Treadmills can range in price from a few hundred dollars to more than $4,000 as of February 2011, but finding the best treadmill for your fitness needs does not necessarily mean that you need to spend a large sum of money. The best treadmill for you is whatever machine has sufficient features to keep you on the treadmill and losing weight on a regular basis.
Motor
When you purchase a treadmill, it must have a motor that is capable of 2 continuous-duty horsepower or greater, according to ExerciseEquipmentExpert.com. It is critical that you check the motor's continuous-duty horsepower rating rather than its maximum horsepower, as a high continuous-duty rating guarantees you that the belt will turn evenly when you are on it while the maximum rate only guarantees how fast the belt can turn without a runner.
Workout Variety
Your treadmill must have workout options that you desire, will use and will keep you running even after your initial motivation for working out has long worn out. Features such as workout monitor that helps you run at the perfect pace or a power incline to simulate hill climbing can be a motivating factor for you. Ensure that the machine has enough of variety of workouts that you can change your routine every few weeks to prevent boredom.
Bonus Features
Some treadmills come with additional features to make a workout more enjoyable. They may include things like television, DVD players, MP3-player adapters and cooling fans. While these features may not help you run any faster on the treadmill, for some people they can be a necessity if exercise seems like a chore instead of a stress reliever. Additional features like this can add to the cost of the treadmill, however, so you must determine if they are something you want to spend extra money on to get the best treadmill.
Cost
According to TreadmillReview.net, one of the oldest treadmill review websites on the Internet, the amount of money you spend on a treadmill should give you the best possible value at that price range. A treadmill costing less than $1,000 as of 2011 may be lacking in advanced design or workout features but can still provide you with a solid workout as long as the motor and running deck are made from quality parts. When you start looking at treadmills costing more than $1,000, you will find more features. However, do not overspend on features that you are unlikely to use.
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