Do Treadmill Work station Weight Ratings Really Make a Difference? When comparing treadmill bases, should you really consider whether they’re rate for users weighing 250 lbs.or more? Yes, it is far more important than you would believe.
The very first thing to realise is that there are no industry standards for determining a treadmill’s weight rating. Each automaker determines weight ratings based on their own methods. Which is usually kept a trade secretThose who remember what it’s like to ascertain an automobile’s true MPG performance prior to EPA government standards may be able to best relate to the present situation with treadmills.
There is no protection devices for how this should be done, so it is completely up to the marketing departments of manufacturers to claim anything they want.
Exerpeutic’s marketing assert that their WorkFit 2000 Aerobic fitness Desk has been “tested up to 400lbs of user weight” is our favorite part of this. They only “tested” it with a 400-pound user, most likely someone pulled from the IT dept to start giving it a quick run. They don’t even reveal the test results, let alone the testing approach. What this masks is the absence of any manufacturing good condition. An in-depth review is the best way to decide whether or not the claims made by the treadmill manufacturer are true.
For further information, see our roundup of aerobic fitness work station feedback or our glyphosate of aerobic fitness bases reviews.
Residential treadmills
Residential treadmills are typically built with low output (and therefore less expensive) DC motors that produce total strength only at high RPMs. Traffic speeds, such as a 1 to 2 mph stroll, will only use a portion of the motor’s power. This isn’t usually a problem for most users, but a thicker user can put a lot of strain on the motor and control system, causing the system to overheat. The engine and/or controller may heat up and fail while you’re walking on the cross trainer, usually suddenly and without warning.
So, what exactly do aerobic fitness weight stats mean to oneself, the consumer?
Is doing a mass rating of 300 lbs. imply that the automaker evaluated the treadmill with such a 305 lb. consumer and the component failed and not with a 300 lb. user? Unlikely. Does this imply that the device failed after 6 hours of continuous use by a 305-pound individual? Perhaps, who knows? The truth is that, while most of these manufacturers have extensive knowledge of what works for the target purpose, they do not share similar standards for determining weight ratings. Most exercise machines sold in the United States only have a UL credential, that also addresses user safety rather than advertising truth.
Weight ratings are merely marketing gimmicks.
Weight ratings are more important than anything else in allowing makers to position distinct treadmill models for different audiences. If a manufacturer creates two models, one robust and one less robust, they may give the more robust one a 350 lb. rank and the weakened the first a 250 lb. rating to differentiate them in the minds of the consumers as high price versus economy models.
Many factors influence a treadmill’s true weight bearing capacity. Lower-end treadmills typically have a weight limit of 200 to 300 pounds. Higher-end models typically have a more tolerant weight limit of 300 to 500 lbs. (Woodway, an ultra-premium treadmill manufacturer, claims an amazing 800 lb. limit on some of their cardio machines!)
The depth of the treadmill deck is an important factor in weight bearing capacity. The deck’s lamination wears out, resulting in increased friction and the need to replace it. A 34-inch deck’s lamination is more likely to be damaged by heavy hammering than a more expensive and heavier 1′′ deck.
The horsepower rating
The horsepower rating of the motor is also something to consider. However, keep in mind that horsepower isn’t always a good indicator of a treadmill’s able to manage heavier users.
Along with horsepower, other factors that influence a treadmill’s overall capability include the weight and radius of the flywheel (which mediate the abruptness of speed changes by constantly replacing ones mass on the buckle surface for each footfalls), the equipment ratio of a drive belt, the roller diameters, and the frictional force of the belt against the deck.
Torque
Torque – the motor’s ability to overcome friction between both the conveyor and the deck at particular RPM . For example speeds and inclines is what matters most.
Even though we firmly dissuade starting to work at an incline, let’s assume for the sake of this conversation that we’re looking at treadmill weight restrictions at zero incline.
For a moment, let’s get technical.
Torque, on the other hand, cannot be cited as a single number from a spec book. The torque rating of an engine is measured with a test rig . It varies across the motor’s RPM range, thus it is typically represented on a graph like the one shown here. You can get a vague estimation of torque output by looking at the motor’s HP rating and Peak RPM.
The motor’s ability to produce more torque is limited by the number of amps it can handle. It is determined by its design. The controller’s job is to vary the amps supplied to the motor . To restrict it on the upper end to avoid the motor from overheating. This usually works until the engine or the controller is asked to give too much power for a long time. For having caused either as the engine or the control system to burn out.
Treadmill designers typically choose motors with the greatest torque ratings at the RPMs generated at a most common speed settings that consumers are ready to use. This speed setting on standard exercise treadmills will be a running speed, not a walking speed.
Conclusion
Weight ratings cannot be used to compare the two exercise machines from different manufacturers. The weight ratings can only be used to compare two units . From same manufacturing company to ascertain their relative strength, generally at running speeds.
What matters is continuous load. You’ll frequently be strolling for several hours straight rather than running for 45 mins at a time. So, when comparing manufacturer’s test statistic, keep the following red flags in mind:
- Go through all of the user reviews.
- If the manufacturer specifies “hours of daily use” limits for their treadmills .This may indicate that they were initially conceived for having to run. They are under-torqued for lengthy stretches of use at walking speeds.
- Any treadmill that can be set to speeds faster than 4.0 mph should be avoided unless. They’re really cheap used units found on Craigslist . You don’t mind hauling them to the dump and replacing them every few months
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