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What Should I Consider When Buying a Home Treadmill?

Diana Bocco
Diana Bocco

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.

It is recommended that treadmills come with at least 2.5- to 3-horsepower continuous motors.
It is recommended that treadmills come with at least 2.5- to 3-horsepower continuous motors.

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.

Discussion Comments

whiteplane

There are second hand gym equipment stores that have treadmills on sale for huge discounts. Save yourself a few hundred or even a few thousand dollars and buy a second hand treadmill that is still in great shape.

Gyms open and close all the time. There is a whole industry that has sprung up to help them get rid of their equipment once they close. All those weights, bars and machines have a lot of value but are tricky to move and sell. Most big cities have at least one or two second hand fitness equipment stores where you can buy this barely used equipment, including quality treadmills.

summing

I have a fold up treadmill that fits beneath my bed. It is great because it is there when I want to use it, and completely out of the way when I don't.

I like the idea of having a treadmill but I have always hated the way they look. I have never been in a room where the treadmill did not seem like a total eyesore, even when that room was a gym. I knew that if I was going to buy one I didn't want to have to look at it.

I found a good deal online for this fold up version and I could not be happier with it. I have been running consistently for three months now and I am down 9 pounds!

gravois

The first and most important decision to make before buying a home treadmill is whether or not you really want a home treadmill. They are big, bulky and expensive and sometimes the investment is not worth it. I have seen way too many home treadmills turn into clothes racks.

It might be a better investment to simply get a gym membership. Or consider riding a stationary bike. Or, best yet, just go out and run. That doesn't cost you anything.

leilani

Once you decide that treadmill is a good investment for your health, give it a little thought of where will you place it in your home. If you have room in front of a window with beautiful green outdoors, by all means place the treadmill there.

If you have no green outdoors to look at, then pictures of rural green spaces might do the job. It has been shown that while people exercise and look at beautiful scenery they improve their energy and mood levels.

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    • It is recommended that treadmills come with at least 2.5- to 3-horsepower continuous motors.
      By: starush
      It is recommended that treadmills come with at least 2.5- to 3-horsepower continuous motors.