Will it be just you, or are you buying a treadmill that your spouse can use, too? Are there other household members that will want to hop on and give it a go?

If several people will be using the treadmill, as opposed to just one, then you will definitely need a higher quality treadmill that is equipped with a more powerful motor in order to sustain repeated use over an extended amount of time.

Also, you need to consider height and weight of all people who will be using the treadmill before you invest in one; these variables influence your buying decision because for taller people, the length of the treadmill is really important. Some of the shorter versions aren’t equipped to handle long strides (typically the gait of taller folks), whereas shorter people don’t really have to worry about out-striding a treadmill!

Also, treadmills have manufacturer-recommended weight capacities; heavier or larger people will need models that can not only handle their weight, but that they will feel comfortable exercising on. This is especially true if the treadmill belt is too narrow for a large body frame to feel comfortable using, so be sure to consider the details of who will be using the treadmill before making a purchase.

The less advanced your workouts are, the less you necessarily need to worry about this question, as walking workouts can be pulled off on most treadmill surfaces. BUT, if you like to walk on incline surfaces, then you will want to look for that feature, as well as consider what speed you want to max out on during your walks.

If you’re going to be running on your treadmill, then you’ll definitely need a version that has a high-power motor and can kick up to the speed that you want - most cheaper treadmill don't operate at high enough speeds to allow running.

What if your running (or walking!) workout includes intervals? Then, you'll want auto incline controls/auto speed adjustability in order to avoid the inconvenience of fumbling through controls.

Finally, if you’re looking for a treadmill to optimize into a treadmill desk, then you have an entirely different set of goals that revolve around your ability to remain confident and steady during your productive multi-tasking (and you probably don’t need a treadmill that you can run sprints on!).

Above, we eluded to the importance of checking the width of the belt based on the user’s size, but it’s actually important to consider the width based on what you will use the treadmill for, too.

Here are a few good rules of thumb to follow when considering belt size: runners need a 22″ wide belt while walkers only need 20”; runners can get away with a 20” belt, but it does leave less room for error. As for belt size, walkers will need a minimum of 50″ in belt length, while runners need 55″ and runners taller than 6’ need a 60″ length belt.

While this seems pretty obvious, we’ll just close out this section with this reminder - the heavier the exercise you’ll participate in, the more powerful motor you’ll need.

If you have plenty of space and don’t need to worry about looking for space-saving and/or compact options, then you will be able to purchase pretty much any treadmill you want. But, if you’re crunched for floor space and know you’ll want a treadmill that can fold and easily be stored, then you will likely have to settle for a less-advanced model that forfeits some of the speed and the bells and whistles.

In general, the more you pay for a treadmill, the bigger and heavier it will be so consider that when you’re taking inventory of how much room you have and what your goals are!

Features - they create such a dilemma. While it’s so exciting to think about the technological advancements and design innovations that went into creating the perfect features, we sometimes let the elation make an emotional buying decision instead of a practical buying decision.

Thinking through what features you really need can save you future disappointment - and money. So based on your personal goals and needs, what are the practical features that actually impact your workout?

Based on what kind of training you’ll do, you’ll need to dial in to the automated incline, pre-set speeds, and design features of the function capabilities of the treadmill.

What if you really need guidance during your workout? Then, the pre-programmed workouts will become a very important feature. If you’re working on cardiovascular health or trying to interval train using heart rate feedback, then you’ll want a heart rate monitor.

A make or break feature for me personally is what kind of distraction options the treadmill offers - yes, I need to be entertained during my treadmill workouts! That means having a hookup for my iPod or Kindle is really important, or else I won’t even workout.

Finally, a feature that is rapidly gaining popularity is the shock absorption or the cushioning in the deck; this helps to mitigate the hard impact on the joints. Some treadmill decks are even built to transform from feeling like soft rubber in to concrete sidewalks! And, thanks to technology, some can even make automatic belt speed adjustments that help to compensate for foot speed variation during the workouts.

Your goals, health, and workout styles all play into finding the right features, so just be sure to really think about what you need and what will give you the best workout, before you buy.

After you’ve identified your needs more clearly, you’ll have a better idea about what falls within your budget. Many people automatically assume that buying a treadmill will be super costly, but actually, a good treadmill doesn’t have to break the bank AND you may be able to get a cheaper one, depending on your needs. We have identified the best treadmills under $200, under $500, and under $1000, as each of these ranges offers distinct pros and cons. Check it out:

• Treadmills under $200: If you’re looking for a treadmill that can give you a basic walking workout and you don’t care about advanced features, then you can definitely get a model for under $200. These are typically space saver models, so they won’t take up very much room and can be moved easily. This price point is a favorite for those looking to make treadmill desks, too. The major downfall is that it has such limited versatility; you can’t run or adjust incline on these models, so really, your needs should be in the scope of walking. Also, the weight limit on these can be low - so be sure to check into that if you’re on the heavier side.

• Treadmills under $500: Treadmills that cost up to $500 are the perfect mid-line models; they fit the needs of most exercise enthusiasts and have the right amount of features to justify spending more money. These models typically allow users to walk and jog, but they can be limited for those who want to interval train or do sprinting workouts. They can provide some pre-programmed workouts, speakers, and other techy features, but they typically don’t have the most advanced features - like shock absorption decks and one-touch speed/incline buttons.

• Treadmills under $1000: With this budget range, you’ll be able to get a treadmill that is pretty close to one you’d see at a gym. Best suited for those needing serious motor power for lots of exercise, and those who need advanced features, this price point offers the best of the best treadmills for at-home use. You won’t have any issues finding a treadmill to suit your needs, but there is one downfall to consider: they take up a lot of space and are really heavy- like average 200 pounds heavy! If you have plenty of space and don’t plan to move it, then definitely go for it - you’ll have a lifelong treadmill to challenge you and be your faithful workout partner!

Treadmill Buyers Guide to Features and Specifications

All right, now that we’ve covered the most important questions you need to consider when buying your treadmill, it’s time to break down some more important information: treadmill specifications. This will help you get familiar with the terminology as well as know what to look for, specific to your needs.