Treadmill Buying Guide - What to Look For When Buying a Treadmill

Buying a treadmill? There are so many brands and features to choose from. How do you know which treadmill is best for you?

This treadmill buying guide will tell you exactly what to look for when buying your treadmill. Knowing this will help you choose the best treadmill for your fitness needs (and it might even save you some money!)

So here's what to look at when buying a treadmill:

Motor:

The motor is the heart of your treadmill. Motor power is measured by horsepower - HP. Unless your treadmill has a strong motor (at least 1.5 horsepower) you can quickly wear it out, even if only moderately walking.

When looking at motors and horsepower, there are two different ratings:

- Continuous Duty (which is the rating for steady, continual 24 hour motor use), and
- Peak Duty (which is the maximum power potential, however it cannot be maintained).

When looking at treadmills you want to know the Continuous Duty motor power. It's recommended that you go with at least a 1.75 HP continuous duty (CD) motor (preferably higher).

For runners or those planning heavy use of their treadmills, experts recommend at least a 2.5 - 3 HP continuous duty motor so that your motor doesn't quickly burn out on you and end up costing you in expensive treadmill repairs.

Buying Tip: Many cheaper treadmill brands will often give you the Peak Duty motor power (since it's always higher than the Continuous Duty rating) just to impress unsuspecting buyers. Make sure you know the continuous duty rating when comparing units.

Frame:

There are two types of frames: aluminum or steel (NEVER plastic!). Steel is heavier than aluminum which potentially increases stability. However steel may also rust or corrode from sweat (unlike aluminum).

So there are advantages and disadvantages to both and it really boils down to a matter of personal choice. One thing to keep in mind however is that aluminum is more expensive than steel so it may be built into the price of the treadmill.

Belt:

Average treadbelt widths range from 17" to 22" and lengths from 51" to 61". Never go below a belt width of 16" and make sure that the belt is long enough to accommodate your stride.

If you are tall and/or have long legs, it's better to go with a longer belt (54" or more). Make sure you also consider anyone else who will be using the treadmill and their height as well.

Cushioning:

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

Many quality treadmills have their own form of cushioning system to protect you. Make sure your treadmill has a quality cushioning system to protect your joints over the long run.

Stability:

According to Runner's World, stability is the most important quality in a treadmill. Stability is how smooth a ride the treadmill provides you. There should be no shaking or wobbling when you start to run.

Generally with treadmills you get what you pay for. For a high stability, high quality treadmill you should be willing to spend at least $1000, and definitely more if you plan on using it heavily. There's no use spending $500-600 on something you're scared to use.

Console/Display:

Consider both the layout and user-friendliness of the information displays and controls. This is largely a matter of personal preference since some people want to see a constant display of calories burned or miles covered,etc.

For safety concerns, make sure the speed and incline controls are prominently displayed and easy to reach.

Heart Rate Monitor/Control:

Again, this is largely a personal preference whether or not you want to monitor your heart rate. A heart rate monitor simply shows you at what rate your heart is beating while you work out.

Some people like to take a step up and get a heart rate control which can actually adjust the treadmill pace to keep you in your target fat-burning zone.

Warranty:

Treadmill warranties vary across the board and again, you usually get what you pay for. Don't waste your money buying an added warranty when most quality treadmills include a good warranty in the price already.

Buying Tip: The warranty gives you a good idea of the quality of parts used in building the treadmill (ever wondered why those cheap department store brands only offer you 90 day warranties?).

A quality warranty will include at least 10 years on the frame, 3 years on the motor, 2 years on parts and 1 year on labor. (Keep in mind that the motor is usually the most expensive to fix).

Price:

A quality motorized treadmill is going to cost you at least $1000. The quality of treadmills (cushioning, construction, parts, quality) drops substantially once you go below $800.

According to expert Gregory Florez, spokesperson for the American Council on Exercise, "Just about anything under $900 is not made to be used over the long haul."

There are ways to save on your treadmill of course (buy direct, online wholesalers, etc.) but the bottom line is that a treadmill is an investment in your health. It will last you 10 years or more so you really want to invest in a quality unit built to last.

Where to Buy A Treadmill:

There are a number of options here but they mainly fall into 2 categories:

#1) Store

#2) Online

- Store Advantages: You can actually try out the treadmill.

- Store Disadvantages: You'll probably pay more for the same treadmill you can get online simply because the store has overhead costs and salespeople to pay. Stores will also charge you for shipping and delivery and you'll also pay sales tax.

- Internet Disadvantages: You can't try out the treadmill

- Internet Advantages: You can save a lot of money buying direct from the manufacturer, sometimes $600 or more. You can usually get free shipping and save on sales tax too. Plus you have a larger selection of treadmill to choose from so you may be able to find a treadmill that is more suited to your needs.

It really comes down to what you're comfortable with.

So that's it! You now know what to look for when buying a treadmill. Just remember to take your time and select a treadmill that fits your fitness goals. And you're guaranteed to find the best treadmill for you.

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Tips For Buying - New Home Construction

When buying new home construction, it is important to consider what type of home you desire. Consider whether or not it is important to you that your home style is different from others in the neighborhood or subdivision. For some buyers it is important to build something unique that will stand out among other homes, while other buyers are not concerned with the individuality of the home and just want something reasonably priced and comfortable.

Once you have decided which type of new home construction you want it is time to choose the area and a builder and then get started. Below are some tips to help you through the new home construction process:

o Select a builder you can trust. With a plethora of new home construction builders out there, you can afford to be choosy. You don't have to go with the first one you learn about or interview. Take the time to learn as much about a particular builder as possible for entering into the builder-buyer relationship. Research online to find reviews about the builder. Even better is to find a builder through recommendations of trusted friends who have worked with the builder or know someone who has. Getting as much information you can about the builder's history and track record will help you to choose the right one for your new home construction project.

o Take your time in choosing the style and layout of your home. When you are excited about building, there is a tendency to rush through the steps so you can be in your home sooner than later. The problem with this is that you may end up with a home that doesn't meet your expectations. It's better to take your time. Consider visiting a number of model homes to identify features you would like to include in your new home construction. Because this is your dream home, it makes sense to be thorough in your research, so you get it right the first time.

o Check in during the building process. Stay in contact with the builder to make sure you are happy with the progress as it happens. It is your home, so you should be able to ask questions or even ask the builder to do something differently if you wish.

o Keep tabs on the money you are spending during the new home construction. While most new home constructions come with a base price, it is common to add costs on as you build. An upgrade here and a change there really add up over time, so you want to keep tabs on the changes and additional money spent, so you don't end up much deeper in debt than you had intended.

o Prepare yourself for delays in the process. A builder may give you an ideal time frame, but it is unlikely that every step will go as planned. Factors like weather, supply shortage and builder mistakes can cause delays, so go into the new home construction knowing this may happen.

Buying new home construction can be less predictable than a traditional real estate transaction, yet the result can be highly rewarding. Owning a home that you built brings satisfaction and a sense of comfort, making the effort and time well worth it.

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Buying Homes Pre-Construction

Many people hear about buying homes in the pre-construction phase of development and having the home value skyrocket in the first few years. The stories usually involve someone "getting in" during the early phases of development when the builders offer good incentives and competitive pricing. These homes can be great investments, but deals like these are harder to find now than they were even five years ago. So, talk to your real estate agent about pre-construction homes (and investing in the Charleston area in general) if this is something you are interested in.

A lot of our clients have opted to buy homes pre-construction because they need time to sell their current home. Building a new home in Charleston usually takes anywhere from four to nine months. We have found that new construction is the best way for people to go ahead and buy a home (reserving a price in the market) but also postpone their closing date (giving them time to sell their house). Along the same lines, most builders only require you to put down a small amount (anywhere from $1,000-15,000 depending on price of house) upfront. After you make this payment, you don't usually pay any more until the house is built and you close on it. So, if you are still making mortgage payments on your current home, you don't have to worry about making double mortgage payments until the time that your house sells. Also, if you are an investor, it would be beneficial for you to try to not close for a while so that you can capture the appreciation of the home.

Another benefit of buying homes pre-construction is that you know your home will be low maintenance. Builders are required by law to give specific minimum warranties to ensure that you don't face any major problems during the first few years of living in your new home. One of the warranties is a minimum of 1-year "bumper to bumper" warranty which ensures that everything in the home is covered by the builder. There is also a 2-year warranty that covers all systems (electrical, plumbing, heating and air conditioning, etc.) in the home. Another warranty is the 10-year structural warranty which covers foundation and other structural problems.

An obvious benefit of buying pre-construction homes is that you get to choose many features in your home. Depending on the progress of construction, you can often choose flooring, cabinetry, light and plumbing fixtures, etc. You can either go with the upgrades, or you can keep the standard features in order to keep costs down. If you are buying a home during the early phases of development, you can usually choose which floor plan you want to use and even which lot you want to build on.

Although there are plenty of benefits of buying new homes, there are also some drawbacks. New construction homes sometimes sit on smaller-sized lots compared to older homes. Older lot sizes in Charleston are typically about 1/3 of an acre, while newer lots are generally ¼ of an acre. These averages vary according to area, and you'll find larger lots in general in areas that are farther out in Charleston. Another drawback of pre-construction homes is that you don't have a definite closing date. Due to weather and building permits, the builders don't always close on time. A third drawback is that people can't always walk through the house and see how it looks before you buy. New construction neighborhoods almost always have a model home to show you examples of finishings and upgrades. Although these homes have different layouts and features, they can still give you an idea of the quality of work you can expect from the builder.

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