Shopping for Treadmills
Here are some key questions that will affect your selection.
By Anna Wallner & Kristina Matisic
We've all heard the jokes about that piece of expensive home exercise equipment that now serves as a coat rack. As usual, there's some truth in the cliché, but one type of home exercise machine is less likely to be gathering dust in a corner. Treadmills are the most popular form of home exercise equipment — accounting for one-third of all exercise equipment sales — and also the most likely to be used and not abandoned.
Think before you shop
When you're shopping for a treadmill, you'll find a wide range of choices with an increasing array of bells and whistles. Before you buy, ask yourself some key questions that will affect your selection:
How much do you want to spend?
Consider a treadmill an investment that will last you for years. While your budget might not allow for a higher end model, avoid buying the cheapest ones because they won't stand up over time. Generally machines under $1,500 lack the strength and quality to go the distance.
Who's going to use the treadmill?
If you're a featherweight 110 pounds, you can shop for a very different treadmill than your 200 lb. partner. So if you live together you'll have to think heavy duty. You should also make your shopping decision based on your exercise regimes — pounding out the mileage to train for a marathon will require a more durable machine than power walking while you catch Oprah or.
Where will you keep the treadmill?
Consider shopping for a treadmill similar to shopping for a sofa. Figure out where you'll put it and measure the space before you head to the store.
The power and the comfort
When you're shopping, be sure to check the treadmill's motor size. If you're mostly going to be walking, you should look for a machine with a continuous duty motor with at least 2-horse power. If you're a runner, look for 3-horse power.
As for the belt, if you're walking or jogging, look for a thick belt with extra cushioning. But if you're a runner you'll want a firmer surface so you don't feel like you're bounding along on a trampoline. In terms of size, a shorter, narrower belt is fine if you're walking, but if you're running look for a belt that's at least 60 inches long.
Check the warranty!
Even though you should try out a treadmill in a store, you won't really know if it works for you until you've covered some distance at home. You should buy from a retailer who gives you a 30-day, no-questions-asked, money-back guarantee.
Treadmills typically come with a lifetime warranty on the frame, a three-to-10 year warranty on the motor and a one-to-three year warranty on parts and labor. If you are opting for a less expensive machine, you'd be well advised to purchase an extended warranty on parts and labor.
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