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.
The type of warranty that comes with a treadmill should be one of the main deciding factors on whether you will purchase the machine, or not. Manufactures that produce quality machines will offer lifetime warranties on their machines. If you are looking at machines that have a short warranty period, beware. The manufacturer isn’t standing by the equipment long term. This means they aren’t confident in their machine. If they aren’t putting faith in it, why should you?
Look for the differences in warranties. Does one offer in-home servicing? Are there loopholes in the warranty? Are there any hidden costs in the warranty? Be sure to read all of the writing on a warranty, even the small print.
If you are going to purchase a folding treadmill because of space allotment issues, make sure you test out how easy (or difficult) it is to fold the machine’s deck up. Avoid ones that are difficult to lift. If lifting is a health concern for you, consider purchasing a machine that will fold with the push of a button. Be sure you test out how easy it is to move the treadmill around, especially if you plan on storing it away between workouts.
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.