Buying A Treadmill - 4 Questions

For Light Runners/PowerWalkers:

Again, you'll probably want a fairly high powered (2-2.5 HP), continuous duty motor. (which means it can continuously operate at that power without dropping off)

You probably don't need to buy a commercial-grade treadmill or spend as much as a heavy runner. However you still need to ensure that your treadmill offers adequate stability (which means it won't shake and wobble when you start to run) and cushioning in order to adequately protect your joints.

That means you're probably looking at a quality treadmill in the medium price range like the Smooth 6.25 (which boasts a 2.75 HP CD motor and a heavier unit weight to give added stability - currently on sale at $1499).

For Light Walkers:

If you're planning to use your treadmill for light walking, you can probably save a little money and still get a quality treadmill. We recommend at least a 1.5-2.0 HP motor (preferably higher if you can find one for the same price range).

The great thing about this category is there are lots of treadmills to choose from so you can select from a large variety and pick the very best for you. However there can also be some lemons in there too so make sure you consider the treadmill as a whole (motor power, warranty, belt size, etc) before choosing.

#2: How Much Are You Planning To Use Your Treadmill?

This question builds on question #1. How much you plan to use your treadmill also affects your choices. For example are you planning to use it in the winter months only or all year round? Are you planning to use it every day or only a couple of days a week? How long will your average workouts be?

There are some treadmills, for example, that don't advise you using it for more than an hour at time (these are usually the ones under $600 that you buy at your local department store). There are others like those constructed for gym or commercial use that are designed to stand up under constant, heavy use.

Here are some suggestions when answering this question:

High-Heavy Use:

For example, the elite athlete that trains every day or almost every day for lengthy periods. Skimping on your treadmill in this category is not a good idea!

We recommend that you invest in a commercial grade, club-style treadmill like a Sole, or a Landice treadmill that was specifically designed to stand up under conditions of heavy and prolonged use.

They'll give you adequate cushioning, assured stability and include some great pre-programmed options to stave off boredom. These treadmills also come with a top quality warranty to protect your investment.

Medium Heavy Use:

For the runner who trains frequently but not necessarily as heavily as the elite athlete above, you don't need to go with a commercial club-grade treadmill.

However you still need a highly stable treadmill built for heavy use with a higher powered motor. Some good examples in this category would be the Smooth 6.25 (2.75 HP motor, from $1499), or a Sole S 75 ( $1999, 3.0 HP motor)

Light Use:

For example a walker (and very occasional runner) who doesn't plan on using their treadmill for more than an hour at a time. You can go with a lighter model however keep in mind that you still need one that gives you adequate cushioning and stability so that the treadmill won't wobble or shake if you decide to pick up your pace.

Our first choice if we were buying in this category would be the Smooth 5.25 Treadmill which would give us more than enough power and stability for this category.

#3: Who ELSE Will Be Using the Treadmill?

Are you the only one that will be using your treadmill? If so, then you can easily answer question #1 and #2. But if there are other people in your household who'll want to use the treadmill, you'll have to consider question #1 in light of everyone's use of it.

For example, you might use it for casual walking and short distances but perhaps your spouse will use it to train for a 21k run! That will definitely change your buying needs.

And while we certainly don't want to offend, you might be light but perhaps another person using the treadmill is much heavier. Make sure that the treadmill can handle the person with the heavier weight, especially if that person plans on running.

It's always better to go with a sturdier, more powerful model if you're not sure. It's certainly easier than having to deal with a pricey treadmill repair after the first year because of too much (or too heavy) use!

Also remember to consider the height of everyone that wil be using the treadmill. Longer legs need longer belts! (See Question #4 for examples)

#4: Which Special Treadmill Features Do You Need?

This is where buying a treadmill gets fun! What kind of special features do you need (or want) with your treadmill?

If you're the kind of person that gets bored easily you might want to buy a treadmill with lots of built in training programs. Do you need one with an extra long belt to accomodate a longer stride? (Remember to consider everyone that will be using the treadmill!)

The average length of a belt is 51 to 61 inches so if you're looking for a longer belt you might want to check out something like the Smooth 9.25HR with a belt length of 62"

Do you want one that's foldable so that you can easily open up the space in the room when you are done working out? (Also recommended for those in condos or apartments!)

What about one with a reading rack or a space for your water bottle? Do you want one with a heart rate monitor? Or even a heart-rate control that adjusts the rate of the treadmill to your own heart rate?

Answering these questions will ensure that you maximize your treadmill investment (and get into amazing shape by using it!) Good luck and have fun!

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