Buying a Cheap Treadmill: Is This a Wise Move?
With tough times upon us, we have to scrimp and save in whatever way we can. If this means foregoing the gym membership and buying a cheap treadmill, then so be it. But is this really your best move to save a few hundred dollars? What are the pros and cons of buying a more affordable model than getting one in the mid to high price range? Find the answers to these questions first before making your final choice so you won’t have unexpected surprises down the road.
One option for a cheaper treadmill is buying a previously-owned equipment. If you can’t buy from someone you know, try to glean as many details of the treadmill as you can. If you don’t get any straight answers, this could be a stolen item so beware.
You may also find some alternatives widely advertised on the internet and on tv, and some of these may seem interesting, many of them cheap. The thing is though, these companies could be here today and gone tomorrow. If you run into some problems with your treadmill and need replacement parts, where would you go then? Other treadmills may also be touted as having both affordability and quality but you could end up settling for a model that may not fit your needs, making the purchase a complete waste of money. For about $200-$300 more, some treadmills already offer features as heart rate monitors and speaker systems.
It is most important that you pick out a treadmill that meets the demands of your exercise, fitness, and weight loss goals. A top of the line quality machine will cost you from $1000 to $2500. Quality costs more upfront but as a result you end up with a machine that gives you a superior workout, has an awesome warranty and will last longer than its cheaper counterparts. Most cheap treadmills only have 90-day warranties, frequently break down and perform poorly during workouts.
If you decide to buy a treadmill because you’d prefer to work at home than join a gym, a cheap model might not be your best bet. Should it break down some few months after you use it, and you have a limited warranty for it, you’d need to join a gym anyway to continue your exercise program. Or, buy a new treadmill. Then you’d end up spending more money, which is exactly what you’re trying to avoid during this economic slump.
How do you plan on using your treadmill? Walkers can find accommodating models for about $1000. Joggers and runners can expect to pay from $1500 to $2500 for a comparable model that fits their needs. You do not want to buy a less expensive one that cannot handle running all of the time. If this happens, it will quickly break down because it cannot handle the demands being put on it.
So what is one to do given all these possible scenarios? In the end it all boils down to the fact that skimping on your treadmill purchase now could have you spending more in the future. Save yourself the hassle of having to deal with repairs and broken equipment down the road by not buying a cheap treadmill.
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