Exercise and fitness experts consider buying a treadmill one of the best fitness purchases you can possibly make. This is because a treadmill is a versatile piece of equipment that does not get old, loses popularity, or becomes obsolete. But while picking a treadmill over other fitness equipment seems like an easy choice, how do you know which treadmill is the right one for you? Here are a few questions to help you narrow down your choices.

How much are you willing to spend for a home treadmill? You can get a basic manual treadmill for as little as $400 US Dollars (USD), but don't expect great things from such a machine. A cheap treadmill is likely to break often, will not endure heavy use, and will most likely require frequent tune-ups. A quality treadmill, on the other hand, is made to last, but excellence comes at a price. Expect to pay over $1000 USD for a treadmill that doesn't need lubrication and will stand up to heavy use, frequent runs, and different-size users. A quality treadmill is especially important if there is more than one user in the household, as the machine will have to serve double duty.

Finally, keep in mind what your goals are. For a light walk a few times a week, a simple treadmill will do; for marathon training, you need a powerful motor and good suspension, which means a higher tag price. Manual treadmills — those with no motor — are becoming a rarity, which means you are more than likely to end up with a motorized machine. Choose a treadmill with the biggest motor you can afford, as this will ensure durability and smooth running. Buy a motor with at least 1.5 horsepower. Do not get hung up in fancy programming options. You basically need a treadmill that will allow you to control speed and inclination, and maybe include a heart rate monitor, but that's it. Avoid extravagant buttons that will more than likely turn up the price heftily but do little when it comes to improving your fitness level.