When you buy a treadmill you are about to spend a considerable amount of money. That is of course, if you are going to buy a quality treadmill. Treadmills under $800 dollars are not built for endurance and performance. You will probably get an inferior workout and your machine will potentially breakdown after minimum use.

So what do you look for when you buy a treadmill, and should you buy your treadmill from a retail dealer or on the Internet?

When You Buy a Treadmill From a Retail Store

The advantage when you buy a treadmill from a store is obvious, you get to try it out. You can try out all of the features, and determine which one best serves your needs. But this comes with a price. You are paying for two costly expenses. First, you have to pay for the retail overhead costs. Most retail fitness equipment stores are in prime locations. This cost of leasing the building adds significantly to the price of the treadmill.

Second, when you buy a treadmill you pay for the commission to the salesperson. And since he is on commission you can't always be certain he is going to provide you with objective information. In fact, you can assume he won't. His motive is making the most money off of you.

Together the retail costs and the salesperson's commissions can add up to 15% - 20% to the cost of your treadmill. Ouch!

Buying a Treadmill Online

When you buy a treadmill online you can save considerable money, but you have to be an educated buyer. These are considerations when you buy a treadmill online:

• Check to makes sure the treadmill is a name brand, backed buy independent ratings and reviews. Also, check for customer testimonials, if available.
• Make sure when you buy a treadmill, it is built with quality components. Treadmills are like computers, most manufacturers use similar parts. Make certain the parts are reputable and that the overall construction meets or exceeds the standards required for your needs.
• A warranty says a lot about the quality of a treadmill. Companies are not going to offer an exceptional warranty if the machine tends to breakdown in a short period of time. Warranties are a consistent factor in the quality of a treadmill. If the warranty covers a reasonable period of time then it makes sense that the treadmill is built to last. Also, only buy a treadmill that comes with a mimimum one year in home repair warranty. If you are considering a budget model consider buying an extended warranty.