Out of all these seven components, the most important is obviously the motor. Of course, because it’s what makes your treadmill work in the first place. For this reason, you need to consider the motor first when you buy a treadmill.

As mentioned, most treadmills have two motors – one to drive the belt and the other to raise and lower the bed for inclines. When you look over a few treadmills as you shop, choose one with a continuous duty belt motor with at least 1.5 horsepower. 1.5 horsepower is the average, but remember that more horsepower doesn’t necessarily mean better. This is particularly true if the motor is not continuous duty. So, when the salesperson tells you that ‘maximum power’ is what’s it all about, don’t be fooled. You know better. Get the treadmill with the continuous duty motor.

Here are some other terms you need to familiarize yourself with as you shop around for the best treadmill:

• Fixed Speed Alternating Current (AC) Motors – while motor runs at a constant speed, it uses a transmission to regulate the speed of the treadmill 
• Direct Current (DC) Motors – directly regulates speed, using variable voltage and not a transmission; this means that the motor itself changes speeds as the user makes adjustments 
• Variable Speed AC Motors – also regulates speed directly and connects directly to the drive belt 
• Peak Horsepower – the maximum horsepower a motor is capable of reaching before stalling out 
• Continuous horsepower – the actual horsepower being used when someone is using the treadmill

Fact #3 – Other Specifications

Of course, it goes without saying that aside from the motor, there are also other things you need to look for in a treadmill. That is what makes a treadmill so great – every component is equally important and should be chosen with the utmost care if you want what’s worth for your money.

Most people use the treadmill for running. Others may prefer walking on it, but majority really buy treadmills because they don’t want the hassle of having to go outside for a quick jog every morning or evening. For that, you need a lot of flat surface. Your treadmill comes equipped with a rolling belt on which you will do your running. The suggested belt size should be at least 48 inches long and 16 inches wide. Look for a treadmill with those kinds of specifications and I guarantee you that you won’t regret it one bit.