Friday, July 31, 2009

A Guide to Buying a Treadmill

If you want to be able to walk or run regardless of the weather you might be in the market for a treadmill. But there are so many options out there it can be hard to know which treadmill is best for you. Ideally, when buying a new treadmill you should research and evaluate what's available before you make a purchase.

It's a good idea to first work out what your major requirements are so you can assess how well the available features meet these needs. Consider the following:

  • Operation - Powered or manual; manual is less expensive but powered treadmills offer more features and convenience in adjustments.
  • Convenience - Foldable, wheels, self locking storage latch, self unfolding; more convenience equals more price.
  • Safety - Weight limit, child lock, hand rails, automatic stop; if you have children or exercise alone safety features can be a key factor.
  • Frame - Steel, plastic, or aircraft-quality aluminium over wood.

Once you've found some treadmills that meet your needs your next step is to compare them so you can narrow down your choices. If you are an occasional exerciser who only walks on your treadmill once or twice a week, then a manual budget treadmill with a plastic fame may suffice. If you walk more frequently you will want to consider better constructed machines with frames made from steel or aircraft quality aluminum. Of course there are many other issues to consider and you will need to examine these in turn to arrive at the best treadmill for your purposes.

Now that you're ready to buy you have a number of choices of where to buy your treadmill from. Each has advantages and disadvantages, and your individual taste and previous buying experience will have an impact. Staff at specialized fitness equipment and sports stores may offer the most knowledgeable advice, but prices on the internet are often better. It can be helpful to consult experienced salespeople if you are still unsure about whether to get a treadmill with internet download capacity or a programmable exercise routine option. This is one of the final issues to think about before handing over your hard-earned cash but don't forget to ask about other things such as warranties and spare parts. You also need to be wary of any buying traps.

Tip: It's always a good idea to actually try out the treadmill you are thinking of buying. Wear comfortable clothes and do a shorter version of the workout you're planning to do. If you walk, walk. If you will run, run. Is the belt smooth? Does it squeak? Are the handles at a comfortable level? Is the console easy to use as you do your workout? Use the answers to these questions to assess how well the treadmill compares to others on your shortlist.

For more information and videos on how to buy the right Treadmill go to Buyz123.com: Treadmill Buying Guide

Richard Block is the webmaster for Buyz123.com and has written and edited hundreds of their buying guides.

"Holding weights can be a challenging task for students with disabilities. With low muscle tone and strength, gripping a weight in a hand can be a struggle. With this FlagHouse Wrist and Ankle Weight you can increase the weight resistance and increase the amount of work done without worrying about weights being dropped. Increase both arm strength and leg strength together or separately through fitness activities and/or weight training with your wrist and ankle weights. The color of the weight allows your students to easily remember which weight to use by having them remember a color rather than a number. Have them keep track of their improvement and progress with the color scale instead of numbers. Fits children and adults! A full range of weights for a full range of workouts! Easy-to-use weights can be worn on wrists and ankles for both upper- and lower-body workout routines. Weights are covered in vinyl and wipe clean with just soap and water. Color-coded and clearly marked for easy identification, all models feature a long VELCRO brand touch-fastener strap and double safety closure with 4 vertically sewn pockets to ensure a precise fit. Includes a grommet for hanging. SIZE: 9 lbs."


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Tight Economy and Limited Budgets Spark Increase in Sales of Used Gym Equipment

In today's economy of tightened lending requirements and loss of employment we are seeing a downturn in the startup of new health clubs and fitness centers. Even corporateathletic centers have dropped off due to smaller budgets, layoffs and the like. Likewise we have seen an increase in gyms and health clubs, personal trainers seeking used fitness equipment. Regardless of any economy crisis, fitness equipment is going to break and wear out after many years of use. The facility will have to replace it with new equipment to keep the members happy and maintain the facility. The need has arisen for alternative options to fulfill the obligations of the facility yet remain within the confines of limited budgets.

The alternative has been used gym equipment also know as pre-owned, refurbished, reconditioned fitness equipment. The time could not be better for these operations to findgoodselectionsbecause manyhealthclubfacilities are closing up as unprofitable, defaulting on leased equipment that is repossessed and corporate gyms that are downsizing or combining several gyms into one gym housed at one corporate location. Our operation has been receiving calls weekly desperately requesting bid offers on facilities that need to unload theirexercise equipment for these reasons. This is resulting in a warehouse loaded with usedtreadmills, bikes ellipticals and strength equipmentincluding top name brands like Life fitness, True fitness, Paramount , Precor , Hammer strength, Cybex, Body Master, and many others.

The influx of this gymequipment has created an entirely new market for dealers and for those who need more affordable options to replace outdated or beyond repair . Used gym equipment is an excellent choice for residential facilities, personal trainer gyms, corporate or retirement heath club facilities and even individuals looking for higher quality cardio or strength equipment for a high end home gym. If you are looking for high quality on a limited budget then you should definitely research purchasing pre-owned options from a reputable dealer. Good used fitness equipment typically is put through rigorous inspection by certified technicians that are trained by the manufacturers. All damaged or worn parts are replaced and the frames are painted.Choice options vary as some units may only be 1-2 year old while other older units 4-6 years may be more worn and should be reflected in pricing which ranges from 60-80% below the original MSRP.

Pricing can usually be negotiated and really depends on what was invested to bring the fitness products back up to clean usable condition. Most dealers will be willing to negotiate price if you buy more pieces, as they find no benefit storing it in a warehouse. If you're looking to buy a larger quantity ask for a pricebreak. Most often dealers offer discounts or offer a free unit of lesser value if a buyer spends over a certain amount for any used equipment. If youare looking to save a little and are not afraid to do a little bargain shopping consider the option of used fitness equipment you may be pleasantly surprised at the great deals you may find.

Chris Beard is the web master for Athletic Concepts, Inc., which provides sales, service and installation of high-end quality commercial fitness equipment. Additionally we buy and sell used fitness equipment. To see our inventory visit us at: http://www.Athletic-Concepts.net or http://www.ReconditionedFitness.com

Even though your life revolves around cheerleading, you still have to go other places and do other things. You might enjoy your trips to school, the gym and overnights at a friend?s house even more when you carry your gear in our duffle bag featuring an embroidered and sequined megaphone and the word "Cheer? embellished with stars. To help keep your things neat and clean, this versatile duffle includes a separate outside pocket for shoes. It comes with carrying handles as well as a shoulder strap, and measures a roomy 18? x 10? x 12?. Water bottle and other props in photo are not included.


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