It's no secret that walking and running are great cardio exercises that can help you lose weight and also improve your overall health at the same time. That's why home treadmills have become so common in recent years. A home treadmill has so many advantages, especially for very busy people who find it hard to fit going to a gym into their daily routine. Instead, if you have a half hour or so, just jump on the treadmill and get your workout done whenever time allows in the day.

But shopping for home treadmills can be confusing due to the number of choices that you have to select from. So what do you need to be looking for when you compare treadmills? Here are few suggestions to keep in mind:

* First decide how you intend to actually use your machine. Will you be walking or jogging/running? It's important to know because it will affect how much you have to pay for your treadmill. If you only intend to walk, you won't be putting that much strain on the unit and you can most likely find a home machine that will fit your needs in the $1,000 category. However, if you intend to run you will be inflicting a lot more pressure on the treadmill as you do and you should expect to pay at least $2,000 or more to get a quality unit.

* Knowing how you intend to use the treadmill is important for another reason. If you only intend to walk, you won't need a machine that goes above about 5mph. If you plan on running though, expect to get a machine that will go at least 10mph or more in order to be able to give you a thorough workout.

* Make sure that the ride is stable and smooth too. You don't want any jerky motions as you exercise, and you want the treadmill to feel very solid, from the deck all the way up to the handrails. The handrails in particular must be strong and able to support your weight if needed. Of course the more you pay, generally the more strength and sturdiness is built into each machine.

* Listen for the noise that a treadmill makes at the speed that you intend to use it. One of the biggest problems that treadmill users have to deal with is boredom while they exercise, so many turn to watching TV or listening to music to alleviate the repetitive routine. If the treadmill is too loud it can be difficult to even hear a TV in the same room while it is running. Much of that has to do with the motor that is used, so crank up the treadmill first and see how loud it sounds.

There are other considerations to have when you compare treadmills, but these are a good start to help you get a feel for the machine that will best fit you and your workout routine. As always, it's best to actually test drive any treadmill in person before you buy it either at a store or on online.