The Most Important Treadmill Features

The treadmill features that matter most are a motor of at least 2.0 horsepower if you run (measured as continuous duty, the power it can hold for a whole workout), a belt around 20 inches wide and 55 inches long, and a warranty you can trust; speed range and built-in programmes matter far less. Below: the motor, the belt, speed, incline and programmes, price and warranty, and extra points such as buying second-hand, shared use and folding models.

Buy on the brochure alone and you can end up with a machine that struggles on your first fast run, or one so cheap it is gathering dust within a year. Every treadmill on the market is advertised as the next best thing after sliced bread, so I've kept this to what deserves your attention and what you can safely ignore.

Motor / Horsepower

The motor is the heart of any treadmill. Its capacity — measured in horsepower (HP) — and its quality are what largely determine the price you'll pay.

When you're looking at horsepower, I'd like you to pay close attention to the difference between continuous duty HP and peak duty HP. The continuous duty figure is the HP the motor sustains throughout your entire workout. The peak duty figure is the HP the motor can reach momentarily — but not hold.

The trick is to focus on continuous duty HP. A motor that hits a high number for a few seconds and then drops off is no use to you at all.

Here are my guidelines:

Walking only on your treadmill? I'd recommend 1.5 to 1.8 HP (continuous duty).

Running on your treadmill? Go for at least 2.0 HP (continuous duty).

Belt

The belt size determines how much space you actually have to run on. You need it wide enough and long enough for your stride and build.
For a runner of average width and height, 18 to 20 inches wide and about 55 inches long works well. Tall or fast runners (around 6 feet or more) will want closer to 60 inches. A belt of 16 x 45 inches is walking size — too short for a running stride.
If you're a little wider or taller than average — take belt sizing seriously when you're treadmill shopping.

Speed / Incline / Programs

Unless you're an elite runner, a standard speed range of 0 to 10 miles per hour will cover everything you need.
Incline range is rarely an issue either — though if you have ambitions to run at a serious gradient, keep an eye on that figure. :)



Think honestly about how you plan to use your treadmill. Are you a straightforward runner, happy to go out at one steady easy pace? Or do you want a wide variety of speeds and inclines built into a single session?

For the majority of us, the need for fancy built-in programmes is genuinely limited. On the other hand, if you want maximum variety, look closely at programmability, pre-defined programmes, and the ease of use of the control panel.

TIP:
The more advanced the control panel, the more expensive the treadmill. Be honest with yourself about what you want versus what you actually need — and save yourself the money if you can.

Price / Warranty

Treadmills carry a hefty price tag. Know what you can and want to spend — and stick to it.

Guidelines:

Budget around $1,500 (US Dollars) as your starting point for a solid treadmill.

Anything over $2,000 and you're into top quality territory.

Below $1,000 and you're making concessions on durability. If that's your budget, I'd suggest putting a few dollars aside each week toward your next treadmill — because there will be one sooner than you'd like.

And always look hard at the warranty. Is it twelve months or ten years? The warranty tells you exactly how much confidence the manufacturer has in their own product. That's a number worth taking seriously.

Other Considerations

Buying a second-hand treadmill

A second-hand treadmill can look like a sensible deal — particularly if budget is driving your decision. The thing is, you have no way of knowing how hard that machine has been used or what condition it's genuinely in. If you do go second-hand, I'd steer you toward brands known for long warranties. The warranty won't transfer to you as a second-hand buyer, but it's the closest you'll get to a reliable signal of build quality.

Usage of the treadmill

Will you be the only person pounding the pavement on it for half an hour a day? Or will the whole family use it? If multiple people plan to build up mileage on this machine, invest in something more durable — and yes, more expensive.

To fold or not to fold

Short on space? A foldable treadmill is worth considering. Just be aware that you're narrowing your options — and listen to your body on this one: if you're a serious runner, a full-size belt will serve you better in the long run.

Once you've made your choice and brought it home, the next step is getting started on your treadmill.


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