Before You Buy a Treadmill

Finding the best treadmill for your budget can be a chore. You must know what you are looking for to get the best buy in a treadmill. Studies have shown that people get more out of a treadmill than other fitness equipment because it is natural to walk or run. So you are more apt to stick with it for longer each session and keep using the equipment itself.
Treadmill Price
You get what you pay for when it comes to treadmills, but for most of us any treadmill is going to be a significant investment. When you shop by price, you must be even more careful to select the best in that price range. The price ranges generally break down to budget ($500 to $1,500), mid-range ($1,500 to $3,000) and quality ($3,000 and up). There are often significant sales and discounts.

Treadmill Motor and Horsepower
The motor matters as it gets the heaviest workout. The horsepower (HP) ratings can be confusing. The figure you want to look at is the "continuous duty rating" and shop for 1.5 to 2.5 HP "continuous duty." The "peak duty" rating is less valuable. The "treadmill duty" rating falls between continuous and peak. Look for the longest warranty on the motor -- 1 year at least. DC (direct current) motors are quieter. Commercial Treadmill motors rated 1.75 - 4.8 HP

Buying New Treadmill vs Refurbished Treadmill
It all comes down to budget, warranty and how you'll be using the treadmill. If your budget is around $500 -$1,000 then your best to purchase a Home Version New. But if you can spend a little more we would recommend buying a refurbished commercial grade treadmill. Refurbished Life Fitness or Precor treadmill will give you the commercial motor, rollers, programs and stability one is use to when going to the gym and working out. A commerical grade machine will offer a lot more and last you longer than a new home version treadmill.

but if Budget and Space is more of a concern, we recommend new home verson Proform Treadmill.
Treadmill Stability and Smooth Ride
Test treadmills wearing your workout shoes and clothes. A shaky or jerky ride is unacceptable. The hand rails should feel sturdy enough to support you and be in a good position to grip easily and not block your arm motion. The belt must be wide enough and long enough for your stride.
Treadmill Workout Features
Boredom kills treadmill workouts. Choose a model that has the most pre-set and programmable workouts to vary pace and incline. The incline and speed should be easily adjustable from the console. A pulse monitor is good. A water bottle holder and book rack are essential for me. Some models plug into a video or audio player or the internet for new workouts. Books or videos can get you going in the right direction.

Noise and Space
The treadmill needs to work in your space. How noisy is it? If you plan to watch TV or listen to music, you need to be able to hear those over the treadmill itself. A model that looks small in the store can turn into an elephant in your spare room. Check its size when folded or stored and test how easy it is to move.

Folding Treadmills vs. Non-Folding
In the last several years, considerable design improvements have contributed to folding models being comparable to the stationary treadmills. Look for stability, ease of folding, weight capacity, and how easy it is to move.