If you're set to invest in a serious piece of indoor exercise fitness equipment, like a treadmill, then help is here. Treadmills are simple to use, but can be dangerous in the wrong hands or around children. One of the most popular, if not the most popular, pieces of home exercise equipment today is the treadmill.

With treadmills you need to watch out for the impact involved when your feet hit the belt; your body absorbs up to two and a half times your body weight. Check out the amount of horsepower (HP): HP determines how fast and hard the motor will work - the lower the number of the HP, the less the motor will be able to handle. The word treadmill originally designated a type of mill which was operated by a person treading steps of a wheel to grind grain.

The deck is the belt area on which actual running, jogging and walking take place. A heart rate monitor enables a treadmill to automatically adjust the speed and/or the incline to keep your heart rate within the most optimum zone. The more expensive treadmill models will offer a selection of preprogrammed exercise routines.

Display panels should be easy to read and straightforward to operate. A heart rate monitor is a very good, useful feature to look for on a machine. Some excellent features, like heart monitors and safety keys that automatically stop the treadmill if you slip, will contribute to the enjoyment and safety of your treadmill workout or help add motivation.

A pre-programmed workout registers your heart rate without being connected to the treadmill by a cord or wire. Notice that some treadmill heart rate monitors clip onto an ear or, for more accurate readings, strap onto the chest.

Keep in mind that what feels right to you may not accommodate others around you as comfortably. When your equipment is up and running, get the right lubricants and cleaners to take good care of it. You'll probably want to buy a unit with a motor that delivers 1.5 to 3 continuous, not peak, horsepower.

Be aware the better quality treadmills can cost as much as $5000 and have a lot of bells and whistles you don't need. To make sure that your treadmill is sturdy and comfortable and doesn't operate noisily, start it up, step on it and test it out before you buy, if possible. It's important to set a strict budget and then stick to it.

Your club commercial machine may be may be a good choice in a home version; you're already familiar with its features and probably are comfortable using it. If you're planning to use a treadmill purely for walking you're not likely to need an expensive top-of-the-line machine. Warranties can last for ninety days or a lifetime, read the fine print.

The taller a person is the longer their stride so you'll need to choose a treadmill with a longer and wider belt. You'll want a treadmill with an aluminum or high alloy steel frame that's strong enough to support the heaviest runner who'll be using it.

The first thing to consider when shopping for a home treadmill is what you need it to do for you. Make sure to add the cost of shipping when buying a treadmill online; quality models can be heavy and shipping will cost more, but some manufacturers do offer free shipping.

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. To get even more workouts, think about making your treadmill into a walking, working office by adding a mini-platform to the side rails.

Make sure to see your doctor or naturopathic doctor before you start any new fitness or exercise program. Selections of preprogrammed exercise routines are not essential to obtaining a good workout from a treadmill, but they do help to provide motivation.

And remember, home exercise treadmills are a large investment financially and in your fitness and much thought and preparation should go into the purchase of any new treadmill. Take time to do your research, the same way you would any major purchase and buying a treadmill won't be difficult. So now you know just what to look for when buying a treadmill.