Treadmill Prices

 The Truth Behind Treadmill Prices

Walking and running is a great exercise, and using a treadmill in the privacy of your own home can’t be beat. But when you start looking around at the price tags on treadmills in the store, you can feel more confused than ever. Why is there such a huge disparity in treadmill prices?

Treadmills can cost as little as a few hundred dollars or several thousand. How is the average consumer to know what to make of these price differences? It all has to do with brand and features.

Let’s look at brand name. What’s in a name? When you buy a treadmill with a popular brand name like NordicTrack, you can’t avoid that fact that you are paying slightly more for the Nordic Track name on the box. But most long-standing brands develop a reputation for being high quality over time, and that’s why they survive.

You could get lucky and end up with a generic brand machine with wonderful performance, but it’s not a sure bet. You’d do better to buy brand name and pay a little extra for the peace of mind that you’ll get knowing you bought a treadmill known for its excellent durability and quality. Name brands often have better customer service and come with better warranties to guard against future malfunctions, as well.

Next, you need to consider features. Features make an enormous difference in the cost of a treadmill. Some of the most basic treadmills are just about as simple as the conveyor belt at the grocery store checkout. But there are so many additional features that a treadmill can have.

The sky really is the limit when it comes to treadmill features. Some treadmills allow you to adjust the incline, change speeds, select from various workout programs, monitor your vitals, and count the calories burned. You can even select a treadmill with a built-in TV screen to watch while you run. Treadmills can have any combination of these features. In general, digital controls are going to be more expensive than manual controls.

Keep in mind, though, that the most expensive, top-of-the line machine will not always be the best. It all depends on how you plan to use the machine. If space is a big issue for you, you’re going to need a treadmill that folds up and stores well. If running up and down hills is excruciating for your knees, there’s really no point in paying extra for the ability to adjust the incline of the treadmill.

There’s quite a variation between treadmill prices out there, as any serious treadmill shopper can tell you. But it you find the right brand with the right features for you, you shouldn’t have any problem locating a treadmill in your price range. By Jenny Evans