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Choosing a Treadmill

Choosing a treadmill to buy for home use is no easy task! There are over 50 reputable brands to choose from! And many treadmills are very expensive, so it is not a decision to take lightly!

Things to consider are some less technical issues, which will be discussed here, and then the more technical aspects will be discussed in the Treadmill Buying Guide.

Less Technical Things to Consider When Buying a Treadmill

- Where you will put it

- How many people and who will be using it

- Used or new

- Motorized or manual

- Required Maintenance

Where will you put your treadmill?
That may sound like a silly question - but they are big! And they just won't fit in a small room. Some are so heavy that once you get it set up, it won't be easy to move again - so you should decide beforehand where you will put it, especially if you buy a heavier one. If you don't have a lot of room you may want one that folds up also. If this is important to you, check into which ones can be folded up easily, especially if a smaller sized person might need to do it. Also think of the amount of noise it might make and when you might be using it. If you think you might be using it when other people in your house are asleep, make sure you get an extra quiet one. Most newer houses should have upper floors that are strong enough to hold even a heavier one, but this is something to consider also. If you house is older, and your floors are kind of weak, you don't want to put a treadmill on an upper floor. Another point to take into consideration is the surface you will place it on. If you have brand new carpet, for example, you may not want to place it directly on it. Or a nice hard wood floor. Special mats just for treadmills are sold at some places to protect your flooring. You may want to check into this first, so you have the mat there and ready to go when you get your treadmill in your house. One last thing to consider, if you are planning to use someplace other than the normal rooms in your house, like a garage or porch, you may have problems due to extreme temperature fluctuations or dirt.

How many people and who will be using it
If you have additional people in your home who might use the treadmill too - take their needs into consideration also. For example, on some treadmills the display panel is pretty high up and may not be low enough for people who are shorter to see it. Another thing to consider is the weight of the people using it. Make sure the treadmill you choose is strong enough for the heaviest person who might be using it. Also - will the people using it be walking or running on it? Some are only really made to be walked on and may not last very long if people use it for running.

Used or New
Many people would prefer to buy a used treadmill to save money. If you decide to go this route, be very careful. Really check into before buying. Think about how much parts might cost for it, will you be able to get the warrenty on it, etc.

Motor or Manual
Another decision to make is whether you want a motorized one or a manual one. I would recommend a motorized one. If you decide to buy a manual one to save money, keep in mind that they can be hard to get moving unless it has a incline. Even then it can be impossible to run on.

Required Maintenance
You may also want to consider if the one you buy will need much maintenance. Ask before you buy or read the owners manual afterward. A treadmill is too big an investment to not take of it right after you buy it. Many may only need be kept clean or have the belt lubricated.

In summary, when choosing a treadmill to buy, take your time and consider all the options!

See also:

Compare Treadmills, Treadmill Buying Guide and All About Treadmills.



Legal stuff: The above article is for general information purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care.