Cheap is a relative term when it come to treadmills due to the fact that the amount of money you need to spend to get a model that is fit for purpose may not strike many people as being particularly affordable. Having said that, prices have come down significantly in the last decade so this great piece of home exercise equipment is now within the reach of far more people.

The price that you have to pay when you’re on the market for a treadmill will depend on what use you are going to put it to. Its not that many of the cheap treadmills at the lower end of the market are particularly bad machines, its just that they can only do they job they were intended to do. If you wan to run at speed for hours every day then these treadmills aren’t going to last very long at all.

The cheapest of the cheap on the market is the manual treadmill which requires you to push the belt with your own power in contrast to the more popular motorized version which uses an electrical motor. The only advantage of a manual treadmill is its price, you can pick them up new for a little over $100 or probably get a second hand one for free off a friend who bought it and realized how bad it was.

Problems With Manual Treadmills

- Given that you have to move the belt with your own steam it can be a struggle to get your workout started although hopefully as it gets used it will start to loosen up.

- The effort to keep the belt moving may tire you so quickly that you don’t much in the way of a meaning full workout.

Forget Manual And Go For A Motorized Treadmill

Save yourself the hassle of buying a manual model just to find out its no good. Better to save up a little longer and get a motorized treadmill which you will be happy with and which will provide the fitness benefits that you are looking for.

The Merit 725T Treadmill

A nice entry level motorized treadmill which you can pick up for under $400 is this Merit 725T. Keep in mind that as with anything you get what you pay for but if you are looking for an introduction to the world of indoor running then you could certainly do a lot worse than take a closer look here.

Many discount treadmills aren’t really up to the job for people who wan tot run and are more suitable for use at walking speed but this machine will have no problems for those who want to run at up to 10 miles per hour. Even if you happen to weight well over 200lbs this machine will cope without any worries thinks to its surprisingly durable build quality at this price point.

With a lifetime warranty on the frame, 2 years on the motor and the fact that this is built by one of the largest manufacturers of fitness equipment in the world you can be sure that it isn’t going to fall apart the minute you start doing a serious workout. Certainly, for a beginner there isn’t much better at this price point and if you are just starting out you won’t be able to tell the difference between this and many models further up the range.

The only disadvantage that I want to bring up with the Merit 725T are that you will have to assemble it yourself on delivery which although most people don’t a problem with, some users report difficulty with the construction process. Also worth mentioning is the noise produced by this cheap treadmill when its in use but for such a low price its hard to hold such a minor factor against it.

Horizon Fitness T91 Treadmill

Get a little bit more money together and you can take a step up in quality and get a Horizon Fitness T91 Treadmill for an experience which will more closely match what you would expect from a machine in the gym. You get a lot for your money these days in a $600 treadmill and the Horizon delivers much more than we could realistically expect for this amount of cash. You get a super tough 2.0-horsepower continuous-duty motor which comes with a lifetime guarantee, you can’t ask for much more than that.

Like the Merit, this machine is great for beginners but its also has the ability to please those with more experience using treadmills so if you have had a gym membership in the past but want to buy something for use at home this could be the one for you.

You get the capability to walk or run from 0.5 to 10 mph an incline of up to 10% and the ComfortZone air cell system to make running more comfortable and easier on your joints. Also part of the Horizon is a control console with back lit LCD screen that offers feedback on your workout, contact heart rate grips, and a 20-by-50-inch running area.

The treadmill market has become an extremely competitive in recent years and the Trimline treadmill fits squarely in the middle of the pack as far as price goes. The company, started 16 years ago and the founders, Bill and Joe Heb, have kept it on the straight and true as far as top quality goes. This company mission has garnered the respect of not only the general public but among the rest of the industry too.

The price range of the Trimline Treadmill is attractive. The different models can range from about $1500 to as much as $2500 and, while this seems a bit high, you have to consider the wide array of features available in even the lower price models. The lower priced models of the Trimline treadmill have at least a 2hp motor, which is very important to the lifespan of the machine, and the tread is a full 18”. The more expensive models come with a 2.5 hp motor and are very silent, especially important in the home fitness equipment market.

Trimline is a company who believes in giving its customers the best value for the money they spend. All of their top models come with an impressive 30 year service warranty and even the lower priced models have a ten year warranty.

All in all however, despite the fact that they have been bought over it still might be a good idea to buy Trimline treadmills. While the price is a bit higher than many brands the quality of the materials used and the faith in its products the company shows with its guarantee makes the extra expense worth all the trouble. Its up to you to decide whether you are willing to take the risk with a company which

Treadmill floor mats are used to protect the floor from much more than things like vibration. All motors have fluid leaks from time to time and motor oil can severely damage many different types of flooring. These machines also collect other types of grime, dirt and debris which can go under the machine and act nearly like sandpaper. If the damage gets bad enough you will have to foot the bill for sometimes very expensive cleanings or even damage repairs. Treadmill mats can limit the amount of damage and, depending on the brand of treadmill and type of flooring they can even eliminate it all together, saving you what can amount to thousands of dollars if you have to pay to clean, repair or replace expensive flooring.

Another advantage of using a treadmill mat is that it will actually extend the life of your device by absorbing the vibrations within the machine itself. The mat also protects the internal components from stray carpet fibers or other tiny debris that make slip inside and do damage. Many users think that using a carpet to soften the vibration will make a difference and they are right. It will make a bad difference. The machine will eventually absorb carpet fibers and the carpet itself will be damaged, forcing you to spend your hard earned money to replace it.

How much you spend on your treadmill floor mat will depend on the size required. This means not only the length and width but the thickness also. The standard mat is about 6.5´x 3´and about ¼” thick. The more expensive the treadmill is the larger it will be and this will require a much larger mat to fully protect your floor. And if you have a larger machine, which will create more vibration and is heavier, you will want to increase the thickness by about ½” or more.

The T and M series are designed for general use and there are three versions of each; the t150, t220, and t320 for the T series, and the m2-4 of the M series. The M series also includes the m5 which allows folding up your treadmill for easy storage in places like a closet or under the bed. Priced at between $1000 and $2000 these treadmills are not cheap but they are very good, and with this wide a choice range it is a sure bet that you can find the exact right treadmill for your fitness needs.

The new addition to the Ironman line, the Triad, keeps the slim modern look of the T series but also has the convenience of the m5. The weight is the same, 375 lbs, even with the addition of extra features but the motor is a bit smaller at 3 hp and a maximum speed of 10 mph. For many users however the addition of touch button controls, heart rate programs, monitoring and control and even a remote control give you a lot of exercise choices. There is also a wide range of pre programmed exercise programs, 15 to be exact, to challenge you on many levels and keep you going for years. The Triads incline is not as much as many people like. Most inclines will go to about 12% but the Triad only goes to 10%. The running surface however is very long at a full 60” give you plenty of room.

An Ironman treadmill will cost about $1400, which is a mid range device and the warranty on it means that its good value. The frame is guaranteed for life, a very attractive offer, and there is a ten-year warranty on the motor. The rest of an Ironman treadmill is only guaranteed for two years however so you may find yourself buying parts at some point if you find it breaking down.

If you are looking for a treadmill with TV however you should know several things. First of all you have to decide if you want a standard television or an LCD television. The LCD screen will significantly increase the overall price of the treadmill but many users have no problem as the LCD screen is clearer and significantly decreases the weight of the machine. You also have to determine how large of a screen you want. You can get screens from 7” all the way to a large 15” screen but keep in mind that as the size increases so does the price. Also not all treadmills come with cable ready screens or DVD players, which will limit your choices of viewing options.

Finding a running treadmill with TV is not difficult at all. Any sports and fitness store will have a fairly wide selection and these stores have sales and promotions on various models all of the time. The clerks in these stores are fairly knowledgeable about the equipment that they sell and can give you some really good advice. When you are shopping at a store however you should keep in mind that many sales clerks work on a commission and they want to sell you the highest priced model they can, whether you need all of the features or not.

The best option for finding a treadmill with a TV is the internet. Every manufacturer has a website with a plethora of information about each model. You can also do a great deal of research using other sources like product reviews and users comments. Many companies also offer free shipping within the United States and this alone can save you a lot of money because your treadmill machine is delivered by professionals who know exactly how to move a heavy piece of equipment.

The Pro form 540 treadmill is fully equipped with a great air cooling system that will really keep the runner as cool as possible and get a full run without over sweating. This model is also compatible with iFit and you can add it straight from your computer because this model comes with a ready USB port. The motor is almost silent, allowing you to watch television or listen to music while you’re run without distractions, or disturb others in the home. One of the great things about this treadmill is that you can buy it for less than $600 and shipping, inside the United States, is free.

Since this is a new model of Pro form treadmill there have not been a lot of reviews on it. If you actually go to a store and look at this treadmill however it is immediately obvious that it is made from the best materials. The 540 does not have a great warranty however so you will have to pay for new parts every now and then. If you are a home user this will not be a real issue. If you are a regular user or a professional who spends many hours every day on the treadmill this is definitely not the treadmill for you. It was not designed for the heavy use that a pro runner will put to it.

PaceMaster treadmills come in three varieties The Bronze Series is the lowest cost, the Silver Series holds the middle ground and the Premiere Series is the top of the line. But just to give you an idea of the quality of this equipment the Silver Select XP for instance comes standard with a three horsepower motor, greatly extending the life of the equipment, and has speeds that range from a slow .5 miles an hour to up to 11 miles an hour, which will have most people gasping for breath. The speeds are tailored in tiny increments of .1, giving you an unprecedented amount of control over how fast you are going so you can tailor you workout to your needs and health.

One of the unsung heroes of home fitness, Pacemaster offers a number of high-quality treadmills that fit different needs and budgets. Part of the Premiere Series and one level up from the low-end Bronze model, the Silver Select XP gives Pacemaster customers a taste for the premium at a price they can afford. With the Silver Select XP, you get a three horsepower motor that can take you at speeds from .5 miles per hour to a whopping eleven. The .1 increment increases allow you to maintain control over how fast you move making sure that you don’t overdo it, but still possessing enough sensitivity for you to kick things up several notches if you so desire.

The PaceMaster Silver Select XP comes equipped with an orthopedic belt that lasts a long time. It is tested at 10,000 miles before you have to have it replaced and when you are running or walking it feels like your are not even making contact with the surface. The PaceMaster treadmill brings exercising to a whole new level and it perfect for someone with a very active lifestyle. Even the elevation adjustments, from 0-15%, give you the control over your workout that is very detailed and person specific. The seven included pre-programmed routines will really challenge you if you try to tackle all of them. They simulate running over all sorts of terrain giving you the most realistic experience possible from an indoor workout.

One solution to this problem is to buy a portable treadmill. Large in place treadmills have large bases and displays and are not easily stored. A portable treadmill however can be folded and stored in the closet or under the bed. A portable treadmill will usually not have the plethora of features like televisions, but it is still a great piece of workout equipment and buying one will save you a great deal of time and money. This is not just a folding treadmill. The portable treadmill can be transported easily because it is actually smaller than most folding treadmills. It will fold however. Some portable treadmills also have an automatic folding system making it even easier to store.

You will find that some portable treadmills come with wheels and some do not. For the easiest use you will want to find one with attached wheels. Portable treadmills also have far less features, than other treadmills, mostly to keep the weight and size down, and some do not even have motors. If you are trying to save space and still get a good workout you will have to sacrifice some features.

One other thing to consider before you buy a portable treadmill is that, because of space limitations, the running deck can be significantly shorter than an standard treadmill. If you are a long legged person you will have to shorten your step. If you are used to working out in a health spa, also keep in mind that the machines there are large, in place machines with long decks.

Icon makes this treadmill exclusively for Costco and all Costco stores carry them. The Costco website also has the Epic T60 Treadmill. The unit is a commercial grade unit and is not a cheap treadmill by any standards. Suggested retail is just short of $1000 and it does not have the solid construction of some of the other commercial treadmills on the market. As commercial grade treadmills go however that is a decent price and this unit has a very strong motor and the running deck can support up to 350 lbs at one time. The platform is powered for easy adjustment while you are running and this model comes with enough workout programs to give you a workout at any level.

The display of the Epic T60 Treadmill features readouts for distance traveled, time used, calories burned, speed, and it also measures your heart rate with an optional chest pulse sensor and your pulse by remote grips. The hard drive contains both pre-programmed workouts and customizable workouts designed by iFit.com. This interactive technology controls both the speed of the run and the incline of the running surface based on the runners heart rate and can be used with either the guidance of online trainers or a CD, depending on your connectivity.

While the display does not have an LCD TV or iPod port your computer, stereo, DVD player or other portable device that has a USB port can be attached to your treadmill. This model has a 12 year motor warranty and a great 15 year frame warranty, and a 1 year parts and labor guarantee. This is one of the least expensive models however and it is a good idea to get an extended warranty on the rollers. All in all this is a great treadmill for the budget conscious shopper who still wants to get a good workout on a professional grade treadmill.

The first thing you have to decide before you buy an electronic treadmill is power. Buying a treadmill with a small motor will not get you the workout you need and, since it will not hold up as well as a machine with a larger motor, you will have to replace it much sooner. Your motor should be at least 2 hp for it to last. Electronic treadmills also take a great deal of the strain off of your knees and hips, a problem that is common to runners and anyone who uses a manual treadmill. The few dollars you can save by purchasing a manual treadmill is not worth the potential problems that will start cropping up later.

Another aspect to consider is the space needed to accommodate one of these devices. Not all electronic treadmills can be folded neatly for storage and, when opened they need at least three feet clearance between the running surface and the nearest wall. Electronic treadmills have a running surface that is generally much wider and the display consol is always wider than manual treadmills and this should be considered before buying.

Electronic treadmills are also great because of the size and range of the display which isn’t going to be available on a manual machine. Displays include data on how far you have run, how many steps it has taken to get there, your heart and respiration while running and calories burned. Many treadmills also come with a small television screen and cable hookups and DVD players, mp3 ports and even a magazine/book holder allowing you to read while you run. The range of programs available to make your exercise routine more interesting is also amazing. Some have as many as 50 exercise programs, although it is unlikely that you will ever need more 3 or 4 of these as you will quickly find your favorites. Many of them are designed to target specific needs which won’t be of any use to you personally.