Treadmills will likely continue their reign as the top used cardio product in homes for many years to come—even with growing trends in strength training, small group training and HIIT. They should remain a top consideration on your list of equipment to trade-in, add or refresh.
It can be easy to think “a treadmill is just a treadmill.” But that’s far from the case. With all of the options to choose from, the decision can be daunting. Here are some key factors to take into consideration when looking for a treadmill.
MANUFACTURER’S HISTORY OF DEVELOPING TREADMILLS
How long has the company been in business. Do you see their product in other homes and facilities?
FEEDBACK FROM OTHERS WHO OWN THE TREADMILLS YOU ARE CONSIDERING
Before you lock in your decision to buy make sure to get feedback from others who had used or own the product. Ask how frequently it needs to be serviced or if there are any complaints they have with it. Read reviews and be thorough.
TRADE-IN VALUE
How much will your treadmill be worth if you want to replace it months or years down the line? When buying a treadmill one might want to look at the trade in value to determine if it’s worth buying. High trade-in values mean the product is considered to be high quality and sought after in the fitness market.
WEAR AND TEAR
How long can you use the treadmill before the parts needs to be maintenanced or replaced? Is the treadmill still under warranty? Is that part or the treadmill under warranty? Even if the part is under warranty the downtime from not working out could potentially be costly. Always consider the quality and cost of maintaining products you buy.
The list of treadmill options can be daunting. Narrow your search by comparing a few of them.