Determining Quality Levels
This is the most difficult part of buying a treadmill. There are some great marketing people in the treadmill business. Their goal is to make you think that their treadmill is worth much more than someone else’s treadmill, regardless of price.Although it is difficult to absolutely determine quality from the price of the product, it is still the best way to separate the quality levels of treadmills. It makes sense as well. A manufacturer has to spend more money on a better quality treadmill. Therefore, they have to charge more for it as well. In some cases, you pay for a name brand but on our web site at treadmilldoctor.com our Treadmill Review section and our Best Buy picks will help you discover which ones are better than others from a quality perspective.
So, let’s separate quality levels by price ranges. We separate the quality levels with $500 increments (i.e.- $0 to $500, $500 to $1,000, $1,000 to $1,500, etc.). Each price range should be considered a step up in quality. Therefore, if you are single, weigh over 200 lbs., and will use the treadmill 90 minutes per day (remember our earlier example), you will need a treadmill that is in at least in the $1,000 to $1,500 price range.
Determining Treadmill User Variables
There are many variables to consider but here are the three main variables you must consider when purchasing a treadmill:- User weight: The weight of the users makes a difference in how the treadmill runs. Many treadmills have trouble when user weight goes much over 200 lbs. For every 50 lbs. of weight over 200 lbs. of the heaviest user, go up one level in quality. For instance, if the heaviest user is 350 lbs., select a treadmill that is three levels above the bare minimum, or in this case it would be in the $1,500 to $2,000 price range.
- Workout Time: We consider normal use 30 minutes per day each for 2 people. For each extra 30 minutes of use per day, go up 1 level in quality. So if the heaviest user is under 200 lbs. but the total use per day will be 2 hours, the minimum quality treadmill you need is up 2 levels in the $1,000 to $1,500 range.
- Number of Users: The number of users is the third critical area to consider. 2 people is considered normal. For each additional person using the treadmill, go up 1 level in quality. So if the heaviest user is under 200 lbs. and the amount of use is less than 1 hour per day but you have 3 people using the treadmill, you will need a treadmill at least 1 step up in the $500 to $1,000 range.
