How To Choose The Best Treadmill Motors

Treadmill motors are arguably the most important consideration in choosing a model that will be virtually maintenance free. Make sure the one you purchase is at least a 2.5 horse power. If you are an avid runner, look for a model with the most horsepower you can afford. Cheap treadmills have inferior parts and the motors / belts don’t last nearly as long as the ones used in a higher quality treadmill.

One of the reasons the motor is so important is it is more expensive to replace than other treadmill belts and parts. Taking the time to find a model with a good motor will save you repairing or replacing it later. If you buy a cheap motorized treadmill, you will end up having to replace it within a year or two, especially if it gets a lot of use.

There are two ways to rate parts such as motors for treadmills, continuous duty and peak duty. Continuous duty is the horsepower that is constantly delivered from the motor to the belt. Peak duty is the maximum horsepower motors can put out. Usually, this can’t be maintained for long. Peak duty is usually about double the continuous duty rating.

Be careful when you are comparing treadmills. Having to replace parts such as the motor and belt is a cumbersome procedure, even if covered by a warranty. Make sure you are using the same rating system for your comparisons. Looking at two 2.5 HP treadmills can be deceiving, if one is rated continuous and the other peak. You could end up with a 1.5 HP when you thought you had purchased a 2.5 HP motor. This won’t be enough horsepower for your workout if you do anything more than light walking.

Runners need higher horsepower partly because of the heavy usage their treadmill get. The minimum continuous duty horsepower you should look for is 2 HP if you are an avid runner. Inferior parts such as weak motors won’t give you enough challenge and the motor won’t be able to move the belt along.

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