Treadmill Buying Guide

     If you are going to buy a treadmill, it can be overwhelming due to the many brands that are on the market.  The following are some guidelines to help you choose the treadmill that best fits your needs.

#1: Think about your budget.

     There is a wide-range of treadmill prices so it is best to have in mind the amount you want to spend before you go shopping.  Keep in mind that in general with treadmills, you get what you pay for.  Treadmills under $1000 are not made for heavy use.  Spending more on a quality machine that will hold up, and that has a better warranty, will save you money over the long run.  If you have a tighter budget it is better to buy a quality used treadmill than a new, cheaply made one.

#2: Think about how much and how often you will use your treadmill.

     If you're planning on using your treadmill frequently for running or jogging you'll need a higher grade of treadmill with a strong motor output and high quality construction. This is also the case if there is more than one person who will be using treadmill as this means more wear and tear on the machine.

     Some things to consider here are motor power, warranty and user weight capacity.

     The motor is the heart of your treadmill. If you're going to be using your treadmill frequently, you'll want to look for a well-built motor.

     Warranty length is a great indicator of construction quality. The longer your warranty is, the better chance that the construction quality is good. (Manufacturers estimate their repair costs, and if they give a long warranty, it means they are confident they won't have to fix that part for most treadmills during the warranty period.) It is best to buy locally if possible.  Find a company that has a reputable repair service to ensure that your machine can get maintenance promptly.  Many companies will deliver, set-up, and go over the treadmills features with you.

 #3: Think about the features that you need.

     Features include the electric display, programs, cushioning, and size of the treadmill. 

     You will want to choose a display that is easy to read regardless of the lighting.  If you are not accustomed to using a treadmill, you may think that the programs are not important.  Give this careful thought because there are many benefits to using programs.  It varies your workout, alleviating boredom.  It is also proven that our bodies burn calories better when workouts are varied.  Many programs focus on your goal, like weight loss, cardiovascular, or hill climbing.

     Cushioning is important to avoid injury.  It is good to look at companies that make commercial treadmills as well as treadmills for home.  These companies put a lot of effort into treadmill design for serious users.  If you skimp on cushioning, injury may follow

     Finally, think about the primary users of the treadmill.  Are they taller, with a longer stride, thus needing a longer belt?  Users with more body mass may require stronger motors.  Safety shutdown features are a must.  For example, Precor designs their treadmills with a safety clip that attaches to the user insuring the machine will shut off immediately if the user were to fall.

#4: Think about what you want.

     Treadmills on today’s market have lots of different features to enhance the user’s experience.  Look into some quality companies and get some ideas of what you want.  You know how much you can spend, which features you absolutely need and what kind of construction quality to look for. Which features would you really like to have?

     Whatever features you decide on will no doubt improve the chances of your treadmill getting used for years to come. 

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