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How to Buy the Best Treadmill

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By tikrit01
User-Submitted Article
(1 Ratings)

A treadmill can be a great investment for your health and future but with so many treadmills on the market it can be difficult to know how to buy the best treadmill for you and your health and exercise needs. Buying a treadmill can save you lots of money in gym costs and health care costs because using a treadmill at home will increase your frequency or use and health. Learn how to buy the best treadmill for you following these simple guidelines.

Difficulty: Moderate
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • budget
  • use pattern
  1. Step 1

    Price When Buying the Best Treadmill
    The first thing you will want to do when trying to buy the best treadmill is think about your budget and the amount of money you can spend on a treadmill. Treadmills can be very expensive and it is hard to know what you need. On average, you can expect a budget treadmill to cost between $500-1500, a moderate treadmill to cost between $1500-$3000, and a top of the line treadmill to cost upwards of $3000.

  2. Step 2

    Treadmill Motor and Horsepower When Buying the Best Treadmill
    Once you have figured out how much money you can spend on a treadmill, you will want to look at the treadmill motor and horsepower to make sure you are buying a quality treadmill that will last a long time. You will want to look for a rating called the continuous duty rating and it should be between 1.5 and 2.5 on a quality treadmill. There will be many other motor and horsepower numbers mentioned when trying to buy a treadmill but this is the most important. Also, make sure the motor has at least a 1 year warranty.

  3. Step 3

    Test the Treadmill for Stability When Buying the Best Treadmill
    It is extremely important to test the treadmill wearing your workout sneakers and working out at a pace you will use your treadmill at home. The treadmill should feel smooth and stable. It should not jerk at all. Also, make sure the treadmill is long enough for your stride and that the arm rests feel stable and supportive. This will help you buy the best treadmill.

  4. Step 4

    Incline and Workouts When Buying the Best Treadmill
    Look for a treadmill that offers varying inclines and the most pre-programmed workouts within your price range. Think about how often you will use these features and the added value to you of having more features. If you will only use your treadmill for simple walks or runs you do not need a lot of extra features but if you want variety when working out look for a treadmill that offers that when buying the best treadmill.

  5. Step 5

    Noise and Space When Buying the Best Treadmill
    It is extremely important to think about where you will put your treadmill and what you want to be able to do when you are on the treadmill. If you want to watch TV or do other things on your treadmill make sure to get a model that is quiet enough to let you do that. Many treadmills can be extremely large. Also, measure the treadmill and think about where you will put it. It needs to fit in the space you have planned and many treadmills look smaller in the stores than they will in your home. Also, consider foldable treadmills but know that many features and stability can be lost with a foldable treadmill. Most experts advise against them.

  6. Step 6

    Manual vs. Automatic Treadmills
    Although it may be tempting to buy a manual treadmill because they are cheaper and seem like they would make sure you keep moving, they are usually very difficult to get started and difficult to keep moving. They also generally are not as sturdy as regular treadmills. Many exercise experts advise against these treadmills because they are jerky and can cause injuries.

Tips & Warnings
  • Always consult a doctor before starting a new exercise routine.
  • Try out treadmills at the store and during a free gym promotion to make sure you will use it before purchasing
  • You can get great deals online on treadmills so look at online retailers!
Resources

Comments  

jenng said

Flag This Comment

on 5/21/2009 Great article on how to buy the best treadmill 5*

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