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.

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.

First of all, it should be noted that many people buy new treadmills thinking that they are going to become a workout buff and finally really get in shape. They have high hopes and New Year’s resolutions that they think will pan out. Unfortunately they end up just tossing the machine into the corner of their basement or workout room and hardly using it more than every once in a while. Or maybe they use it regularly at first and then they peter off, eventually relegating it to the confines of nothingness. This is good news for you if you want to get a treadmill on the cheap. Because there are so many consumers who follow the pattern I have described above, the used market is essentially flooded at all times.

And what does that mean in economic terms? It means that there is a surplus of used gym treadmills on the market. And what does that mean for the price of these items? It means that the price must come down to meet the relative lack of demand. In other words, you can easily save a lot of money by buying a barely used treadmill from one of these previous owners.

So where might one find such a deal? On the Internet of course. One place worth looking is Craigslist. If you can find one locally then you can save money on things like shipping and handling. The only thing I would caution here is that you definitely inspect before signing any agreement. (Or forking over the cash.) If you don’t know what to look for in a used treadmill then I highly suggest you either read some guides about it or else bring a knowledgeable friend with you when you go to make the purchase. It is easy to overlook inner mechanical problems.

Lastly make sure and use your cheap treadmill. Don’t be like the dolt whom you bought it from. Saving money and making good use of your new running machine. This is the way to go.