Treadmills

An essential part of a healthy life plan includes an exercise routine which will not only work around your schedule, but something you can do year round and anywhere you want to be.

Running or walking is one of the best forms of exercise compared to other exercises such as Pilates, or weightlifting because of the natural way your body moves. You can also perform this exercise anywhere you are and need very little equipment. As a result, you will be more likely to continue running/walking throughout your life. If you are serious about taking advantage of this natural form of exercise, you will need to prepare yourself for unexpected events such as rain, snow or pesky neighbors. The safest and most convenient way to run or walk is by using a treadmill.

If you are considering buying a treadmill, there are a few things you should familiarize yourself with before actually going out (or online) and purchasing one:

1. Price: When it comes to treadmills, the more you pay the better machine you will get. This is because you are paying for added accessories and more stability. Compare it to buying a car. The basic model will do the job. You might become bored with the lack of extras, but if you are on a budget, this will do fine for you. Remember, you can always upgrade. Then there comes the mid-range model. More accessories are added, which can make the ride smoother and a bit more lively, and the price is still pretty sensible. If you are really in the mood to splurge, the high quality treadmills will shock you with more bells and whistles than you could ever dream of. Some people, however, may become overwhelmed by all the present courses, heart monitors, incline levels, cup holders, book holders, and digital programming offered by top-of-the-line treadmills. Browse around online to see which add-ons you will enjoy and which you can live without, this will narrow down your choices and keep you from getting too carried away by the latest and greatest.

2. Stability: Make sure you wear your workout clothes when shopping for treadmills, you will want to “test drive” certain models to see if they are stable enough for your running/walking form. You will want to be cautious of machines that shake or rattle when you are going full speed. A good stable ride will make a world of difference in your safety and will also cut down on the noise level. Also take into consideration the motor volume, if you plan to read, watch the television or listen to music, a noisy motor will quickly become a big distraction.

3. Size: In the store and especially online, size can be deceiving. Make sure to measure the room which will be housing this machine and allow for plenty of “walk-around” space. When you are buying, check the dimensions. Size is not always an indicator of quality.

Treadmills might seem a bit pricy, but they will pay for themselves over time with convenience and indoor safety. Plus, your exercise routine can be more consistent with a treadmill. Look online for bargains. You might be surprised by the prices and options available. With a little research, you will surely be able to find the perfect treadmill for you and your budget.

Treadmill Comparison 3 Things You Must Know Before Buying

Buying a treadmill? You’ll probably be making several treadmill comparisons when doing your research.

Here are 3 things you must know when making treadmill comparisons in order to find the best one for you.

#1 Compare Apples To Apples

Don’t compare prices between treadmills online and treadmills sold at a store. They are two different marketplaces, each with their own advantages and disadvantages.

When I was selling a Proform treadmill many years ago, the gentleman buying it had gone online and seen the same model for less. I had to explain to him that this price was an online price only. Buying a treadmill online can sometimes be considerably cheaper, depending on the manufacturer, sales, closeouts, etc.

So when comparing treadmill prices side by side, make sure you compare online treadmills to online treadmills and store treadmills to store treadmills.

Also make sure you’re comparing the same models. It sounds obvious but some treadmill brands have so many similar sounding treadmills in their line-up it’s easy to get confused!

#2 Know the Key Ingredients to a Quality Treadmill

Make sure you know the top 4 key ingredients to a quality treadmill:

- Motor Power

- Stability

- Warranty

- Cushioning

Your motor is the heart of your treadmill and adequate motor power is extremely important. Most experts recommend at least a 1.5 HP motor although I prefer a 2.0 HP or higher to ensure you don’t burn the motor out (and then have to pay costly repair fees).

Stability ensures that your treadmill will not shake or wobble when you start to run on it.

Your warranty will protect your investment and quality treadmills will include a warranty. (You shouldn’t have to pay extra for a treadmill warranty – unless you want to, of course!)

Cushioning is the ability of the treadmill to absorb the force of your step. Higher cushioning means lower impact on your joints and ligaments. Cushioning is extremely important as poor cushioning can cause injury and muscle strain

#3) Know What YOU Need When Reviewing Treadmills

Many people get sold on all of the ‘neat’ features of the treadmill – but don’t ever consider if they’ll really use them.

For example we’d all love to own a commercial-grade, luxury treadmill – but for many people, it’s MORE than they need. On the other hand, a serious runner might actually need that kind of stability and cushioning in a treadmill.

If you don’t really care about 30 workout programs, why pay extra for them? If you know your 6’2″ son will be running on the treadmill, remember to look for one with a longer running area and adequate user weight capacity.

By knowing what you you need before comparing treadmills, you’ll save yourself a lot of time and frustration.

So there you have it – keep these 3 points in mind when making treadmill comparisons and you’ll be well on your way to making an excellent treadmill purchase! Enjoy and have fun!

Best Home Elliptical Machine Simple Steps Before You Buy

What is the best home elliptical machine? That is a question many first-time home exercise equipment buyers ask. Some things are really important to take into consideration: this includes price, quality, and the size you have dedicated to machine.

Price:

Prior to purchasing an elliptical trainer you should have an ideal amount of money you are looking to spend. By having a predetermined budget you’re unlikely to spend more than what you can afford to and get the best elliptical trainer for your home. This will also help as many online retailers allow you to select items by price range. You have to understand oftentimes you get what you pay for, so you should be careful as to not buy too cheap of a machine.

Quality:

A quality of your elliptical machine is also vitally important. You need to make sure that you take this into account prior to purchasing your elliptical machine. Too many newer users do not research properly purchase a low-end elliptical machine only to find it breaks after a short period of time(usually just after the warranty period). Then, they must go out and purchase a more expensive, higher quality machine costing them more than if they bought a higher quality one to begin with since they had to make two purchases.

Size Of Machine:

Most elliptical trainers are all similar in size, this sometimes poses a challenge for people looking to use an elliptical trainer, but are limited in the space they have to dedicated to it. Before you purchase a machine online visit a physical local store and measure the machine you’re thinking about buying to make sure fits into your space. Many online stores will have measurements of each machine but they’re not always accurate.

In conclusion if you follow these few simple principles should successfully buy the best elliptical machine to use in your home.

Buying An Elliptical Trainer Online What You Need To Know

When I first started working in the fitness equipment industry the idea of customers buying online seemed absurd. But about 9 years ago the company I worked for built a web site and started advertising on Yahoo. Back then Google was still a concept, and pay per click advertising hadn’t been conceived. Surprisingly a few people here and there would make purchases, primarily for treadmills. All sales were conducted through the phone.

Gradually sales increased, so about 6 years ago I suggested we include a shopping cart on our site. The reaction was, “who would buy fitness equipment online without talking to someone first.” Well, how times have changed. When I left the company over 60% of our sales were through the cart. Our minimum price item was $1,000, with our premium products exceeding $3,000.

Purchasing fitness equipment online has become a major industry. There are several benefits from buying online:

There is no sales tax.

The item is delivered to your home.

The Internet is ideal for comparison shopping.

Nothing competes with the convenience of shopping from your home.

Not always, but in some instances you will save money.

Elliptical Trainers Grow in Popularity

The fastest growing fitness equipment currently is elliptical trainers. They offer the benefit of providing a low-impact, upper and lower body workout. They have become particularly attractive to the aging baby boomers. And like treadmills, many people are purchasing them online. If you are considering buying an elliptical trainer online there are several considerations:

Buy a Quality Elliptical Trainer

Do not waste your money on a cheap machine, unless you plan to use it to hang clothes. How do you determine what qualifies as cheap and what merits quality? You need to do your due diligence. Check out third party reviews, customer testimonials (epinions.com is a good source), and compare features and specifications. At my site you will find an elliptical trainer buyer’s guide. It explains in detail the important features of an elliptical trainer.

Buy an Elliptical Trainer that has an Adequate Warranty

When you see an elliptical trainer with a 90 parts and labor warranty, you should be concerned about the durability of that machine. It doesn’t say much about the faith of the manufacturer in their products. When buying an elliptical trainer look for models that come with a one year labor warranty, and a 1-3 year parts coverage.

Buy an Elliptical Trainer from a Company with a Good Reputation

When you purchase an elliptical trainer you are not only buying the machine, but also the company that stands behind it. Although elliptical trainers require less service than a treadmill, you may still have maintenance issues and questions. You want to make sure you purchase from a company that is responsive to their customers. Once again customer reviews can be helpful. Whenever I want to get some insight into a company I will do a search on the company name and “complaints”. You could be surprised on the results. I was going to spend considerable money with a furniture store chain and when I did a search I was overwhelmed with the number of customer complaints. Guess what? They didn’t get my business.

There are a number of advantages to buying an elliptical trainer online, but as with any purchase let the buyer beware. Become an informed consumer and make a smart buy.

Best Price Treadmill 3 Key Tips To Saving Hundreds On Your Next Treadmill

If you’re in the market to buy a treadmill, your timing couldn’t be better. Treadmills are giving you more value for your money every year. In fact according to a recent Runner’s World article:

“Today’s treadmills are better than ever. In particular, most brands have improved their stability and controls. Meanwhile, they continue to offer a dazzling variety of features.”

If you’re buying a treadmill no doubt you want to get the best price. Having been researching and reviewing treadmills for over 3 years, I’ve seen some killer treadmill deals and some completely overblown, overpriced treadmills.

I’ve also seen the same treadmill offered at vastly different prices – sometimes the difference is as much as $800! And people are still buying the overpriced treadmills!

There are ways to getting the best price on a high quality home treadmill that many people don’t know about. So to help you save some money, here are 3 key tips to getting the best price on your treadmill:

#1 Buy Online

If you want to save money, buy online. This is the case with most items from computers to DVD’s to electronics and especially treadmills. Because when you buy online, the treadmill dealer doesn’t have to pay to rent a storefront, pay salespeople, pay hydro, heat, etc.

They can ship directly from their warehouse. This saves them a lot of money and in turn these savings are passed on to you in the form of lower prices.

Obviously you don’t want to just buy from anyone online. Make sure the online treadmill dealer offers secure ordering, prevalent contact information (phone numbers, email, online help, address), at least a 30 day money back guarantee and of course – high quality treadmills. It also helps if they offer customer and/or expert testimonials.

#2 Buy Direct From the Treadmill Brand Manufacturer

Buying direct from the treadmill manufacturer means you skip the middleman (i.e. the store), which always has to mark up an item to make their profit (and pay their employees, rent, etc.) There are several treadmill manufacturers that sell online direct to the consumer at wholesale prices and it’s a great way to get a brand name treadmill for a discount price.

Also, if you watch closely, many manufacturers will drop their prices even more when they are phasing out a certain treadmill. I’ve seen a $1500 treadmill go for $899 when the manufacturer was trying to close the model out.

Again, make sure these treadmill dealers offer secure ordering, prevalent contact information, at least a 30 day money back guarantee and high quality treadmills.

#3 Save on Shipping and Sales Tax

Whether it’s an online store or an online treadmill manufacturer, many online dealers offer you free shipping. Some offer free shipping all the time whereas others offer it at certain times of the month.

Shipping your treadmill can cost you as much as $200 – so why pay for it if you can get it free? I’ve yet to see an actual store offer free shipping on treadmills – it’s always an add on at the cash register.

Another area where you can save money is on sales tax. Many online dealers won’t charge you sales tax (depending on the state) which can also save you a considerable amount on your treadmill.

So those are 3 key ways to get the best price on your treadmill. If you want a list of the most popular online stores and treadmill manufacturers

Buying A Discount Treadmill Is It Really A Bargain

Have you ever noticed how many treadmills are being sold at a discount prices? Of course, that is part of commercialism. For example, when was the last time you paid list price for a car or jewelry?

What motivated me to write this article is the fact that “Discount Treadmill” is a very popular search term. People are looking to get the best deal possible when they purchase a treadmill. That makes sense, since even a moderate priced treadmill can run from $1,000 – $2,000.

So how do you tell when a treadmill is being sold at a discount?

First, by comparative shopping. You find a particular model that satisfies your needs and you shop around. Depending on the quality of the treadmill, you compare prices at the various mass retailers, large sporting goods stores, specialty fitness stores and online.

In addition, you look for special offers like free shipping, added accessories and extended warranties. Regarding shipping, some businesses may drop off a treadmill on your curve, while others will bring it into your house, set it up and remove the packaging. Considering the weight of some models, that can add considerable value.

Discounts from Buying Online

More and more people are going online to purchase a treadmill. Are they really saving money? Yes and no. Yes, you can save money from not having to pay sales tax if you purchase from a business that is not located in your state. You can also find discounts online that are better deals than you would find in retail stores. Also, several manufacturers sell direct on the Internet, thus cutting out the middleman.

In contrast the large sporting goods stores generally sell for the same price online as they do in their store. Furthermore, many treadmill manufacturers set a minimum price that any and all dealers cannot go under, regardless whether they sell online and off.

Discount Prices vs MSRP

Regarding the manufacturers suggested retail price, that is a number that has nothing to do with reality. It is deliberately inflated in an attempt to make the real selling price less intimidating. Both manufacturers and retailers play serious games with their prices.

For example, one online retailer that sells private labeled treadmills lists the MSRP at double the real selling price. They attempt to suggest you are saving as much as 50%. But in realty their private label treadmill is sold for the same price as the manufacturer’s models. Another popular treadmill sold online promotes discounts at 15%-40% off.

With all this slight of hand with prices how do you determine the real value?

First, you decide how you are going to use the treadmill, and determine what features would satisfy your fitness goals. For example, if you plan to use the treadmill for walking and want the machine to last for more than 90 days, you want certain minimal features. If you plan to use it for running, than you need upgraded features. Here are some of the features you want to compare:

Motor size

Deck size

Roller size

Electronics

Console

Programs

In addition, you want to compare the warranties. The warranty says a lot about the overall quality of the machine and the components. You also want to research the reputation of the manufacturer. You want to buy from a company that is synonymous with quality. You also want to do business with a company that stands behind their treadmills.

When buying a treadmill do not get caught up in marketing hype of discount prices. Instead look for the best value in your price range.

Where To Buy A Treadmill

Buying a treadmill? Chances are you’ll want to comparison shop to find the best deal for you. Looking at all of the options available can often save you hundreds of dollars.

But where can you look?

There are in general 3 places you can buy your tread mill. This article will outline what you should know about each. You’ll learn the advantages and disadvantages – to help you find the best treadmill buy.

#1 Department Stores

Department stores like Walmart, Sears, and Target sell a variety of name brand treadmills in their sports and fitness departments.

What you should know: Although these stores may appear to offer several different brand names they are almost always produced by one manufacturer – Icon Health and Fitness.

Icon is one of the largest treadmill manufacturers on the market today and produces such brands as Proform, Weslo, Epic, Image, Nordic Track, Free Spirit and Reebok.

These treadmills have lots of neat gadgets like CD players, TV’s, iFit compatibility and more. However, they are not necessarily known for high quality cushioning, stability or durability.

They also typically offer short warranties. For many of the cheaper treadmills, 90 days on parts and labor is all you get. If you want a longer warranty you’ll have to pay extra for it.

Salespeople at these department stores are often not very knowledgeable about treadmills, fitness or how to choose the right treadmill based on your personal needs. So if you need to buy from a department store make sure you do your homework before you go.

Also, at a department store, you’ll usually have to pay extra for shipping and delivery of your treadmill (around $150 – $200) so that’s also an extra cost to consider.

#2 Specialty Sports and Fitness Stores

These are stores like Fitness Depot, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Sport Chalet etc.

What you should know: These stores typically offer you higher end treadmill brands like Precor, Landice, Trimline, Star Trac, Keys and more.

You technically get a larger selection at these stores because the treadmill brands are made by more than 1 giant treadmill manufacturing company.

Sales people are typically more knowledgeable at these stores and can tell you more about the treadmill models, what you need, etc. However be careful as these salespeople are often on commission and may try to pressure you into buying a higher priced machine than you actually need.

You’ll also typically have to pay for shipping and delivery of your treadmill when you buy at one of these stores (which could cost you $150-200 depending on the size of your treadmill). However if you hit these stores on a sale, you may be able to get a discount or free shipping.

#3 Online – Direct From the Manufacturer

Buying a treadmill online is an option that is growing in popularity with buyers. There are both online fitness stores and online treadmill manufacturers.

What you should know: Online manufacturers sell direct to the consumer, in effect skipping the middleman of the store. Consequently customers can save up to $800 on a brand name treadmill.

Buying online is also easy and convenient since you can research treadmill brands and prices from the comfort of your living room. You have a much larger selection of treadmill brands than either option above and can thus make a better buying decision.

Another bonus is that online distributors typically offer free shipping which can also save you a couple hundred dollars. There are no pushy salespeople to deal with so you can take your time to decide without any pressure.

The downside of buying a treadmill online is that you don’t get to walk on the treadmill first. Many people get around this by trying them out at stores first and then buying the treadmill online (if possible).

Or you could do the research and invest in a high end treadmill brand with high ratings from experts and users. (Several treadmill websites will list any expert awards or user reviews for you to read.)

So those are 3 main places to buy your treadmill. Regardless of where you buy your tread mill, remember to take your time, have fun and consider your own personal workout needs before buying.

Compare Treadmills Read All Treadmill Reviews Before Buying One

Compare treadmills and their features before making a decision. The number of features plus the fact that the prices of treadmills can range from about $500 all the way to $10,000 means that you must compare treadmills as much as possible.

Some lower priced treadmills can actually have a better treadmill rating than some that cost thousands of dollars more. There are many things to consider before you buy any treadmill.

Here are just a few different points to take into account when making a treadmill comparison:

Compare treadmills tip #1: Determine how much you are will to spend before you go shopping.

As mentioned above, the cost of a treadmill can vary greatly. This is truly a case of you get what you paid for. You’ll find this true with any treadmill reviews you can find.

The cheaper treadmills simply aren’t built to last.

On the other hand you don’t have to rush out and do a treadmill comparison of only the most expensive treadmills. After all, in a lot of cases you’re only paying for the fancy add-ons and other gadgets.

Compare treadmills tip #2: Check around. Don’t go to one location and buy right away. Compare treadmills at all of your local treadmill stores.

Possibly the most overlooked place to purchase a treadmill is online. Online exercise equipment stores offer many more advantages over regular stores. Check as many of them out as well.

When searching online try to locate some good exercise equipment reviews that will help you narrow down your search.

Compare treadmills #3: What will you use it for? Before making any treadmill comparison you need to determine exactly what you will use it for. Will you be doing a casual walk now and then? Will you use it for a light jog each day? Or will you use it for intense running?

The more you intend to use it, the more money you will have to pay. Most treadmills under $2000 cannot handle daily running.

Compare treadmills tip #4: How much space do you have set aside in your home for your treadmill?



This is one area that a lot of consumers overlook. Just where will you put that treadmill once you get it? Also, you will have to leave approximately 2 extra feet of space on all sides of it.

If you are using your treadmill to run on or are a tall person, you will need a treadmill with a longer belt (the surface you run on). Running requires a longer stride so keep this in mind.

Compare treadmills tip #5: Test before you buy. Regardless if a treadmill rating is high on certain models and not on others, test for yourself. Even if one model gets good treadmill reviews online, you still have to test it if at all possible.

Most treadmills sold online will also be sold at exercise equipment stores. You have to determine if it will work for your unique situation regardless of what the online treadmill reviews say.

Compare treadmills tip #6: Performance. When you test out any treadmill make sure you take note of how smooth it runs and how quiet it is. Treadmills with cheaper parts (but a high price tag) tend to make a lot of noise and vibrate somewhat.

Compare treadmills tip #7: Warranty concerns. Check out the warranty in great detail. All manufactures are different. Most are quite different when it comes to the motor, the belt (the belt you run on), the frame and various options.

A lot of the cheaper treadmills only offer a year or less on the belt. If the belt breaks after that, you can expect to pay an additional $500 or much more for a replacement.

Compare treadmills tip #8: What safety features should you look for? Probably the biggest one is an emergency stop button. This is very helpful in case you slip and fall off the treadmill. You also have to determine if it will support your body weight.

Some treadmills don’t support as much as you think. The last thing you want to have happen is for the treadmill frame to break when you have it on an incline or are running. You could get seriously injured.

Compare treadmills tip #9: What top speed will you need. Most treadmills have different sized motors and therefore will run at different speeds. Make sure it can handle the speed you want to run at.

So there are just a few points to keep in mind when buying a treadmill. It is a big financial decision, so do your homework ahead of time. Read as many treadmill reviews or treadmill ratings as you can find.