How to Choose a Home Treadmill

Features to Look For in a Treadmill

Having a home treadmill can be a great investment.

There's no need to get in your car and drive to the gym. You can exercise whenever you like, with no waiting on line for your turn at your favorite machine.

What should you look for when buying a treadmill?

Treadmills: The Motor

Probably the most important component is the motor. This is the guts of the machine. So you want a motor that is both strong enough for your purposes and durable.

One of the major determining factors in the price of a treadmill is the motor. The bigger and better the motor, the more expensive the machine will be.

Treadmill motors have rated horse power between 1 and 5. For home use, a 2 horse power motor should be sufficient.

Treadmills: The Running Deck

The deck takes the most abuse. It must absorb the constant pounding from the runner and well as the wear and tear of being driven round and round over the rollers at each end of the machine.

The deck should be big enough to run on comfortably. Look for one at least 5 feet long - longer if you have a large stride.

It also has to be wide enough to fit your body comfortably.

You also want a durable deck that also absorbs shock to minimize leg injuries.

Treadmills: The Frame

The strongest treadmill frames are composed of steel or aluminum tubing.

Wood is classier looking, but make sure a wood framed machine is very well constructed to take the beating it will be subject to over the years.

Treadmills: The Computer Console

This is the fun part. Through computerization, you can do just about anything, from changing the speed and angle of the deck to measuring your heart rate, creating resistance and much more.

You can get pre-programmed workouts, fancy heart monitors and even some type of built in entertainment to take your mind off the pain.

The only things you really need are controls for speed, time and distance. If you want more, go for it, but some of the bells and whistles can quickly drive up the price of the machine.

Treadmills: The Guarantee

A full featured machine with a fully computerized console can be a complex piece of equipment that can be very costly to repair.

Ideally you would want a machine that allows you to switch out damaged components quickly, easily and inexpensively. Only a good salesman can help you with these questions.

But look for a machine with a long warranty, especially on the motor and console. The longer the warranty the better. A longer warranty might also mean that the manufacturer is confident that he has put together a strong, durable machine.