If you're reading this, then you were probably born to run. Or at the very least, you'd like to walk more briskly. Maybe you don't like exercising outdoors, where you're a victim of circumstance; if the heat is too intense, you could give yourself a heart attack, and if it's raining, you'll ruin your new exercise clothes.
Luckily, we live in a day and age where we're not held hostage to mother nature. If you're serious about your exercise regime, the investment in a running machine may very well be worthwhile. Ask yourself a few questions:
Would you exercise more if it wasn't so hot/cold/inhospitable outside?
Do you prefer listening to music while you exercise?
When you go to the gym, do you find yourself mostly sticking to the running machines?
If the answer is yes, you may want to consider shopping around for a running machine. The convenience of having a running machine in your own home will make you use it more often than you would if you had to lug yourself all the way to the gym. And speaking of the gym, you can kiss that membership dues goodbye. In a couple of years, your running machine may well pay for itself.
Lots of improvements have been made to running machines since they first came out, too. They now come equipped with all sorts of gadgets and gizmos that even the most unenthused exercise participant will be tempted into giving it a go when there's so many interesting components to explore and investigate.
Hold your fists around two conveniently located bars for a few seconds, and one running machine will take your pulse, then tell you where your heart rate needs to remain to continue your ideal workout level. Many running machines now have built in media jacks, so you can easily plug in your MP3 players or other devices and workout to your favorite tunes and audio books.
Some people prefer to read while they run. Make sure you find a running machine that has a convenient place for you to lay out your book or magazine. There are even running machines that hook up to your television screen, allowing you to program different running environments so you can have the appearance of mother nature, without the nasty weather. Imagine going running on your favorite beach without having to pick sand out of your shoes later.
And if you like to be cooled off while you run, or simply simulate the feel of wind in your hair, look into a running machine that has a built in fan. It'll cool you off without slowing you down.
Compare prices versus features as you shop for a running machine. Your local sports shops will probably feature a few on sale now and then. Look at online dealers once you find one you like. And remember, this is a big investment, so don't just buy the cheapest one you can find. Make sure you're getting a running machine you want to commit to as part of your healthy life for a good, long while.
