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When trying to choose the best treadmill for a home gym most people check out the specifications and features of different treadmills to get a gauge of how they rate. One of these key features that every soon to be treadmill owner looks for, is horsepower (HP).
The theory is the higher the horsepower the more powerful and therefore better the machine. But what really is horsepower and is it the most reliable guide to a treadmills performance and quality?
Continuous or Peak Horsepower – What’s The Difference?
Horsepower is the measure of a treadmills power of which there are 2 types, continuous and peak horsepower.
- Continuous horsepower how powerful a treadmill can continually operate without dropping of
- Peak horsepower is the maximum horsepower a treadmill can generate for a short period of time
It is the continuous horsepower that you should be looking for when comparing treadmills as this gives a more realistic guide of how it will perform when in use i.e when used at a continuous pace for 20-30 minutes.
Horsepower Problem
The problem with comparing continuous horsepower between treadmills is that there is no industry standard for measuring horsepower. So different manufacturers can give their treadmills different HP ratings depending on the rpm and amps used.
Manipulation of treadmill HP rating can even be used as a marketing ploy to convince unsuspecting treadmill buyers that a treadmill is better than it is.
So how do you compare the quality and performance of treadmill motors?
How To Compare Treadmill Motors
Don’t get me wrong, a treadmills horsepower is not irrelevant. Instead it should be used as a guide along with 2 other important features…
- Greater than 1.5HP – If a treadmill has a HP of anything less than 1.5 is is really only suitable for walking. This is more important if the person using the treadmill is heavy. The heavier the user the more horsepower is required to keep it working without burning out.
- Motor Warranty – The longer the motor warranty the better the motor. A 3.0HP motor with only a 3 month warranty should trigger alarm bells. Look for a motor with a warranty of 10 years or more which suggests it is built to last.
- Quality Brand – No one ever regrets buying quality and this is never truer than with fitness equipment. With a quality brand like Pro-Form or Smooth Fitness you can be sure that the motors are made to a very high standard.
So if you are currently searching for your first treadmill make sure you don’t fall into the horsepower trap like countless before you. Doing your research now will save you money, wasted time and heartache down the road. Remember good horsepower combined with a great warranty and a good brand makes a great treadmill motor.
- SmoothFitness.com
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- ProForm.com
- Free Shipping on Treadmills + 5% off with coupon Cabin5%
- Sole Treadmills
- FREE Shipping on every Treadmill + Save $1,000
