There are 3 things you need to be brutally honest about when you buy a home treadmill…

Your body. Your Budget. Your lifestyle. The more honest you can be about these 3 things, the more satisfied you’ll be with your purchase when buying a home treadmill.

In this post, we’re sharing a brief list of self-reflective questions for your body, your budget, and your lifestyle or living situation. These questions are designed to help you build a foundation for clear thinking and good decision making.

Start by collecting your thoughts around the basic questions in this post first. Ideally, before you start comparing treadmill models. Your honest answers to these basic pre-purchase questions will make your search for the right treadmill more efficient (if not fun and hassle-free). Honestly getting down to basics will increase your chances of finding and purchasing the ideal treadmill. 

Finding the right treadmill can be challenging. 

If you’re reading this post, you already know how challenging the process of choosing the right treadmill for home use can be. The array of brands and features and price ranges are beyond vast. If you try to process all the detail at once, you can quickly find yourself in a place of overwhelm so deep and daunting that the only way out seems like either buying the next treadmill you see or giving up entirely– neither of which is your best move.

We understand how important it is to make the right decision, because a good treadmill is an investment.

A good treadmill is an investment.

The stakes are high when you make any fitness equipment purchase. No matter how much you spend when you buy a home treadmill, the decision you’re making represents an investment of dollars and time in your own best health and wellbeing. The right home treadmill will bring you years of effective fitness training and help make the process of maintaining your health and fitness an enjoyable experience.

All that being said, there is no one-size-fits-all solution for choosing the right home treadmill.  The right machine for you will not be the same as the right one for your best friend, your neighbor, or anyone else.

Your choice is as individual as you are.

Hence, the need for brutal honesty.

Choosing the right treadmill requires brutal honesty about: Your body, your budget, and your lifestyle.

Our Review Team has learned from years of experience that clear thinking and honest self-reflection will go a long way toward helping you buy the home treadmill model that’s exactly right for you.

To arrive at the level of brutal honesty that leads to breakthroughs, ah-ha moments, and true clarity, we suggest you ask yourself the following key questions about your body, your budget, and your current lifestyle or living situation:

Your Body

• What is your current weight and height?

• What is your current fitness level?

• What are your target fitness goals—for the next 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, and beyond?

Your answers to these questions matter because your current body type and future fitness goals are significant factors that help you evaluate certain treadmill components like running surface and deck size that will best accommodate your needs and make your treadmill comfortable and pleasant to use.

Consider machines with a higher weight capacity if you’re a taller individual and/or have a heavier baseline bodyweight. Likewise, you’ll look for a wider and longer treadbelt or running surface if you’re a taller person, use your treadmill primarily for running, take longer strides naturally, or tend to swing your arms a lot while walking or running. 

Being honest about your fitness goals means being realistic about where you are right now–at the time of purchase–and what kind of work you’ll need to do to achieve your ultimate goal. It often helps to break your goals down into smaller chunks. For example, if you’re more than 100 lbs. overweight right now, and your ultimate goal is to run a marathon, it’s wise to start slow and built up to a more rigorous training schedule as your body’s strength and endurance improves.

No matter what your circumstances are, once you have a picture of your anticipated fitness activities and how they’re likely to expand on the way to achieving your goals, your treadmill of choice will be a vital tool to assist you on your journey. 

Think of it this way: Which home treadmill will get you from where you are now to where you want to be? 

Your Budget

• How much are you able and willing to spend?

• What might be some additional costs associated with purchasing this machine?

• When do you need the machine?

Your answers to these questions matter because if your budget is the main driving factor behind your decision, you may opt for a cheap treadmill that you don’t like and that ultimately fails to meet your needs.

We know what it’s like to have a tight budget. We also know that with treadmills, you get what you pay for. It follows that the cheapest or least expensive option often is not the best one for you. We know you may not be able to afford the top-of-the line models, and we also know that what you think you’re able to spend today may expand somewhat once you have a clear picture of your personal needs and goals and explore the details of what’s available.  We expect you’ll find many options available to you in a very realistic price range if you conduct your search with your eyes wide open.

It’s worth noting here that the cost of purchasing a treadmill involves more than the sticker price. There will likely be additional costs for shipping, delivery, and possibly for assembly. You’ll want to consider these additional costs, and plan accordingly. Also, as supply-chain issues continue to have an effect, you’ll do well to consider the in-stock availability of your chosen brand and model and compare that to your calendar so you can plan when you’ll be able to start using the machine.

Think of it this way: Which home treadmill brings me the most value for my money? If the model I want is not available now or affordable now, am I willing to wait?

Your lifestyle/living situation

• What is the physical space like where the treadmill will reside?

• How often do you plan to use your treadmill, and how long doe you expect each session to be?

• Will you be the only one using the machine, or will the treadmill have multiple users?

Your answers to these questions matter because your lifestyle and living situation, which combine to form your overall living environment, can place strict limits and requirements on your treadmill. For example, if your living space is small, you may require a treadmill that folds up for easy storage when not in use. If you live or plan to work out upstairs, you may require a model that is lightweight enough to transport easily. You may require a machine that operates quietly if you’ll be working out while your roommates or neighbors are sleeping.

And it’s important to remember that even one person with frequent long running workouts will put a lot of wear and tear on the treadmill. The amount of wear and tear on the machine will increase significantly with the number of people using it. That means the number of people using your treadmill and the kinds of workouts they’re using it for will help you determine how durable your home treadmill needs to be.

Think of it this way: Which home treadmill integrates most seamlessly into your living environment and daily life, and will stand up to the amount of use it’s likely to get?

Your honest answers build a foundation.

When you’re able to honestly answer the questions above, it becomes clear what kind of home treadmill you’re looking for. Once you’re clear, it gets easier and easier to eliminate certain models you may run across in your search, because they don’t line up with your most basic needs. You’ll also find honesty and clarity opens doors to new possibilities, allowing you to consider models you may have overlooked before.

And of course, if you choose not to consider these foundational questions at all, you run the risk of spending a lot of money for something you don’t like, don’t use, and wish you hadn’t bought.

Set yourself up for success.

If you’re looking to buy a home treadmill, set yourself up for a successful, satisfying purchase. 

Take the questions in this post seriously. Study the reviews for the models that interest you. Compare the features and benefits and drawbacks of each brand. 

And during your shopping experience, come back to these foundational self-honesty questions and see if anything changes—like your budget. Maybe you’ll be willing to wait for a sale or save for a higher priced model instead of purchasing now.

Do your homework. You’ll be glad you did.

Want more?

Our brutal honesty questions are intended to start you thinking realistically about your new home treadmill. And we have many more tools to assist you. Check out these 6 Questions You Need to Ask Before You Buy a Treadmill for more detailed information along these same lines.

Shopping for a treadmill to use at home can be complicated. But it’s not torture—or at least it doesn’t have to be. For a discussion of all the important mechanical components of a treadmill from motor size to rollers, console displays and more—all in one place–we invite you to peruse our Treadmill Buyers Guide. 

This article was written by Lane Therrell and published on Friday, 25 March 2022. 

FAQs 

What is the best home treadmill?

While the best treadmill for home use will vary from person to person, some top brands to consider include NordicTrack, ProForm, Sole, and Horizon.

Is buying a treadmill a good purchase?

Whether you are looking to reach new fitness goals or simply maintain your cardiovascular health, investing in a home treadmill is a great option.

Are treadmills good for home use?

A treadmill is one of the most popular types of fitness equipment to choose to incorporate aerobic workouts into your home exercise routine.

What should I look for when buying a home treadmill?

Desired treadmill features will depend on the wants and needs of each consumer, but three things to consider before purchasing a treadmill are 1) your body, 2) your budget, 3) your lifestyle.