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Buying a Treadmill PDF  | Print |  E-mail
Image It's like a scene from a modern day horror film: street after street of suburban homes, each with the skeleton of an unused treadmill waiting at the curb. Rusted beacons of good intentions and lost resolutions.

Hardly a lawn or rummage sale goes by that doesn't have a treadmill or two at a bargain price. In seeing this, you may wonder if it's a wise investment.
Truth is, any money spent on your health and fitness is a great investment. Some people simply buy the wrong treadmills, or lack the initiative to use them to their full potential.

There are many styles of treadmills available to suit all types of people. Some of the modern treadmills have personal trainers installed in them. Other models are so traditional that there isn't a single program running them. There are treadmills that run on maximum horsepower, and others with low power. Basically, it's up to you to know what you need before buying a treadmill. You need to understand your needs, and know which treadmill models will meet them.

Before buying a treadmill, ask yourself these questions:

* Do you need to have walking or running programs included?
* Do you want to be able to hook your treadmill up to websites like ifit.com to access new workouts?
* Will you need a heart rate monitor?
* Are you willing to spend a little more on a treadmill that folds up for storage, or do you have room for a stationary "full time" piece of equipment?
* How easy is the treadmill to maintain?

Once you have verified all of these points, you'll be ready for the next stage in buying a treadmill.

Try it out:
The most important step to buying a treadmill is comparing shopping by trying out the different models. Facts, figures and descriptions are fine on websites or in brochures, but what really counts is how the machine feels to you. Make a list of all the treadmill models you like, and then start calling local sporting goods stores. Find out if the treadmills you've chosen are available locally. Visit the stores and spend at least 10 minutes on each treadmill, making sure that it runs quietly and doesn't shake or feel unstable when you're running on it. Keep an eye open for other features as well. A drink holder, bookrack, place to rest your Walkman are all nice additions that can help you choose.

If you're looking for a good piece of equipment to provide a great body and cardiovascular workout, you can't go wrong with a treadmill. Many people, however, buy the wrong treadmill for their needs, and then give up because it seems too difficult. Realize what you need, take the time to shop around, and your treadmill will provide a great workout and a lot of fun.
 
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