The Best Time to Buy a Treadmill

If you are looking for home exercise equipment, a treadmill is a good option. It provides a solid cardiovascular or aerobic workout. Treadmills are good for any fitness level. You can walk very slowly and keep the treadmill flat and do a low-impact workout. You can also use it on an incline to increase the intensity. When it comes to buying one, there are times of the year when you can get better deals.

Considerations

The best time of year to buy a treadmill is around the holidays and beginning of January. This is because of New Year's resolutions to lose weight and exercise regularly. Stores start to put treadmills on sale anticipating selling them as holiday gifts and expecting the typical rush in January as everyone decides to become more fit.
You can also find some good deals right before warmer weather arrives, as there is a rush to lose weight to fit into that bathing suit.

Types

There are many kinds of treadmills to choose from. Spending more money does not necessarily get you a better deal. Some treadmills are very expensive simply because they have a complex console. You do want to spend enough money that you get a treadmill that is sturdy and one where the belt has some give to it as you walk or run. This is another reason to shop around the holidays. Due to the sale prices, you can get a good deal for your money and possibly afford a nicer quality treadmill than you could normally afford to buy.

Features

There are many features on treadmill consoles that you really do not need. Some have hand rails that, when touched, can read your heart rate. However, the pulse in your hand or finger is not the most accurate to go by. You are better off getting a less expensive treadmill and then manually taking your pulse in your wrist or neck, or spend the money on a heart rate monitor that straps onto your chest for a really accurate reading.

Size

Treadmills come in various sizes and weights. Make sure the treadmill you buy will fit in the space you have available in your home. While some treadmills have wheels, they are usually very heavy to move and can leave marks. The less you have to move it, the better. Also do not go too small with the size as the treadmill may not have a steady enough base of support. Smaller treadmills tend to shake or move and can cause a loss of balance. If the belt has no give to it when you put your weight on it, after time you may wind up with sore knees, hips or back.

Expert Insight

If buying from a retailer, try several stores. Look around at competitors' prices and don't be afraid to bring their ads into the store of your choice. Check if the store has any close-out models or if they are willing to sell the model on the floor. While buying a treadmill from a store is best near the end of the year, you can sometimes get good deals at other times. So many people buy a treadmill only to have it become an expensive clothes hanger or decoration in their home. Check the classified section of your newspaper to find good deals throughout the year. Many times you will get a treadmill that is in almost new condition at a fraction of the price.