Records show that millions of people all over the world use treadmills in gyms and in their homes. The use of a treadmill is an excellent way to burn those calories because it mimics a work out that is common and easy.

Going to the gym and using a treadmill is one option but another is purchasing one for home use but this should be taken seriously. A treadmill can be quite expensive and it is very important to plan your budget. Of course, we all want to buy the best for our own use and if you wish to buy the best treadmill for the money you need to follow some certain steps.

∙ Plan your Budget   

For a quality treadmill, at least have $1,000 and for an even more feature-rich machine you should have at least $2,000 to $3,000. There are a lot of good to high-quality models of treadmills under those prices. Now, if you will purchase inexpensive models then don’t expect too much from it.

Buying the best treadmill for the money will depend on the following:

1. How much money you are willing to spend.

2. The functions that you wish to have (features).

3. The type of treadmill motor that you want.

4. The area where you will place your treadmill.

∙ Type of Motor

When purchasing a treadmill, the first thing that you need to consider is the motor. Majority of treadmills have two motors. One for driving the belt and another for raising and lowering the bed for inclined positions. The most ideal type of belt motor is a 1.5 horsepower continuous duty motor.

Higher horsepower does not necessarily mean it is better especially if it is not a continuous duty motor. Do not get fooled by the sales representative if he sells you a treadmill with a “maximum” or “treadmill” duty motor. What you need is a continuous duty motor.

∙ Minimal Machine Specifications

In addition to the belt motor, you should also be particular with the belt size. You should purchase a treadmill that has at least 48 inches long and 16 inches wide belt. If you are planning on running then you should get a machine that has a speed of up to 10Mph and can be inclined of up to 10 percent.

For its cushioning, its bed must be able to resist shocks when running and its belt should be very stable. It should not produce any vibration as well and should not shake when you run or walk. The frame should be very sturdy. Lastly, the control panel should be close enough for operation while you are running. In addition, it should be very easy to use.

∙ Decide

Now that you know the basics of purchasing a treadmill, it is time for you to decide on what other things that you want to come along with it. You can purchase a treadmill that has run and walk programs or a heart-rate monitor. There are also treadmills that can be hooked up to the Internet to download fitness workouts. If you don’t have enough space at home, you can get a treadmill that is foldable. If you are always on the go, you can also get a treadmill that is very easy to maintain.

One other important thing that you should do when purchasing a treadmill is to try it out. List down the different treadmills that you think are okay and then visit or call several sports shops. Try to use the treadmill for at least ten to fifteen minutes and test out all the different features. This will ensure that you are getting a machine that is really worth your money.

Once you found the perfect treadmill for you, it is important to try out different programs so that it will not become boring for you. You should not be afraid or reluctant to play with the speed and incline functions of the machine throughout your entire workout to make it more intense and challenging.