PRICE
SPEED AND ELEVATION
As with most of life’s major purchases,
price is most often the number one
consideration. However, when you
consider the life of your treadmill (e.g.
three to five years of consistent, ongoing
use) it’s worth stretching your budget
as far as you can and then some. So,
if you think your absolute budget is
$10,000 per piece, then add 25 per cent.
This is because over the lifetime of that
treadmill, if you’re looking at a three to
five year lifespan then that extended
budget equates to a mere $9 to $16 per
week per treadmill. Or you can think of
it this way: based on a $1,000 annual
membership fee, you’d only need to
acquire 2.5 new members during that
three to five year period to cover that
extra 25 per cent of your extended
budget. And even though member/
client retention is probably not directly
linked to one single piece of equipment,
it’s safe to say that if the overall
experience of using great equipment in
the gym makes your members decision
to stay with a little easier, then it’s a
worthwhile investment.
On average, top speeds range from 15
to 27km per hour with elevation options
up to 12 to 15 per cent. If you want
equipment that can deliver a seriously
intense workout, there is a treadmill
with a top speed of 40km per hour, and
another with an incline up to 20 per cent!
The bottom line is, maximum speed and
elevations vary from brand to brand, so
make sure you know what you want to
be able to offer your members/clients,
and shop around to find the treadmills
that will satisfy your specific needs.
EQUIPMENT TRAINING
Online manuals have replaced paper,
but in all honesty most people don’t
use them. So make sure online support,
set-up and demo videos are available
from the equipment supplier, to help
you understand treadmill functionality
including all the pre-programmed
workouts. A treadmill can be more
exciting than just a flat run, and with the
capacity for treadmills to now integrate
internet connectivity (see later), there’s a
whole new world of runs and routines to
tap into.
TAILORED PROGRAMMING
Some treadmills integrate with heart rate
monitor straps to automatically adjust
the speed and elevation of the treadmill
in real time, in accordance with the
maximum heart rate set at the beginning
of the workout.
SHOCK ABSORPTION
Shock absorbers can reduce the amount
the shock and stress on your joints by
cushioning the impact when your foot
strikes the deck. Some treadmills boast
automatic and dynamic adjustment to
different running styles, enabling each
user to enjoy exactly the exercising
sensation they prefer.
Did you know?
The number one most reported accident
in the gym is falling due to stepping onto
a treadmill while the belt is still moving.
Safety tip: Look for ‘Auto Stop’ or ‘Stride
Sensors’ functions, which automatically
stop the belt once the user leaves the
treadmill.
HEART RATE MONITORING
Digital heart rate monitoring is the surest
indicator of progress and intensity.
Hand sensors are usually located on the
handlebars or side rails with hands free
monitoring available when wearing a
chest strap.
Did you know?
Treadmills as muscle-powered engines
originated roughly 4,000 years ago[1]
where their primary use was to lift
buckets of water. This same technology
was later adapted to create rotary grain
mills and the treadwheel.
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MAINTENANCE
Although basic care is necessary,
maintenance-free is the ultimate option.
Look for reversible self-lubricating decks
that can be flipped after normal wear
and tear, as this capacity can double
the life of the treadmill surface.
FINANCE
All suppliers offer access to finance/
leasing terms. Check all fees associated
with your contract and ask about buyback options, upgrade incentives, and
trade-ins.
WHAT’S NEW IN FITNESS - SUMMER 2015