A motor to move the walking belt: Make sure that the belt moves fluidly.
Safety features: Don’t look twice at any model that doesn’t have an emer-
gency stop button and an automatic slow-start speed. A front hand rail is
helpful for maintaining balance and is probably safer than side rails,
which may actually disrupt your balance if they impede your arm swing.
Consider a machine that requires a security code or special magnet to
make it go, especially if you have young children. We like the magnet fea-
ture for adults, too: If you lose your balance, a magnet that’s connected
to the treadmill’s console pulls off the display panel, causing the
machine to automatically shut off.Feedback:Your machine should display the time, distance, speed, and
calories burned. Many treadmills also come with a set of preprogrammed
workouts and a heart-monitor hookup. (If the heart-rate monitor isn’t
built into the handrails, you can wear a chest monitor, and your heart
rate will appear on the display screen.) Treadmill displays have drasti-
cally improved in recent years; you may be able to find one that displays
motivating graphics of people exercising at your same pace.Chapter 20: Designing a Home Gym 309
BOSU balance trainers
BOSU balance trainers are a hot new way to get
a cardio workout while also improving your flex-
ibility. These fun products are shaped like a
dome (see the following figure) that works like
a step, but because the trainers are an unstable
surface, you challenge your core muscles in
addition to getting a great cardio workout. A
BOSU will set you back about only $100; $150
with videos and shipping included (see
http://www.bosu.com),,) and they don’t take up much
space in your home gym.