Cheap Treadmills
If you’re looking to purchase a cheap treadmill you should keep in mind that you might not get all the features and gadgets you’re hoping for. Most budget-priced treadmills are designed for walking and light jogging since the platforms usually aren’t long enough for a runners stride. A lot of economical treadmills also aren’t stable enough to handle running and don’t come equipped with strong motors. If you want a built-in LCD screen or heart rate monitor you’ll probably have to spend more money on an expensive treadmill. These treadmills also come with a larger and sturdier deck for runners. However, if walking is going to be your only form of exercise you’ll probably do fine with a cheap treadmill. Walking doesn’t put too much strain on the motor and the construction of the treadmill itself can be less sturdy because walking is low-impact.
You should also make sure that you get the features you want when you’re shopping for a new treadmill. Do you need a heart-rate monitor? Monitoring your heart rate during exercise is important to make sure you don’t exercise your body to dangerous high levels. Some treadmills come equipped with a heart rate monitor already built-in. Less expensive treadmills have the heart rate monitor built into the hand rails. In order to monitor your heart rate you must be holding the rails which can sometimes be difficult during a high intense workout. A monitor that straps directly to your chest is more convenient but is usually only available on more expensive treadmills in the range of $1500 and up.
You might also want to find a find a treadmill that has a folding deck or platform. This allows you to store your treadmill when you’re not using it. This can be essential if you live in a small space and can’t leave your treadmill out all the time. However, if you’re lucky enough to have an exercise room dedicated to workout equipment this feature will be less essential. Keep in mind that folding treadmills are usually less stable and less suitable for those that need to do a lot of running on their treadmill. A treadmill that doesn’t fold will probably take up as much space in the room as a small couch.