Using treadmills machines is one of the most popular forms of indoor cardiovascular fitness. However, this popularity has created hundreds of manufacturers and countless variety of machines to choose from, meaning that a close comparison between brands is necessary to find the right model for your needs.
Features
When comparing various brands of treadmills, the workout and comfort features of a given model are the main factors to weigh. Expensive treadmills, such as those from Smooth, Sole, NordicTrack and Landice, come with a variety of programmed workouts, powered incline grades and shock-absorbing cushioning in the treadmill decks. The quality of the display console can also vary between models and be a determining factor in your choice. The display you choose should be an LCD or LED monitor that gives you readouts for distance, calories burned, heart rate, resistance and incline best suited to your fitness goals.
Considerations
According to ExerciseEquipmentExpert.com, the heart of a treadmill is its motor. The more horsepower a motor has, the smoother the workout you will be able to get. Less expensive treadmills such as those from Weslo, Gold's Gym and ProForm come with motors with 2 to 2.5 maximum horsepower. If you plan to do any running on your treadmill, Treadmill-Comparison.com recommends buying a treadmill with at least 2.5 continuous horsepower. Anything less than this may not support your weight and will become jerky as your feet impact the tread belt.
Size
The size of the tread belt is a critical factor depending on your intended usage of the machine and body size. Commercial-quality treadmills such as those from Life Fitness, Precor and Quantum come with belts around 20 inches wide and 55 to 60 inches long. A wide and long belt allows you ample area to land your stride if you are running or have long legs. Smaller belts are capable of supporting a walking stride, but can be insufficient for running. Do not purchase a treadmill with a belt narrower than 16 inches or shorter than 51 inches if you plan on running.
Price
Price can be a considerable factor when choosing a treadmill, and can help you narrow down your choices quickly. According to Treadmill-Comparison.com, a quality treadmill will cost at least $800, but if you plan on running often, expect to spend $1,500 or more. Once you have narrowed down your price range, compare the models in that range against each other in terms of features to find what model best suits your needs.
Durability
Because a quality treadmill can be a significant financial investment, it is critical to ensure your purchase will stand the test of time. Treadmills with a higher horsepower engine, large rollers and a higher maximum user weight are likely to be more durable than lesser quality competitors.
Warranty is another factor to monitor for durability. Generally speaking, the better the warranty, the better the machine you are purchasing. If you are comparing two treadmill brands that have similar features and cost, such as the Sole F63 and Spirit Esprit ET488, the deciding factor may come down to the warranty. In this case, as of 2010, the Sole model has a lifetime frame and 3-year warranty on all other parts, while the Spirit only has a lifetime frame and 1-year warranty on the deck.
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