Treadmill Comparisons: Get The Inside Scoop on Buying Treadmills

Knowing what to look for in treadmills is crucial to making a good purchase. The prices of treadmills vary because there are major differences in the machines. Treadmills will vary on their individual performance, warranties, components and features and space allotment.

It goes without saying that the more expensive a product, the higher quality it will be. Treadmills are no different. You can easily purchase a treadmill for a few hundred dollars. However, most people that do find their treadmills end up as coat racks or they get packed away in the garage! Why? They often break down or they don't give the workout a person was expecting. When buying a treadmill, plan to spend at least $1000. These high end treadmills break down less often and give a better workout. Here are some other things you should know when shopping around for treadmills.

Most high end treadmills will come with a lifetime warranty. This is one of the keys of differentiating the quality treadmills from the cheap treadmills. Most low end treadmills will only come with a 90 day warranty. The warranty is short because the product will more than likely have a short life, or need repairs often. In a nut shell, the company doesn't stand by their product long term.

If are torn between two treadmills and the warranties seem similar, look for any differences in the warranty. Read all the small print on the warranties. Find out if one offers in-home servicing, or if there are any hidden charges or loop holes in the warranties.

Space is an issue for many people. If you don't have room for a non-folding treadmill, consider a folding treadmill. When comparing folding treadmills, see how easily the deck will fold. There are some models on the market that will fold with the push of a button. This is ideal for someone who may have difficulty lifting up the treadmill's deck. If you plan on moving your treadmill around or storing it away between workouts, look for a folding treadmill that is easy to move around.

You wouldn't purchase a car without test driving it, why should buying a treadmill be any different? After all, a treadmill's performance is crucial to whether you will be happy with it. Test out the treadmill before you purchase it. Put it through a workout and see if it meets your needs and expectations. If the motor sounds strained or make irregular noises, it is probably not powerful enough for you. In addition, know that some treadmills will go faster and incline more than others. If you are a runner, having a treadmill that will be able to keep up with your speed is crucial.

Learn all you can about the different components and features on treadmills. Become familiar with what to look for in tread belts, belt rollers, motors, decks and frames. Consult a buying guide to steer you in the right direction.

Reading treadmill reviews and visiting forums is also a great way to find out about various treadmill models. Talking with people, and getting first hand accounts of how machines are working for people, often answers those remaining questions you may have about specific treadmills. In fact, these first hand accounts can be more beneficial to buyers than even reading reviews and buyer's guides.