September 4, 2008
By Bill Gatton

If you make the choice to purchase fitness equipment, specifically the kind that allows you to walk indoors, you should be prepared with a collection of hints and tips organized into a treadmill buying guide. Lots of important factors should play a role in your decision making, and it is always best to have a plan before entering a store. If you rush off to the store uneducated or unaware of what would be considered a good bargain, you are sure to be disappointed.

Your number one consideration is price. This will shape all of your other decisions concerning the treadmill. Treadmills can vary in price by thousands of dollars, so in order to know what features to shop for you are going to need to set a price range. For a very reasonable amount of money, you can find a perfectly good treadmill, but it will not have as many fancy gadgets as a more expensive machine. In order to be pleased with your purchase, know what you can afford ahead of time. This way you don't get attached to something you cannot afford.

Once your price range is set, consider if buying used equipment would satisfy your treadmill needs. Exercise equipment is a great value when buying used. Consider how many times you have heard about someone with the best intentions at the beginning of the year, rushing out to purchase new fitness equipment only to have the dream die by March. Often, people just want to be rid of the machine and they will practically beg you to take it off their hands. If you are in search of a more elaborate piece of equipment but you don't think you can afford it, buying used may be a wise option. Shop around, ask questions and thoroughly examine the machine before purchasing and you may just get a great bargain.

If price is not a concern or you are unable to find what you are looking for second-hand, you will want to try a fitness superstore to satisfy your treadmill buying needs. You can feel confident that they will back their product and stand behind what they sell you. You may not get individualized customer service since they are usually busy and possibly not an expert in any one particular sport. An additional benefit to buying new is the warranty that will cover your purchase. Some stores may even offer additional coverage for a small fee. If you are entering your shopping experience knowing exactly what machine you want, the fitness superstore may be the way to go.