While it will become clear in this Hubpage which of these two home exercise equipment options that I prefer,ultimately what matters most is which one you decide to use on a consistent basis to tone your body or lose weight.

Many fitness-oriented people purchase treadmills or rebounders / mini-trampolines for home use to spare themselves the time and money spent on gym memberships which sometimes can run into major dollars.

In the last few years, rebounder and treadmill sales have risen significantly as a result.

Treadmills are designed to provide you with a way of exercising that is convenient, simple and effective. Rebounders are built with the same purposes in mind.

You'll read on this website and others that treadmills are affordable and long lasting. Again, you can make the same and a stronger argument for rebounders.

First, before investing money into any type of home fitness equipment, it is paramount that you consult with your health care professional. It's important to ensure your heart and other physical organs will be able to handle the initial stress of treadmilling or rebounding. The body can adapt quickly. Be sure to first see your doctor for advice about exercise safety.

Next, make sure whatever you buy is a quality piece of exercise equipment. Many mini trampolines use weak steel springs or bungee cords causing sinking and pronation of feet and knees leading to back problems. Using them in combination with home workouts could cause serious injury.

Check out my Hubpage "How to Choose the Right Rebounder For You" for more thorough information on points to consider when making a rebounder purchase.

As a rule of thumb, you'll be hard pressed to find a quality rebounder for less than $200 in today's market--and you'll need to spend at least $305 to get the best.

In essence, don't settle for anything less than exercise products built with high quality materials featuring superior design and construction. After all we're talking about your health here.

Many shoppers are going online to find the best deals on home treadmills.

But before you spend your hard-earned cash on a discounted treadmill, be sure to do your research and check out the "continuous duty rating" which is the numerical measure of the power at which the treadmill will work during average use. Don't confuse that number with the "peak" duty motor power rating which can be deceiving because it can be noticeably higher than the continuous rating as is often the case with lesser-expensive treadmills.

Also, make sure the treadmill that you're thinking of buying fits you. You'll want at least a 16" belt and one that is long enough to accomodate your stride comfortably.

Frames are an important consideration in the buying process. Steel framed treadmills hold up better than aluminum ones, but they're also more expensive and difficult to move around because of its heavier weight.

Next, you'll need to decide which extra features you want with your treadmill. Heart monitors are a popular option; water bottle/cup holders, built-in fans, and CD players are other handy features you may want to have on your treadmill.

Make sure that you can read the information on your treadmill display panel while you are walking or running. Most treadmills come with an electronic LCD that keeps you abreast as to speed, distance traveled, time working out, heart rate, calories burned, etc. Really good information--just be sure that you can read it while you workout.

Because higher-quality treadmills can run several thousand dollars, it is important to know exactly what you're getting with your warranty and how you will to proceed ahead of time in the event you ever need maintenance or repair.

Springville, Utah-based ReboundAir produces three models of rebounders in conjunction with Albert Carter who has been strongly involved in the rebounding industry for over three decades.

While the results of their ReboundAir vs. Treadmill chart are obviously biased toward rebounders, some of the potential problems associated with treadmills are brought to light -- boredom, expensive repairs, lack of portability, costly warranties, etc.

To check out ReboundAir's comparison chart, please go here:

http://www.healthbounce.com/reboundair_vs_treadmills.htm

Personally, I have used both treadmills and rebounders as part of my fitness regiment over the past 30 years. My preference is a rebounder called the Easy Bounce Cellerciser. It is the most time efficient, cost effective, portable piece of home exercise equipment on the market today for my money.

As an eBay seller, I have sold both ReboundAir (in 2006) and Cellerciser rebounders as well as used them both. However, in my opinion, the Cellerciser is second to none in the rebounding industry and David Hall's quality craftmanship makes this product a joy to use each day. Consequently, I now only endorse / sell the Cellerciser on eBay.

If you take a few minutes and watch the above video narrated by David Hall, you'll better understand why I recommend that you invest in your health by purchasing a Cellerciser rebounder. Dollar for dollar, the Cellerciser is an incredible value.

Again, check out some of my other HubPages if you would like to learn more about the Cellercise program and how it can make your life happier and healthier in just 10 minutes a day.

To purchase your own Cellerciser rebounder, please visit TheBestRebounder.com.