If you plan on running, get a treadmill that goes up to 10 mph. For incline, get a treadmill that can go up to 10%. Some people say that an incline of 20% is the best choice, but really, that’s too much. Ten percent is exactly what you need, not too much, not too less.

Cushioning is another thing you should watch out for. Sprains happen when you run because you were wearing the wrong shoes or the ground wasn’t conducive to running, i.e. there wasn’t enough cushioning to support each foot-strike. When you buy a treadmill, choose one with a running bed that could absorb shock. Also, make sure that the bed doesn’t move around with every foot-strike.

Check the frames. Make sure that they provide you with stability. The treadmill should shake or move around when you run or walk on it. A good tip would be to try standing on the treadmill and hold on to the handlebars, assuming your position when you run. If the frame feels like it isn’t solidly placed, don’t buy that treadmill. Move on to the next one.

The control panel of your treadmill is the fun part. This is where you control every other aspect of your treadmill, besides the motor (and sometimes even that). Most treadmill models these days come with their very own exercise programs and let you choose which among the beginners, advanced, and expert programs you want to try. Other treadmills have their own personal electronic trainer installed in their programming and you can access that through your treadmill’s control panel.

When looking at control panels, it is important that it should be within easy reach from where you will be as you run. It is important that it be simple to use as well. Remember that your control panel is your one access to your treadmill because it where you can control everything with just a touch of a button or a twist of a knob.

 Fact #4 – Making the Decision

There are many types of treadmills for many types of individuals. There are treadmills with personal trainers installed in them. There are treadmills that purely traditional in the sense that they don’t have a single program running them. There are treadmills with maximum horsepower. There are treadmills with low power. So before you buy, try to decide what you want. Use the questions below as a guide in arriving at a decision:

• Do you want running or walking programs included? 
• Do you need a heartrate monitor? 
• Do you want a function that lets you hook your treadmill up to a website such as ifit.com for new workouts? 
• Do you need a treadmill that folds (usually more expensive) or do you have enough space to house a treadmill full time? 
• How easy is the treadmill to maintain?

 Once you have all that down, then you should be ready to the next step, which is

Fact #5 – Trying it Out

Perhaps the most important step to buying a treadmill, trying one out before actually buying is only logical. After all, those spec sheets they show you are only figures, numbers, technical descriptions. You won’t know for sure until you try it or hold it in your two hands.

Make a list of all treadmill models you like and call sporting goods stores to see if they’re available locally. Spend at least 10 minutes on each treadmill, making sure that it runs quietly and doesn’t shake even when you’re running on it. And while you’re there, see where the drink holder is, a place where you can place your walkman, a book rack, and some other small stuff that aren’t terribly important but would be a nice addition anyway. And after checking all those out and coming up with your hands full, make the purchase and bring your new treadmill home.