Health is wealth, and you if you don’t have time to go to a gym, it will be a good idea to invest in a treadmill. There are many companies that sell treadmills in the market and the prices of these products vary by quite a bit. Should you get the cheapest one that money can buy? No, because this could affect the durability and quality of the product which is supposed to last for the next few years at least.

So what should you look for in a treadmill? The first thing you should consider is how much you can spend. A good treadmill will cost you a $1,000 or more so if you don’t have that amount just yet, you should consider saving for it or buying a used one.  Yes, you can buy treadmills for as cheap as a couple of hundred dollars, but these are going to be very cheaply made and not offer much in the way of longevity.  If you get something for under 500 bucks, you can bet that it is not really suitable for jogging or running on it, even though the manufacturer will probably claim that this is not a problem.  In fact, such a cheap machine is not going to have the durability or the weight needed to withstand the constant pounding and abuse that you are sure to give it. 

So in this case, instead of buying a cheaper model that is not going to last long, or paying several thousand dollars on a quality model that is out of your budget, you might consider the idea of buying a high quality model that is used as as sort of compromise. 

You can look for a used treadmill by going online and looking in newspapers. You can also go to a fitness club and inquire about any used equipment that they have as this helps them purchase new machines. Should this be way beyond your budget, practice the art of negotiation so you can knock of a hundred dollars or more its selling price.

When you finally have the money to buy a new treadmill, look carefully at the features. Does it have different programs to choose from so can you start using it regardless of your skill level? Can it be inclined so you can exercise as though you are climbing uphill?

The belt size is also important as this will enable you to walk or run using the treadmill carefully. As a general rule, be sure that the belt size is at least 48 inches long and 16 inches in width. If this is not written in the tag, bring along a tape measure so you are sure of the measurement.

Take a look at the motor as this is what will drive the treadmill. Ideally, you should get a machine that can give you 1.5 to 2 horsepower at continuous duty. As this will wear out due to wear and tear, see to it that it comes with at least a one year warranty.

Space is sometimes a problem when choosing a treadmill. To solve this problem, try to get one that is foldable so it can be pushed inside the closet when it is not being used.

Before you choose to buy the treadmill, don’t forget to test it as this will save you time in returning the product if you are not satisfied with it.

Staying fit is what everyone should do and investing in a cheap treadmill is not the only solution. You have to be satisfied with the motor, the belt size, and its features so you feel comfortable using it every time you set foot on the machine.

You might want to test yourself out and do a trial where you walk outdoors every day before buying the treadmill.  The question is: do you really have the motivation to use the thing every day?  If not, it is probably a wasted purchase.  Most people fall into the trap of believing that if they buy the equipment, then they will feel guilty about buying it and force themselves to use it in order to justify the purchase.  This never, ever works of course, and so it is wise instead to put yourself on a trial run by forcing yourself to walk every day before taking the plunge.  If you find yourself resenting the walk and not following through with it on most days, then the same thing is likely to occur when you buy the treadmill.  Test this out beforehand and find out how serious you are about your motivation.