Treadmills have been around in the home market since the 1960s and it continues to reside in many people's homes. Its evolution, over time, provided people the convenience, functionality and simplicity of use that they seek in a home fitness exercise equipment. Its ability to accommodate various workout programs of beginning runners and seasoned athletes makes it a popular choice among all home fitness exercise equipment out there.

Treadmill training, whether it's walking, jogging, running or power climbing, provides for a good cardiovascular exercise. It increases stamina and endurance while reducing the risk of injuries commonly incurred from running on concrete and asphalt. Treadmills can also mimic hills by providing elevations up to 15%, as sought by those aiming to improve their race performance and running strength. This is why treadmills with adjustable shock absorptive levels and downhill and uphill sections receive good treadmill reviews from users who are particular with running surfaces.

Many people find running outdoors tedious, time-consuming, weather-dependent and sometimes, even dangerous. The inconvenience and interruptions usually de-motivates people from jogging outside, especially if there is rain or snow. But treadmills enable people to keep their regular schedule and follow their fitness, health and weight loss programs diligently. In addition, using the treadmill reduces the risk of dehydration and heat exhaustion, serious conditions the sometimes befall on runners exposed to high heat and lack of fluids.

Treadmills, unlike other exercise equipment or simply running in the neighborhood, has the ability to monitor the runner's heart rate. There are HP interactive treadmills, those that automatically adjusts the belt speed to keep the runner within their desired heart rate, while the most common are treadmills that monitors and just displays the runner's heart rate so he may manually adjust his speed. Most people calculate their maximum heart rate by deducting their current age from 220, while setting their minimum heart rate 60 to 80 percent of the maximum heart rate.

In buying treadmills, some treadmill reviews suggest looking for user-friendly consoles, decks with shock absorptive system, display and control panels to monitor runner's progress, and treadmills with at least 2.0 continuous horsepower motor. In checking electronic features, buyers must test the key indicators in a treadmill such as interval speed and incline programs, pre-set and custom programs, heart rate monitoring and calorie burn count. Other treadmill reviews also look into the safety features of a treadmill including emergency stop button, automatic belt speed adjustments, built-in warm-up and cool-down period and comfortable console grips and handrails.

Over the years, treadmill manufacturers have re-designed treadmills to make it more fun, convenient and flexible to various users. Its beauty lies in the collective pool of little benefits that makes a big difference in people's time, money, effort and fitness and health goals. It's no wonder why treadmills, over the many exercise equipment in the market, have found a permanent spot in many people's homes, as well as in their very busy schedules.

Jonathan Drake is a 30-year old full time personal trainer in a gym in San Mateo, California. He often writes treadmill reviews and rowing machine reviews where most of his expertise and knowledge in modern fitness equipment lies, but he admits that his favorite home fitness exercise equipment is a treadmill with a music port and built-in sound system to add entertainment to his workout.