A treadmill is a significant investment for your personal gym. Sometimes one of the most expensive pieces of exercise equipment, it's important that you do your homework before spending your money on one. By knowing exactly what features you want, your budget and the amount of space you have available, you can choose a treadmill that fits your criteria to add to your home gym. Test a variety of treadmills before you purchase the one that is right for you.
Measure Your Space
Treadmills are typically a bulky and large piece of exercise equipment. It's important that you measure the space where you plan to put your treadmill, as the space you have could dictate the model you purchase. The American Council on Exercise notes that you need at least 30 sq. ft. for a treadmill in your home. Luckily, treadmills that fold for storage are available and may be a better choice for you if you're working with a smaller space for your home gym.
Do Your Research
Know what types of features you want on your treadmill before you head to the store. You could become overwhelmed with the choices if you don't learn about treadmills before it's time to buy. You can find treadmills with all of the bells and whistles, like video screens, iPod integration capabilities, running programs, incline, heart rate monitors and more. By knowing which features you want and which you don't, you can narrow down the selection when it's time to buy.
Purchase from a Fitness Store
Going to a big box store in order to buy your treadmill may save you a few dollars, but you may not get the experience that going to a fitness supply store affords. The retail associates at a fitness supply store can give better answers to your questions about certain treadmill models and your experience will be more interactive. Even if you plan to purchase from a big box store or online, going to a fitness supply store first can allow you to test machines and ask questions.
Try Them Out
Wear comfortable shoes when you go treadmill shopping, since hopping on the various models and trying them out for yourself is the easiest way to become familiar with the treadmill you like the best. Without actually testing out the treadmill, you're taking a gamble on whether you like the motion, the programming and the overall experience of a certain treadmill. Try out a variety of treadmills to pinpoint exactly what you like and what you don't like when it comes to a pricey piece of equipment.
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