subject: Tips For Finding The Best Treadmill [print this page] Want to find the best treadmill for you? Want to find the best treadmill for you?
You've probably done a lot of research already. You probably know exactly what makes up a high quality 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.
To keep this from happening to you, here are 3 buying tips to help you find the treadmill that's best for you:
Buying Tip #1 - Not All Brands Are the Same
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 seems logical - get the highest motor power for the best price.
But my answer to him was not what he expected. I told him that I would choose Brand C.
Here's the reason:
Brand A looks good on the surface.
But Brand C has a reputation for constructing top 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 construction?
When buying a treadmill, try to look at the whole context - including the brand. Not all brands are created equal. Look for a brand that has a high quality reputation and rates well with both experts and users.
Buying Tips #2 - Don't Believe Everything the Saleperson Tells You
Not to put down any salespeople. But anyone can make an error - and then you'll be the one paying for it.
Here's an example.
A lady emailed me a few years ago asking for treadmill advice. She was leaning towards one model specifically.
She'd been told by the salesperson that it came with a lifetime motor warranty. But when she gave me the name of the treadmill, I knew there had to be a mistake somewhere. This particular treadmill brand never gives lifetime motor warranties - ever.
I asked her to check again. She did and it happened that the treadmill salesperson was mistaken. That particular treadmill only had a year's worth of coverage on the motor. That mistake could have cost her dearly.
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 Compare the True Price of Treadmills
Many people compare by price when buying a treadmill. And that's understandable. But sometimes prices can mislead you.
As an example, let's say you're comparing 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 an $80 charge. So really option #1 is the more affordable treadmill. All else being equal, it's the best treadmill value.
So when shopping for a treadmill, consider the extra costs like shipping, extra warranty charges or even workout program software when comparing treadmill prices. That will give you a much better idea of the best treadmill for your budget.
So to summarize those are 3 key buying tips when choosing a home treadmill. Keep them in mind and you're well on your way to a treadmill that you'll love to use.
