Fitness for larger people does not automatically mean losing weight. It could mean staying at the same weight since as we become fitter muscle replaces fat. When it’s medically OK, reasonable, regular exercise is a very good thing. It helps me sleep better, I have more energy and my outlook on things brightens.
There’s no doubt that I exercise a lot more regularly because of the treadmill I have at home. It beats going out in the rain, smog, heat or driving to a gym. Also, for those of us who are larger a home treadmill lets us progress at our own pace free from the comments sometimes heard when exercising in public.
I didn’t know where to begin 15 years ago when I decided to buy my first treadmill. Fortunately a family member who’s also an accomplished athlete helped me find one for someone my size. These are the features I look for:
1. Large, shock absorbing surface for walking or running.
2. A model designed for someone my weight.
3. The ability to start slowly and change speed in small steps.
4. Sturdy handrails and design.
5. An easy to read display and buttons that are easy to use.
6. Power elevation I can change from level to different inclines.
7. Built in heart rate monitor & programmable workouts.
8. Automatic safety shut-off.
My dilemma in writing this article was deciding which treadmill to show you. We have the only selection of treadmills especially for the larger person I’ve ever seen, including models for up to 600 lbs. I’m showing you this one because its features and low price make it an excellent choice for many larger people.
The BladeZ 6630 features an extensive 60 inch by 20 inch walking/running area. It’s designed to hold 425 lbs. walking, making it by far the highest capacity machine in this price range. It features a cushioning suspension system to reduce impact to the back, knees, hips and joints. It comes with both a Polar™ wireless heart rate monitor and handgrips that measure your heart rate. It has power elevation from 0 to 15%, a speed range from 0 to 12 miles per hour, programmable workouts and emergency Safe-T-Lock. A large, flat screen TV is available as an option. It comes with a full 10 year warranty for the frame, 2 years for electronics and parts and 1 year labor. This machine is a remarkable value for the larger person and everyone in the family.
Here’s something I did before my treadmill was installed that might come in handy for you. Treadmills can be installed on either a hard or carpeted floor. I installed mine on a carpet. I protected the carpet and gave the treadmill a solid surface by going to Home Depot and getting a regular 4×8 sheet of plywood 5/8 inch thick. They cut it for me to make it 40 inches wide. My treadmill mat sits on top of it with about 3 inches to spare on the sides.
One other thing I did was to have the people who delivered the treadmill set it up for me. It’s well worth it to have it assembled, tested and fine tuned by the professionals.
A treadmill is no small investment, especially one that’s made for a larger person. The decision became easy, though, when I realized I wasn’t just buying a treadmill, I was investing in health and well being for me and my family. What’s more important than that?
Posted under Health Products
This post was written by Jeanne on December 5, 2008