With each year that passes, more of us make the same old resolutions. We tell ourselves that this is the year we are finally going to begin a regular exercise regimen and get in shape. Unfortunately, this is often easier said than done because most of us don’t have easy access to fitness equipment that makes getting a good workout as convenient and effective as we would like.

Despite what you may hear on infomercials, furnishing some good workout equipment for your house does not have to be expensive. Because of its usefulness in helping get a good cardio workout, a treadmill is an ideal starting point for your home gym. Today we’ll talk about finding a good deal on a treadmill that has everything you need.

What to Know About Buying a Treadmill

Treadmills are one of the most popular types of exercise equipment because they are one of the easiest to use. They provide significant health benefits without requiring a major investment or intense cardio.

They don’t take up too much space in your home, and they’re easy to use while performing other activities. Treadmills have a tremendous amount of diversity, so it can be difficult to know what treadmill you should buy.

Therefore, before you take the plunge, there are some things you should consider. How big is your treadmill going to be? Where are you going to put it? What kind of advanced features do you want? Here are some of the factors you should consider before buying a treadmill.

Incline

There are treadmills that can be set at an incline, either fixed or variable. These intensify the workout and also allow you to prepare for hikes by simulating the slope of a hill or mountain. However, this is typically available in more expensive treadmills.

Motor

Most treadmills have different speed settings on their motor. This allows them to provide a customized workout based on cardio or calories. You want a treadmill that has a decent motor. This should be preferably 2.0-3.0 horsepower.

Size

It isn’t enough to decide whether you have the room for a treadmill. You should also consider how large you want it to be. Standard treadmills are seven feet long, whereas some are shorter and others longer. Shorter treadmills don’t take up as much room and require a lot more work to lose your balance.

Price

There are cheap treadmills, with some costing as little as $100. On the other hand, expensive modes may cost up to three grand. This will depend on how much use you expect to get out of your treadmill. You don’t want to spend over $1000 on something you’ll only use once a week. 

Space

Before you get down to the basics of a budget, you need to know how much room you have available in your house and how large of a treadmill you want. You should try to find a space that can accommodate your treadmill. That could be your living room, bedroom, or garage.

Types of Treadmills

There are two different types of treadmills, manual treadmills and motorized treadmills. The key difference is in the motor, meaning a manual treadmill doesn’t have one.

Manual Treadmills

Instead of being powered by a motor, the belt on the manual treadmill is turned by your movement. This means that manual treadmills can only go as fast as you do.

Since there’s no motor attached, manual treadmills also tend to be smaller and lighter. That means they take up less space and can be moved from room to room a little easier. Besides, most fold up for convenient storage. Finally, manual treadmills tend to be much less expensive than motorized versions.

On the downside, moving the belt manually can be hard on your hips and knees. Additionally, to help users gain momentum, manual treadmills are usually set at an incline, which means you’re always moving up-hill.

Finally, manual treadmills rarely have all the nifty features of motorized versions. It’s therefore important that you understand that your manual treadmill experience won’t be the same as on those fancy machines at the gym.

Motorized Treadmills

On the other hand, motorized treadmills are mostly less-portable but more popular than manual treadmills.

Motorized treadmills are usually large and heavy machines made to emulate the experience of exercising on a variety of terrains and at a range of speeds. They let the user adjust the speed and incline automatically with just a push of a button during the workout session.

Motorized treadmills are best for training (especially sprinting) or use for extended periods, as well as for those who appreciate some high-tech features. Nowadays, people mostly prefer to buy motorized treadmills over the manual treadmill.

Bottom Line

Treadmills are a fantastic investment for anyone looking to get into (or keep up) their fitness levels. You can work out anytime you like, no matter the weather or traffic conditions outside, and even sneak in a few extra miles throughout the day. No matter which treadmill model you choose, your heart will thank you.