But how do you know that the treadmill you are buying is a good one? One good way to find out if that used treadmill is going to be worth it is to do some homework. All the different brands of exercise equipment are not the same. Some are definitely of better quality than others. Read treadmill reviews and treadmill ratings for the brand of treadmill you are looking at purchasing. Chances are, if it has an excellent rating as a new piece of exercise equipment, it will also be a good used item, as well.

Some of the things you should consider when buying a used treadmill include the age and the frequency that it was used. A good rule of thumb is to never buy a used treadmill that is more than five years old. Equipment that old is going to need some major work very soon.

Experts suggest that you should never pay more than 50% for used exercise equipment. This is the going rate; so don’t offer more than that.

When buying a treadmill, you should consider all the features of it. It must suit your needs or it is not a bargain. Things like speed, incline, deck type, type of motor and belt, user-friendly control and display panels, durability and stability of the frame and the safety features are all things that should be looked at before buying. Again, checking the ratings for safety and performance of the type of treadmill you are looking at will give you a lot of insight into how it will perform as a used piece of equipment.

There are many companies that sell remanufactured or refurbished exercise equipment. This is equipment that has been sent to a factory and had all the worn parts replaced and been spiffed up to look as good as new. This is a good option for a discount treadmill, because they usually come with some type of warranty.

There are many places to find out about the ratings for treadmills, both new and used. Checking online sources, reading magazines and publications for exercise equipment and asking people who own and run exercise gyms are all good ways to find out about the best and worst treadmill ratings and reviews. This way, you can make an informed purchase of discount or used treadmills with confidence.

What are Remanufactured Treadmills?

Remanufactured treadmills are used machines, but with an important difference. They have been completely refurbished to “almost new” condition by a professional fitness equipment company and they are generally covered by a warranty. Best of all, they are priced at up to 50% less than a new treadmill, making them an excellent choice for most people’s needs.

Where do Used Treadmills Come From?

Companies that sell remanufactured treadmills may obtain them in several ways. Some are warranty returns, but most are from clubs and fitness centers that are updating or changing their equipment. A few come back due to financial distress or non-payment of balances due. In most cases, a reputable re-seller will only refurbish and sell the equipment they feel is of the highest quality.

What is the difference between refurbished and remanufactured?

Most sellers of used treadmills use these words interchangeably, but their actual refurbishment processes can vary. Some will put a machine through basic testing and touch up, while others will take machines apart and replace key parts before re-selling.

What should I know before buying a used treadmill?

Before buying a used treadmill of any kind, take the time to do some research about the refurbishment process used by the seller. The best processes will include most of the following steps:

*Complete disassembly of all parts

*Full frame refinishing rather than touch up

*Testing and rebuild of mechanical systems using new parts that meet manufacturer specifications

*Testing and rebuild of electrical systems using new parts that meet manufacturer specifications

*Reassembly and thorough testing of all functions and operations

What are the advantages of buying remanufactured treadmills?

There are several advantages to buying remanufactured treadmills, such as:

Price – You can often buy a previously used, remanufactured treadmill for up to 50% less than a comparable brand new treadmill.

Quality – The quality of remanufactured treadmills is nearly new in most cases, with many key parts replaced before the treadmill is re-sold.

Value – Many remanufactured models are commercial-grade machines that you would normally find in a fitness club rather than in a private home. This means you can access excellent equipment at moderate prices, making your dollar stretch farther.

Warranty – Most remanufactured machines come with some sort of warranty, which is added protection for you as a buyer. The best treadmill warranties on used machines will be for at least six months and sometimes even longer.

Summary

When it comes to buying used treadmills, there is no need to settle for an “as is” piece of equipment. You can buy a fully refurbished and remanufactured treadmill that looks and feels new but is priced up to 50% less than a brand new machine. Find a reputable re-seller that thoroughly remanufactures and tests every treadmill, and look for a good warranty to go along with it. If you shop carefully, you will usually find that remanufactured treadmills are among the best deals around.

Julie-Ann Amos is a freelance writer for http://www.treadmill-ratings-n-reviews.net, providing the best treadmill ratings and comparisons on over 26 major brands and 100 models of new and used treadmills.

Copyright 2006 Treadmill-Ratings-n-Reviews.net

Folding treadmills (also called fold-up, foldable and fold-away treadmills) are a popular choice among treadmill buyers.

But apart from the obvious reason to choose a folding treadmill (to save space) – what are the REAL differences between a folding vs. non-folding treadmill? Heres a quick overview:

The main advantages to choosing a folding treadmill are:

- you save space – if you have a small home gym or space is at a premium, folding your treadmill up and/or wheeling it out of sight is a great option to have

- it makes cleaning easier – just fold it up and you can vacuum or clean the floor area under the treadmill easily

Because of these advantages, having a treadmill that folds is often seen as just another added feature to the treadmill – like an extra water bottle holder or a pair of handweights.

However there are also distinct advantages to buying a non-folding treadmill that might make you think twice before purchasing a treadmill that folds.

According to Runners World, the most important quality of a good treadmill is stability. For example, does the treadmill feel solid and secure when you run on it? Does it wobble or shudder when you pick up your pace?

Because of the requirements of the folding frame design, most folding treadmills are naturally less stable than non-folding treadmills. (That doesnt mean they arent stable – it just means that non-folding treadmills are more stable).

That is why, if you look at stability ratings for treadmills, non-folding treadmills almost always come out on top.

Thats also why you’ll notice that as you get into premium treadmills ($2000+), very few of them will fold up.

If youre paying that much for a treadmill you want one that feels as stable as a commercial unit. (Ever notice that the treadmills at health clubs dont fold?)

So the main advantage to non-folding treadmills (and its a compelling one – especially if youre a runner) is that they are generally more stable than folding treadmills.

There are a few exceptions to this rule of course, but thats really the main difference when comparing folding versus non-folding treadmills.

Regardless of which option you choose, keep in mind that while non-folding treadmills might be a little more difficult to move, they can offer some great added benefits to your workout itself.

Kathryn ONeill is chief editor for Treadmill Review at http://www.treadmillreview.net, a consumer oriented website focusing on the home treadmill market.

For treadmill buying tips, brand reviews, and best buys, visit Treadmill Review at:

http://www.TreadmillReview.net

Horizon treadmill has several different models. These models vary in terms of size as well as several other features.

There are four main Horizon treadmill models users can choose from. The Horizon T51 treadmill is their lower-end, basic model and it retails for around $700. This Horizon treadmill can be folded up when not in use and offers the user the ability to set the speed and incline and enjoy four preset programs. In addition, a free heart rate monitor is included in this model of Horizon treadmill.

Another Horizon treadmill option is the Horizon T52 treadmill, which costs about $900. This Horizon treadmill is the next step up from the T51 model and offers the user the ability to set the speed and incline and enjoy six preset programs. This Horizon treadmill model also folds up for easy storage when not being used.

The T53 Horizon treadmill model is the next step up from the T52 model. This Horizon treadmill model retails for about $1,100. This Horizon treadmill model offers shock absorption, six preset programs and accommodates speeds up to 12 miles per hour (most treadmills max out at 10 miles per hour). This makes this model ideal for runners who like to run fast. The incline of this Horizon treadmill model can go up to 12%, which is higher than most treadmills. This Horizon treadmill model offers pulse grip handles to monitor users heart rate. As with the other Horizon treadmill models, it can also fold up when not in use.

Finally, the T54 Horizon treadmill is the top on the Horizon line treadmill, retailing for about $1,400. This treadmill also features shock absorption, maximum speeds of 12 miles per hour and a maximum incline of 12%. In addition to six preset programs, there are also two user programs and two heart rate control programs. The Horizon treadmill comes with a chest strap and is Polar compatible. This Horizon treadmill model folds up for easy storage when not in use.

One advantage while purchasing a Horizon treadmill is that it comes in assembled form. So users just need to remove the Horizon treadmill from the box, unfold it, rotate the console into place and screw it using the tools provided.

Horizon treadmills have an easy to use control panel and are designed to fit nicely at user home. Horizon treadmill makes sure that users easily hit the power button and turn the treadmill off in case something goes wrong. Horizon treadmill lasts for a long time since the tread belt, motor and other parts lasts for longer times and distances. Some Horizon treadmill models are available in different color schemes.

Horizon treadmills are designed for users comfort while they are exercising, so that they shouldnt have any trouble using them.

Life Fitness treadmills are being used by numerous world champion athletes, top athletes, military personnel and health club members.

Life Fitness offers two Life Fitness treadmill lines: Life Fitness Cardio and Life Fitness Sport Cardio. There are seven different Life Fitness treadmill options in the first line (T3, T3i, T5, T5i, T7, and T9i/e) and two in the second line.

Life Fitness offers the T-series as a direct descendant of its commercial model series, starting with the standard quality T3, their benchmark value model, and topping out with the Life Fitness T9i, recommended by Health Magazine.

Basic treadmills are included in the T3 series of Life Fitness treadmill models. There are two choices in this category viz the T3 and the T3i. Both of these Life Fitness treadmill models offer a large number of features including classic workouts (hill, random, manual), sport training workouts (sport training, 5K sport training, 10K sport training) and EZ Incline TM workouts. Display options on the T3 and T3i models of Life Fitness treadmill include display of elapsed time, distance, speed, incline, heart rate, calories per hour and calories burnt.

Both Life Fitness treadmill models can accommodate speeds up to 10 miles per hour and an incline of 15%. The T3i Life Fitness treadmill includes heart features including Polar Telemetry® and heart rate zone training workouts (cardio, fat burn, heart rate hill, heart rate interval and extreme heart rate). Life Fitness treadmills in the T3 series consist of a 2.5HP motor and supports inclination up to 15%.

Life Fitness treadmills in the T5 series are meant for competitive running. The main difference between a Life Fitness treadmill in the T3 series and the T5 series is that those in the T5 series are capable of speeds up to 12 miles per hour.

The Life Fitness T5 treadmill provides a wide & long walking area and a powerful drive motor. It has a few less programs and a simpler display than the T5i but features the same durable construction throughout.

A Life Fitness treadmill from the T7 line, adds daily training workouts to the package (30-minute walk, 3-mile jog, 45-minute cross-train) and customizable workouts.

Finally, the T9 series of Life Fitness treadmill models additional customizable workouts, speed interval training, pace mode, calories goal, distance goal, and time in zone goal, as well as Life Pulse TM digital heart rate monitoring. The Life Fitness T9i treadmill bears up to 400 pounds weight and features a 5/8 inch 60 x 20 inch belt with cushioned deck, 3.5 inch roller and 4.0HP motor. This treadmill series offers a top speed of 12 MPH, inclines up to 15% and provides readouts/feedbacks. It also provides 16 preset programs as well as six custom memory slots for personal workouts and it monitors heart rate through Ergo hand sensors and a wireless chest strap.

The warranty period on Life Fitness treadmill models is impressive. Life Fitness treadmill provides lifetime warranty on frame and shock absorbers, fifteen years warranty on the motor, three years warranty on electrical and mechanical parts and one year warranty on labor. The Life Fitness T9 treadmill series provides a lifetime warranty on the motor and ten years warranty on electrical and mechanical parts.

A Life Fitness treadmill can get users well on their way to fitness. With the wide variety of workout options available, even on their basic models, users will never be bored. If users are keeping a close eye on their cardiovascular fitness, the heart monitoring available on a Life Fitness treadmill can’t be beat.

A Life Fitness treadmill might be the best treadmill choice for users. If users are going to use a Life Fitness treadmill, they should make sure that they know what they are doing before using it. Users should always make sure that they are very comfortable walking on their Life Fitness treadmill device before they decide to start running. This is always the case no matter what model or style of Life Fitness treadmill they own.

Before buying a Life Fitness treadmill model users should take a look at the different features that are offered with the treadmill model. Users should make sure that the treadmill motor has a high continuous duty rating and has a long warranty.

Life Fitness treadmills have an excellent life span. Some of the popular discount Life Fitness treadmills are model numbers 5500, 8500 and T3i. No matter how strenuous workouts users desire (use of hand weights to tone arms and body while walking/running on the treadmill), Life Fitness treadmills are a great piece of exercise equipment.

Sears treadmills can be bought for commercial or residential use. All of the Sears treadmills bought for home use come with a lifetime warranty for the electronics, motor, belt, deck, frame and a one year labor warranty.

Sears is one of the leading retailer and seller in treadmill equipments. Lifestyler, Proform, Nordic Track, etc are some of the treadmill models which are sold by Sears.

With a Sears treadmill, users can enjoy quality, reliability, and affordability. Users will be able to jog off by simply hopping on their Sears treadmill and can enjoy a mini-workout. Sears offers the perfect treadmill to suit the lifestyle, budget and fitness level of users.

Purchasing Sears treadmill for home use is becoming one of the most well liked options for exercise. Sears treadmill is a solution to enable people to find time to exercise during their hectic schedules. Sears treadmill enables users to save their gym, health and fitness club fees as well as avoid going outdoors during rainy or winter seasons.

The first and primary benefit of Sears treadmill is ease. It is easier to work out on the Sears treadmill at home, because it saves lots of time, which consume going to the gym. Sears treadmills are helpful when users have hectic schedules. Whatever be the weather conditions (rainy or winter) users can enjoy their workout at their own home with the help of Sears treadmill.

Sears treadmill has an incredible cardiovascular value to users heart and lungs and aides in fat-loss and weight reduction.

Users have to be very careful while selecting a Sears treadmill. Users must make sure that the model they select meets all the specifications they need, including the space they have at their home for the treadmill equipment.

With Sears exercise equipment, such as the Proform Sears treadmill, users can enjoy fitness and exercise at a really affordable price. Users can look forward to the convenience of a home workout on a high quality Sears treadmill. Sears treadmills are available at affordable prices and users can find suitable one for themselves as per their budget limits.

With the Proform treadmill from Sears, users will enjoy reliability, total peace of mind, enjoy exercising and increases fitness without the worry of continual problems or lack of quality. The low price of these treadmills enables users to enjoy years of worry-free fitness and they wont have to shell out on gym membership costs to enjoy exercise and fitness equipment.

Sears most popular treadmill is the Proform Crosswalk 345S model which features 2HP motor and costs about $499.

Users can enjoy the modern yet easy to use features of Sears treadmills. Exercising on a Sears treadmill will improve users health and fitness in many ways. Individuals will get a real value on their treadmill as well as enjoy home delivery with Sears online treadmill order facility.

Bowflex treadmill is available in numerous models in the market. Each of these models offers features that vary and provide a variety of workouts to the users. All of the Bowflex treadmill models offer good warranty duration.

The Bowflex 7 Series treadmill offers a 3HP motor that is capable of generating speeds between 0.5 to 11 mph, incline adjustment up to 12%, a running surface up to 20″ x 60″, two ply belt, 3 back-lit LCD windows, readouts for distance, time, speed, incline, calories & heart rate and 15 programs to facilitate users in workouts. Additionally this treadmill model also provides quick keys for speed and incline adjustment, grip & chest strap heart rate, soft drop fold-down system, 3 speed fans and preset programs. The Bowflex 7 Series treadmill offers 15 years warranty on frame, 10 years warranty on motor, 2 years warranty on parts and one-year warranty on labor services.

The Bowflex 7 Series treadmill provides 2.5-inch diameter belt rollers, 2 bottle/cup holders, strike zone deck cushioning and grip & telemetric heart rate monitoring. This treadmill model can be purchased for $1,499.00.

The Bowflex TC1000 treadmill reduces users exercise time with a super-efficient and low impact workout. This treadmill model offers 12 intensity settings, hydraulic resistance, incline adjustment up to 45 degrees, speed adjustments between 0.5 to 3.8 mph, large footboards along tread belts, 3 large LCD readout windows and 3 electronic functions that allow to track speed, time and distance at a glance. This treadmill model offers a 1-year warranty on motor, electronics system, hydraulics system and other parts. The Bowflex TC1000 treadmill can be purchased for $1,599.

The Bowflex TC3000 treadmill offers 12 intensity settings, hydraulic resistance, large footboards along tread belts, monitor displays to view/monitor every aspect of workout, and calories burned indicator. This treadmill model also reduces exercise time with a super-efficient and low impact workout. It provides very good warranty coverage. Offers 3 years warranty on motor, 2 years warranty on parts & electronic system and 1 year warranty on hydraulic system. This treadmill model can be purchased for $1,899.00.

Bowflex treadmills are good and quality treadmills provided by Icon Health and Fitness, Inc. Bowflex treadmills provide an array of features that facilitate users in their weight loss programs and workouts. Bowflex treadmills are rated well by users and have an excellent customer satisfaction. The warranty period of Bowflex treadmills ensures users that their treadmills will be covered for good period of time if anything goes wrong and they wont face many problems. Bowflex treadmills enable users to burn calories and achieve their targeted body sculpture results.

But if you have not purchased the manufacturer warranty, or if your warranty is up, then there are solutions to the problem of expensive treadmill motor repair. Start by calling the manufacturer. Even if your warranty is up, manufacturers often offer motor and parts exchange programs, whereby you send in your broken motor for a replacement motor at a discount (usually, a rebuild, but good as new).

Secondly, if your warranty is not up yet, then DO NOT attempt to open the machine to diagnose or repair the problem on your own. Even if you are electronically inclined, this type of action usually voids the warranty and thus no future repairs or parts replacements will be covered.

New technology is offering treadmill replacement parts that are inexpensive and compatible with most treadmill models. Another option is to check the local newspaper for people selling unwanted treadmills at rock-bottom prices. You may be able to get a treadmill with parts compatible to yours for less than the cost of the motor itself, and then you will have a back-up part for future problems.

With a little research and some common sense, you should be able to get the best deal and have your treadmill back up and running in no time.

Timothy Gorman is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Treadmill-Solutions.com He provides more treadmill reviews, treadmill ratings and treadmill buying information that you can research in your pajamas on his website.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tim_Gorman

If you are looking at treadmills for sale to compare treadmill models, prices, features and so on, why not first sit down with a pencil and paper. Work out a few things. Because without some basic information it isn’t easy to compare treadmills and get the right result for you. There is no point in spending time doing a treadmill comparison without knowing exactly what you want.

There are some basic things to work out. Some of them are pretty obvious but, guess what, so many people don’t do them never the less.

Firstly, work out your budget. It sounds trite, wouldn’t everyone do that? Well, no. There are plenty of people who spend some time trying to compare treadmills with each other and can’t really afford to buy what they want. Treadmills can range enormously in price. You can buy a basic model for less than $500, or you can spend many thousands. Work out what price bracket you fit into.

Part of this is to work out how important your treadmill is going to be in your life. Are you a fitness fanatic who is going to be on your treadmill 1 or 2 hours a day every day? Or are you just someone who has decided that it might be a good idea to do some exercise, and a treadmill seems like a good way to do it?

There are many who start out with all the best intentions, and then fall by the wayside once they find that exercise, even on a treadmill, isn’t necessarily all that easy to keep up. Plenty of used treadmills have been sold with very little use.

No point in trying to compare treadmills prices, models, features and so on if you are going to use it a couple of times and lose interest. If you feel that this might be you, then don’t even start a treadmill comparison until you have been down to the local gym and used their treadmills often enough to be absolutely sure that you will be committed to using your treadmill once you buy it.

The best treadmill in the world is no use in the cupboard (if you can fit it in).

And there’s no shame in starting with a cheaper basic model, getting used to it and after a year or two upgrading. That’s the best way to find out your exact needs in a treadmill. Then you can really compare treadmills knowing exactly what it is you are after.

And once you are committed to your treadmill exercise, know you want one and will use it, and know your budget, can you then start looking at doing your treadmill comparison? No.

What’s next? Look at treadmill features, and look at your needs. Do you need the latest greatest treadmill that allows you to converse online with space shuttle occupants while you workout, or is this not quite necessary?

(I don’t think that the treadmill exists that does this yet, but I won’t rule it out.)

The most basic treadmill is a manual treadmill. That’s a treadmill which you need to power yourself. No motor. They aren’t expensive and are quite sufficient for many people. They certainly aren’t as good as a fine motorised model, but for some people they are perfectly adequate. It all comes down to your needs.

And have a look at what you NEED and what you WANT. There is a big difference. What you need is important. If you feel you need to be able to increase the incline to adjust the difficulty of the workout without getting off then that is fine. If you want to have a model that stores all the workout information and sets different workout parameters for 200 users just in case your sister comes over and wants a go, then that may not be all that necessary.

Why is this important? Because extra features add to the price. And often the features that people WANT add a lot more to the price just because people want them, and so treadmill merchants can charge a lot extra for them with those features.

So, work out your budget, your needs, your likely pattern of use, and the features you feel are important to you, before you start to compare treadmills. Then do your treadmill comparison based on these factors. Work out which treadmills suit your requirements, then do your treadmill comparison on only these treadmills.

If you can narrow your list of treadmills that fit your profile before you start to compare treadmills to each other then it makes your job much easier.

Consumer Reports grades on an overall score to determine its Best treadmill and also suggests four treadmill Best Buy models that combine good value with quality.

The Best Treadmill For You

With product information, tips on buying, and a discussion on testing results, Consumer Reports most recent treadmill rating in January 2005 tested 22 treadmills from about 16 manufacturers, including Proform, Nordic Track, Weslo, and Image, all Icon Health and Fitness Companies, as well as Landice, True, Precor, Horizon, Life Fitness, Vision Fitness, Schwinn, Smooth Fitness, Keys Fitness, Trimline, Spirit, and Nautilus.

Consumer Reports does not break down its treadmill reports by price range, as is often the case in other organizations reviews, so their Best treadmill, at almost $3000, is not likely to be the best treadmill for you, but they do suggest four Best Buys, all in the $1300-1800 price range. Ratings are provided for all tested models, however, and thats where you should begin.

A cautionary note: Consumer Reports was disappointed in the number of machines that had problems in this treadmill rating–an ominous change from their last treadmill reports in February 2004. With the exception of higher-priced models with the kind of warranties you should expect, they recommend an extended warranty. Thats something they almost never do.