Looking for the best recommended treadmill?

You have lots of options when it comes to treadmills. And there’s lots of recommendations and information out there to research.

This article will give you 3 tips on how to find the best recommended treadmills including where to look and what to watch out for.

#1 Read Expert Reviews

Having run a treadmill review based website for over 6 years, I can tell you that there are some excellent expert reviews out there.

For example, some of the top consumer magazines like Consumer Guide usually come out with their best recommended treadmills around January or February of each year. These can give you a great idea of the strengths and weaknesses of different treadmill models.

However there are a few things to be aware of.

First of all, these magazines can’t possibly test out every treadmill that’s on the market – so they only test out a limited selection. And they don’t always have the magazine space to give you all the details you want to know on each model – so further research is necessary.

Also, most of these ratings come out at the beginning of the year. Most new treadmill models are released at the end of the year (around Sept – November).

So for example, a treadmill that’s rated as a ‘best buy’ in January of 2010 may actually be discontinued (or even replaced by a newer model) by December of 2010.

And most of the time, the newer models are usually better than last years models – meaning they offer you more for the money like longer treadbelts or newer fitness programs, etc.

Just to give you an example there’s one treadmill that’s still quite popular due to a Consumer magazine “Best Buy” rating back in 2007. This particular treadmill is still being sold through stores – however because it hasn’t changed in 3 years, there are actually ‘better’ treadmills out there – newer, more up-to-date models.

So this treadmill isn’t really a ‘best buy’ when you compare it to today’s similarly priced models. But people are still buying this treadmill, probably based on an old “Best Buy” rating.

#2 Read User Reviews

User reviews can give you a great overall view of what other buyers think of certain treadmills. And since everyone has their own unique needs and expectations, these reviews can really help you get an overall picture of what you should know about your treadmill.

You can find user reviews on many different sites including epinions and even some treadmill sellers websites.

One thing to keep in mind however is that many user reviews are done almost immediately after the buyer has received the treadmill (1 week, 1 month, 3 months, etc.).

This gives you a great picture of what to expect from shipping and setup of the treadmill, but it doesn’t tell you how the treadmill holds up over the long run.

If you’re looking for a long-lasting treadmill, look at other factors besides user reviews like construction quality (size of bearings, deck and belt thickness, motor strength, etc.) and brand reputation.

#3 Decide For Yourself

After you’ve read reviews – take some time to educate yourself on what to look for when buying a treadmill. Then look at different treadmill specs and offerings.

After you’ve done this, you’re in a great position to decide for yourself which treadmill would best suit your needs.

For example, if you’re a runner you’ll probably be looking for a strong deck, high-powered motor and good cushioning. If you get bored easily you may want lots of entertainment options like iPod docks, specialized fitness programs or even a built-in TV.

Everyone is different so while finding the best recommended treadmill can give you an idea of which treadmills are quality machines – the final decision is up to you.

You are the expert on what you need and want. If you’ve taken the time to do your research, you’re well on your way to finding the best treadmill for you.

Author Bio: Kathryn ONeill writes for http://www.TreadmillReview.net a site helping you get a better treadmill for less. For the latest treadmill reviews, ratings and discounts visit Home Treadmill Reviews

Category: Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Keywords: best recommended treadmill,recommended treadmill,ratings,rated