Money-Saving Tips For Treadmill Buyers

Checking out treadmill ratings and treadmill reviews are an absolute must. Of all the different types of home exercise equipment that have come and gone, the home exercise treadmill has lasted throughout the years. The treadmill was one of the first pieces of home fitness equipment appealing to walkers, joggers, runners and a wide range of people.

Treadmill cushioning absorbs the force of your step; get good cushioning to lower the impact on your joints and ligaments. Cheaper treadmills will often give you the peak duty motor power rating, which is always higher than the continuous duty rating: know what the continuous duty rating is when comparing units. AC motors that are found in some treadmill units run at one continuous speed and rely on a transmission to regulate speed whereas units powered by DC motors use variable voltage to regulate the speed at which the belt spins.

One of the key things to remember is that the larger motors tend to run cooler and usually require less repair and maintenance. A heart rate monitor enables a treadmill to automatically adjust the speed and/or the incline to keep your heart rate within the most optimum zone. Safety features on a treadmill are especially important if you plan to work out alone or if you have small children who might accidentally start up the treadmill.

Quite a few of the treadmills available today have the ability to add an incline to your workout to duplicate running or walking uphill, thereby increasing the intensity of your workout. Notice that some treadmill heart rate monitors clip onto an ear or, for more accurate readings, strap onto the chest. The deck is the belt area on which actual running, jogging and walking take place.

One feature that is absolutely essential in a home treadmill is an emergency stop button or a safety key that automatically shuts off the power if you should stumble, trip or fall. The console indicates the belt speed and other factors, such as heart rate, miles per hour, and distance.

Any treadmill with a belt that causes jerky movements while you walk or run should be avoided. It's important to set a strict budget and then stick to it. You'll want a treadmill with an aluminum or high alloy steel frame that's strong enough to support the heaviest runner who'll be using it.

The taller a person is the longer their stride so you'll need to choose a treadmill with a longer and wider belt. Be aware the better quality treadmills can cost as much as $5000 and have a lot of bells and whistles you don't need. You might want to bring your water bottle and towel to the treadmill store and try out their treadmills.

The first thing to consider when shopping for a home treadmill is what you need it to do for you. Did I mention to make sure to check out the warranty fine print, this is very important. When buying a treadmill, the best savings will be for an online purchase, generally saving up to 45% over brick and mortar stores.

Before buying, make sure the deck area provides enough space for you to exercise in comfort and the belt should work smoothly without slipping or sticking. Make sure to add the cost of shipping when buying a treadmill online; quality models can be heavy and shipping will cost more, but some manufacturers do offer free shipping.

Once you've decided on the treadmill that you think is right for you, make sure to compare prices online with several different manufacturers. Treadmill manufacturers are competing for your business and price wars are creating big savings for buyers.

Make sure to see your doctor or naturopathic doctor before you start any new fitness or exercise program. As you increase your fitness levels, a quality treadmill will continue to assist your exercise needs as you progress to light jogging or to running. Selections of preprogrammed exercise routines are not essential to obtaining a good workout from a treadmill, but they do help to provide motivation. If you have severe problems with your legs, a treadmill may not be the best choice of home exercise equipment for you.

Read the various treadmill ratings and treadmill reviews that you find online so you have an idea which models are best for you. With help from treadmill reviews and treadmill ratings you can find the treadmill that matches your fitness requirements at the cheapest or lowest price possible; and you're sure to be buying from a reliable and trustworthy supplier. A treadmill is a good investment for anyone who has decided to make a conscious effort to become healthy and fit.

Buying A Treadmill - 3 Essential Tips

If you're buying a treadmill, chances are you've done lots of research already. You probably know exactly what makes up a high quality treadmill and have an idea of which features you want in your unit.

But even with this knowledge many people still fall prey to slick treadmill deals that end up costing them in the long run.

In order to keep that from happening to you, here are 3 essential buying tips to make sure you choose the very best treadmill for you.

#1) Not All Treadmill Brands Are Created Equal

I recently had a gentleman e-mail me asking for advice on which treadmill he should buy. He had narrowed it down to 3 choices:

Brand A: 2.5 HP motor $999

Brand B: 1.75 HP motor $899

Brand C: 2.0 HP motor $1099

He asked me which treadmill I would buy. He was clearly leaning towards Brand A.

This was the natural choice for most people and it makes sense: get the most for the least. Or get the most motor power for the least amount of money.

However, my answer surprised him. I told him if it were my choice, I would go with Brand C for $1099. Here's why:

Although the motor power is lower than Brand A and the price is higher, Brand C makes an overall better treadmill. Why?

Brand C has a reputation for making high quality treadmills and backing them up with extensive warranties, including a lifetime warranty on the motor. It can afford to give such lengthy warranties because it knows that it makes a quality product that probably WON'T break down - even over a lifetime.

Brand A on the other hand offers a 90-day motor warranty. What does that tell you about the quality of parts?

Although motor power is a good feature to consider when buying a treadmill - you have to be careful. Look at it in the context of the whole treadmill - including the brand.

Not all treadmill brands are created equal. Some treadmill brands use extremely high quality materials. Others well, don't.

Make sure to look beyond just the bare numbers when choosing a treadmill. Look at the whole picture to find the best treadmill for you.

#2) Don't Always Believe What The Salesperson Tells You

Get it in writing. This isn't to put down any salesperson - but they are human. They do make mistakes, and sometimes this can end up costing you.

I had another lady e-mail me asking for advice on choosing a treadmill. She'd narrowed it down to several and was leaning towards one in particular (let's call it Treadmill X).

She had been told by a salesperson in the store that this Treadmill X (for $899) came with a lifetime warranty on the motor.

This lady was smart. She was looking at the whole treadmill picture. The price was excellent. The motor power was average (1.75 HP). And who can pass up a lifetime motor warranty?

But wait a minute.

I was fairly familiar with this treadmill brand and knew something was off.

This particular treadmill brand never gives lifetime motor warranties - ever. Not even on their commercial treadmills. So why would they offer a lifetime motor warranty on one of their economy treadmills?

I voiced my concerns to her and wasn't surprised to hear back a couple of days later that the salesperson had actually been mistaken about the lifetime warranty.

If she had bought this treadmill simply based on what the salesperson said, she might have gotten a nasty surprise - especially since this particular treadmill brand is known for being extremely costly to repair.

Don't always trust what the salesperson says. Make sure to get it in writing before you buy!

#3 Forget the Price Tag - Look at the REAL Price Of The Treadmill

Price is probably one of the most important factors when buying a treadmill. But sometimes the price of the treadmill can be misleading.

For example, let's say you're looking at Brand A in a store with a price of $799. Pretty good price right?

A much better deal than Brand B - sold online - at $999.

But look closer at Brand A. Brand A only comes with a 90 day parts and labor warranty so you need to buy added coverage. You pay $50 for a 2 year extended motor warranty.

So Brand A's total cost is now $849 (with a 2 year motor warranty)

Brand B is still $999 (with a 10 year motor warranty already included)

Overall, you figure that Brand A is still the better deal since it's cheaper.

But look closer. You need to pay shipping costs for Brand A. Shipping costs from most stores usually run you about $150.

Brand B, since it is sold online offers free shipping (most online treadmill sellers do).

So Brand A's total cost is now $998 (with a 2 year motor warranty)

Brand B is still $999 (with a 10 year motor warranty)

With Brand A, $799 has gone to buy the treadmill, $50 has gone to buy the warranty and $150 has gone into shipping.

With Brand B, $999 has gone to buy the treadmill (warranty included).

So which treadmill do you think actually gives you the most value for your money?

And don't forget that many online treadmill stores don't charge sales tax. The store that sells Brand A does. That technically makes Brand A MORE expensive than Brand B.

So when comparing treadmills, make sure to consider the TOTAL COST of each treadmill before you buy.

By keeping these 3 tips in mind when purchasing a treadmill:

- Not all treadmill brands are created equal

- Don't believe what the salesperson tells you - get it in writing

and

- Look at the REAL price of the treadmill

you'll be well on your way to choosing the best treadmill investment for you.

The Benefits Of Treadmill Exercise

While there are numerous pieces of exercise equipment for sale on the market, the treadmill is the best value for your money, and has proven itself capable of providing numerous health benefits that many other exercise machines have not, especially many of the newer ones you see advertised late at night, which claim to be the cure all for obesity and the key to healthy living and an attractive body.

But the fact of the matter is that treadmills, while far easier to operate, offer many more health benefits than what many newer pieces of exercise equipment claim. Having one in your home allows you to exercise at your own convenience without having to waste time and gas driving to the gym. It also allows you to continue your workout regimen without interruption in the winter when it is too cold or wet to be outdoors. However, the most far reaching positive effects of the treadmill pertain to health.

Here are some of the benefits of exercising on a treadmill:

ØOwning a treadmill allows you to exercise each day, which in turn helps relieve stress that accumulates at work and allows you to get a good night's sleep. If you spend 20 to 30 minutes on the treadmill each day, you'll find that you are more tired around bedtime and that you sleep more soundly. The reason for this being that the body needs to nourish itself with sleep after it's gone through a period of exertion.

ØTreadmill exercise also helps elevate your mood. This is an area that most people don't consider, but regular, daily exercise can help with feelings of depression or sadness. This is a great option for society today, seeing that nearly 20 million people are affected by depression each year.

ØThe treadmill can be used for more than just walking and running on a level surface. Some of the greatest benefits of treadmill exercise come from being able to adjust the machine; you can change the speed setting, as well as the incline, adding to the intensity of the workout which in turn builds your stamina and tones muscles.

Most treadmills can be assembled within an hour, so that you are quickly walking or running the same day you bring it home. What's more, there are many different models to choose from, so that you have a wide range of options and pricing available for you to take advantage of.

Not all treadmills are electric. There are also manual versions of treadmills available. Which one you decide to buy will depend on your financial situation, but if you decide to go with a manual treadmill (which is generally much cheaper), you won't have to worry that you are loosing any of the benefits that an electric treadmill provides. The benefits of treadmill exercise on a manual treadmill are much the same as the electric version. The only big difference is that with the manual treadmill you will find yourself working a bit harder to get the belt moving. However, this in itself can be a good health benefit because it requires a bit more exertion on your part when exercising.

The upside to there being so many new exercise gimmicks available today is that it creates competition amongst companies, which works to your advantage. As the treadmill has aged, and many newer machines have attempted to replace it, prices have gone down.

Adding A Little Variety To Your Treadmill Workouts

Treadmills offer lots of features and options. With high tech electronic consoles and adjustable incline settings, there are lots of ways to use your treadmill. But, there are some simple routines you can do to spice up your treadmill workouts without all the fancy buttons and gadgets. Here are some ideas to add some variety to your routine.

Walk Backwards
Here's a simple idea that's never occurred to most treadmill users. Why not turn around and try it backward for a while?

Going backwards on the treadmill can do wonders for your coordination and balance. At first, it's awkward, but after a while you're balance improves and it's a piece of cake. Walking backwards can also build strength in some of the leg muscles you don't use often in ordinary walking.

Count Your Steps
You may be taking shorter or longer strides during your workout and not even realize it. The most exercise efficient walking is a consistent pace. When we start to get tired, we may cut corners and slow it down without slowing down the actual speed of the treadmill.

To make sure you are maintaining the same pace throughout, count your steps. Keep track of how many steps you take in one minute. Every now and then, count for a minute and see if you're consistent or not. It's better for your workout to take small, fast steps. Challenge yourself and see if you can beat your high score!

Let The Networks Time Your Workout
Here's a fun and entertaining way to time your workout: watch TV. Lots of people watch TV while doing their treadmill exercises, and find that using the TV to time their breaks and changes of routine work well.
It's best if you're a sports fan. Sports games are timed to the second, and you can use them to time your workout to the second. If you aren't into sports, you can watch your favorite sitcom or drama and use the commercial breaks for your own break. You probably never looked forward to the commercials before, did you?

If you're up for a long run, put on a movie. If you'd rather listen to music, time your workout to your favorite songs.

Mix It Up
Mixing up your treadmill routine with stretches and other exercises like stomach crunches or aerobics is great. It's good because it provides an overall workout that is well-balanced and includes your whole body. It's also good because it gives you some variety and lets you step off the treadmill for a while. Using your treadmill with other exercises is recommended by health fitness experts.

Work Out Naked!
The latest health research shows that exercising naked is the best way to stretch your muscles and take off extra weight. Just kidding! You don't need any scientific evidence; you can do whatever you want to in the privacy of your own home. Whatever it takes to liven up your exercise routine! Just check to make sure the windows are closed first.

You don't have to just turn it on and run. Combine your machine and your imagination and make some treadmill workouts of your own.