treadmill | Complete Runner

Cold Weather Solutions to Keep You Fit!

December 14, 2016 By Complete Runner

The temperature has definitely taken a plunge from only a month ago. For walkers and runners, it’s time to spend more time on exercise equipment in the comfort of their own home. There are a few things that you want to consider when buying your first piece of equipment or when looking for an upgrade to what you already have.

What do I need?

There are so many different equipment types available today that it’s a good idea to understand what you want to get out of the machine. For walkers and runners, a treadmill is the natural choice. A good treadmill can give you years of service with little to no maintenance. Most new machines have programs to target your activity goals.

If you are looking for non-impact, an Elliptical is a great choice. You want to look for an Elliptical that mimics Good Form Running instead of a cross country ski or shuffle motion. Another non-impact option would be a recumbent bike. Recumbent bikes are great for someone who is rehabbing a leg injury as it lets you sit comfortably while achieving aerobic exercise and working the muscle groups in your legs.

Features

Some versions of a machine will have more or less options; so identify what fits your needs the best. Here are some great features to consider.

Heart rate- this feature can be used to target the aerobic level of your activity.
Programs- pre-set programs can help you attain your fitness goals with options such as hill workouts, intervals, heart rate based, and fat burn.
Display- Large LCD displays can make viewing workout data much easier while in motion.
Motor- good quality treadmills will have a minimum of 3HP commercial motors. This helps keep the belt running smooth regardless of speed or incline you are running or walking at.
Quick speed and incline keys- for treadmills, these keys allow you to pick a specific speed or incline instantly.
Brakes- hand brakes allow for quick stopping on ellipticals and recumbent bikes.
Cooling- integrated fans can be a great option during workouts.
Media- a good sound system is key when working out. A media input will allow you to play music from a phone, tablet or music device through exterior speakers.

Quality

Not all equipment is created equally. Professional-grade machines are built specifically to take years of use with little or no maintenance. The frame is very important as it’s the foundation the machine is built on and will determine the stability of it. A commercial grade structural steel frame with powder-coat paint will be sturdy and durable. Be sure to look at the weight rating of the machine. The higher the rating the more stable the machine will be under heavy use and the bigger the person it can accommodate. Since this is a long term investment, a good warranty will help protect that investment. Look for a lifetime warranty on the frame and motor, 5-10 years on parts and 1 year on labor.

Having a good piece of exercise equipment in your home can be a convenient way to stay active during the winter months or to keep that training program on schedule. Complete Runner has a wide variety of professional-grade treadmills, ellipticals and recumbent bikes in the store for you to try out. You won’t find our equipment at your local department store, since our exercise equipment is specifically built for serious runners and athletes. Come in and let us show you how to keep you going the distance this winter.

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3 Benefits of Owning Your Own Exercise Equipment

November 23, 2013 By Complete Runner

If you have decided to run inside this winter, or at least for part of the time, you really have two choices to make. Buy equipment and work out in your house, or get a membership to the gym. Either option is good because you are accomplishing your goals either way, but we are going to take a look at some of the benefits of owning your exercise equipment.

1 – It’s convenient.

It is really simple to wake up and go downstairs or in the spare room each morning and run on the treadmill or ride a bike. Not only do you not need to drive to the gym, sometimes in bad weather, but you don’t need to wait for equipment and you can use your own shower, saving you valuable time. You can also work out at whatever time you like.

2 – It’s personalized.

Although there are many choices at the gym, most people only use a few things on a consistent basis. Creating your own in-home gym allows you to invest in some good quality equipment that is catered to your tastes and fitness goals, and equipment can always be added as budget, space, and preferences change over time.

3 – It’s a long term-investment.

Gym’s make money on people signing up and not showing up, and once you pay your dues that money is gone forever no matter if you take advantage of the services or not. On the flip side, an investment in exercise equipment for your home is a significant long-term investment in yourself, motivating you to stick with it since you are more invested in equipment than a membership at the gym. And, after you pay for the equipment you get to continue reaping the rewards for no additional fees, unlike monthly gym dues.

If you are considering investing in your own exercise equipment, check out some related articles on various types of equipment that are good for runners.

The Runners Guide to Buying a Treadmill

Bike le Tour de France in Your Basement

E-Glide Elliptical Offers Great Winter Running Workouts

Exercise Equipment to Improve Your Core

3 Reasons Why You Should Run Inside This Winter

November 23, 2013 By Complete Runner

Running Inside in the Winter

After writing about reasons why you should run outside this winter, it is only fair to consider the opposite viewpoint and discuss reasons why you should run inside during the cold, winter months.

If you don’t run indoors in the winter here are three reasons to consider doing so.

1 – You will be safer indoors and protected from the elements.

The winter months can be downright nasty. Some find it adventurous to run outside in the winter elements, but many don’t find it very appealing. The slippery roads and fewer daylight hours can make running outside somewhat dangerous, so running inside is safer and more comfortable.

2 – You will be faster.

A treadmill is like having a personal coach that will keep you on pace to accomplish your goals. Interval training on a good treadmill is a very effective way to improve your speed when most other people are getting slower over the winter. How cool will it be to show up to your first spring 5K of the year faster than you were the year before?

3 – You will never be bored.

Running inside allows you to change things up quite often to keep a good variety in your training. Try interval repeats one day, hill workout the other, and add in some cross training on the bike and with weights. Already being inside will give you easy access to a variety of equipment to keep things interesting, whether you are at the gym or in your basement.

If you are interested in running inside this winter, consider investing in a high quality running treadmill such as the Boston Marathon, Spirit, or Precor Treadmills, and check out Complete Runner’s Guide to Buying a Treadmill for more tips.

Boston Marathon Treadmill Now Available at Complete Runner!

August 28, 2013 By Complete Runner

Boston Marathon Treadmill Flint Michigan

After months of anticipation we are excited that the first Official Boston Marathon Treadmill shipped to Michigan came to Complete Runner!

If you know what a smartphone is capable of, then you may be able to imagine what this smart treadmill can do. The Boston Marathon Treadmill is unlike any treadmill you have ever seen, so much so that you really need to come to the store to experience it for yourself. Here are a few of the highlights that will get your heart beating with excitement:

Run the actual Boston Marathon!
Run anywhere in the world by selecting your route on Google Maps, with every incline (up to 20%) and decline (down to -6%) simulated as if you were actually running the course
Adjust your speed easily and conveniently with the Bluetooth SpeedRing
16 and 20 week marathon training programs built in to the treadmill
Change the suspension for a more forgiving run on your joints, or the traditional road-like conditions
Top speed of 15 miles per hour
10” full color touch screen powered by Android, allowing you to get online and browse the web via your wireless network

If you’ve written off treadmill training in the past the Boston Marathon Treadmill may just give you a new perspective how this amazing technology can assist you to become a better runner and simulate any route in the world.

Check out the Boston Marathon Treadmill today at Complete Runner.

The Right Equipment Makes All the Difference

January 30, 2013 By Complete Runner

Running Treadmill

Imagine the following…

You love photography and especially love taking pictures of your kids. You experiment with different lighting to see what shots turn out the best. You even buy cute (and sometimes expensive) outfits for your kids to wear as they pose for you behind the homemade backdrop you learned how to make online. Then, you pull out your disposable camera and start clicking away.

I don’t think so.

If this was true, you would more than likely have a decent digital camera. Since you love capturing memories and have taken the time to learn skills and techniques having a good camera can make an amateur photographer feel like a pro. Just because you have a good camera doesn’t mean you automatically turn awesome, but once you learn how to use more features you will start to see improvements in your shots.

In the same way if you are a serious runner you know the importance of having a good pair of running shoes that are fit for your feet. A pair of $19 shoes from the department store aren’t made to meet the needs of a runner.

The right equipment can make the difference.

A lot of people have negative perceptions of treadmills, sometimes referring to them as dreadmills. This may have been true in the past when the technology wasn’t there, with the increase in technology treadmills today can act as your coach and personal trainer, allowing you to precisely control your workouts to get the maximum results.

For example, the heart rate monitor can be set on a treadmill to gauge your workout and ensure you stay in the fat burning zone to lose weight. Some can even be set up to do interval training.

It is actually common to hear of athletes getting ahead of the game in the winter when the weather is crappy outside because they have conducted very structured workout programs on their treadmill. Why hibernate over the winter when you can get ahead?

Complete Runner has a wide variety of professional-grade treadmills and ellipticals in the store for you to try out. You won’t find our equipment at your local department store, since our exercise equipment is specifically build for serious runners and athletes.

For more information on treadmills and ellipticals come and see us at the store, and also check out The Runner’s Guide to Buying a Treadmill and E Glide Elliptical Offers Great Winter Running Workouts.

The Runner’s Guide to Buying a Treadmill

December 26, 2011 By Complete Runner

If you are a serious runner and considering buying a treadmill you need to understand an important fact – treadmills are not created equal. The treadmills sold at mass discount stores are marketed for impulse buys and won’t hold up to the mileage and training demands that you require. For example, imagine a typical person shopping at a large discount store in January and he just happens to see a treadmill on sale for a few hundred bucks. He gets an idea in his head that this is the year he is going to stay in shape over the winter and buys the treadmill on a whim. More often than not, he probably won’t last too long on the treadmill, especially without a training plan and accountability in place. By March the treadmill will be used as a coat rack and won’t see much action. The manufacturers’ plan on this to happen and is why these impulse treadmills can be sold for cheap since they are low quality and not made to last for the long hall.

However, if you are serious about running or walking you will put quite a few miles on a treadmill and want it to hold up to your workout demands. Precor, Spirit Fitness, and Bodyguard Fitness are a few of the companies who make quality treadmills especially for runners. When buying a treadmill to use for serious training here is a list of seven things to consider:

Make sure the treadmill has a three-ply belt; anything less isn’t very thick and won’t last for a lot of miles.
We suggest treadmills of at least a 3-HP continuous motor for running. Committed walkers may be able to get away with a slightly smaller motor but a durable motor is crucial for the longevity of the treadmill.
Look for your treadmill to have a wide belt so you have plenty of room to run.
If you can afford it, look to buy a commercial grade treadmill. Specifically built for durability and lots of miles, the commercial grade option will hold up to multiple years of training and provide a good return on your investment.
To minimize the impact on your knees and joints, a good treadmill will offer some sort of cushion on the belt or deck. On certain treadmills Precor has their Ground Effects® and Integrated Footplant Technology™ for cushioning and stride support.
Look for a treadmill that offers interval training. Set your speed, hill, or Galloway training workout in the treadmill and it will keep you on pace. Unlike running on the road a treadmill will never let you slack off unless you decide to stop completely.
Another cool feature of a good treadmill for runners is a hear rate control. It will help to optimize your training by adjusting your workout accordingly to always keep your heart rate in its target range.

If you are looking for a treadmill bring your running shoes and shorts to Complete Runner and test out our selection of quality treadmills. We’ll answer all your questions and help you find the treadmill that fits your training needs and budget.