Guide to Wellness – July 2019

HOW TO

CHOOSE

THE RIGHT

MACHINE

You can get an equally

good cardio workout

on treadmills, ellipticals,

and alternative motion

exercise machines. Here’s

what to consider.

GUIDE TO TREADMILLS AND ELLIPTICALS

TIPS FOR BUYING A

USED TREADMILL

A used treadmill can be a smart, low-cost option,
but only if you buy one that will last. Peter
Anzalone, Consumer Reports’ senior test project
leader for fitness equipment, offers these tips
to help you find one for the long run.

1. Don’t buy from
   fitness centers.
   Commercial gyms
   may sell heavy-duty
   equipment, but it
   has probably been
   used up to 24 hours a
   day for years. Buying
   a treadmill from
   someone’s home is

a smarter option.

Chances are good that

the machine hasn’t

seen as much action.

2. Inspect the belt.
   Examine the entire
   length for fraying,
   loose seams, or other
   signs of wear. Any

irregularity could mean

that the belt needs to

be replaced.

3. Test the motors.
   Without standing on
   the treadmill, run it
   through the full range
   of speeds, listening for
   any whining, strain-
   ing, or other unusual
   sounds that could
   suggest a problem
   with the main motor.
   Then stand on the
   treadmill and put it
   through the full range
   of inclines, noting any
   rough transitions or

clunking as it goes up

and down. They can

be signs of a weak

incline motor or broken

gearing, respectively.

4. Review the
   warranty. Most frames
   are welded steel
   and have a lifetime
   warranty, Anzalone
   says. But warranties on
   parts and electronics
   can range from one to
   10 years. The longer
   the warranty, the
   more likely that the
   equipment is built
   to last.

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76 76 GUIDE TO WGUIDE TO WELLNESS ELLNESS CR.ORGCR.ORG

TREADMILL

SAFETY

Between 1997 and 2014,

almost 5,000 people ended

up in an emergency room

with a head injury from a

treadmill accident. Here are

six tips from CR experts to

help you stay safe.

Give it plenty of space.

Leave at least 2 feet of

clearance on either side of a

treadmill and 6 feet behind

it to avoid falling into a wall

or being wedged between

the machine and a wall or a

piece of furniture if you lose

your balance.

Always use the safety key.

It clips onto your clothing

and stops the belt if you fall

to prevent additional injury,

such as friction burns.

Straddle the belt when you

turn on the treadmill. This

will keep you from getting

knocked off your feet.

Never step off a moving

treadmill. Let the belt come

to a complete stop first.

Keep your head up. You’re

more likely to lose your

balance when you’re looking

at your feet.

Maintain the machine.

Lubricate it according to the

manufacturer’s directions,

tighten loose hardware

(only using manual tools),

and wipe up any sweat—

especially on the hand grips

and controls—after use.

TREADMILLS Treadmills, which start at about $500, allow

you to walk, jog, or run, usually at a variety of speeds and

inclines. A short, budget treadmill can be a fine space-saving

choice, though people with longer strides should opt for a

longer deck. Test any model you’re thinking of buying to get a

sense of the size, cushioning, and console configuration.

ELLIPTICALS Ellipticals, which start at about $600, are

lower-impact than treadmills and also allow for an upper-

body workout. They’re usually quieter than treadmills.

ALTERNATIVE MOTION EXERCISE MACHINES These

specialty cardio machines, which we don’t currently test,

combine aspects of treadmills and ellipticals. Some let you

mimic a running motion without the impact on your joints.

WHERE TO PUT IT Exercise equipment—particularly

a treadmill—needs plenty of clearance on all sides (see

“Treadmill Safety,” at right). A folding treadmill can save space

when not in use. But test the folding function before buying

because a heavy deck can be difficult to raise.

SPECIAL FEATURES Some machines come with features like

internet or mobile-app connectivity and interactive programs;

simpler machines can save you money. Everyone should use

heart-rate monitoring to get a sense of his or her level of

exertion, says Peter Anzalone, a CR technician, but it doesn’t

have to be built into the machine.

CR technician

Peter Anzalone