Looking for the best treadmill value? The treadmill market is growing more and more crowded each year, with new models, new brands and new advances in treadmill technology. It’s confusing to sift through all your options.

How do you find the treadmill that offers you the best value? By knowing what to look for.

This article will give you 4 key attributes of high value treadmills so you can make an informed decision and find the best treadmill value for you.

#1 High Powered Well Built Motor - The motor is the heart of your treadmill. You need to have a treadmill with sufficient motor power or else you’ll quickly burn the motor out (and start paying through the nose to fix it).

Motor power is measured by Horsepower (or HP for short). Most treadmills range from 1.5 HP to 3.0 HP. You want at least a 2.0 HP Continuous duty motor - preferably higher. Remember that the more strenuously you plan to use the treadmill, the more power you’re going to need.

#2 Excellent Cushioning - Cushioning is the ability of the treadmill to absorb the force of your step. Cushioning is extremely important because it protects your knees, hips, ankles and back.

Cheap cushioning means possible injury or muscle strains - especially if you’re a runner. Look for a good cushioning system built into your treadmill. It’s also important to make sure you wear proper, high quality running shoes for even more protection.

#3 Lengthy Warranty - An excellent warranty is a great indicator of the best treadmill values. It gives you an indication of the quality of parts used in construction.

So for example the 90 day warranty that covers your cheap department store treadmill does not indicate high value. A treadmill that comes with a lifetime frame, 10+ years on the motor, 2+ years on parts and 1 year on labor does indicate a higher value machine.

#4 High Stability - According to Runner’s World, stability is the most important factor when choosing a treadmill. You don’t want a treadmill that shakes or wobbles when you pick up your pace.

What factors make up a highly stable treadmill? Unit Weight - the higher weight the machine, the more anchoring you’ve got and in general, the more stable a treadmill.

Construction also contributes to stability. A highly regarded treadmill brand will often make more stable treadmills than a brand known for making cheaper units.

User weight capacity is another indicator of stability. For example a treadmill with a 300 lb user weight capacity is usually more stable than a treadmill with a 250 lb user weight capacity.

So those are 4 key factors that make up high value treadmills. Other factors you might want to look at are:

Belt size - make sure it’s long enough to accommodate your stride. Average height users will be fine with a regular size belt (up to 52″ long). However runners or taller users may want to get a longer belt (55-60″).

Workout programs and other extras - if you get bored easily you might want a treadmill with lots of workout programs. Some treadmills even offer built in TV’s, iPod stations and built-in speakers. It really depends on what you want.

And while you generally get what you pay for with treadmills - higher end machines are usually built much better than economy models - you can still get a great deal on a high value treadmill. With more competition and experience, many treadmill manufacturers are building more value into their treadmills. By knowing what to look for - and what you personally need - you’re assured of getting the best treadmill value for you.



Thanks to Vienna Miller for contributing this article to our Treadmill blog:

Treadmill Tips

If you’re buying a treadmill, chances are you’ve done lots of research already. You probably know exactly what makes up a high quality treadmill and have an idea of which features you want in your unit.

But even with this knowledge many people still fall prey to slick treadmill deals that end up costing them in the long run.

In order to keep that from happening to you, here are 3 essential buying tips to make sure you choose the very best treadmill for you.

#1) Not All Treadmill Brands Are Created Equal

I recently had a gentleman e-mail me asking for advice on which treadmill he should buy. He had narrowed it down to 3 choices:

Brand A: 2.5 HP motor $999

Brand B: 1.75 HP motor $899

Brand C: 2.0 HP motor $1099

He asked me which treadmill I would buy. He was clearly leaning towards Brand A.

This was the natural choice for most people and it makes sense: get the most for the least. Or get the most motor power for the least amount of money.

However, my answer surprised him. I told him if it were my choice, I would go with Brand C for $1099. Here’s why:

Although the motor power is lower than Brand A and the price is higher, Brand C makes an overall better treadmill. Why?

Brand C has a reputation for making high quality treadmills and backing them up with extensive warranties, including a lifetime warranty on the motor. It can afford to give such lengthy warranties because it knows that it makes a quality product that probably WON’T break down - even over a lifetime.

Brand A on the other hand offers a 90-day motor warranty. What does that tell you about the quality of parts?

Although motor power is a good feature to consider when buying a treadmill - you have to be careful. Look at it in the context of the whole treadmill - including the brand.

Not all treadmill brands are created equal. Some treadmill brands use extremely high quality materials. Others well, don’t.

Make sure to look beyond just the bare numbers when choosing a treadmill. Look at the whole picture to find the best treadmill for you.

#2) Don’t Always Believe What The Salesperson Tells You

Get it in writing. This isn’t to put down any salesperson - but they are human. They do make mistakes, and sometimes this can end up costing you.

I had another lady e-mail me asking for advice on choosing a treadmill. She’d narrowed it down to several and was leaning towards one in particular (let’s call it Treadmill X).

She had been told by a salesperson in the store that this Treadmill X (for $899) came with a lifetime warranty on the motor.

This lady was smart. She was looking at the whole treadmill picture. The price was excellent. The motor power was average (1.75 HP). And who can pass up a lifetime motor warranty?

But wait a minute.

I was fairly familiar with this treadmill brand and knew something was off.

This particular treadmill brand never gives lifetime motor warranties - ever. Not even on their commercial treadmills. So why would they offer a lifetime motor warranty on one of their economy treadmills?

I voiced my concerns to her and wasn’t surprised to hear back a couple of days later that the salesperson had actually been mistaken about the lifetime warranty.

If she had bought this treadmill simply based on what the salesperson said, she might have gotten a nasty surprise - especially since this particular treadmill brand is known for being extremely costly to repair.

Don’t always trust what the salesperson says. Make sure to get it in writing before you buy!

#3 Forget the Price Tag - Look at the REAL Price Of The Treadmill

Price is probably one of the most important factors when buying a treadmill. But sometimes the price of the treadmill can be misleading.

For example, let’s say you’re looking at Brand A in a store with a price of $799. Pretty good price right?

A much better deal than Brand B - sold online - at $999.

But look closer at Brand A. Brand A only comes with a 90 day parts and labor warranty so you need to buy added coverage. You pay $50 for a 2 year extended motor warranty.

So Brand A’s total cost is now $849 (with a 2 year motor warranty)

Brand B is still $999 (with a 10 year motor warranty already included)

Overall, you figure that Brand A is still the better deal since it’s cheaper.

But look closer. You need to pay shipping costs for Brand A. Shipping costs from most stores usually run you about $150.

Brand B, since it is sold online offers free shipping (most online treadmill sellers do).

So Brand A’s total cost is now $998 (with a 2 year motor warranty)

Brand B is still $999 (with a 10 year motor warranty)

With Brand A, $799 has gone to buy the treadmill, $50 has gone to buy the warranty and $150 has gone into shipping.

With Brand B, $999 has gone to buy the treadmill (warranty included).

So which treadmill do you think actually gives you the most value for your money?

And don’t forget that many online treadmill stores don’t charge sales tax. The store that sells Brand A does. That technically makes Brand A MORE expensive than Brand B.

So when comparing treadmills, make sure to consider the TOTAL COST of each treadmill before you buy.

By keeping these 3 tips in mind when purchasing a treadmill:

- Not all treadmill brands are created equal

- Don’t believe what the salesperson tells you - get it in writing

and

- Look at the REAL price of the treadmill

you’ll be well on your way to choosing the best treadmill investment for you.



Thanks to Kathryn Oneill for contributing this article to our Treadmill blog:

Best Treadmill Workout

Of all the different types of home exercise equipment that have come and gone, the home exercise treadmill has lasted throughout the years. The quality and features of any treadmill is reflected in the price. Basic treadmill models can start at $100 and can go up to $5000.

A treadmill consists of a wide belt that’s stretched over a bed and around two or more rollers. For a standard treadmill motor look for HP of around 2.5HP, this will ensure an easy and smooth action. With treadmills you need to watch out for the impact involved when your feet hit the belt; your body absorbs up to two and a half times your body weight.

Some treadmills monitor your heart by way of sensors built into the frame that are gripped by your hands, but can only be done if you’re walking not running. The console indicates the belt speed and other factors, such as heart rate, miles per hour, and distance. Safety features on a treadmill are especially important if you plan to work out alone or if you have small children who might accidentally start up the treadmill.

Some excellent features, like heart monitors and safety keys that automatically stop the treadmill if you slip, will contribute to the enjoyment and safety of your treadmill workout or help add motivation. Adjustable inclines let you vary the steepness of a hill. People, who don’t have enough room for a bulky exercise machine, may want to consider a folding treadmill; they collapse to allow for easy storage.

A pre-programmed workout registers your heart rate without being connected to the treadmill by a cord or wire. One of the key things to remember is that the larger motors tend to run cooler and usually require less repair and maintenance.

The more incline variation offered in a treadmill unit, the more expensive the model will be. Consider the cost of maintaining your treadmill as well. Did I mention to make sure to check out the warranty fine print, this is very important.

You might want to bring your water bottle and towel to the treadmill store and try out their treadmills. You’ll probably want to buy a unit with a motor that delivers 1.5 to 3 continuous, not peak, horsepower. When buying a treadmill, the best savings will be for an online purchase, generally saving up to 45% over brick and mortar stores.

When you’re reading treadmill ratings or treadmill reviews, they’ll usually cover safety statistics, the heart rate monitor, the various merits of the interactive model and computer fitness programs and levels. Warranties can last for ninety days or a lifetime, read the fine print. Be careful not to believe the marketing hype if you’re looking for a cheap treadmill; the truth is you get what you pay for.

A major consideration when buying a treadmill is how the machine is constructed. Buying a treadmill online has become the way to go for most people; it’ll save you both time and a lot of money.

Noise from the smallest repetitive sound can drive you nuts over a period of time and give you another excuse not to exercise. Less expensive treadmill models may be fine for walkers but may not hold up as well for regular or seasoned runners.

Be careful, because any type of jogging or running, whether on a treadmill or not, puts strain on leg and hip joints. Selections of preprogrammed exercise routines are not essential to obtaining a good workout from a treadmill, but they do help to provide motivation. Walking, whether on a treadmill or not, is one of the best approaches anyone can take toward physical fitness. Running or walking on a treadmill is an effective way to workout compared to other more complex cardiovascular exercises.

And remember, home exercise treadmills are a large investment financially and in your fitness and much thought and preparation should go into the purchase of any new treadmill. By following the above tips you’re sure to find the best treadmill for you. For most people buying a home exercise treadmill is going to be a major investment.



Thanks to Helen Hecker for contributing this article to our Treadmill blog:

Used Life Fitness Treadmills