subject: The Better Way To Choose A Treadmill Or Elliptical [print this page] How can you make an intelligent choice of home treadmill or elliptical when there are hundreds of models to choose from? Is there a more efficient way than to study all the features and brands? Rather than focus on the machines, features, this article take a different approach by asking What do you need?
The usual way to decide what treadmill to buy is to look at several models of treadmill, learn their features, and compare the treadmills' features and prices. This makes sense, but the sheer number of choices can force a careful person to inaction. Some manufacturers have many models that are barely distinguishable, having far more features in common that they do differentiating them. Given all these choices, the shopper often becomes further confused from trying to determine the best value.
Eliminate the noise. The more efficient way to choose a treadmill or elliptical is to answer the following questions in the following order: 1. How am I going to use it? 2. What features do I need? 3. What is my budget?
1. How am I going to use it? Do I just want to walk? A manual treadmill will do. Am I a serious runner who runs an hour per day? I will want the best machine I can afford.
2. What features do I need? Most new treadmills, except the least expensive, keep track of time, distance, heart rate, and calories. Most also have adjustable inclines. That's all most users need. If you also need a TV, iPod station, or particular kinds of customized workouts, look for models with those features. Heavier people need heavier machines with more powerful drive motors.
3. What is my budget? As with most things, you get what you pay for. One of the big differences between the expensive and inexpensive models is how strongly they are constructed. Commercial treadmills can cost many thousands of dollars. They are large and heavy and are made to withstand continuous heavy use. They come with commercial warranties that are generally unavailable for treadmills designed for the home. However, the typical home user does not need this strength. Depending on the user's budget and financial temperament, it may be best to simply buy a name brand, with the features the user needs, at the lowest possible price. Generally, this can be done online.
