When it comes to buying a treadmill you want to be confident in your final decision. A treadmill is a big expense which is why it’s essential to thoroughly research which treadmill will be the best suited for your home. To help start your research, here are some of the top treadmill brands and what they offer.
Before You Start Shopping
Before you start looking into which treadmill you want to buy, you first need to ask yourself a few questions.
- What is your price range? If you’re serious about buying a treadmill, you need to be prepared to spend quite a bit of money. Come up with a price range that is best suited for you and your family, that way when you start shopping you can immediately rule out those treadmills that are more money than you’re comfortable spending.
- How often do you plan on using your treadmill? How many miles you’re planning to put on your treadmill matters a great deal. If you plan on running 25 miles a week, versus only 5 miles or less, that’s going to play a significant difference in the type of machine you’re going to want to get.
- What are you using it for? Are you wanting to train for marathons? Do you want to use it to get in shape? Will this be your primary method of getting exercise? Will it predominately be a coat rack? These are all questions you need to figure out before you start shopping for your treadmill.
- Are features important to you? Some treadmills come with very limited features, you can just hop on it and run. But if you want a treadmill that you can plug your iPod in to, have your own personal trainer, be able to watch tv, connect to the internet, or have pre designed workouts installed, you need to know which features you can’t live without.
- Do you want it to incline? You need to know if you want your treadmill to have incline or decline capabilities. These features can add a lot to your workout but they usually cost more money, so you need to know if this is a priority for you.
- Is Space an Issue? If you have limited space, you’re probably going to want a folding treadmill that you can tuck away when you’re done exercising.
Once you’ve answered all of these questions you will be better prepared to start shopping for your treadmill. When you’ve found a treadmill that you think might meet all of your needs, make sure to read other people’s reviews on that same machine. Their insight can go a long way in helping you to make your final decision.
Nordictrack
Nordictrack treadmills are produced by ICON Health & Fitness and are the number one manufacturer of home treadmills. These treadmills are especially known for their interactive iFit workouts. Their commercial series treadmills will run for thousands of miles because of their durability. Nordictrack engineers have designed these treadmills with commercial grade steel so you’ll know they’ll last. You’ll have peace of mind when you buy a Nordictrack, because most review sites rate these treadmills as a “Best Buy”. The prices of these treadmills range from $799- $3,499.
ProForm
ProForm treadmills are a great option for those who value features like iFit and music speakers but who are looking to save some money. There are different series of treadmills that increase in price as more specs are included, starting with the Performance 400i that is priced at $599. Their most expensive treadmill is called the Boston Marathon 4.0 which is priced at $2,999 and has been featured in Runner’s World.
Sole
Sole treadmills are commonly found in hotel fitness centers and residential workout rooms because they are are solid treadmills that are built to last. If you’re looking for a a folding treadmill, it’s a good idea to start looking here because many have rated them as the best folding treadmill. Sole treadmills are also well known for their amazing warranties. When you buy a Sole treadmill you get lifetime coverage on the frame, motor, and deck on top of 5 years on parts and 2 on labor. You’ll have peace of mind owning a Sole because of their awesome warranty. These treadmills run anywhere from $899 to $3,499.
Horizon
Horizon Fitness is part of Johnson Health Tech based in Cottage Grove, Wisconsin. If you’re not looking for a ton of fancy features that will end up costing a lot more money, Horizon treadmills are a great place to start looking. The T101 for example is a folding treadmill that includes 30 console programs, has won various awards for quality and reliability and also has a lifetime warranty on their frame and motor, all for only $649. By reading other buyers reviews on this treadmill you will have a better idea if it will be a good fit for you. However, if you’re looking for a treadmill that has more features Horizon also offers plenty of options to choose from there too. The prices for these treadmills range from $649- $2,499.
LifeSpan
LifeSpan Fitness is a company based out of Salt Lake City, Utah that offers a variety of treadmills for every fitness level. About.com, Runner’s World, Treadmill Doctor, and Consumer Guide have all ranked these treadmills high in their yearly reviews. Both their Home and Pro Series treadmills come standard with 17 pre-programmed workouts designed by exercise physiologists to make your workout even more effective. When you buy a LifeSpan treadmill you also become lifetime member of the Club, where you are able to upload the data from your workout into their online health management program. These treadmills range in price from $799 to $7,495.
Purchasing a treadmill doesn’t have to be a stressful decision, once you’ve asked yourself what you want in a treadmill, you can start looking for one that meets all of your needs. Each of these 5 treadmill brands have simpler machines for those just looking to run, and more advanced treadmills equipped with helpful features to help you train and get the most out of your workout. These brands all have amazing reviews, making them a perfect place to start your search.