Looking to buy the best treadmill?

No doubt you've probably done a lot of research already. You most likely know exactly what makes up a high quality machine and have an idea of which features you want in your unit.

However, even when they know what to look for, many people get taken in by slick treadmill "deals" that are not really deals at all - and end up costing them dearly over time.

To keep this from happening to you, here are 3 buying tips to help you find the treadmill that's best for you:

Buying Tip #1 - Not All Brands Are the Same

One buyer emailed me recently and asked about buying a treadmill. He'd narrowed it down to 3 choices:

Brand A: 2.5 HP motor $999

Brand B: 1.75 HP motor $899

Brand C: 2.0 HP motor $1099

He was wondering which treadmill I thought was best. He was obviously leaning towards Brand A.

This makes sense - get the most motor power for the least money.

But my answer wasn't what he expected to hear. I would go with Brand C.

Here's the reason:

It's true that Brand A looks great on paper.

But Brand C has a reputation for building high quality treadmills with long warranties and commercial grade construction. Brand C also has high user reviews and several expert "Best Buys".

Brand A on the other hand doesn't have a great reputation with buyers, has never won any expert awards and offers a 90-day motor warranty. What does that tell you about the quality of parts?

When buying a treadmill, try to look at the whole context - including the brand. Not all brands are created equal. Look for a brand that has a good reputation with good reviews from both experts and buyers.

Buying Tips #2 - Don't Always Trust the Salesperson

Not to put down any salespeople. But everyone makes mistakes - and sometimes you'll be the one paying for it.

Here's an example.

Another lady emailed me asking about buying a treadmill. She was leaning towards one model specifically. She'd been informed by the salesperson that it carried a lifetime motor warranty.

But when she gave me the treadmill model name, I knew there had to be a mistake somewhere. This particular brand never gives lifetime motor warranties - ever.

So I asked her to check her facts again. She did and it turns out that the treadmill salesperson was mistaken. She was only covered for a year on the motor. That mistake could have cost her dearly.

So make sure to do your research, ask for the specs in writing and don't always trust what the salesperson says - especially if it sounds too good to be true.

Buying Tip #3 Consider Extra Expenses Before Choosing the Best Treadmill

Many people compare prices when choosing a treadmill. And that's logical. But sometimes prices can mislead you.

For example, let's say you're deciding between 2 treadmills - both priced at $999. They have many of the same features. But option #1 comes with Free Shipping. Option #2 charges $150 for shipping. And Option #2 does include extra warranty coverage - if you pay an $80 fee. So in reality option #1 is the cheaper treadmill. All else being equal, it's the best treadmill buy.

So when shopping for a treadmill, consider the extra expenses like shipping, extra warranty charges or even workout program software when comparing treadmill prices. This gives you you a much better idea of the best treadmill for your budget.

So to summarize those are 3 important buying tips when choosing a home treadmill. Keep them in mind and you're well on your way to a treadmill you'll love to use.