There are several factors that need to be kept in mind while buying a
new treadmill. The first, of course, is affordability. How much you want
to invest on a treadmill? This is an important decision because
motorized treadmills can cost anything from 500 to 10,000 dollars
depending on the make and features.
Of course, the high-end treadmills - that is over 5,000 dollars - are
meant for hospitals, clubs and gymnasiums. For home use, a buyer can
chose from the budget range - 500 to 1,500 dollars - and mid-range -
1,500 to 3,000 dollars.
The next important decision is selecting the right motor. Three points
should be kept in mind while making this decision. The first is the
horsepower. The best treadmills for home use are those that offer 1.5 to
2.5 HP. The second is continuous duty or peak duty rating that
manufacturers offer for their treadmills. The choice here should be for
continuous duty ratings of 1.5 to 2.5 HP. The third is warranty. All
users should choose those treadmills where the manufacturers offer
one-year warranty or more.
The size of treadmills and the noise they make is equally important. The
buyer should map out the space he plans to allocate to the treadmill,
and then buy it. Very often, treadmills occupy more space in a room than
what the buyer thought. Similarly, noisy treadmills reduce half the
pleasure of the exercise. You may be unable to hear music or watch
television while doing the exercise.
It is also important to do a test exercise. Treadmills that produce a
shaky or jerky ride should be rejected because they can harm the joints
in the long run. Similarly, the size and positioning of hand rails must
be checked in actual exercise conditions. You should avoid treadmills
whose handle bars do not provide a comfortable grip. The width of the
belt is equally important, and should be tested before purchase.
The other features that need to be explored are the different programs
that the treadmills offer. If you have a heart condition you must look
for sturdy monitors that keep track of heartbeats, and let off warning
signs when the you go past the danger limit. You should also look at the
inclines that the treadmills offer.
If you are looking for a used treadmill you should pay the most
attention to the condition of the motor. Ensure that the motor is in a
good working condition. You should also find out the costs involved in
replacing or repairing the motor if it stops functioning. A similar
check must be done for electronic components, because these can be quite
expensive to replace.
The other things that you need to check is how often it has been used,
and who is the user. Treadmills that are put up for sale by gymnasiums
or clubs would have been used very roughly. In contrast, a middle-aged
or elderly seller may have used it more sparsely.
