Treadmill Buying Guide – 6 Ways to Look for When Choosing a Treadmill

No other cardio machine delivers the versatility and safety of a well-built quality treadmill. There are hundreds of treadmill brands out on the market today. With the abundance of options, you may be indecisive about what to buy.

By knowing the desired qualities of a treadmill, you will be able to narrow down your choices. Then and only then will you be a step closer to getting the one that’s right for you.

Do you want to know more about what to look for when buying a treadmill? This article will tell you just that.

So, put down the shaker, and keep reading to learn everything you need to know about choosing a treadmill.

What to Look for When Buying a Treadmill

Not all treadmills are the same, and not all of them might be the ones that will give you the best return on your investment.

Get the wrong type of treadmill, and you might find it in the corner collecting dust. Worse yet, you may either stop using it or learn after a few months that the tread belt has stopped turning. It can even be a safety issue on top of it being a space-getter.

Your preferences and circumstances will differ from one person to the next.

Be that as it may, you or anyone else planning a treadmill purchase need to look for the following:

Dimensions

Treadmills come in different sizes. Some are compact and conducive for apartment usage. Others are more robust in build, best for commercial gyms and home gyms that have space to spare.

When buying a treadmill, one of the first considerations is how large it is. After all, it doesn’t matter how well-equipped it is with monitors or how optimal the track cushioning is. If it doesn’t fit in your workout space, you cannot have it unless you’re fine with it being outside.

Most treadmills will be about 60 to 64 inches in length. This is about five feet from end to end. The width of the average treadmill has little variation, with most being tread belt widths being 24 to 28 inches. Some brands are narrower at 22 inches. These are treadmills usually designed for walking.

So, if you live in an apartment, you may be better off with a treadmill that measures about 60 x 24 inches. If you have an entire garage or basement at your disposal, feel free to go with the commercial grade.

Tread Belt Cushion

Tread belt cushion refers to the ability of the tread belt to absorb the impact of your strides. This translates to less microtrauma for your ankles, feet, knees, and hips. A treadmill that has the right level of tread belt cushion can protect these parts of your body from injury long-term.

Cushioning is different for every treadmill. For the average user, a treadmill with tread belts that offer medium cushioning will be sufficient. If you’re a more advanced runner, you can use medium to lower levels of cushioning. This is especially true if you own a pair of running shoes optimized for pavement.

Belt cushioning is not something that you will be able to size up at a glance. Hence, you may have to go to the gym equipment store and ask the staff about this. Also, testing out a treadmill cannot hurt either.

Incline Options

Running on a flat surface is fine. However, improved fitness is predicated on progression. When running on a treadmill, you can progress beyond running longer and faster. By running at an inclined angle, you can speed up your metabolism and work rate, fast-tracking your endurance gains.

If you are serious about your cardiovascular fitness, you will need a treadmill with an inclining feature. Nowadays, most treadmills have this. It’s only a matter of the maximum angle at which the treadmill can slope or at least simulate one.

Many treadmills will allow you angles of up to 15%.

Higher-end treadmills built for serious trainees have a maximum of 20%. This equates to an inclination of 40 to 45 degrees.

Weight Capacity

It’s one thing to hold the weight of a stationary person. It’s another to do so when the person is running or sprinting. With that in mind, you need to take stock of how much you weigh and determine the weight limit of a basic treadmill.

Why? This is because one more thing to scout when you’re looking for a treadmill is how much weight it can support.

By default, any treadmill should be able to support the weight of a man or woman who weighs 120 kilograms. If you tip the scales at a much higher weight, you might need a treadmill that has a maximum capacity of about 200 kilograms.

If you are opting for a high-capacity treadmill, here is a word of caution:

Be prepared to pay just a little more. You also might need a sizable area for your treadmill.

Price

You may have asked yourself this question: “How much should I spend on a treadmill?” On average, a treadmill costs anywhere from $600 to $800. These are mid-range treadmills that often come with additional features like step monitoring. These are capable of simulating inclined surfaces of up to 20 degrees.

There are entry-level treadmills. These cost about $500 or less. Of course, consider these only if you want to see how a treadmill fits your fitness goals. If you’re serious about your treadmill use, you’ll be better off with mid-range or high-end models.

Higher-end treadmills cost anywhere from $1,000 to $2,000. The prices for these treadmills might seem steep. However, you’ll get features like heart rate tracking, higher inclines, and broader speed settings.

The Horizon 7.0 AT Treadmill is one of the best treadmills that won’t put a dent in your wallet. This versatile gym equipment is perfect for home workouts.

You’ll even benefit from the durability of these treadmills. Typically, the more expensive a treadmill is, the more durable it is likely to be. For this reason, you’ll be running on your high-end treadmill for a long time. If it somehow breaks, you can always use the warranty.

And, this brings us conveniently to the next thing you should look for when shopping around for a new treadmill.

Warranty

The reason we recommend buying a new piece of equipment is the warranty. A warranty protects you from paying out of your pocket if your treadmill breaks down.

Standard warranties last for about a year. However, some brands like Sole Fitness and Horizon offer lifetime warranties. Going with a brand that offers a lifetime warranty may be worth the investment.

Whether you opt for more basic models or something flexible to help with your workout programs,  here are the best brands to get you started.

They’re based on the following:

• Product reviews from customers
• Treadmill warranty
• Overall authority
• Features such as a heart rate monitor, treadmill motors, maximum speed, treadmill mat etc.

Best Treadmill Brands in the Market

• Sole Fitness
• Horizon Fitness (offers mid-range to high-end models)
• NordicTrack (a lot of budget-friendly choices)
• Lifespan
• Life Fitness (their in virtually every commercial gym for a reason)
• PreCor

Looking for the Best Treadmill Brands on the Market? Call Fitness Expo Today!

Buying the right treadmill doesn’t need to be a matter of trial and error. If it’s your first time getting one, you need a place that gives you the best brands of treadmills and other equipment.

We have foldable treadmills, motorized treadmills, and other gym equipment that you can add to your workout arsenal.

Visit us now at Fitness Expo Stores for treadmills that will suit your preferences and fitness goals. We offer flexible financing options for purchases made in-store and online.

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Fitness Expo caters to all your exercise needs from treadmills to fitness accessories.

First opened in 1980 by the Rice family, the store continues to offer the top brands and largest selection of exercise equipment for the home or commercial facility making it one of the oldest and most reputable fitness retailers in the country.

We have showrooms across Louisiana and Mississippi, but you can also shop on our website from the comfort of your own home. Contact us today!