Why You Should Avoid Buying a Cheap Treadmill

If you’re considering investing in a treadmill for your health and fitness efforts, make sure you don’t buy a cheap treadmill just to save a few bucks. A treadmill should be a long-term investment and if you sacrifice for the cost now, you may regret it later.

The minimum price on a quality treadmill will run anywhere from $1,000 to $1,500. The Sole 5.45 treadmill is an example of a high-quality machine that you can get for around $1,000. Treadmills that you find in national retail stores for under $1,000 may be a bargain now, but may prove to be quite a headache for you down the road.

A quality machine may cost a little more upfront, but it will last longer, will have a better warranty, and will provide a better exercise experience. Inexpensive treadmills break down quickly, usually have warranties that expire shortly after you buy it – typically 90 days, and provide an awful workout.

Many people buy a treadmill so that they don’t have to pay more money to join a gym. That’s a great strategy if you buy a quality machine. Consider the alternative if you don’t. What if you buy a cheap treadmill with a 90 day warranty and it breaks down four months later and it’s too expensive to fix? Not only will you not be able to exercise, but you’ll be out more money because you’ll have to buy another treadmill or join the gym after all.

Treadmills take a lot of abuse as it is, but if you’re using the treadmill to jog or run, you’re putting even more stress on the machine. A quality treadmill is built to handle the impact of your workout over the long term. Cheap treadmills, like those you may find in Wal-Mart and other chain retail stores, are not built to withstand these demands and will break down very quickly if you do a lot of jogging and running on them.

Before you invest in a treadmill, think about how you will be using it. If you plan on walking primarily, then you can probably get by with as little as $1,000. However, if you jog or run you should expect to pay a minimum of $1,500 and as much as $2,500 if you run most of the time.

Don’t compromise your long-term fitness goals by skimping on the quality of the treadmill you buy today. You may have to pay a little more upfront for a higher quality machine, but you’ll actually save money in the long run with fewer repairs and headaches!