Buying A Treadmill - 3 Common Mistakes Most Buyers Make

Buying a treadmill? Congratulations on making an investment in your health!

But if you want to save yourself lots of pain and loads of money, steer clear of these 3 common mistakes that most treadmill buyers make when purchasing:

#1) Getting Taken in by the Icing

The 'icing' is all of the non-essential treadmill goodies that some lesser-quality treadmills offer you. These are meant to hide the fact that the essential factors of a quality machine aren't there.

So what if it's only a 1.5 HP motor ? it comes with a free heart rate monitor! That 90 day warranty doesn't matter ? it gives you 30 workout programs!

This is like buying a cake after only seeing the icing and then finding out that the icing is ALL there is. Focus on the core essentials of a quality treadmill first - then enjoy the goodies.

#2) The Old Motor Horsepower Trick

Some not-so-savory treadmill manufacturers or stores will try to impress you with the peak duty motor power. Wow - you think - a 3.0 HP motor.

However, what they're not telling you is that there are 2 measures of motor power: Peak Duty Horsepower AND Continuous Duty Horsepower.

Peak Duty Horsepower is the power potential of the motor ? the highest power it can run at. However the treadmill cannot sustain this power and it will soon start to overheat. So this measurement is essentially useless to you.

Continuous Duty Horsepower is a more accurate measure of the motor power. This is the power at which the treadmill can continually, steadily operate for 24 hours without slowing down. Thus, this is the more accurate number to gage motor power.

I know of one extremely popular treadmill right now that is doing this and unfortunately people are buying it in droves because it seems like such a good buy.

Don't be fooled by a 3 HP peak duty horsepower rating when the Continuous Duty HP is only 1.5 HP! Just remember that the motor is the most expensive part of the treadmill to fix.

#3) Considering Price to be the Most Important Factor

Although price is an important factor, your health is the most important factor. And a treadmill is an investment in your health.

Do you want to wreck your joints or give yourself permanent back problems just to save a couple hundred bucks?

Unfortunately, this happens all too often. I know of one woman who did permanent damage to her hips because she bought a cheap treadmill with cheap cushioning and then ran on it. Within 4 months, she was in so much pain, she couldn't even walk on her treadmill.

But it doesn't have to be this way. You CAN find a high quality treadmill for a reasonably low price - if you know where to look.

While it's true that not all of us can afford a $4000 commercial treadmill, there are higher quality treadmills out there for under $1500 and even some under $1000. Don't sacrifice your health just to save a buck.

Bonus Mistake #4): Not Considering Your OWN Personal Workout Needs Before Buying

That's great that you found a quality treadmill for $999. But have you considered the fact that you are 6 feet tall and that treadbelt is only 52" long?

When shopping for a treadmill, many people fall into the trap of ONLY looking at treadmills and never looking at themselves.

For example, are you tall or are you planning to run a lot? Then you need to make sure the treadbelt is at least 55".

Are you, or is someone in your household a little on the sturdy side? Then it's probably best to get a treadmill especially built to take heavier weights.

Do you have back problems or a weak back? Then if you want a folding treadmill, it might be better to purchase one with a power folding option so that you can reduce the strain of heavy lifting.

Remember to consider your own needs when looking at treadmills

Regardless of which treadmill you choose - try to steer clear of these common mistakes and you'll save yourself a load of grief (and a ton of money!) Good luck and have fun!

Kathryn O'Neill is contributing editor for Treadmill Reviews a consumer oriented website focusing on the home treadmill market.

For more buying tips, brand reviews, and treadmill best buys visit http://www.TreadmillReview.net

---

Assembling Elliptical Trainers -- What You Must Know For a Trouble-Free Experience

It's not rocket science, but...One thing that you may not be aware of, is that regardless of where you purchase your elliptical trainer, you will need to put the thing together yourself. Some... Read More

Tenderizing Meat and Other Uses For Home Exercise Equipment

Almost everyone has bought home exercise equipment at some point in their life, be it a few rusty dumbells at a garage sale all the way to a complicated new home gym.But how... Read More

Image Treadmills Are Designed for the Average Person in Mind

Image treadmills are distributed by Icon Health and Fitness, a large retail company that produces Reebok and Nordic Track. Although the Image name may not be as widely recognized, their equipment offers an... Read More

Steam Bath or Sauna ? Which Is Better?

There is sometimes confusion between the terms 'steam bath' and 'sauna.' Many people think they refer to the same thing. Not so. Even though they both are hot baths, one uses dry heat... Read More

Find the Best Home Tanning Bed Package

Wouldn't it be wonderful if you could find a cheap used tanning bed for your home. Have you ever wondered how to buy tanning beds and what would be the best home tanning... Read More

Start Moving With Manual Treadmills

Although manual treadmills are much cheaper than motorized treadmills, and are quite popular, they do not have many of the features that people like to see on their exercise equipment. You do get... Read More

Elliptical Trainers Vs Treadmill ? Which One Is Best?

So which exercise machine is best: the treadmill or the elliptical trainer?While treadmills are still the #1 piece of home exercise equipment, elliptical trainers are quickly catching up. This leaves many people wondering... Read More

Getting Fit With A Smooth Treadmill

Treadmills are one of the most popular fitness machines available today, viewed consistently as a straightforward piece of equipment that can provide a good workout for everyone, regardless of their fitness level.And though... Read More

Using An Elliptical Trainer For Weight Loss And Fitness

My second favorite form of cardio exercise is using an elliptical trainer (First is mountain biking). Elliptical trainers make your weight loss cardio program quiet, low impact, and challenging.Elliptical trainers are kind of... Read More

5 Ways To Get The Most From Your Home Gym

A home gym can help you build muscle, produce an attractive body, rev up a sluggish metabolism and shave years off your age.If you choose wisely, you'll have all the tools you need... Read More

The Benefits of Home Gyms

If it's a struggle for you to get to the gym, but you want to stay in shape, you should check out some of the home gyms on the market today. There are... Read More

Fitness Goals For Dummies

Health-buffs that have been using exercise equipments are surely no neophytes on this matter. But newbies on exercise equipment won't have a hard time on knowing which to use. It's just a matter... Read More

Do You Know The History Of Trampolines As Exercise Equipment?

The manufactured trampoline, as we know it today, was created by two men, George Nissen and Larry Griswold. Around 1935, Griswold, then the assistant gymnastics coach at the University of Iowa, and Nissen,... Read More

Landice Treadmills - A Quick Review of the Landice Treadmill

If you're looking to buy a high end home treadmill (or a commercial grade treadmill) chances are you've heard the name 'Landice' thrown about quite a bit.That may leave you wondering 'Should I... Read More

The Problems with Epic Treadmills

Epic treadmills have long been on the market and have a large customer base. They can boast a wide range of features which some people seem to think has taken place over quality.Epic... Read More

5 Sure-Fire Tips To Save You $1000s On Your Home Gym

It always amazes me when people say "Home Gyms are expensive! I just don't have $1000's of dollars lying about" These people obviously haven't looked very hard because nowadays home gym equipment doesn't... Read More

Choosing the Right Running Shoe

Purchasing anything new can be a lot of fun, but it can also be very frustrating. Purchasing a pair of Running shoes is no different, and do the nature of our bodies I... Read More

Target Your Personal Training Zone With StarTrac Treadmills

StarTrac treadmills offer high quality and numerous features. Consumers generally rate StarTrac among the best treadmills available. StarTrac treadmills offer a prominent display and easy to use features. StarTrac treadmills give you the... Read More

There Are Alot Of Features To Look For When Deciding On An Elliptical Trainer Thats Perfect For You

Have you decided to purchase a piece of home workout equipment? There are a lot of choices available today on the market for home gym equipment. The key is to find the right... Read More

Tips For Buying A Treadmill

Tips For Buying A Treadmill-Buy To SucceedAmong the best tips for buying a treadmill, the very best is to 'buy to succeed'.Whether you're in fitness training or just want to feel fit, the... Read More

Commercial Elliptical Machines

With the fitness craze that is going on in the world today, the elliptical trainer is becoming more and more popular in the average household. A person needs to do some research and... Read More

Best Home Gyms Tips

Best home gymsIt isn't always easy to find the best home gyms without a little trepidation. But have no fear as shopping through what are touted as the best home gym has been... Read More

Horizon Treadmills Offer Top Features For the Lowest Price

Highly rated by numerous experts in the fitness field, Horizon treadmills offer a well-constructed piece of excercise equipment for a reasonable price. Created by the Johnson corporation, Horizon treadmills are aimed towards the... Read More

Proform Treadmills and iFit Technology ? The Right Combination for Workout Success!

We all want to achieve the toned and slender look that working out gives your body, right? Strong and sleek and ready to be shown off ? what's not to love! Unfortunately, achieving... Read More

Benefits of Online Fitness Programs

There are many benefits of choosing an online fitness program over a live personal trainer. In this article, I will focus on the most important ones. I will also mention and recommend Global... Read More

6 Advantages of Free Weights Over Exercise Machines

Meet Sarah.About a year ago, Sarah saw an infomercial about a "multi-unit" workout machine. The announcer called it a "revolutionary" piece of equipment, claiming that people would see results in "just 2-4 weeks".... Read More

Treadmill Consumer Guide

When looking for a treadmill consumer guide, you won't have to look much farther than the Internet, or the nearest bookstore's magazine display. Just a quick online search delivered eleven different experts, folks... Read More

Do You Know These Benefits of Home Treadmills?

In our society today, there are more and more people who are determined to lose as much weight as possible as quickly and easily as possible.More time than not these are the same... Read More

Elliptical Workout vs. Treadmill Workout

An elliptical workout differs from a treadmill workout in a few ways. Both will give you an aerobic workout but an elliptical trainer will work different muscle groups than a treadmill.While both are... Read More