Model Agency 411

Most people buying a treadmill want one with an incline (also called treadmill elevation).

It used to be that incline on a treadmill was a bonus feature. However today, most motorized treadmills come with an incline option. The difference seems to be in the amount of elevation available.

If you’re looking for an economy treadmill (under $1000) you’ll probably find most treadmills only come with a 10-12% elevation (however that can be enough for most people - especially for those new to treadmill exercise).

When you get into the mid-priced treadmills ($1500+) you’ll start to see elevations of 12-15%. And in most premium treadmills you’ll find inclines of 15%.

If you’re in top shape and really want a challenge, then you’ll probably want a 15% incline. However if you just want a treadmill for gentle walking, 10% might suit you perfectly.

Of course, the mother of elevation treadmills is the incline trainer. This is a treadmill that also gives you much more incline than normal treadmills - up to 30%.

For example, you’ve probably heard about the Bowflex Treadclimber. The Bowflex Treadclimber is a hybrid stair climber and treadmill. TreadClimbers have two separate, smaller treadmill belts (one for each foot) that you walk on. These individual belts also move up and down, meeting every step you take.

Nordic Track also has an incline trainer available - called the Nordic Track X5. This machine has only one treadbelt (like a treadmill) and offers elevations of up to 30%.

An incline trainer is way more than most people need. But if you want to burn as much as 500 calories in 20 minutes, you can do it with one of these machines.

While incline trainers are excellent for burning calories, the downside is you’re going to pay for them. Prices start at around $1600 for basic models. Because of this, these units are used mostly in commercial settings like gyms or office fitness facilities.

So why the big deal about treadmill inclines?

Walking on an elevated slope can help super-blast your calorie burn. You can burn up to twice or even 3 times the calories by walking on an incline vs. walking on a level surface.

Plus if you’re looking to build intervals into your workout, walking on an elevation for 30 seconds to 2 minutes can be a great way to interval train and boost your post workout calorie burn.

So in general an incline on a treadmill is a great tool to have. It can help you get in shape and burn calories much faster than simply walking on a level surface.

Regardless of which incline percentage you choose, just remember to wear high quality running shoes and enjoy your workout!

Kathryn O’Neill is chief editor for Home Treadmill Reviews, a consumer oriented website focusing on the home treadmill market.

For a complete list of individual treadmill reviews visit:

http://www.TreadmillReview.net/Individual_Treadmill_Reviews.html

When you review product ratings for treadmills, it is important to consider the intended purpose for the treadmill. Do you intend to use it for mostly running, mostly walking, or a combination of the two? Once you decide your intention, it is easy to pick the best treadmill to suit your purposes.

If you want a treadmill for mostly walking, the Smooth 5.15P is an excellent choice. The display panel has been upgraded so that no toggling is required, and it has a heart-rate monitor on the handgrip, and a long list of valuable warranties. The estimated cost is $900.

For walking/running combination use, the Horizon Fitness Elite 5.1T is recommended by professionals. It has a 350-lb. weight limit, so it is a good choice for heavier treadmill users. Hydraulic folding mechanisms aid in folding the steel frame, and it has various warranties as well. The estimated cost is $1800.

If you are an experienced runner, experts recommend the Landice L7 Pro Sports Trainer to suit your needs. Even if you are a pro, this treadmill will satisfy your workout expectations. With a 400-lb. weight limit and lifetime warranty on all parts, this treadmill is durable and hassle-free, worth the estimated cost of $2800.

Concerned about the impact on your wallet? Check out the Image 16.0Q, recommended for walkers and only costs about $515. No matter what your specific needs or budget, these product ratings are suggestions that will help get you started in your search for the perfect treadmill.

Timothy Gorman is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Treadmill-Solutions.com He provides more treadmill reviews, treadmill ratings and treadmill buying information that you can research in your pajamas on his website.

Alcoholism stages can be categorized into three stages of
alcoholism - early stage, middle stage and end stage alcoholism
or late stage alcoholism. Alcoholism stages generally take years
to develop. Alcoholism is a disease where alcoholic beverage
consumption is at a level that interferes with physical or
mental health, and negatively impacts social, family or
occupational responsibilities.

Consuming no more than one or two drinks per day for healthy men
and a drink a day for healthy non-pregnant women are generally
considered acceptable alcohol consumption without health risks.
However, as the amount or frequency of drinking increases, the
earliest of the alcoholism stages can develop as a result.

Early Stages of Alcoholism

In the early alcoholism stages, a person begins to depend on
alcohol to affect their mood. They drink for relief from
problems, and they begin thinking more and more about alcohol.
The person and others around them may not recognize that they
are in the earliest of the stages of alcoholism. A gradual
increase in tolerance happens, meaning, it takes increasing
amounts of alcohol to achieve the desired mood-altering effects.
Often, the person can consume large amounts of alcohol without
appearing impaired. At the early alcoholism stages, the body has
adapted to increasing amounts of alcohol. In fact, how a person
functions will likely be improved with drinking as blood alcohol
levels rise. For example, they can think and talk normally or
walk a straight line with no problem. However, with continued
alcohol consumption over time, the body begins to lose its
ability to deal with high alcohol levels. As this occurs, when
the alcoholic stops drinking and their blood alcohol level
decreases, their thinking, talking or walking functions
deteriorate, and they are moving into the next of the stages of
alcoholism. Middle Alcoholism Stages

The need and desire to drink gradually becomes more intense.
Drinking larger amounts and more often happens as well as
drinking earlier in the day. The alcoholic is losing control
over drinking, and the body is losing its ability to process
alcohol like it did in the early stages of alcoholism. Their
tolerance decreases as they become intoxicated more easily.
Withdrawal symptoms begin to become more severe if alcohol is
reduced. The person may now secretly recognize there is a
drinking problem, and others may begin to notice as well.
Unfortunately, the alcoholic no longer can judge how much
alcohol their body can handle. Typically, the drinker denies to
themselves and others that alcohol is a problem so they won’t
have to deal with their inner turmoil. Hangovers, blackouts and
stomach problems can now be physical symptoms that occur on a
regular basis.

End Stage Alcoholism

As alcoholism progresses, the alcoholic has become obsessed with
drinking to the exclusion of nearly everything else. Everyone
can tell there’s a major problem. During the late alcoholism
stages, the mental and physical health of the alcoholic are
seriously deteriorating. Many of the body’s organs have been
damaged which lowers resistance to disease. Relationships at
home or socially may have been severely damaged, and there can
be mounting financial and legal problems due to the alcoholic’s
powerlessness over alcohol.

Every alcoholic will suffer from malnutrition. Alcohol in large
amounts interferes with the digestion process and the passage of
nutrients from the intestines into the bloodstream. Liver
function has been damaged, further limiting the conversion of
nutrients into a usable form that the body can assimilate. The
damaged cells are not receiving the needed nutrients, they
cannot repair themselves and the damage continues. Nutritional
deficiencies cause a host of related problems to become worse.
For example, a vitamin B-1 deficiency common in alcoholics can
result in loss of mental alertness and appetite, fatigue,
confusion and emotional instability.

And if the alcoholic continues drinking, alcohol will cause the
death of the alcoholic in one way or another. From suicide,
accidents and related injuries to direct damage to the body’s
organs and systems, death will likely be the final outcome of
end stage alcoholism.

Are there warning signs of alcoholism? Yes! Understand the signs
and symptoms that indicate that alcohol consumption is becoming
or is already a problem. There are resources available in a
variety of ways to help deal with alcoholism stages and the
serious consequences of this disease. Copyright 2006 InfoSearch
Publishing