Treadmill belt widths generally range from 17" to 22" and lengths from 51" to 61". Always choose a belt width that's at least of 16 " ands long enough to accommodate your stride. A few treadmill models, which have rollers, are powered by the user rather than a motor.

Display panels should be easy to read and straightforward to operate. People, who don't have enough room for a bulky exercise machine, may want to consider a folding treadmill; they collapse to allow for easy storage. A heart rate monitor is a very good, useful feature to look for on a machine.

Quite a few of the treadmills available today have the ability to add an incline to your workout to duplicate running or walking uphill, thereby increasing the intensity of your workout. Features such as extra cup holders, built-in fans, CD players and other electronic gizmos may be handy but not essential for you to get an ideal workout. Some treadmills monitor your heart by way of sensors built into the frame that are gripped by your hands, but can only be done if you're walking not running.

Notice that some treadmill heart rate monitors clip onto an ear or, for more accurate readings, strap onto the chest. Safety features on a treadmill are especially important if you plan to work out alone or if you have small children who might accidentally start up the treadmill.

Commercial club treadmills are reliable and well constructed; do look into a home version. After-sales service is another important issue to think about; find out if they'll promptly repair or replace your treadmill if there is a problem. One indication of the likely longevity of any treadmill is to check out the length of the manufacturer's warranty; the longer the better.

You'll probably want to buy a unit with a motor that delivers 1.5 to 3 continuous, not peak, horsepower. It's best to buy a treadmill that has at least a one-year warranty. Buying fitness equipment over the Internet has grown at a fast pace over the past few years.

Less expensive treadmill models may be fine for walkers but may not hold up as well for regular or seasoned runners. If you're looking for a heavy-duty treadmill that can withstand running as well as walking, be prepared to spend more money. If you're planning to use a treadmill purely for walking you're not likely to need an expensive top-of-the-line machine.

When buying a treadmill, the best savings will be for an online purchase, generally saving up to 45% over brick and mortar stores. When your equipment is up and running, get the right lubricants and cleaners to take good care of it.

Check out the level of noise that a treadmill makes during operation; something that many buyers overlook. Warranties can last for ninety days or a lifetime, read the fine print.

Treadmills are known to provide one of the best ways to improve cardiovascular fitness. The more programs the treadmill has to offer the more you can vary your workout and you'll be likely to continue exercising on a regular basis. Be careful, because any type of jogging or running, whether on a treadmill or not, puts strain on leg and hip joints. As you increase your fitness levels, a quality treadmill will continue to assist your exercise needs as you progress to light jogging or to running.

If you've never used a treadmill before, make sure to have someone show you the basics of operation before you buy. Take time to do your research, the same way you would any major purchase and buying a treadmill won't be difficult. Buying a treadmill is an excellent investment for getting into shape, understanding of course, that you actually use it.