LONG-RUNNING FAVORITE; EXERCISERS STICK WITH TRUSTY TREADMILL.

Byline: Jenifer Hanrahan Daily News Staff Writer

Side by side, mile after mile, they run at different speeds, but they never get out of line.

Panting and sweating, they go uphill and down, but they never move a single step forward.

On a queue of 24 treadmills at Bally's Total Fitness in Encino, men and women of various ages run and walk to improve their cardiovascular fitness, build endurance and burn calories.

In an industry driven by the quest for the latest gadget to help motivate and achieve a better body, the popularity of a machine that let's you simply walk in place is still the surprising front-runner.

Treadmills are the best-selling exercise machine in the United States, despite competition from newfangled contraptions such as elliptical exercisers and aerobic riders, according to American Sports Data Inc.

In 1987, 4.4 million Americans exercised on a treadmill either at home or in a gym. The number jumped to 36.1 million by 1997.

So, what is the enduring appeal of treadmills?

``It's a very natural movement,'' said Gregg Hartley, executive director of the Fitness Products Council, a trade association of exercise equipment manufacturers. ``The machinery has gotten very sophisticated so you get lots of feedback telling you just how much exercise you're doing.''

Just ask Barry Appel, 44, who lost 35 pounds and lowered his blood pressure by walking briskly on a treadmill for a half-hour, four to five days a week.

``It lets you exercise at a nice, relaxed pace and still allows you to attain your goals,'' said the Encino attorney.

Jayne Meadows, 73, has a treadmill in the bedroom of her Encino home. Most days she goes tap dancing or to a stretch and muscle tone class for exercise. But when she's too busy to go, she squeezes in a half-hour walk on the treadmill.

``Treadmills are very, very important,'' said Meadows, the actress-wife of entertainer Steve Allen. ``You can do a lot on them. You can watch a TV, read or study a script.''

And the exercise ``makes my brain work better,'' she said.

You'll find treadmills in nearly every gym or rehab center. Personal trainers have their clients walk or jog on a treadmill for a warm-up or cardiovascular workout.

In 1996, the U.S. surgeon general recommended sedentary people try to burn at least 150 calories a day exercising to stay healthy. A 150-pound person could accomplish this by walking on a treadmill at 4 mph for 32 minutes or jogging slowly on a treadmill at 5 mph for 18 minutes.

``They're versatile, and any fitness level can do them,'' said Susan Woods, a personal trainer at Bally's.

While the demand for treadmills is big at health clubs, the demand is also great for home models, which can cost you anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a couple thousand. From 1996 to 1997, sales of treadmills for home use increased by 14 percent, boosting sales of fitness equipment to more than $3 billion, according to the Fitness Products Council.

Marian Tanng of Covina priced treadmills recently at L.A. Fitness Equipment in Sherman Oaks.

During the summer, she likes to jog outside. But during the winter, her job and a long commute don't leave her any daylight hours to exercise safely. She's tried stair climbers and stationary bikes, but she always comes back to the treadmill.

``You get on and keep going,'' Tanng said. ``It's easy to use and there's not a lot of coordination involved.''

According to a Consumer Reports survey, one reason for treadmills' enduring popularity is that you don't have to master any new skills to use them.

You do, however, have to overcome monotony. Steve Schwimmer, 27, of Encino jogs on a treadmill four days a week for 30 minutes while listening to his favorite tunes through headphones. Bernard Giles, 47, of Northridge watches TV.

``You can get into a meditative state and detach,'' he said.

Just don't get too detached.

Even though most models come with an emergency shut-off switch should you fall off or get caught in the machine, injuries do happen. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission received 80 reports of treadmill injuries from 1996 to the present.

The cases involved falls when the machine suddenly changed speed or a shoelace got caught in the belt, fires when a motor or wiring shorted out, and injury as a result of a folded machine that fell over. The most serious injuries were among very young children who stuck a hand in the belt while it was moving.

Common sense and adherence to safety instructions that come with the machine go a long way in preventing accidents, the Fitness Products Council's Hartley said.

A TREADMILL RUN-THROUGH

Treadmills vary in price from $400 to more than $3,000; durability and sophistication are the main difference.

Consider your weight when looking at treadmills. A lightweight person probably can use a less-expensive machine than a 200-pounder. Many manufacturers indicate weight limits for their product.

Most treadmills have two motors: One drives the belt and maintains a constant pace, and the other raises and lowers the running bed to create an incline. Test them at various speeds and listen for sounds of the motor laboring. Be sure the motion of the belt remains smooth.

Elevation controls that raise the running bed to create a slope for a tougher workout can be motorized or manual. Automatic controls that allow you to change while moving are more expensive than manual, which require you to stop and get off to make adjustments.

Widths range from 17 inches to 22 inches. Lengths typically vary from 45 to 60 inches. Compare different sizes for comfort and price.

Cushioning reduces the impact on legs more than running on hard surfaces outdoors. The bed should absorb shock but not recoil like a trampoline. The belt should not move side to side under moving feet. Ask the salesperson about cushioning and compare and try different machines.

Emergency shut-off, standard on most machines, stops the treadmill if you fall off. Some machines can be turned on only with a key so you can control who uses it - particularly helpful if there are small children in the house.

A lack of noise and vibration is important if you want to watch TV or listen to music while you work out.

If space is at a premium, consider treadmills that fold up for storage - but test for ease of handling. Those that fold down for storage under a bed may be better than those that fold up against a wall. Accidents have occurred when the wall unit has fallen on someone.

Always follow the directions that come with the machine. It will take time to get used to using it properly and adjusting any programming.

- Colorado Springs Gazette

CAPTION(S):

2 Photos, Box

Photo: (1--Cover--Color) A RUN FOR YOUR MONEY

DO THE LEGWORK BEFORE BUYING A TREADMILL

(2) Howard Amster, left, Bernard Giles and Gary Pancer push themselves through a treadmill workout at Bally's Total Fitness in Encino.

Hans Gutknecht/Daily News

Box: A TREADMILL RUN-THROUGH (See Text)