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Trying to determine what is the best treadmills for your fitness needs can be very confusing. They vary in price from very cheap models costing as little as $200, to commercial grade going for well over $4,000. Obviously, you want to get the best value for your money. But if you purchase an inexpensive treadmill today, will you have to eventually replace it with one that is durable and functional?

Buyers beware when considering cheap treadmills from mass merchandisers or home shopping networks. Their marketing material can be very misleading and their claims stretch the limits of truth.

When comparing features on cheap treadmills, not all claims are equal. For example, motor ratings can have the same horse power, but in actuality the cheap treadmill can be equipped with an inferior motor. There is no standard rating for treadmill motors, therefore companies selling a cheap treadmill can claim the motor has any horse power they wish. What is in reality a low-input 1.0 horsepower motor could be labeled a 2.5 hp. A 1.0 hp motor strains from even the most basic use and is more likely to burn out. That is why the motors come with a warranty that last only a few months.

Cheap Treadmills = Short Warranties

How can you distinguish cheap treadmills from a quality model? One simple guideline is the warranty. If a treadmill lacks durability, it obviously will not have a warranty that extends beyond several months. A quality machine will have a warranty that last a year or more. With certain brands you get a lifetime warranty on the motor, and as much as ten years on parts and 2 years on labor.

Overall, cheap treadmills will compromise on the quality of components. How else can they sell them for so little money? For example, some are equipped with motors that may be powerful enough to turn a hamster wheel, but will strain driving your weight on a treadbelt. They are also built with decks that do little to cushion your impact. In some cases, it feels like you are running on concrete. These inferior running surfaces can cause injuries to your joints, particularly your knees, ankles and lower back. You might as well be running on the street. The list continues with inferior rollers, bearings, electronics, consoles, etc. The bottom line, it is expensive to repair a treadmill, and it cost as much to service a cheap model as it does an expensive one.

Cheap treadmills have a price that looks enticing, but it is a matter of time before they self-destruct. If you are serious about getting in shape, spend some money on a real machine. A guideline for buying a treadmill should be a minimum $1,000 for walking, $1,500 for jogging and $2,000 for running.

Check out the warranty, the service agreement and the overall reputation of the company. You can find customer testimonials for some models at epinions.com and amazon.com. You can get reviews on over 90 treadmills at my site, www.treadmill-ratings-reviews.com. In addition, www.consumerreports.org and www.treadmilldoctor.com offer excellent reviews.

Fred Waters worked in the treadmill industry for a number of years and is author of the Treadmill Rating and Review site. Check out the latest reviews on over 90 of the most popular treadmills, and get important buying tips from the Treadmill Buyer's Guide.

posted by sdsd99498  # 1:23 PM 0 comments