Here are some tips to help you buy the right treadmill for you:

- There are many good treadmills available on the market today ranging from those that cost a few hundred dollars to those that cost a few thousand dollars, so it is a good idea to do some research on treadmill prices. You can check prices at the fitness store or you can also surf the net for further price information. Keep in mind that a high-performance treadmill doesn’t have to be expensive.

- Study the treadmill options such as programming, heart monitor, pulse rate and speed meter etc so that you choose a treadmill with only the features you want. Pick the treadmill that fits your exercise needs and fitness goals.

- Once you decide on the treadmill that you think most fits your needs, make sure to test it out. Do not go for a treadmill that looks good but doesn’t work well.

- The treadmill should run smoothly and should not give you knee pain.

Here are some further questions to help you make your purchase decision:

- How much do I want to spend?

Treadmills can cost a good deal of money. Before purchasing your treadmill you need to decide on your budget as your budget determines the quality of the treadmill you purchase.

A lower-priced treadmill could cost around $1000 and a better-quality treadmill around $2500 up to $4500. You could also look into used treadmills as they are much cheaper compared to brand new treadmills.

- What kind of motor do you want?

Most treadmills have two motor controls: the first motor drives the belt and the other one raises and lowers the bed for inclines.

Make sure the belt motor is a continuous duty motor with a speed of at least 1.7 horsepower. But if the motor is not continuous you will have to exert more effort and time when exercising on the treadmill.

Also, make sure that the treadmill does not shake especially when running.

Exercise treadmills have been the biggest selling type of cardio products for more than two decades. SmoothFitness.com is a volume seller of quality home exercise treadmills and has actually been accredited with being the #1 retailer of domestic treadmills online for over a decade. So what makes Smooth Fitness #1 in home treadmill equipment?

Well with over 20 yrs in the exercise equipment industry they are able to offer factory direct pricing together with next day shipping. Additionally all of their products are backed with a 30-day money back guarantee which removes most of the risk of buying equipment online. Couple this with extended service support and some of the best warranties in the business and it is clear to see why they are the market leader. 

Looking at customer reviews of Smooth Fitness treadmills features the adjectives that are frequently used to describe them are:Stability, solidity, quietness and durability. Smoothfitness build treadmills that are virtually maintenance free and designed to last the course. But why are Smooth Fitness treadmills so durable?

They achieve this by constructing their treadmills from quality components and materials that have been carefully engineered for their intended task.

At the heart of any treadmill lies the motor. A treadmill of any quality should have at least a 2.5 HP continuous duty motor. The phrase”continuous duty” refers to the fact that the motor is able to deliver the stated horsepower continuously without overheating rather than just for a brief period. Smooth treadmills have as a minimum a 2.5 HP continuous duty motor on all treadmills across their range and back them up with a lifetime warranty.

Any serious treadmill should have a 20 inch wide tread belt so that you have sufficient space in order to walk or run without your natural gait being restricted. All smooth Fitness treadmills across their range are fitted with 20″ wide tread belts.

A component of the treadmill which is very often overlooked is the flywheel. The flywheel acts to smooth out the power supplied from the motor to the tread belt and contributes greatly to the smooth running of a treadmill. The flywheels on Smooth treadmills are carefully balanced by being spun at high speed and checked to make sure they are running true. By taking care to ensure the flywheel is balanced allows the motor to run efficiently and results in treadmill that is silky smooth in operation.

Another important component of the treadmill is the tread belt. This should be of  two-ply construction with a polyurethane top layer and base layer constructed from nylon polyester weave. The belt is formed from a single strip of material which has to be joined together in order to form the endless loop of the tread belt. This can be joined as a simple lap joint but the preferred method is to use a diagonal join. Smooth Fitness use this method in their belts which not longer results in a stronger join but helps reduce noise.

The component that under pins the tread belt and is responsible for the feel of the treadmill is the “deck”. A good quality treadmill such as the ones made by Smooth Fitness use solid wooden decks of appx. 1″ thickness. The deck is typically supported by rubber grommets and helps to absorb the pounding the deck takes when the treadmill is being used.

In order to move the tread belt has to run over rollers. This is another component that most potential buyers of treadmills are unaware of but which are important to the smooth running of the treadmill. Ideally these should be 2″- 3″ in diameter but the type and quality of the roller bearing is a more important consideration. Top end treadmills are usually fitted with crowned rollers and Smooth Fitness fit these even to their entry level (5.45) machine.

The control systems that regulate the treadmill and facilitate such features such as heart rate control, custom programs, and user profiles require some fairly complicated electronics. Unfortunately the some what hostile environment that these electronic circuit boards reside in means that they are more likely to fail than other components. The electronics in Smooth Fitness treadmills are covered by a 3 yrs warranty against failure. This is the standard of cover you should expect to see in other treadmills but unfortunately not all manufacturers offer this sort of cover.

By using quality components, and over engineering their products to meet the needs of the most demanding users, Smooth Fitness continue to meet consumer’s demand for a reliable, high quality, home treadmill.

Precor treadmills are manufactured by Precor, a company that specializes in
fitness equipment for the home and commercial environment. Precor has been
manufacturing treadmills for the home environment since 1984 and for the
commercial environment since 1990. Precor treadmill models are renowned
in the fitness industry for their quality and high customer satisfaction. Precor
treadmills are known for their stability, cushioning, pace accuracy, and motor
noise levels. Precor treadmill models range in price from about $2,200 to $4,000
with options for workout programs varying from machine to machine.
Precor treadmill models are suitable for serious competitive runners.
Precor bills a few of its treadmills as entry level which makes their usage
suitable for serious runners. Precor treadmill models sold for home use
are guaranteed by a 10-year warranty on parts, lifetime coverage on the frame
and welds and one year on labor. Considering the industry standards, this is an
excellent warranty package.Precor treadmills include reversible running
deck, integrated foot plant technology to balance individual and ground effects
control system to cushion joints. This makes the Precor treadmills solid. Precor
treadmills rate well with users.

The main strength of Precor treadmills includes warranty, solid & quality
construction and customer satisfaction.

The only issue of concern while buying a Precor treadmill is the price.
Compared to other treadmill brands, Precor treadmills are vastly
overpriced.Precor offers 3 treadmills for home use viz Precor treadmill
M9.31, Precor treadmill M9.33 and Precor treadmill M9.35.The Precor
treadmill model M9.31 is considered as an entry-level machine. It costs about
$3,000. This Precor treadmill model offers a 2.75 horsepower, continuous duty
motor and a maximum speed of 11 miles per hour. It does not provide a heart rate
gauge nor does it fold.The Precor treadmill M9.33 costs about $3,500.
This model offers a 2.75 horsepower, continuous duty motor, a running surface of
57 x 20 inches and an 11 mile per hour maximum speed. It features 13 preset work
out programs, a heart rate monitor, two user profile options and a maximum
incline of 15%.The Precor treadmill M9.35 model is considered as the top
model of the Precor’s treadmill line ups. This treadmill model costs about
$4,000. It offers 18 preset workout programs, heart rate monitor, folding option
for storage, profile options for up to 4 different users and 3HP
motor.In addition to home use models, Precor treadmill products are
available for commercial use. Remanufactured Precor treadmills cost high and
usually have a price range of about $5,000 – $6,000.Precor treadmills
are solidly built. They are quality treadmills. Precor treadmills cost high, so
users normally prefer other brands like Smooth. Precor treadmill is a high
quality and luxury machine. Precor treadmill is ideal for serious runners and
trainers.

Looking for the best treadmill value? The treadmill market is growing more and more crowded each year, with new models, new brands and new advances in treadmill technology. It’s confusing to sift through all your options.
How do you find the treadmill that offers you the best value? By knowing what to look for.
This article will give you 4 key attributes of high value treadmills so you can make an informed decision and find the best treadmill value for you.
#1 High Powered Well Built Motor – The motor is the heart of your treadmill. You need to have a treadmill with sufficient motor power or else you’ll quickly burn the motor out (and start paying through the nose to fix it).
Motor power is measured by Horsepower (or HP for short). Most treadmills range from 1.5 HP to 3.0 HP. You want at least a 2.0 HP Continuous duty motor – preferably higher. Remember that the more strenuously you plan to use the treadmill, the more power you’re going to need.
#2 Excellent Cushioning – Cushioning is the ability of the treadmill to absorb the force of your step. Cushioning is extremely important because it protects your knees, hips, ankles and back.
Cheap cushioning means possible injury or muscle strains – especially if you’re a runner. Look for a good cushioning system built into your treadmill. It’s also important to make sure you wear proper, high quality running shoes for even more protection.
#3 Lengthy Warranty – An excellent warranty is a great indicator of the best treadmill values. It gives you an indication of the quality of parts used in construction.
So for example the 90 day warranty that covers your cheap department store treadmill does not indicate high value. A treadmill that comes with a lifetime frame, 10+ years on the motor, 2+ years on parts and 1 year on labor does indicate a higher value machine.
#4 High Stability – According to Runner’s World, stability is the most important factor when choosing a treadmill. You don’t want a treadmill that shakes or wobbles when you pick up your pace.
What factors make up a highly stable treadmill? Unit Weight – the higher weight the machine, the more anchoring you’ve got and in general, the more stable a treadmill.
Construction also contributes to stability. A highly regarded treadmill brand will often make more stable treadmills than a brand known for making cheaper units.
User weight capacity is another indicator of stability. For example a treadmill with a 300 lb user weight capacity is usually more stable than a treadmill with a 250 lb user weight capacity.
So those are 4 key factors that make up high value treadmills. Other factors you might want to look at are:
Belt size – make sure it’s long enough to accommodate your stride. Average height users will be fine with a regular size belt (up to 52″ long). However runners or taller users may want to get a longer belt (55-60″).
Workout programs and other extras – if you get bored easily you might want a treadmill with lots of workout programs. Some treadmills even offer built in TV’s, iPod stations and built-in speakers. It really depends on what you want.
And while you generally get what you pay for with treadmills – higher end machines are usually built much better than economy models – you can still get a great deal on a high value treadmill. With more competition and experience, many treadmill manufacturers are building more value into their treadmills. By knowing what to look for – and what you personally need – you’re assured of getting the best treadmill value for you.

Buying a treadmill? There are so many brands and features to choose from. How do you know which treadmill is best for you?
This treadmill buyers guide will tell you exactly what to look for when buying your treadmill. Knowing this will help you choose the best treadmill for your fitness needs (and it might even save you some money!)
So here’s what to look at when choosing a treadmill:
Motor:
The motor is the heart of your treadmill. Motor power is measured by horsepower – HP. Unless your treadmill has a strong motor (at least 1.5 horsepower) you can quickly wear it out, even if only moderately walking.
When looking at motors and horsepower, there are two different ratings:
- Continuous Duty (which is the rating for steady, continual 24 hour motor use), and
- Peak Duty (which is the maximum power potential, however it cannot be maintained).
When looking at treadmills you want to know the Continuous Duty motor power. It’s recommended that you go with at least a 1.75 HP continuous duty (CD) motor (preferably higher).
For runners or those planning heavy use of their treadmills, experts recommend at least a 2.5 – 3 HP continuous duty motor so that your motor doesn’t quickly burn out on you and end up costing you in expensive treadmill repairs.
Tip: Many cheaper treadmill brands will often give you the Peak Duty motor power (since it’s always higher than the Continuous Duty rating) just to impress unsuspecting buyers. Make sure you know the continuous duty rating when comparing units.
Frame:
There are two types of frames: aluminum or steel (NEVER plastic!). Steel is heavier than aluminum which potentially increases stability. However steel may also rust or corrode from sweat (unlike aluminum).
So there are advantages and disadvantages to both and it really boils down to a matter of personal choice. One thing to keep in mind however is that aluminum is more expensive than steel so it may be built into the price of the treadmill.
Belt:
Average treadbelt widths range from 17″ to 22″ and lengths from 51″ to 61″. Never go below a belt width of 16 ” and make sure that the belt is long enough to accomodate your stride.
If you are tall and/or have long legs, it’s better to go with a longer belt (54″ or more). Make sure you also consider anyone else who will be using the treadmill and their height as well.
Cushioning:
Treadmill cushioning is the ability of the treadmill to absorb the force of your step. Better cushioning means lower impact on your joints and ligaments. Cushioning is extremely important as poor cushioning can cause injury and muscle strain.
Many quality treadmills have their own form of cushioning system to protect you. Make sure your treadmill has a quality cushioning system to protect your joints over the long run.
Stability:
According to Runner’s World, stability is the most important quality in a treadmill. Stability is how smooth a ride the treadmill provides you. There should be no shaking or wobbling when you start to run.
Generally with treadmills you get what you pay for. For a high stability, high quality treadmill you should be willing to spend at least $1000, and definitely more if you plan on using it heavily. There’s no use spending $500-600 on something you’re scared to use.
Console/Display:
Consider both the layout and user-friendliness of the information displays and controls. This is largely a matter of personal preference since some people want to see a constant display of calories burned or miles covered,etc.
For safety concerns, make sure the speed and incline controls are prominently displayed and easy to reach.
Heart Rate Monitor/Control:
Again, this is largely a personal preference whether or not you want to monitor your heart rate. A heart rate monitor simply shows you at what rate your heart is beating while you work out.
Some people like to take a step up and get a heart rate control which can actually adjust the treadmill pace to keep you in your target fat-burning zone.
Warranty:
Treadmill warranties vary across the board and again, you usually get what you pay for. Don’t waste your money buying an added warranty when most quality treadmills include a good warranty in the price already.
Tip: The warranty gives you a good idea of the quality of parts used in building the treadmill (ever wondered why those cheap department store brands only offer you 90 day warranties?).
A quality warranty will include at least 10 years on the frame, 3 years on the motor, 2 years on parts and 1 year on labor. (Keep in mind that the motor is usually the most expensive to fix).
Price:
A quality motorized treadmill is going to cost you at least $1000. The quality of treadmills (cushioning, construction, parts, quality) drops substantially once you go below $800.
According to expert Gregory Florez, spokesperson for the American Council on Exercise, “Just about anything under $900 is not made to be used over the long haul.”
There are ways to save on your treadmill of course (buy direct, online wholesalers, etc.) but the bottom line is that a treadmill is an investment in your health. It will last you 10 years or more so you really want to invest in a quality unit built to last.
Where to Buy A Treadmill:
There are a number of options here but they mainly fall into 2 categories:
1) Store
2) Online
- Store Advantages: You can actually try out the treadmill.
- Store Disadvantages: You’ll probably pay more for the same treadmill you can get online simply because the store has overhead costs and salespeople to pay. Stores will also charge you for shipping and delivery and you’ll also pay sales tax.
- Internet Disadvantages: You can’t try out the treadmill
- Internet Advantages: You can save a lot of money buying direct from the manufacturer, sometimes $600 or more. You can usually get free shipping and save on sales tax too. Plus you have a larger selection of treadmill to choose from so you may be able to find a treadmill that is more suited to your needs.
It really comes down to what you’re comfortable with.
So that’s it! You now know what to look for when buying a treadmill. Just remember to take your time and select a treadmill that fits your fitness goals. And you’re guaranteed to find the best treadmill for you.