Buying A Treadmill? Don't Leave Home Without A Treadmill Consumer Guide!
Whether you're thinking of buying a treadmill for the first time, or considering replacing your existing model with a more modern version, it pays to spend some time looking at a few treadmill consumer guides. You are going to be spending hundreds, perhaps even thousands, of dollars. So it makes sense to do some research and get educated first. There are many sources of treadmill consumer guides. Magazines such as Runner's World, Men's Fitness and Good Housekeeping have all compiled their own guides. And of course, there is the Internet.
Be aware that there are many websites out there masquerading as treadmill consumer guides with no real useful contents. It should be relatively easy to spot these sites: they contain pages of links to other websites, and no internal articles.
Genuine treadmill consumer guides provide useful information on the different treadmill makes and models. TreadmillDoctors.com is one such well-known website, with ratings and mini reports on features and overall quality.
Some consumer guides also list results of consumer surveys and reports. These are particular useful because the information is provided by people who have used the machines. Unlike information found on the manufacturers' websites, consumer ratings and surveys are unbiased and free from sales jargons.
Epinions.com contains comprehensive reviews on thousands of consumer products, including treadmills. It provides information on over 300 treadmills. So it's well worth a visit.
When browsing through treadmill consumer guides, you should concentrate on these particular areas:
Overall quality
Most treadmill consumer guides give you an idea of the overall quality of a particular treadmill. For the home treadmill user, it's helpful to think of treadmills in three distinct groups: entry-level, mid-price and premium. You should have a rough idea how much you want to spend before you do your research. Commercial treadmills are usually of a higher quality but these are usually much more expensive and are not necessary for general home use.
Motor Power
Treadmill consumer guides should list the horse power rating for each treadmill. Check whether this is given as peak load or continuous load. For example, a 2.5 HP peak load motor is not necessarily better than a 2.0 HP continuous duty one. In general you should look for a machine with at least a 2.0 HP continuous duty motor.
Deck Size
This is usually given as width x length in inches, e.g. 20" x 54". If you are going to jog or run, you will need a longer running surface; whereas a shorter belt is sufficient if you will only be using the treadmill for walking.
Electronic Features
Most treadmills have an electronic console displaying information such as calories burned, distance traveled and time elapsed. They also usually have a number of preset workouts. Many models also have extra features such as heart rate monitor, customizable programs, power incline, etc. Make sure you take time to consider if you really need the extra features which you may rarely or never use.
Warranty
Buying a treadmill is a serious investment, both in terms of money and in your health. So make sure the machine you buy provides sufficient warranty for your needs. For example, if you're serious runner and will be using your treadmill heavily, you may want to take out extended warranty on the motor.