• Who is going to be using it? If it is just yourself and you are walking, you probably do not need the biggest and fastest. However, on the other side of things, if there is a family of 4 and someone is training for a marathon and you know it will be getting a lot of use, get something that will have a good warranty and one that has a longer belt (what you are running on).
• Running or Walking? If it is just for walking as mentioned above, you probably don’t need a long belt and an entry level treadmill will be fine. If you are a taller person and you like running, go with a longer belt and bigger motor.
• Commercial or Residential? Commercial means it will be in a condo, apartment or gym. You get different warranties and normally the treadmill will NOT flip up (store away). In a residential setting, you do not have someone running on it 3-14 hours a day so you do not necessarily need the biggest and best and normally those treadmills will flip up to save space.

These are the basics to think about when you are purchasing a treadmill. I will review 3 of our popular treadmills from entry level, a solid residential one and commercial treadmill.

Entry Level Treadmill Review:

The first option is the Spirit XT185, which is a great in home treadmill for running and walking with a 2.75 HP motor and 55” x 20” belt. It goes up to 10 mph and features a 10% incline. This treadmill won’t break the bank and will get you moving to a healthier lifestyle.

The next step up is the Spirit XT285. The reason I am mentioning this in the article is because it is very similar to the XT185 but it has a bigger belt at 60” x 20” and the motor is a 3 HP. This may not seem like a difference but I am 6’2” and trying to run on the XT185 is manageable but if you have ever run on a treadmill you know you can wander a little so having that extra few inches makes a huge difference and you get a few more functions and programs.

Mid Range Treadmill Review:

The Nautilus T618 is personally my favorite treadmill that Flaman Fitness has to offer. I am an avid runner but with running comes injuries and after years and years it does come with a price. The best feature of the T618 is the Exclusive Rebound ™ Cushioning System, which is like running on bark mulch. This makes your run soft and smooth so it is unlike anything you have ever run on before. It is easier on the joints, hips, knees, back and neck.

The belt is 60” x 20” so it is great for running and walking and will last. The motor is 3.5 HP and goes to 12 mph and increases to 15% grade. Ideal for interval training and is quiet enough where you can still watch TV.

Commercial Treadmill Review

This is when the price tag increases but you get what you pay for with quality and warranty for people who are using the treadmill up to 10 hours a day. Our newest line is the Matrix and there are two options with the T50 and T70.

The best part about Matrix is that you can customize your treadmill the way you want. There are 3 different options for consoles: XR, XER, and XIR that will allow you to do a number of functions and features but the best part is that they all offer the “Sprint 8” feature. With only 20 minutes 3 times a week it is proven to burn fat and kill calories! Let me warn you that it is a hard 20 minutes so do not take it lightly and always consult a physician before starting exercise.

Matrix was also awarded the “Brand of the Year” by The Fitness Professor and voted Top Ten 2017 Best Buy Treadmills. The brand speaks for itself and if you are looking to outfit your gym, apartment or even home (they offer very nice residential products as well), look at this first and go try one out at our many locations.

Overall Thoughts

Remember before going to buy a treadmill:

Bring your running shoes and gear and try the treadmill first! Every Flaman Fitness location has lots of treadmills that you can try and talk to one of our knowledgeable staff members and they will help find the right treadmill for you.

1. Treadmill - I love running and I got the privilege to run on the Nautilus 618 treadmill and it is phenomenal. The best treadmill I have ever run on. Easy to use, comfortable and smooth. A great way to burn calories and feel great afterwords. Make sure you stretch after as well!

2. Skipping - I bet you haven't skipped since you were 10 years old and let me tell you it is not like riding a bike. It usually takes a couple times to get comfortable with it but then you will be skipping like a pro.

3. Bosu - Even though a Bosu is technically not a cardio piece of equipment, it can be. It is a great tool for HIIT workouts. You can do quick feet drills, combined with strength and balance to get a full workout in one.

4. Agility Ladders - Not only are agility ladders good for athletes but even better for people who are not involved in as many sports anymore. The reason I say this is because as you get older you lose out on stability and control so doing ladder exercises gets the brain working, motor control and muscle memory to keep fit and stay sharp.

5. Boxing - Are you ready to step outside of your comfort zone? And I do not mean getting into the ring with someone and getting or knocking someone out. You can get a stand up heavy bag or hang a boxing bag from the ceiling (make sure it is supported properly) and some gloves and go to town. This is a great stress reliever and a lot of fun.

6. Elevation Training Mask - So this is more of a trickier one, but for those of you who are in good shape but want to be in better shape, this is the product for you. It suppresses your oxygen levels as if you were training at altitude. It makes the lungs work harder so you will perform better. Always consult a physician before you use this product.

7. Medicine Balls - Not only are medicine balls great for strength training but they're also great at building your cardiovascular system and power! Get that explosive movement that you need. You can do great HIIT training with it incorporating running intervals, push ups and much more. Anything you would do with body weight exercises, use a medicine ball. You can even run with the medicine ball.

8. Polar Watch - Polar watches come in many different styles with lots of different options. The reason I say this is a good accessory is because if you enjoying running or want to track your daily movements this is the option for you. Polar offers a wide variety of watches and options to choose from.

9. Polar Loop - Just starting to get back in shape? Want to know your heart rate? Want to get 10,000 steps in per day? Get a Polar Loop. This neat, inexpensive tool will help get the results that you are after. Keep a goal set and stay with it to do the best you can.

10. Yoga mat and accessories - Even though this isn't exactly cardiovascular training it is a great workout and can get the heart rate up with a nice vinyasa or flow class. Not only can the heart rate get up but you will also build strength and mobility. Great for all ages and if you are a non-believer you just have to find the class for you. Whether you cannot touch your toes or have more mobility than you realize, you need to get in touch with different instructors and try out different classes to get the right class for you.

If you are new to exercise and weight training, you may have no idea what I am even talking about but I will make this as clear as I possibly can. If you're still unsure, check out our Learn section or YouTube channel for some videos on how to do free weight exercises, such as "How to do bent over rows with dumbbells." Or head into a Flaman Fitness store near you and ask one of our helpful sales people.

I will start with the basic flat bench.

It is a non-adjustable flat bench, meaning it is parallel to the ground. It is great for doing any supported rows, flat bench press, rear foot elevated split squats (RFESS) and that is just to name a couple exercises. These benches are great for beginners and expert fitness enthusiasts and an easy starting point. Some options we have are the:

X-plode Flat Bench PFX-205 starting at $189

Powerblock Travel Bench starting at $179, which has folding legs so it's great for travel, storage and trainers who do in home training.

If you are looking for a bench that adjusts:

X-plode FID bench PFX-185 starting at $299.99 has adjustments to 90 degrees upright and even a decline with 7 adjustable spots in between for optimal performance.

Progression FID Bench PFX-210 starting at 399.99 not only adjusts like the PFX-185, it has a leg attachment to secure your legs to the bench but you can also attach a preacher curl and knee extension right into the bench to add to your home gym.

These are just some of the options to get you started with your home workouts. There are lots more to choose from online or in store! For any other questions call one of our locations nearest you!

Let's start with the bag. There are many options to choose from, it just depends on where and how you want to configure your bag. For standalone options, you can get a weighted floor stand with a bag or even a fake person (such as a Century Bob punching dummy, if you are wondering what that is) attached to the top. It's easy to use and install.

If you are looking for a heavy bag, they come in options of 60, 80, and 100 lbs. Make sure if you are getting a bag you have a spot to hang it from the ceiling or roof so it will not wreck your roof. Leave enough room if you are putting it into a corner so you can move around the bag as you punch or kick it. The bag does move so just be cautious. FYI make sure it is secured properly in the roof!

Both the heavy bag and standalone bag are great for your cardiovascular system, strength and power. You can time your punching intervals in a 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, etc work to rest ratio, meaning you punch for 1 min and take 1 min off and then 1 min on and 2 min off and so on. You can superset (combine more than 1 exercise at a time) by punching the bag for 1 min, skip for 30 sec, do jump squats (these are just an example) and then take a break. This High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) taps into your aerobic and anaerobic energy systems to burn more fat.

This is just one of many ways to change your mundane workout routine and get you excited about working out!

Your shoulders will lift towards your ears, tightening up your traps (muscles from your mid back, to your shoulders, and then to the base of the skull) which can lead to head aches and even migraines. This will make you less productive at work and more irritated. As you start working more and more you will find your back starts slouching. Your hip flexors tighten up, putting more tension on your back and as your back starts rounding it can become very uncomfortable leading to chronic issues such as: sore back, tight hips, weaker abs and a constant stiff feeling.

Having a treadmill desk does NOT mean you have to walk 8 hours a day at your desk. It just means you will be proactive while you are working. Always start slow. If you decide to get a treadmill desk start out for your first week walking 1 out of 8 hours and seeing how your body will react to it. If you are a bit sore and stiff but not debilitating, you are doing it properly. After a couple weeks progress to 2 out of 8 hours and so on. You never want to go to the next extreme and walk 8 hours every day. When you are not using your desk, you can get a chair or stand and the desk moves up and down to suit any height.

Once you are using your treadmill desk, you will notice many changes such as burning calories at work! Meaning if you have a family and you actually are too busy to hit the gym, this cuts out the middle man.

You will have increased blood circulation to your body which will reduce blood glucose levels, so it is especially helpful if you have type 2 diabetes.

Lower blood pressure (hypertension) – just by walking a couple hours a day you can increase the longevity of your life. It will prevent you from getting sick and improve your overall health.

It will help you maintain and even build stronger bones. Doing weight bearing exercises such as using a treadmill desk gets your body moving and feeling better.

When your body is moving around, you are releasing endorphins into your body. These are happy hormones and it will increase your mood while decreasing stress and anxiety. Walking has also been linked to more creativity regardless of your environment.

There are so many benefits to a treadmill desk you won't know until you try one. We have locations all across Western Canada and you can come into a store and try one out for yourself! Always consult a physician before starting exercise and get your body moving!