The History of Treadmills by Jennifer Dennis You must be familiar with the treadmill exercise machine. The darling of home and public gyms alike, treadmills are a popular and ever-present part of the fitness landscape. But where did the treadmill originate? And how did it come to be so popular and effective among fitness buffs and ordinary folks alike? It all began with fitness equipment. Physicians, physical fitness instructors and personal trainers have been chanting the same mantras for years: “Get in shape!” Exercise can help you burn fat, increase circulation, build healthy bones, create stronger muscles, increase self-confidence, fight high cholesterol and many, many more benefits. With higher importance being placed on getting in shape, the demand for fitness equipment grew. Fitness buffs needed a machine that could give them the workout they were searching for—with additional perks, such as heart rate monitors, calorie counters and more to help them work out smarter, not harder. Along came the treadmill. The treadmill was actually invented in 1875 and its original purpose was for power, not fitness. Agricultural farmers, needing additional power sources on their farms, used a small manual treadmill run by dogs and sheep for butter churners, while a larger one run by horses for power threshing machines. The year 1952 ushered in cardiologist Robert Bruce and staffer Wayne Quinton. They bring the first medical treadmill on the market to test and diagnose heart and lung disease. Quinton later sells his concepts to Stairmaster (later bought by Nautilus). With the design of the medical treadmill comes the easy transition to the fitness machine. Fitness enthusiasts and beginners alike demanded a better, smoother machine for their daily workouts. Aerobics, Inc., for example, began production of smooth, affordable treadmills in the late 1960s and now manufactures an award-winning Pro Series with top technology and automated controls. Trackmaster models in 1978 are known for their very tough, very durable machines that set the standard in gym models today. The addition of the treadmill motor revolutionized the fitness machine. Motorized treadmills give the user a superior workout compared to the manual models. The addition of the motor can give a runner, jogger or walker the encouraging component they need to take that next step…and next step…and next step. Add the cushioning belt originally seen with the Woodway models in 1974 and you can see a rough version of our current-day fitness phenomena. Technology has given modern-day fitness treadmills an additional boost. Heart rate monitors on advanced models help the user maintain a steady heart rate for optimal fitness workouts. When a user indicates that he or she wants to maintain a specific heart rate, superior machines will adjust speed and incline to keep it steady. With the technology also comes the speed, overall distance covered, incline and time elapsed. These technology monitors not only are informative, they often work as intense motivation as the users run, walk or jog to their ultimate exercise goals. Home treadmills have become a popular way for people to get in shape in the privacy and comfort of their own homes. Gym treadmills tend to be more durable and reliable than home versions. Due to the high number of people using the machines, gym models have to be able to withstand many workouts. They offer a range of superior, top-of-the-line features, while home versions can be more reduced to give the home buyer a more affordable option. Gym versions are more expensive, often rust-free aluminum frames and fully programmable. They should also specialize in absorbing shock. From its humble agricultural beginnings to its powerful presence in the fitness world today, the treadmill has come a long way. Today, rather than working dogs, sheep and horses, the treadmill works humans—helping them get one step further to their personal fitness goals. If you’re interested in the fitness industry and treadmills in general, learning more about this machine can enhance your personal workout and fitness lifestyle.
About the Author: Jennifer Dennis is a successful author and
regular
About the Author About the Author: Jennifer Dennis is a successful author and
regular |
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