Choosing the right piece of cardio equipment
Which piece of equipment will be best for me?
The best answer to this is the piece of equipment that you would enjoy using and feel the most comfortable on. This is purely because if you feel comfortable and enjoy what you are doing you will be more likely to use that particular piece of equipment, thus increasing your chances of achieving the goals you have set for yourself. A good way of working this out is to ask yourself, "If I walked into a gym, which machine would I use first?"
If you are still not sure as to which what is best for you, contact one of our stores or even drop in and try them out for yourself. Our staff should be able to help point you in the right direction.
What do I need to look for to ensure I'm getting a good brand?
Good quality brand names are always backed by a manufacturer’s warranty, not a store warranty. This ensures that the best quality of service is provided. A manufacturer’s warranty is valid WORLDWIDE. You don’t have to rely on the shop that you purchased the item from, to be still in business in 5 years time.
One of the best indicators of a good brand is one that can be searched on the internet as www.brand(fitness).com. For example yorkfitness.com, horizonfitness.com, proteusfitness.com, tunturi.com, bodysolid.com, bodycraft.com, bhfitness.com – this means that the brand has a worldwide presence and the products are more likely to be of a higher quality.
Brands that can only be searched under " .com.au " are generally generic products that are imported by local companies and are branded, marketed and made out to be quality brands. These types of products generally come from smaller Taiwanese / Chinese factories with limited experience in fitness equipment manufacturing. The warranties that are supplied with these products are backed by either the importer or the shop that sells you the product. There is a far greater risk involved with this type of purchase…
It is a known fact in the fitness industry that the World’s Best Brands have the first choice of the quality manufacturers in Taiwan and China, the remaining brands fight it out with the smaller manufacturers.
Do your research! Look for brands that can be found on the web with (.com). Look for brands with an international presence, for peace of mind and security.
Most of the brands sold by VOLLER offer you this: Bodyworx, Horizon, Johnson, BodySolid, Bodycraft and Inspire.
We all recognize brands like Sony, Panasonic, Toyota, Ford, Fujitsu, Nokia & Motorola – why not make a smart choice when purchasing fitness equipment and choose from one of the “World’s Best Brands”.
How much do I need to spend?
There is a wide range of prices available for different forms of fitness equipment. As with anything, you tend to get what you pay for, and this is the case with exercise equipment. If there are two different products with similar features yet there is a significant price difference, you might ask yourself, why? Chances are the quality is quite different.
Keeping this in mind, everyone has a budget they have to work within. You need to find something that has the features that make you feel comfortable and ensure you want to keep using your equipment. Fitness equipment can last you a long time, well over 10 years in some cases, so spending that little bit extra at the start to get a good quality machine that has everything you want often means you'll get more value you out of it over the lifetime of the machine.
How do I look after my treadmill?
Location of Your Treadmill
- A rubberized equipment mat will help to reduce dust, dirt, vibrations and to protect your flooring
- Keep out of direct sunlight
- Store in an enclosed room away from water, rain and damp air
- Keep in a clean room
Careful maintenance of your treadmill is vital to increase its lifespan and performance. It MUST be cleaned, lubricated and adjusted regularly. However, there is no need to be afraid; the maintenance of a treadmill is quick and easy.
Cleaning – will require a damp cleaning cloth and a vacuum
- Wipe down the entire treadmill with your damp cloth
- Wipe away perspiration as the salt content can corrode the machine or ruin the electronics
- Vacuum the area around your treadmill to rid excess dirt and debris
- 3-4 times per year you should clean the motor by carefully removing the motor cover and vacuuming around the motor.
Lubrication
you will require the lubricant recommended by the manufacturer of your machine. It is usually either silicone or Teflon, refer to the manual of your treadmill or speak to a VOLLER service technician. In applying the lubricant:
- Carefully lift the edge of the treadmill mate
- Apply lubricant evenly across the treadmill deck.
Belt Alignment – If your belt doesn’t run directly down the center of the deck:
- turn the adjustment bolts (on each side at the rear of your machine) ¼ turn at a time.
- check your owners’ manual for specific instructions
Belt Tension – the treadmill belt needs to be set just tight enough that it doesn’t slip whilst you are walking or running.
- with the belt running slowly, stomp your foot forcefully down and slightly forward on the belt
- If you feel the belt slip tighten both bolts ¼ turns at a time