Best Treadmill - 3 Tips For Finding The Best Treadmill Buy

Looking to find the best treadmill?

You've probably done a lot of research already. You probably know exactly what makes up a high quality home treadmill and have an idea of which features you want in your unit.

However, even when they know what to look for, many people get taken in by slick treadmill "deals" that are not really deals at all - and end up costing them dearly over time.

If you want to keep this from happening to you, here are 3 key buying tips to help you find your personal best treadmill:

Buying Tip #1 - Consider the Treadmill Brand

One buyer emailed me recently and asked about buying a treadmill. He'd 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 one he should choose. He clearly was thinking about Brand A.

This makes sense - get the most motor power for the least money.

But my answer wasn't what he expected to hear. I would go with Brand C.

Here's the reason:

Brand A looks good on the surface.

But Brand C is known for making high quality treadmills with extensive warranties and commercial grade parts. Brand C also has high user reviews and several expert "Best Buys".

On the other hand, Brand A has a poor reputation with buyers and only carries a 90 day motor warranty. What does that tell you about the quality of parts?

When buying a treadmill, try to look at the whole picture - including the brand. Not all brands are created equal. Search for a brand that has a high quality reputation and rates well with both experts and users.

Buying Tip #2 - Don't Believe Everything the Saleperson Tells You

This is not meant as a put-down to salespeople. But everyone makes mistakes - and sometimes you're the one left paying for it.

Here's an example.

Another lady emailed me asking about buying a treadmill. She was leaning towards one in particular. She'd been informed by the salesperson that it came with a lifetime motor warranty. But as soon as she told me the treadmill model name, I knew there had to be a mistake somewhere. Because this particular brand never gives lifetime motor warranties - ever.

So I asked her to check her facts again. She did and it turns out that the treadmill salesperson was mistaken. She was only covered for a year on the motor. That error could have cost her down the road.

So make sure to spend some time researching, ask for the specs in writing and don't always trust what the salesperson tells you - especially if it sounds too good to be true.

Buying Tip #3 Consider Extra Expenses When Comparing Treadmills

Many people compare prices when choosing a treadmill. That's the logical thing to do. But sometimes prices can mislead you.

For instance, let's say you're deciding between 2 treadmills - both priced at $999. They have many of the same features. But option #1 comes with Free Shipping. Option #2 charges $150 for shipping. And Option #2 gives you extra warranty coverage - for a $80 charge. So in reality option #1 is the cheaper treadmill. All else being equal, it's the best treadmill buy.

So when shopping for a treadmill, consider the extra expenses like shipping, added warranty charges or even workout program software when comparing treadmill prices. This gives you you a much better idea of the best treadmill for your money.

So those are 3 important buying tips when choosing a home treadmill. Keep them in mind and you're well on your way to a treadmill that you'll use for years to come.

About The Author:

Kathryn ONeill is chief editor for Treadmill Reviews a site offering the latest treadmill brand reviews, ratings and buying tips.

For a list of Top Rated Treadmill Reviews visit the Home Treadmill Review page.