The market is flooded with cheap treadmills.  There in all the mass merchant store like WalMart, Target and K-Mart.  They appeal to a growing population of overweight people looking to burn calories and get back in shape.  Unfortunately, most do not realize the limiations of these inexpensive machines. 

A treadmill is a complicated piece of machinery, requiring fine tuned parts.  It also most absorb a great deal of impact.  That is why commercial grade treadmills cost in excess of $5,000.  They need to be built like a tank.

So what qualifies as a cheap treadmill?  I would say any model $500 or less.  Over $500 and you are in the budget range. 

How do manufacturers able to sell their treadmills at such a low price?  They use cheap components, and consist of small decks.  When you purchase a cheap treadmill you can expect to get an inadequate size motor, a small treadbelt surface, and a deck that is often too thin for overweight people. 

You’ll find these cheap treadmills come with 90-day parts and labor warranties.  That is because the companies that build them have little confidence they will last beyond that coverage period.

If you are considering buying a treadmill, get a model that will last the duration.  Buying cheap is not always the most cost-effective, expecially if you have to replace it shortly after buying it. 

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Be Healthy,
Fred

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