• FAQ

Vitamaster treadmills were some of the highest quality treadmills of their time; Unfortunately their time has passed. Vitamaster is no longer in business.

The company is no longer in business but their treadmills are still being used to this day. They can be purchased second hand for a 10th of their original retail price. Vitamaster treadmills are reliable but parts can be difficult to find should something break. Ebay is the best source of used Vitamaster parts.

Treadmills have maximum user weights.  The maximum user weight is usually determined by the motor size, belt thickness, and roller quality.  Most treadmills above $1,000 will accommodate a user up to 300 pounds.  Some treadmills can accommodate users up to 400 pounds.

Most treadmills can operate with users above the weight limits if they are used for walking, or fast paced walking, workouts. Keep in mind that exceeding the weight limit may void the warranty and can reduce the safety features of the treadmill.

A simple rule for selecting a treadmill is to make sure the motor is at least 2.25 HP.  Treadmill motors are an important factor, but the motor HP is typically related to other important factors.  Treadmills above $1000 are usually going to have a motor with at least 2.25HP

A motor above 2.75HP is usually not important unless you weigh more 300 pounds or more. The motor size is a very important factor if you weigh 300 pounds or more.  The motor is important for this weight range as it will reduce belt drag, and it will ensure the treadmill lasts longer.

Anything less than a 2.25HP motor is usually found in cheaper treadmills that are only suitable for walking workouts.

The importance of treadmill programs is determined by your intended use and goals for your treadmill workout. Are you working out or training?

Programs may not be an important feature if you are using a treadmill for weight loss workouts. Programs can be a useful tool to keep your workouts interesting. The most important aspect of using your treadmill for weight loss workouts is using the treadmill regularly.

Programs are very important if you intend to use for treadmill for training. Treadmill programs can be a very effective tool to get past training plateaus.  Programs are also valuable for tracking your progress when used in conjunction with an integrated heart monitor.

Most treadmill manufactures will have warranties specific to the frame, motor, parts, electronics, and labor.

Frame Warranty:
Most manufactures will offer a lifetime warranty on the frame. The most common frame failures are due to bad welds, at the same time frame failures are very uncommon due to quality assurance procedures typically used by all treadmill manufacturers.

Motor Warranty:
Motors commonly carry a lifetime warranty. Motor failures are not common on home use treadmills. Most motors can easily operate for more than 1,000 hours. It would take you 10 years, at 2 hours consistently a week, to reach 1,000 hours on your treadmill.

Parts Warranty:
The parts warranty is probably the most important as the parts warranty includes anything besides the frame and motor. Items commonly covered by the parts warranty are belts and rollers. Belts and rollers are the most common items to wear out on a treadmill. Decent treadmills will usually offer a 2 year, or more, warranty on parts.  Stay away from parts warranties that are less than a year.

Electrical Warranty:
Electrical failures used to be uncommon on treadmills. Electrical components typically consist of circuit boards and wiring, these items have a low failure rate. Some of the higher end treadmills offer an increasing array of gadgets that may be covered under the electrical warranty.  Make sure you understand what is covered in the electrical warranty when purchasing treadmills with LCD televisions and/or wireless heart rate monitors. Electrical warranties usually range from 1-2 years.

Labor Warranty:
Labor warranties usually define in-home repairs. A good example of a labor warranty is in the case of failed belt. For this example we will use a labor warranty of 1 year and a parts warranty of 2 years with a belt failure after 14 months. In our example the manufacture would replace the belt, but it would not cover the labor to install the replacement belt. Labor warranties are probably the most important warranty to consider if you are not mechanically inclined. Labor warranties usually range from 1-2 years.

Treadmill fans have become a popular, and common, feature.  Most treadmill fans are added for the marketing materials. They tend to operate at a low RPM and are not very effective. Fans can be nice features to have but if you’re workouts are intensive enough to depend on a fan, then you may be better off with a $20 fan from Walmart.

A heart rate monitor is an important tool for any efficient and effective cardio workout.  The importance of a integrated treadmill heart rate monitor depends on your intended use and goals.

Treadmill users who typically only walk on their treadmill may not see the benefit of an integrated heart rate monitor.  There are many ways, and tools, to track your heart rate. Integrated treadmill heart rate monitors are only beneficial if they work with the treadmill programs.

A treadmill heart rate monitor is useful if it integrates with the treadmill program. Integration allows the program to control the intensity of the workout depending on your heart rate. There is little to no benefit from a treadmill heart rate monitor if it does not integrate with the program. You can monitor your own heart rate with your finger.

Treadmill heart rate monitors typically either use a side rail pad, or a chest strap. Side rail pads work by sensing the electrical signals generated by the heart, much like an ECG. Pads are not typically as accurate as chest straps. Chest straps wrap snugly around your chest just below your breast. Most integrated treadmill-chest-strap-heart-monitors are wireless, but some may still require a cable.

Folding treadmills are popular for those with limited space. Most folding models will fold up to take less floor space, and some will also fold down to fit under a bed.

It used to be that folding treadmills offered less stability; They had to be light in order for the user to fold them. A sacrifice in weight came at the cost of a sturdy design. Older models were typically marketed as walking treadmills and could not be used for running. Most folding models today are both sturdy and light weight, and they are safe to run on.

Folding treadmills do offer the option of storing the treadmill out of sight. It is hard to keep a treadmill from becoming a dreadmill, the last thing you need is another barrier to using your treadmill. A folding treadmill is a good choice if you are strong enough to keep it out of sight, but not out of mind.

The treadmill surface area, also commonly referred to as the running area, is the belt/tread area available to the user.  The surface area can range from 17×45 inches to 20×60 inches.  The most common surface area is about 20×55 inches.

The most important factor to take in to consideration when reviewing surface areas is your stride. Taller people will have a longer stride; They may require a longer surface area.

The width of the surface area is also an important comfort factor. Twenty inches is the most common width. Anything below 20 inches should only come into consideration if you have limited space.

Want to plug in a Treadmill, but the instructions say you need a surge suppressor? You have a surge protector, are they the same?

A surge suppressor (sometimes optimistically called a “surge protector”) is a device inserted in the alternating current (AC) utility line and/or telephone line to prevent damage to electronic equipment from voltage “spikes” called transients. A more accurate term for this type of device is “transient suppressor.” A typical surge suppressor is a small box with several utility outlets, a power switch, and a 3-wire cord for plugging into a wall outlet.

Surge suppressors probably can not guarantee no damage on a massive lightning strike. For a surge suppressor to  work properly you need to make sure you have 3 prong plug and wiring. The three prong has a ground that is necessary for it too work.

UL advises the more money you spend, generally the better quality you get. That being said, even the cheapest ones offer decent protection. Make sure you see a UL symbol on the suppressor.

For treadmill users what kind of surge protectors (expense level) should be  considered safe?A treadmill should probably have at least 1,000 joules of protection. That would cost about $30-50, but thats a small price to pay to protect your investment in a treadmill..