Tips on Buying a Treadmill

If you are considering starting a regular fitness routine, one important piece of equipment for your home gym is a treadmill. Treadmills are easy to use; they can handle advanced runners or beginners at a walking pace. When purchasing a treadmill, there are several features to consider so you get the proper workout.

  1. Speed and Incline

    • Gauges on treadmills increase speed and incline. Intermediate treadmills typically have at least 10 levels of speed and incline. Throughout your workout, and as you build endurance, you will need to change the speed and incline of your workouts.

    Workouts

    • Make sure your treadmill allows for you to manually set the treadmill with the speed and incline you prefer. Once you build endurance, you might consider using a programmed workout on your treadmill. Treadmills have a numeric code you can enter that programs the treadmill to specific speed and resistance for a set period of time. Some treadmills include iFit memory chip technology. This chip technology has workouts and tracks your progress. Using the iFit technology, you can analyze your workouts from your computer, as though you have your own personal trainer.

    Music

    • Some treadmills don't have any music capabilities, while others have an iPod dock or ear phone connection so your music can be played through the treadmill's speakers. By using built-in speakers, there is no need to use earphones. You can just relax through your workout as your music is piped through the treadmill.

    Cooling Fans

    • When you are sweating in the heat of your workout, you might appreciate having a fan to cool you. Some treadmills offer a fan that is built-in and has different speeds so you can adjust airflow as you continue through your workout.

    Room

    • How much room do you have for a treadmill? Will your treadmill be in a workout room or your living room? It's important to identify where you are going to use your treadmill. If you are using a room that is commonly used, it might be important to have a treadmill that is easy to move for convenient storage. If you are using your treadmill in a separate room dedicated to working out, size might not be an issue.

    Price

    • Price is a big factor in determining which treadmill you can afford. Models in the $500 range offer fewer features and bells and whistles than models with advanced features that can cost $600-$1,000. If you want a treadmill similar to the ones you use at your gym, price tags range from $1,000 to $3,000. Identify features that are the most important to you. Research to see which models deliver the most features you are looking for, while staying within your budget.