How To Buy A Treadmill
If the statistics from the fitness equipment industry are right on target, as many as 37 million individuals have asked the question of how to buy a treadmill. And if the increasing interest in fitness in the home among young and old alike is to be the basis, then millions more are asking the same question. Well, read on and discover how millions of satisfied users of treadmills have answered it.
Set Your Budget
We believe that the first consideration in choosing a treadmill is the budget. You want to be fit physically but not at the expense of being ill financially just because of the purchase of the most expensive machine possible. Fortunately, you need not keep up with the Joneses as keeping up with your exercise program is the most important thing in buying a treadmill for the home.
Your choices in treadmills range from the low-end versions with prices starting at just $300 to the mid-range prices of $1,500 although the high-end treadmills can cost as much as $3,000 exclusive of the shipping and handling charges. With careful research, you can find a treadmill within your budget that still answers your needs in such a fitness machine.
Look at the Features
After setting the budget, you should then compare the features between all the brands available in an online site. Your choices in treadmills include brands like Pro Form, Nordic Track, Star Trac and Horizon, to name a few. Most of these treadmills offer the same basic features with a few tweaks and with different names.
When answering the question of how to buy a treadmill, most reviewers suggest looking for the following desirable features even in the budget category:
* The horsepower (HP) on the motor should be sufficient for your fitness goals. For example, if you are a light runner or an average exerciser, then a 2.5HP motor will suffice for the purpose. If you are training for a race, then we suggest a 3HP motor that can withstand the intensive use.
* The tread belts should be sufficient for your height and, consequently, length of stride. Take note that a shorter tread belt in relation to your normal stride increases your exposure to injuries. Experts suggest that the ideal length of the tread belt is at 49 inches although taller persons are more comfortable with the 50-inch ones.
* The decks should have measures to ensure low impact upon the foot’s contact. For this purpose, look for the ¼-inch decks that absorbs the shock.
* The display panel must show all the necessary data, which can include duration, distance, speed and incline, in easy-to-read figures. Most consumers also suggest push-button controls instead of the dials and switches for easy adjustments while on the treadmill.
Other features like iPod compatibility, Internet hookups and bottle holders are secondary in nature to the abovementioned benefits. Keep in mind, too, that the more features in a treadmill, the higher the price can be.
Last but not least, it is important to ask about the terms and conditions for the warranty. You want to be covered, be it in the motor, the parts and frame and even on the labor for repairs. Truly, seeking the answers to the question of how to buy a treadmill will mean financial savings on one hand and physical fitness on the other hand.