“The human body is the only machine for which there are no spare parts."
-Hermann Baggs
It’s the 21st century, and humans are more
career driven than any time in the past. A cent percentile in the engineering
entrance exams, an MBA degree from a prestigious B-school, a high paying job at
one of the technology giants, a promotion to one of the higher ranks in the
organization are what all strive for. It is unquestionably healthy and
downright necessary for the mind to spare no efforts in attaining career
growth, however, in the pursuit to attaining mental progress, one aspect that
takes a major hit is the physical fitness of the body that houses that genius
mind.
Most of us find ourselves being able to devote little to no time on our
physical fitness, thanks to the ever increasing work responsibilities, family
duties and physical and mental exhaustion after fulfilling the first two. In
such scenarios, the very thought of taking a gym session, or pursuing a
strenuous sport seems to be a task too daunting.
So, are we left with no choices to keep ourselves in good shape and physically
healthy?
It seems that we do. In fact, not one, rather two - a treadmill and a
bicycle.
And today, we will make purchasing these two fitness equipment a breezy process
for all.
Now, if you are a frequent visitor to the posts on this blog, you might be
probably aware that we take each topic from the grass root level and
we will do the same with this post as well. We will begin with the treadmill
first, discuss the various components among electric motor, running belt,
console etc. that make up a treadmill and analyse the particular specifications
of these components one should opt for in a treadmill as per one’s fitness
goals. Following which, we would proceed onto learning about the outdoor
bicycle and explore how each constituent of it - tyres, seat, frame and brakes
have a pivotal role in facilitating right environment for the workout and
ensuring safety of the rider. We would also examine how to go about deciding
upon the right tyre size as per one’s height.
Next, we will proceed onto exploring the stationary bicycle. In this, we would
learn about the three types of form-factors among Upright, Recumbent and Spin
which one can consider buying a stationary bicycle in, and which form factor
among these should one buy based on the consideration of the fitness goals of
the users and their age. Following the stationary bicycle, we would discuss
about the ways in which some manufacturers cut production costs to enhance
profits and manufacture below-par products, the structural built of which is
heavily compromised and learn how to safeguard oneself from falling trap to
such manufacturers. Then, we will move onto deciding which are some of the best
fitness equipment available in the market which are not only constructed from
durable and structurally strong components that facilitate
safe workout environment for the user, but are also designed keeping ergonomics
in consideration to enable one to lose calories in utmost comfort, thereby
offering the most value for one’s money.
You might be glad to know that I am a fitness enthusiast and have been an
active gym member since the past 7 years. This post has been curated keeping
into account my in-hand experience of the various equipment over the years and
detailed discussion with some of the learned personnel of the fitness industry.
So without further a do, let’s begin…
TREADMILL
Treadmill is one of the most popular exercise machines of all time, perhaps for
the fact that unlike other gym equipment that require one to have a thorough
knowledge of their method of use and need to be guided by a certified trainer, with
treadmill, one does not need to invest in highly prized gym memberships and
then devote time to attend the gym sessions. One can purchase a treadmill and
place it at any convenient location in one’s home and it can be used by all
family members of every age group alike. Using a treadmill is akin to walking
or running, therefore most people find themselves at home when using it.
A treadmill is primarily a composition of five different components - electric
motor, console, frame, conveyor belt and deck. These five components work in
perfect harmony with each other to facilitate workout environment right at
one’s home.
Electric Motor
An electric motor is the heart of the treadmill. It powers the conveyor belt
which continuously moves on the deck at a constant speed fixed by the user.
There are two different ratings of the treadmill motor that ascertain the kind
of performance one can derive from the treadmill. Those are:
- Peak horsepower
- Continuous horsepower
As the name suggests, peak horsepower
of a treadmill motor pertains to the maximum output it can produce. Mostly, the
peak horsepower is achieved by the motor during the initial second or two and
is not retained throughout the course of the workout. On the other hand,
continuous horsepower is the sustained output the motor is capable of churning
out at all times as long as the treadmill is in use. Continuous horsepower
rating is what holds paramount importance when performance of a treadmill is in
context.
As a rule of thumb, someone considering to use a treadmill merely for taking a
brisk walk on the conveyor belt would find his/her requirements fulfilled by a
treadmill that makes use of a 1.5 horsepower continuous duty
motor. Whereas, someone looking forward to workout at a pace that is equivalent
to taking a jog or a light run would require a treadmill, the
electric motor of which churns out 1.75 continuous horsepower.
For dedicated runners, it is advisable to settle on a treadmill that makes use
of a 2 to 2.5 horsepower continuous duty motor to power the
conveyor belt.
As integral component of a treadmill as the electric motor is, there is a
category of treadmills that does not come equipped with one. In those
treadmills, the pace of movement of one’s feet on the deck moves the conveyor
belt at corresponding speeds. Such treadmills are popularly known as ‘Manual
Treadmills’.
Conveyor Belt and Deck
A large rectangular board known as deck of the treadmill supports two rollers
at its two ends which are responsible to reverse the direction of the conveyor
belt each time it passes over them. The conveyor belt is that section of a
treadmill one actually jogs/runs on and it runs across the length and breadth
of the deck. The electric motor drives the belt as per its continuous
horsepower and the speed selected by the user. One may increase or decrease the
speed of the belt as per one’s fitness goals by the press of relevant buttons
on the console of the treadmill. The material out of which the belt is designed
is primarily polyester with the top coating made out of
Poly-Vinyl-Chloride(PVC).
Modern treadmills make use of conveyor belts and decks that provide little
cushion to the feet when they land on it in order to reduce the intensity of
impact so as to safeguard the knees and ankles from suffering any undue injuries.
As a matter of fact, in comparison to jogging/running on hard surfaces such as
that of paved roads, performing the same exercise on a treadmill, the conveyor
belt and deck of which are thoughtfully designed diminishes the force of the
impact by 15 - 35 per cent.
Most treadmills provide their users with the facility to set the deck at an
incline so as to make the workout a little more strenuous and assist the user
in burning calories at a faster rate. Depending upon one’s fitness goals, one
can choose from the various incline angles by pressing relevant buttons on the
console of the treadmill.
The physical dimensions of the treadmill are largely governed by one’s fitness
goals. For someone considering to purchase a treadmill primarily for running, a
larger conveyor belt, typically, 45 inches in length and 16 inches in width
would solve the purpose. When consideration is walking and jogging, a conveyor
belt 40 inches in length and 14 inches in width would suffice.
(Image depicting conveyor belt of the treadmill and the deck underneath it)
Console
The console of the treadmill is the user-interface(UI) one interacts with in
order to set parameters to suit one’s workout requirements. Those parameters
include: setting appropriate speed, choosing between one of the preset workout
programs, raising/lowering the inclination of the deck, setting the console to
determine the calories burnt by the user during workout, monitoring heart rate,
etc.
More advanced treadmill consoles pack in high-quality speakers so as to
facilitate the user with an option to listen to his/her preferred playlist by
docking a mobile phone to the console by the means of an AUX cable. In recent
times, manufacturers have come up with installing small screens in the centre
of the console in some of their high-end treadmill models. The screen serves
dual purpose - display all the vital statistics related to the workout and at
the same time provide the user a facility to browse the internet, stream videos
and check important e-mails.
Frame
As the name suggests, the frame of the treadmill is the chassis that holds
together all the other components - deck, console, belt and electric motor. One
of the essential functions of the treadmill frame is to keep the deck sturdy
when the user is running on the belt at high speeds. A poorly built frame tends
to wobble and shake as one approaches higher speeds which could result in user
tripping off the conveyor belt and getting injured.
Now, having learnt about the utility of a treadmill and its various components
that work in perfect harmony with each other to impart the user an effective
workout environment, let us proceed to understand the various aspects of the
second fitness equipment: a bicycle.
BICYCLE
Commonly known by the name ‘cycle’, a bicycle is one of the oldest and most
effective machines that can assist one in maintaining good health, developing
endurance and losing weight. Bicycles have been around since the late 19th
century and have never lost popularity ever since. A well liked iteration of a
bicycle is the stationary bicycle also known as ‘exercise bicycle’. As the name
suggests, a stationary bicycle is an indoor exercise equipment resembling an
outdoor bicycle without wheels.
A bicycle is an excellent means to achieving one’s fitness goals without
requiring one to allocate time from one’s busy schedule to take gym sessions.
By the virtue of its design, an outdoor bicycle is compact enough to be tucked
away in any part of one’s home/veranda from where it can be taken outdoors.
Just like a treadmill, a bicycle too is a machine that is a composition of
multiple constituents - frame, tyres, seat and brakes.
Frame
The building block of any bicycle, the chassis that encompasses all the other
pivotal components is called as the frame of the bicycle. In majority of
bicycles, the materials used to fabricate the frame are steel or aluminium,
both of which are known for their tensile strength, as a result of which, the
bicycle stays well planted on the ground even at higher speeds.
One characteristic property of aluminium fabricated bicycle frames is that they
are relatively lighter than their steel counterparts. Due to relatively less
weight of the aluminium frame, the bicycle rides with slightly more agility.
Tyres
Tyres are the most crucial component of a bicycle for the fact that they
transfer the combined load of the rider and the bicycle through the axle to the
ground and provide necessary traction on the surface travelled over. In
addition to providing grip on the surface, tyres are an important source of
providing shock absorption and imparting assistance in balancing and turning
the bicycle.
Diameter of the tyres is an important consideration one needs to cater to
before deciding on a bicycle. The only prerequisite needed to determine the
tyre dimension that would suit one’s needs is the rider’s height.
- For kids and riders of a
relatively shorter stature(~ 5 feet 2 inches), a bicycle that comes fitted
with 24 inch tyres would prove to be a decent choice.
- For someone over 5.5 feet in
height, deciding on a bicycle that comes equipped with 26
inch tyres would make for a reasonable purchase.
- For taller riders(~ 6 feet
and taller), it would be wise to opt for a bicycle, the diameter of whose
tyres is between 27 and 29 inches.
When multiple riders of different stature are to use the same bicycle,
it is imperative to opt for a bicycle that comes fitted with 26 inch tyres and
adjust the seat height to befit one’s individual needs.
Seat
Cycling is an exercise that makes one burn calories and move steadily towards
one’s fitness goals while providing utmost comfort. The key element in
facilitating comfort and support is an ergonomically designed seat, the proper
name of which is ‘saddle’. The more supportive the seat is, the longer and
faster one would be able to ride.
In majority of bicycles, a lever to adjust seat height and orientation is
provided by the means of which one can either raise or lower the seat as per
one’s riding requirements and lock the lever in place. It is highly recommended
that while setting the seat in position, one ensures that it is aligned with
its nose pointing in the centre and its seating surface parallel to the ground.
Brakes
The very reason one can ride/drive a vehicle faster and without a fret is one’s
sure-footed faith in its brakes. The very belief that in case of any emergency,
one has the facility to engage the brake pedal and abate any mishap is what
lets one move on the road without second thoughts.
In bicycles, brakes are available in two configurations depending upon
mechanism of braking involved. They are:
- Rim brakes
- Disc brakes
Rim brakes also known as ‘wire brakes’
are a very popular choice with manufacturers for their relatively simpler
architecture and less complex braking mechanism involved. Rim brakes are
essentially a set of rubber brake pads attached to either side of the rim. When
the rider pulls the brake lever, a wire connecting the lever to the two brake
pads contracts, as a result of which, the brake pads are drawn closer to the
rim of the moving wheel and eventually make full contact with the rim. Due to
contact, friction between the brake pads and the rim increases which leads to
reduction in speed of the bicycle and ultimately it comes to a complete halt.
Disc brakes have been doing their duty in engine driven vehicles since a fairly
long time. However, seeing their potential utility in the sphere of bicycles
and realizing their slightly better braking prowess as compared to rim brakes,
they have been introduced in bicycles as well, though after making some design
changes. Disc brakes consist of a metal disc mounted to the centre hub of the
wheel from which all the spokes originate. Brake caliper, which is a part of
the disc brake assembly surmounts the metal disc. When the brake lever is pulled,
brake pads drag against the disc, as a consequence of which, friction between
the metal disc and the brake pads increases that leads to slowing down of the
bicycle.
(Image of metal disc and brake caliper mounted to the centre hub of the wheel)
STATIONARY BICYCLE
A slight moderation to the traditional bicycle by removing the wheels and
installing a single flywheel. Flywheel is a spinning, weighted metal disc, in
the place where the front wheel would be in a traditional bicycle results in a
marvelous exercise equipment called stationary bicycle. This fitness equipment
comes as a boon to those who reside in areas where weather is not always
pleasant to favour cycling on road/tracks or taking gym sessions.
A rotary dial/lever to adjust the tension on the flywheel is attached to the
frame by the means of which one can increase or decrease the resistance on the
flywheel to make the workout challenging or easy as per one’s fitness goals.
Stationary bicycles are manufactured in three configurations on the basis of
the purpose they solve. Those are:
- Upright. Upright stationary
bicycles are the most common type among the three and highly resemble the
traditional outdoor bicycle. The greatest advantage of upright stationary
bicycles sharing a footprint with outdoor bicycles comes from the fact
that in addition to being seated during the workout, the rider can make
the workout more challenging by increasing the pedalling speed if he
chooses to pedal while attaining a standing position. This configuration
of bicycles provides an opportunity to the rider for great cardiovascular
and lower body workout just like outdoor bicycles. Additionally, due to
the upright posture of the rider, the other areas that are greatly
stimulated by a workout on these bicycles are abdomen and arms. Besides
proving as a great equipment for achieving one’s fitness goals, these
bicycles tend to have the smallest footprint among the three and are
easier to transport.
- Recumbent. Recumbent stationary
bicycles are designed with keeping rider’s comfort in consideration. The
seat is wide, the back support is adequately cushioned, the pedals are all
the way ahead near the front flywheel. The entire seating setup allows one
to achieve one’s fitness goals and burn calories with utmost ease. Such form
factor facilitates maintaining healthy spinal posture during the workout.
The workout performed on recumbent bicycles also tends to be gentle on
one’s knees and other joints. The lower seating position ensures that even
the elderly family members and kids would find themselves at ease using
this configuration of stationary bicycles.
- Spin. Spin stationary
bicycles have a higher seating position as compared to the other two
configurations with the seat almost at the same level as that of the
handlebars. This results in the rider maintaining a very aerodynamic shape
which is quite similar to the posture maintained by professional riders in
competitive biking. This trait of the spin bicycles instills a sense of
accomplishment in the user. Just like upright bicycles, this configuration
too provides the rider with an option to pedal while attaining a standing
position, which results in higher number of calories burned as compared to
pedaling while seated. The design of these bicycles inherently requires
one to pedal faster and apply more force on the pedals to keep the
flywheel rotating. Thus, in the same time spent on the workout on the
other two configurations, one would lose more number of calories when
using a spin bicycle.
Having discussed the two types of fitness equipment - treadmill and bicycle along with their various components and configurations, let us proceed to learn the ways in which some manufacturers (names not taken) cut production costs and manufacture products that are poorly built and are very ineffective in helping one achieve one’s fitness goals.
- Unstable, wobbly frame of
the treadmill. As discussed earlier, the frame of the treadmill is the chassis
that holds all the other components together, therefore, it must be sturdy
and be built to withstand even the healthiest of users. However, building
high-quality frame requires use of metal in plentiful quantity, which
increases the overall cost of the product. In order to reduce
manufacturing costs and to lure the customer citing low prices of the
product, some manufacturers resort to using frame fabricated out of light,
non-durable and rust prone materials. As a result of this, when a user
sets the conveyor speed to a higher value, typically in the range that
corresponds to the speed of running, the frame due to its light
construction tends to shake and wobble. An unstable frame can cause the
user to lose balance and trip on the conveyor belt which could lead to
injury. In worst cases, the entire frame could collapse under the stress
and might cause disaster. Moreover, the shaky structure inhibits
confidence in the user to go faster and hinders one in achieving one’s
fitness goals.
- Substandard rims of the
wheels of the bicycle. Quality of rims deployed in the bicycle has a
large impact on the safety of the rider. Rims are the weight bearers of
the rider and the bicycle, therefore, it is imperative to decide on a
bicycle, the rims of which are made of tough and resilient materials.
Unfortunately, most buyers do not pay much attention to the rims of the
bicycle when purchasing one. This fact serves as a perfect opportunity for
some manufacturers to reduce production costs and increase their profits.
When encountered with an undulation on the road or when one rides over a
pothole at higher speeds, weak rims tend to lose their shape and deform at
microscopic levels. Over a period of months of use, the structural
strength of the rim continuously deteriorates. In such scenario, one hard
blow to the weak rim could cause it to completely collapse, exposing the
rider to unfortunate consequences.
Note: In our constant endeavour to assist you in making an informed
buying decision, we test the new launches of the products on multiple
parameters, and if they stand tall in our analysis we periodically add them to
the below mentioned list of our recommended products. So, if you plan to make
the purchase at a later time, you may visit the links once again at the very
time of buying to ensure that the purchase turns out to be a very fruitful one.
Treadmill
For Indian residents:- Best Choice 1, My Preferred Choice, Best Choice 2, Best Choice 3, Best Choice 4, Best Choice 5, Best Choice 6, Best Choice 7, Best Choice 8, Best Choice 9, Best Choice 10 and Best Choice 11
For Indian residents:- Best Choice 1, Best Choice 2, My Preferred Choice, Best Choice 3, Best Choice 4, Best Choice 5, Best Choice 6, Best Choice 7, Best Choice 8, Best Choice 9, Best Choice 10, Best Choice 11, Best Choice 12 and Best Choice 13
For Indian residents:- Best Choice 1, Best Choice 2, My Preferred Choice, Best Choice 3, Best Choice 4, Best Choice 5, Best Choice 6, Best Choice 7 and Best Choice 8
