment that supports a maximum user weight of 100 kilograms.
But let’s consider that you want to purchase a treadmill for jogging. In this case, it is recommended that you opt for a treadmill that supports your weight + 10 kilograms.
Therefore, you should buy a treadmill that can handle up to 110 kilograms of maximum user weight.
Additionally, if you want to use your treadmill for running, you must buy equipment with your weight + 20 kilograms, i.e., a maximum user weight capacity of 120 kilograms.
3. How much electricity does a treadmill consume?
The electricity consumption of a treadmill depends upon its motor’s HP rating and the user’s body weight.
For instance, let’s say that you use a 4.0HP motor treadmill that supports a maximum user weight of 120 kilograms.
Now, assuming that your weight is 120 kilograms and you run at full speed for an hour, the standard power consumption will be as calculated below: 1HP = 746W (approx.) Therefore, 4HP = 4x746 = 2948W.
Here, 1 unit of power consumer = 1kWh = 1000W for an hour.
So, when you run for a period of 1 hour, your treadmill consumes 2948 Watts/1000 Watts = 2.948 units of power.
4. For how long can you use a home treadmill continuously?
A large share of treadmills for home use operates on a DC motor. So, you can rely on the treadmill for continuous usage for up to 50 minutes, depending on your body weight.
After a period of 40-50 minutes, the machinery requires a rest of about 20 minutes, after which you can use it for another 40-50 minutes.
5. Why is the height and weight of a treadmill user very important?
The user’s height is an important factor to consider when buying treadmills as taller individuals require a longer running surface for a smooth and comfortable stride.
For instance, if you are 5.8-feet tall, you will need a running surface that is at least 48-inches long and 16-inches wide.
Furthermore, a motor that cannot bear a user’s weight will get strained and eventually give out. Most treadmills can support a maximum user weight of 100 to 150 kilograms.
If you weigh above this scale, it is best that you purchase a high-end treadmill that supports over 150 kilograms of user weight.
Additionally, it is recommended that you always pick a treadmill that can bear a minimum of 20 kilograms more than your body weight. This buffer ensures that your treadmill’s motor operates smoothly.
6. What is inclination, and why is it important in a treadmill?
An inclination is the degree of sloping on a treadmill’s running surface. Most treadmills come with a 5% to 15% incline.
While some treadmills have a manual incline of various levels, others sport a motorized auto incline. Inclination is important as it takes your workout up a notch, thus helping you reach your fitness goals faster.
7. Which type of motor is better for a treadmill, DC or AC?
Both these motors come with a set of benefits and drawbacks. DC motors are less noisy and consume less power compared to AC motors.
On the downside, these motors can be used continuously for up to 50 minutes, after which they need to rest for 20 minutes, unlike AC motors that can work continuously without giving out.
8. Why is a treadmill motor so important?
The motor is important as it operates a treadmill’s entire mechanism. It is also the main hub, which determines the maximum user weight that a treadmill can support.
9. Do treadmills come assembled?
High-end treadmills usually come assembled. However, most budget or mid-range treadmills are designed to fit into a small space, like a box, and need to be assembled for use.
10. What is the warranty provided on a treadmill?
A tread’s warranty varies depending on its brand and price. A typical warranty covers four components, namely motor, labor, frame, and parts. A reliable brand of treadmill usually offers 25-years to a lifetime warranty on its motor and frame, at least 5-years on its parts, and 1-2 years of free labor (after-sale services and repairs).
11. What are the different types of treadmills?
There are several types of treadmills, such as manual, folding, motorized, desk, hybrid, curved and commercial, among other variants.Example - Lifeline Manual Treadmill
12. Does a treadmill require a 15Amp or 5Amp power socket?
The power socket required for a treadmill depends on its plug type. Most treadmills for home use come with a 5Amp plug, and therefore, need a 5Amp socket.
13. What is auto-lubrication?
Auto-lubrication refers to the silicon oil that automatically spreads beneath a treadmill’s belt, depending upon the equipment’s cumulative operating mileage.
When the tread touches this specific distance, its system automatically adds the necessary amount of silicon oil to its belt.
14. What is the frequency of lubrication, and how to know when a treadmill requires lubrication?
The frequency of lubrication depends upon your treadmill model.Here are some general recommendations: -
Heavy use of over 7 hours in a week: once a month
Light use of less than 3 hours a week: once every 6 months
Medium use of about 4 to 7 hours in a week: once every 3 months
15. Why is lubrication so important for treadmills?
Lubricating a treadmill’s belt can keep its vital components, such as the motor, belt, and deck, from wearing out, thus extending their longevity.
Additionally, it reduces the friction between a tread’s belt and deck, which enhances their performance and allows you to enjoy quieter and smoother runs.
16. What is shock absorption in a treadmill, and what is its significance?
Shock absorption helps you avoid sudden movements or jerk that can cause damage to your knee joints or ankles. Therefore, a treadmill with shock-absorption technology ensures that you are not vulnerable to injuries while working out.
17. Do treadmills require a stabilizer?
Voltage fluctuations can damage a treadmill’s electricals. A stabilizer effectively safeguards these components against such damage.
Most metro cities in India have a stable power supply, in which case a stabilizer is not required.
However, if voltage fluctuations are common in your city or locality, it is advised to use a stabilizer.
18. If there is a sudden power cut, will a treadmill stop instantly or take time?
While a tread belt is in motion, it has certain inertia in it. So, if there is a power cut, the machine takes a couple of seconds to stop completely. This is also essential for a user’s safety and protection from injuries.
19. How to buy a treadmill when you have a shortage of storage space in your home?
If you are faced with space constraints, you can go for other variants of treadmills, like a foldable tread.With this equipment, you can easily fold its deck upwards when you finish your workout. Or you can opt for a desk treadmill.
Desk treadmills work the same as a standard treadmill but are explicitly designed to be compact and lightweight, and portable.
20. Can I use an inverter or a battery to run on my treadmill?
In order to run a treadmill motor on a battery, you must ensure that the battery can supply adequate current. Here, the capacity of the battery should not be less than the motor’s rated current.For instance, let’s assume that a treadmill requires 230V single-phase AC power supply to operate. Moreover, the machine comes with a converter to transform the input AC power to DC as its 1HP (746W) DC motor works at 180V.
Here, the motor will operate at its top speed when it consumes 746W. This means that the motor’s rated current is 4.14A (746/180). Therefore, to run this motor, you will require a battery with at least 4.14A of current capacity.
Now, assuming that you have a 12V 6A battery, you must connect 15 batteries so that the voltage reaches 180V (12x15 = 180) and runs the 1HP (746W) motor for at least an hour. Therefore, your inverter’s maximum nominal output current should be 230V AC with 6A output.
21. What is a treadmill safety key?
Some treadmills have a safety key attached to the user. Removal of this key from the machine triggers safety features that stop its belt from moving further.
22. What are Brushless DC motors and their advantages?
These DC motors have electromagnets on the stator and permanent magnets on the rotor, which rotates.A brushless DC motor (BLDC) differs from a conventional one as its commutation is done electrically by using an electronic drive that feeds its stator windings.
Some advantages of BLDC motors include increased reliability, high torque to weight ratio, increased efficiency, reduced noise, and a longer lifespan by the elimination of commutator and brush erosion.
23. How many minutes should you work out on a treadmill?
Your average time on the treadmill depends upon your current fitness level as well as your goals.
If you aim to shed some weight, it is recommended that you spend at least 30-minutes on the equipment.
Additionally, approximately 1.5 hours of moderately intense aerobic exercise or an hour of vigorous-intensity workout per week is necessary to improve your current fitness level.
24. When choosing a treadmill, why is it essential to have the brand’s after-sales services near your location?
When buying a treadmill, it is essential that its manufacturer offers after-sales services. Treadmills, like any machinery, can sustain damages at any point in time.When you need assistance, the response time for the service matters so that you do not disrupt your workout plan.
Therefore, most notable brands of treadmills in India offer after-sales services across the country with a response time of about 48-72 hours.
And, if the brand extends these services near your location, it offers the necessary repairs without much delay, while making the entire procedure less cumbersome.
25. What is shock absorption in a treadmill, and what is its significance?
Treadmills offer a form of intense cardio workout. Therefore, they are ideal if your goal is to burn calories and lose weight.
Moreover, you can combine your treadmill exercise with some strength training for even better results.
26. Is a treadmill a good choice for working out?
Treadmills offer a form of intense cardio workout. Therefore, they are ideal if your goal is to burn calories and lose weight.
Moreover, you can combine your treadmill exercise with some strength training for even better results.
Motorized Treadmills are not only for gyms but can easily help you to comfortably achieve your daily fitness regime from home anytime.
If you are ready to Shop, Click HERE -->> MANUAL TREADMILLS FOR BEGINNERS
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