- Running machines are probably the most popular of all types of fitness equipment. Argos Sports have selected a great range of quality treadmills for improved cardiovascular health, weight loss and muscle tone. For most people, 20-30 minutes exercise 3 times a week is beneficial for health and fitness, though this should be a minimum from which to build.
There are a number of factors to consider when choosing a treadmill. How heavy are the users, how fast do you want to go, what are your goals? Should you consider a running machine with a heart rate control programme to make your training more efficient?
We also supply all accessories for treadmills and our other pieces of fitness equipment such as mats, Polar heart rate monitors and software. All the superb range of exercise equipment at Argos Sports is fully covered by manufacturers' warranties from a minimum of 12 months to lifetime.
Did you know that more than 37 million people use a treadmill? Treadmills are great because they mimic an exercise that is both familiar and comfortable. After all, most of us know how to walk or run, right? Using a treadmill in a gym is one thing, but buying one for your home is a serious matter. Treadmills cost a good deal of money, so consider your budget and, if you can, buy the highest quality machine you can. Here's what you need to know about buying a treadmill.
How Much To Spend
For a decent treadmill, plan on spending at least £500 and, for a better than decent treadmill, between £300 to £3000. There are some so-so models that fall under that price range but, if you buy a cheap treadmill, that's exactly what you're going to get. Choosing the right treadmill will depend on: 1) how much money you have, 2) any extras you want (programming, heart rate monitor, etc.), 3) what kind of motor you want and 4) how much space you have in your house.
Motor Control
The first thing to consider with your treadmill is the motor. Most treadmills have two motors; one to drive the belt and the other to raise and lower the bed for inclines. Make sure the belt motor is a continuous duty motor with at least 1.5 horsepower. More horsepower isn't always better, particularly if it's not continuous duty, so don't be fooled by a salesperson who's talking about a 'maximum power' or 'treadmill duty' motor. You want continuous duty!
Defining Treadmill Terms
Other things to look for include: belt size - at least 48" long and 16" wide; speed - if you plan on running, get a treadmill that goes up to 10 mph; incline - get a treadmill with an incline that goes up to 10%; cushioning - the running bed should absorb shock and the belt shouldn't move around with every foot-strike; stability - the treadmill shouldn't shake when you run or walk on it and the frame should remain stable; control panel - should be within easy reach and be simple to use.
Decide What You Want
Before you buy, decide what types of things you want from your treadmill: Do you want running or walking programs included? Heart rate monitor? The ability to hook your treadmill up to a website such as ifit.com for new workouts? Do you need a treadmill that folds (often more expensive) or do you have enough space to house a treadmill full-time? How easy is the treadmill to maintain? Once you figure out what you want and need, it's time to hit the sporting goods store for a test drive.
Try it Out
The most important thing to do before buying a treadmill is to try it out. Make a list of treadmills and call sporting goods stores to see if they're available locally. Spend at least 10 minutes on each treadmill. Make sure it's quiet and that it doesn't shake, even when running. While you're there, see where the drink holder is. Is there a place to put your walkman? Can you add a book rack?
Treadmill Workouts
Once you get your treadmill home, you'll have plenty of opportunities to try out the different programs and get into a routine. But, treadmill workouts can get pretty boring if you do the same thing all the time. The workouts listed offer some ideas for how to mix things up so you don't get bored. Don't be afraid to play with the incline and speed buttons throughout the workout to add challenge and intensity.
Understanding Treadmill Motors
When discussing treadmills with a sales representative, the topic of motors will inevitably arise. During this discussion, you will hear some engineering-type terminology, including AC, DC, and continuous and peak horsepower. A basic understanding of these terms will help you to ask the right questions and make the right purchase.
Fixed Speed Alternating Current (AC) Motors:
Uses a transmission to regulate the speed of the treadmill, while the motor runs at a constant speed.
What you need to know: Running at a constant speed puts less stress on the motor, but the transmission introduces extra parts.
Direct Current (DC) Motors:
Regulates speed directly (using variable voltage and not a transmission), meaning the motor itself changes speeds as the user makes adjustments.
What you need to know:No transmission (so fewer moving parts), but does require a motor control board. It also contains brushes that wear down over time. DC motors are used in a majority of treadmills on the market.
Variable Speed AC Motors
Also regulates speed directly and connects directly to the drive belt.
What you need to know: Like DC motors, these AC motors have no transmission, but they also do not use brushes. Usually higher quality.
Peak Horsepower:
The maximum horsepower a motor is capable of reaching before stalling out.
What you need to know: In actual use, peak horsepower is never achieved and is not particularly relevant. Usually found in lower priced treadmills.
Continuous Horsepower:
The actual horsepower being used when someone is using the treadmill.
What you need to know: The maximum power the treadmill can provide when used continuously.
How Much Horsepower Is Enough?
Horsepower is an indication of how much load a motor can pull at a given speed. However, a motor can only pull as much as the power coming out of your wall will allow. For instance, a 120 volt, 15 amp wall outlet will allow a motor no more than 1.8 horsepower. A 220 volt, 20 amp wall outlet will allow no more than 3.8 horse-power. Many other minor variables can lower these figures, but doing a lot of math is not important. It is important to understand what a motor can and cannot do in your situation. It is also important to understand that horsepower should not be your primary consideration in choosing a treadmill. Two motors with the same horsepower will perform differently in different treadmills.
Keep in mind, when thinking about the performance of the motor, AC, DC, and horsepower, you are thinking about the performance of the motor not the treadmill. The pros and cons of different motors is much more of a maintenance and cost consideration than of how the treadmill feels beneath your feet.
Treadmills are without a doubt one of the most popular items of home and commercial gym equipment, powered or motorised treadmills use a motor to move the belt, keeping the rate at which you walk constant. Many motorised treadmills have powered incline adjustments. One of the main advantages of a motorised treadmill is that it's more challenging - it can go faster than you can, so you have to work harder to keep up. Argos Sports offer folding treadmills - for those looking to save space and who may be on a budget. Non-folding treadmills - for those who have enough space for a treadmill, and commercial treadmills - for those who want a high quality treadmill with advanced features, similar to the standard you get in gyms throughout the world
Cross trainers also known as elliptical trainers offer the same benefits as a treadmill but are low impact machines, i.e. your feet remain stationary. These cross training machines have adjustable resistance, sophisticated digital displays and are quiet in operation. At Argos Sports we offer compact elliptical trainers for those of you short of space and on a budget, standard elliptical trainers for those of you who have the space available. We also offer commercial elliptical trainers for those who want a high quality elliptical cross trainer similar to the ones you use at a gym
Rowing Machines have the advantage of using the entire body in a single, fluid motion. The seat on a rowing machine slides on rails and there are handles attached to stretchy cords that simulate the arm motion of using a paddle. Rowing is low impact and non-load bearing. At Argos Sports we offer air rowing machines such as the concept2 model which is used in gyms throughout the world. Magnetic rowing machines that are silent in operation, and finally water rowing machines - if you are serious about indoor rowing we suggest water rowing machines
Exercise bikes (sometimes referred to as exercise cycles or Exercise Bike) are good for the large muscle groups in the legs. These bikes are manual and have variable resistance. Some exercise bikes will also work the torso and upper body. A recumbent exercise bike puts less pressure and stress on the back. At Argos Sports we offer upright exercise bikes which give you the feel of a pedal bike, recumbent exercise bikes where you sit back and pedal putting less strain on your back (good for those who have the room and beginners). Finally we offer spinners and racers designed for those serious about there biking.
Multi Gyms allow you to do various exercises on one piece of fitness equipment (multi), with different sections to let you concentrate on different muscle groups and body areas. The majority of multi gyms offer the same core exercises such as chest press, leg extension/curl and seated row. At Argos Sports we offer compact multi gyms - for those short of space and on a budget. Standard multi gyms - for those of you who have the space and multi stack multi gyms for the advanced user who wants a multi gym similar to ones use at a gym
Argos Sports offer an extensive range of boxing equipment from boxing boots, boxing free standing equipment, boxing bags, boxing gloves, stands and brackets and much more . As well as being a market leader for fitness equipment and exercise equipment we excel in our supply of boxing necessities.
Table tennis tables are becoming popular in the UK, table tennis is a great sport mainly because its fun and you get a workout at the same time. At Argos Sports we offer outdoor table tennis tables, indoor table tennis tables, and also our new ready to play table tennis table which require limited setup. We also offer table tennis accessories such as bats, balls, nets and more.
Outdoor trampolines with safety enclosures are becoming a popular piece of garden furniture. At Argos Sports we have our own unique brand of outdoor trampoline called Jumpking Jump Pod Trampoline. The Jumpking Jump Pod brand offers great quality at a great price and they are suitable for all users
Argos Sports offer the widest range of gym equipment, from weights benches, smith machines, standard and olympic weights, multi gyms, power racks, weight storage racks, leverage machines and much more.
From Baseball, Basketball System, Air Hockey Tables, snooker Tables, pool tables, heart rate monitors and more we have a complete range of sports equipment, all at great prices.
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