Buying a treadmill should be considered an investment in your health. So as you set out to the fitness store or are browsing treadmills online, it wouldn’t surprise me if you were feeling a bit overwhelmed with the selection. Most stores carry a wide variety of treadmills to fit everyone’s needs and can make the process of choosing a good machine a bit harder. Continue reading these expert tips before you buy a treadmill.
Budget
This is probably the most important thing that you want to consider when purchasing a treadmill. You are using the treadmill to invest in your own health and you are worth it. However, we don’t recommend that you go into debt when you buy a treadmill if at all possible. Do a bit of online price comparisons so that you have an idea of what you can get for your money. Most often when you buy a treadmill you get what you pay so look at a treadmill as a long-term investment. A basic treadmill will cost you under $500 but it may not be made for heavy use.
Space
Treadmills do take up quite a bit of floor space in your home. Before you buy a treadmill you should measure the space where you want to use it at. For example, if you are putting the treadmill in your bedroom, you want to ensure that you have a proper amount of space in your bedroom before making the purchase. Plus, experts recommend leaving plenty of space around the treadmill in case you fall or injure yourself. A newer treadmill won’t take up as much floor space when it isn’t in use so it might be worth considering.
Motor
The motor is the driving force and they are expensive to replace if they burn up quickly. Always inquire about the motor before you buy a treadmill because some treadmills aren’t designed for heavy use. Most people buy a treadmill so that they can use it to walk; however, walking can cause more wear and tear on a treadmill’s motor.
Programs
Walking alone is a great way to exercise because it is low impact and something everyone can do. However, if you are walking and doing the same intensity over and over, you will eventually hit a plateau if you buy a treadmill to lose weight. Look for treadmills that have multiple programs. Programs allow you to mix things up a bit and give you the ability to vary your intensity. Before deciding on a treadmill, determine what programs the unit offers before purchasing.
Buy from a Reputable Source
It is best to buy a treadmill from a reputable source so that you can contact them if you have any problems with the equipment. Some stores offer additional protection and warranties that can be purchased for an additional cost. Also, ask what the store’s return policy is before you purchase a treadmill.
Always Test Drive the Treadmill Whenever Possible
Photo Credit: Flickr via Creative Commons
We highly recommend that you test drive a treadmill so that you can test it out before you buy it. After all, you are spending quite a bit of money on a quality treadmill and you want to make sure that you like it first. Turn the machine on and walk for a few minutes so that you can test some of the features.
Also, wiggle the rails and see how sturdy they are. Some of the lower end treadmills, lack the stability and don’t compare anywhere close to a treadmill that you would use in the gym. Also, try running on it to make sure that you have enough room on the treadmill’s deck to take a full stride.
Display
Does the treadmill have easy to read display? Make sure that you can easily read the display while you are walking and can easily change controls as needed. If the treadmill comes with a fancy display, ask what the warranty is on the display. You don’t want to invest in an expensive treadmill that you can’t use if the display goes out.
Do Consider a Used Treadmill
If you don’t have a ton of money to spend on a treadmill, you can consider buying a used treadmill. Often people buy a treadmill with the intention of using it; however, life gets in the way and it suddenly it becomes a storage fixture.
Ask the owner for the name and model number of the treadmill so that you can do your homework before deciding if the treadmill is a good buy. Plus, you can even look up the price so that you have an idea how much the treadmill costs brand new. Knowing the original price allows you the ability to negotiate a better deal.
Do use caution when purchasing a used treadmill from someone on Facebook or Craigslist. Always take someone with you especially if you are going to their home to pick it up. Do test drive the treadmill to make sure it is in working order before you purchase it.
Buying a treadmill is a huge investment and is a great tool to use if you want to have the ability to workout in your home instead of spending time at the gym.
These are great tips. They aren’t cheap, so it’s best to do your research in something you are going to like and actually use!
Sadly this post is too late for us.
We have an excellent treadmill that doesn’t fit our space or our needs but it’s an excellent clothes hanger.
UGH!! I wish I had of seen this a few years ago..these are great tips!
Our house is too small for one and I know that I will not do it. I got a gym membership fee and I do that religiously because I’m not gonna waste my money.
I am a fan of treadmills because I love running and can’t run in the Chicago cold. It is important to get a good treadmill if you have the space and the money.
These are great tips! I have bought a few treadmills, and it has taken me a few to get it right.
These are great tips. I should have done this before buying my elliptical. I would have chosen differently.
Excellent tips! People who are looking for a treadmill should read this first. I’ll let my friend know about this.
This is a great post with fantastic tips! We have been discussing purchasing a treadmill but at the same time discussing moving. We have decided to work on saving money for our purchase while we house hunt so we can make sure both will be able to live and work together in harmony. I will be keeping these tips in mind, thank you for sharing!
This is great timing for this post. I have been looking for a treadmill. I do not have a ton of space so it has been hard to find the right model.
This are a great tips . i am planning to buy a treadmill for our house. I tell my hubby about this
These are indeed all great tips before purchasing a treadmill everyone should pay attention to for sure. I love the idea of purchasing a used treadmill because it is something people intend to use but usually don’t use it or use it much. Thanks for sharing these great tips.
Great tips! We got rid of our treadmill when we moved, but some days I definitely miss it!
I used to have a treadmill and when I had a home gym space it was nice but before then there was no room for it and it was always in the way. I would much rather walk outside.
Treadmill is my regular buddy during winter times when I can do my cardio outdoors. These are definitely great tips.
These are really great tips. I would love to have one for the winer months but I just don’t have enough space for one.
We absolutely love our treadmill! It fits both my husband & I in every aspect. I dread they day it ever stops working or goes capoot! But these are great tips to keep on hand when searching for a new one!
My husband and I are saving for this. These are great tips.
I think that test driving the treadmill is definitely a good idea. You certainly want to make sure that it works with your body type and gait.
This is good to know. We purchase a new treadmill like every three to five years but then again we use it a lot. I just purchased an elliptical and it took me weeks to decide on the right one. One should always research when purchasing an expensive piece of exercise equipment.
I have an iFit treadmill and love it. It came with pre installed workouts and you can buy iFit cards for even more workout programs. It wasn’t cheap, but not super expensive either. The treadmill I had before that was quite a bit cheaper and it lasted me about 8 years before the motor gave out.
This is one of the major purchases we have planned for this year. My hubby needs something to get him walking well. The streets are not really that safe for people with disabilities. Thanks for these tips. We’ll keep this in mind when we are just about ready to purchase.
I hate treadmills! LOL!! However I do love the Elliptical Machines and these are also great tips to use when buying one of those!
Great tips. I think you should also ask yourself if you are going to use it regularly before buying, or it might end up as a junk in your storage room. Right?
Oh totally agree with your post! I once considered a threadmill but then figured the space and the reliability might be an issue!
I’ve never been good on the treadmill, I’m more of an elliptical person, but I think these some of these tips can transfer over to any exercise equipment!
I bought my treadmill in 2011. It’s been great. I purchased online and haven’t had any major issues with it.
These are some great tips!!! I really want to get a treadmill so bad. I actually dream to have a home gym one day!