The More Than Dual Importance of Dual Belt Treadmills
Because treadmills have been arguably the most convenient choice for exercise, a lot of people have been wondering how to know what features should be deemed important in treadmills. And since it would probably be used daily by all members of the family, it's important to know what one you should focus on to let your treadmill last longer. In this article, we'll be concentrating on one of the most significant features of a treadmill---belts, or dual belts to be more specific. Belts are the ones stretched over the landing floor of your treadmill and attached to two or more rollers so you can walk or run on it. Dual belts are also sometimes known as two-ply belts. Dual belts also (naturally) last longer than one-ply belts.
When choosing a treadmill, it's not enough just to make sure that they have dual belts. Check to see if both belts are thick or thin too, because the latter will mean a shorter lifespan. Then, check the length. If you've got long legs, dual belts aren't enough. You also have to make sure that they're about 50-60 inches long. Width matters, too. 18" is just about enough as a safety measure.
Now that you're done with your treadmill's dual belt checklist, it's time to make a choice. Which treadmill with dual belts should you purchase? Star Trac's 4500HR should make it to your top three choices because not only does it have dual belts but it also comes from one of the premier makers of treadmills. On the other hand, the Smooth 9.25 HRTreadmill prides itself on having the best quality of dual belt in the industry. If you plan to research online about treadmills with dual belts, however, it's better if you type two ply belt in the search box to gain more results.
After purchase, the next thing to digest would be maintenance tips. Dual belt or not, you still have to follow certain procedures. First, check out if the belts are properly adjusted. If it's stretched too tightly or loosely, things would probably go wrong. An indication of maladjustment is when your treadmill gives off a peculiar noise. And since these are dual belts that we're talking about, it's better to ascertain that they're properly aligned also. Misalignment of your treadmill's dual belts can lead to roller knocking and that absolutely is not a good thing. Same way that your treadmill requires regular cleaning, it wouldn't hurt to give special attention to its belts since, after all, belts --- and yours are dual, to boot --- are the most important feature of treadmills. As much as possible, keep your treadmill's belts - and preferably, the deck, too -- dry. Some people lubricate their belts but it would be better if you read your treadmill's manual first to see if it's allowed. Better safe than sorry, you know, because purchasing a treadmill with dual belts is something that would cost more than a pretty penny.
Lastly, it would also be to your advantage if you checked out the trackers of your treadmill's belts. Trackers for your dual belt ensure that the belts run smoothly and do not resemble the rocky road to Mount Everest. Neglecting to follow this could result in unfortunate treadmill 911 situations.
Although dual belts are ideal for treadmills, don't think that it's the best there is in the industry. The likes of Landice and Precor have gone one step further and now sell treadmills with - ready? --- four ply belts. Not two, not just dual but four belts! Of course, the increase in quality is proportionate to an increase in price so if you don't have the budget for it, stick with a dual belt treadmill. It may not be the absolute best, but it certainly is enough.
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