Treadmill help

[shady2pac]

Hello Fellas,

We desperately need a good treadmill. After a lot of deliberation whether to go for a treadmill or elliptical cross trainer, we have decided to go in for a treadmill. And guys......yes I have tried jogging outdoors and yoga but in vain. moreover the terrain around the place we live is not suitable for jogging or walking.hence the decision. So please dont suggest to jog or yog.
-- Three people will be using it, my parents and myself.
-- Max user weight is 97Kg, height is 6 feet.
-- Motor duty shud be atleast 2HP continuous.
-- Running belt dimension shud not be less than 20X55 inches.
-- My budget is 60K but can be stretched to 1Lakh.
-- Shud be a reliable one and serve me long.

I have been to some of the stores in Hyderabad and selected some models that suited my reqs.

1. BSA-ADLER TA2000(2HP cont AC Motor, 60X20, 170max user weight)---Rs.80K

2.Magnum TM8642i(2.5HP cont DC, 20X60, 120)---Rs.91K

3.Horizon Adventure 3---Rs.88K

4.Fuel Fitness Tredmill(2 CHP DC, 20X55, 130)--75K

5.Physique GFIT T500 (2 CHP DC, 20X52, 130)--Rs.80K-90K

Guys need to decide fast.Any good brands available in India that I have missed? I have looked at various other brands like Life Fitness, Nordic Track, Pro-Form, STEX etc which are all way over my budget.

 

[panther]

Re: Treadmill help......

for home treadmill get something whose motor is atleast 2.5 continuous HP and the roller should be around 2.5 inch in diameter, and with at least 200 pound capacity.

 

[shady2pac]

Re: Treadmill help......

for my wt and usage, iwas told that a 1.75-2hp cont motor wud do and i never really looked into the rollers diameter aspect. is it really important?wat difference does it make?

 

[panther]

Re: Treadmill help......

^^ feeling lazy to type

DC Motor... The treadmill motor should have a Continuous Duty rating only. Continuous Duty means the motor is more durable and will perform steady and continuous. A Continuous Duty rated motor in your treadmill will give you a more quality performance and longer life. Treadmill duty and peak performance ratings are two other rating systems that should be avoided at all costs. DC Motor warranties should be 2 years or longer.

Deck/Belt... The treadmill deck should be designed and manufactured to require very little maintenance. The noise generated from the belt moving along the deck should be minimal. Some deck/belt combinations required a lubricant to help reduce friction. Remember, high quality decks/belts require very little lube. Deck/Belt warranties should be 2 years or longer.

Operating/Control System... The Treadmill control panel should be easy to read and use. Always check for an emergency stop button and/or shut off that can attach to your body or clothing. A good quality treadmill will start slowly and stop slowly (sudden starts and stops is another sign of a cheap treadmill). There are a host of programs and options available on today's models. It's very important to choose the machine that has features of interest to you and not the salesperson. Computer/Electronics warranties should be 2 years or longer.

Rollers... The treadmill rollers are another important item to consider. Basically speaking, the larger the better because the larger roller creates a greater surface for the belt to make contact which in turn means less belt tension. This also means that the roller turns less, therefore, the roller bearings heat up less. Remember larger rollers means less tension, less heat and longer life (generally 2" in diameter and up). Roller warranties should be 2 years or longer.

Frame... The treadmill frame should be constructed of a high alloy steel or aluminum/aircraft aluminum. Any materials less than that would not be appropriate for a treadmill frame. Steel is heavier and more sturdy than aluminum. Welded frames will hold up far better than bolts or glue. Frame warranties should be Lifetime.

Treadmill Buying, Treadmill Shopping Advice

 

[Satan]

Re: Treadmill help......

I'm curious about this. Almost ever treadmill I have used till date freezes up instantly (from whatever speed (10 / 12 / 15 kmph to 0) as soon as the power goes away. That has to be the most ridiculous thing I have ever seen. It is such a massive safety hazard. People can easily smash their faces into the console and get seriously injured to the point of a fatality. Just imagine free running at a speed anywhere between 10 to 15 kmph and then suddenly the belt freezes up underneath your feet!!!

 

[shady2pac]

Re: Treadmill help......

Yeah indeed. My parents will be primarily using the treadmill and Im really concerned abt that issue. Dont they halt slowly? Except one( nordic track) all the models that I have seen did come to a halt slow and steady.

 

[Arun1]

Re: Treadmill help......

@amazer
Your budget is pretty good and you'd be able to get yourself a pretty good treadmill easily without much research as most of the good things would be standard features.
As per your requirements I'd suggest a treadmill with
Max weight:At least 120kg(Standard feature at such prices)
Motor Type: Short Answer(DC Motor) Mots of the ones available would be dc but keep an eye out anyway
Power: 2hp
(Most Important IMO)Width:At least 18in,get 20in if you're lucky
16in is fairly comfortable for thin guys trying to maintain their weight.Even for these people jogging and running becomes a bit uncomfortable as you less room to maneuver.

Easy Portability,hydraulic lifting up/down,heart rate monitors,handle bar controls etc would be standard features I guess but no harm in throwing around these words to make you look well informed.

Lastly,Bargain.Bargain hard.You should get at least 8k of the mrp if its ~60-70k,depending upon your skills you could get a cool 15k off on the higher end 70-90k ones.No kidding.Bargain would be hard though if you want to go for one of the more reputable brands but not worth it IMO.
@Satan
I have experienced the same thing man and I always go into an alert mode when doing 8km/hr or more.I have warned my mom and dad too but I don't worry much as the mostly only brisk walk.I guess it must be a potential accident trap in places like Navi Mumbai and all where power cuts are more frequent.