When it comes to fitness, where do you start?

My wife and I have a membership with a large chain of gyms. It's certainly a common way to keep fit and well exercised. We like best that we have access to excellent equipment, including treadmills, weights, nautilus maccines, racquetball courts, and more. The downside is that it takes a lot of time out of our day, and sometimes it is just hard to fit it in to our schedules on busier days. At times like that, our gym membership seems to get "more and more expensive" when we can't use it every day. Sometimes, it just isn't convenient.

So we have wondered, what if we could circumvent the gym? What would be the benefits or hindrances of getting our own gym equipment?

At the gym, the equipment we spend the most time on are the treadmills. It would be the best thing to start with for our home gym equipment. It's pretty simple to buy and simple to use. And for most people, walking and running is a preferred type of exercise. Running and walking burns fat, keeps the blood pumping, and improves cardiac-respiratory endurance. An indoor treadmill is also an excellent choice over running or walking outside because you can control the weather and climate indoors. That's the best part in my opinion, and the main reason we have had a gym membership. I hate exercising in hot, wet, cold, humid, or other "bad" weather. Sometimes I hate exercising in good weather! But having a treadmill available and convenient can overcome even my own laziness! Just put in a movie, and start walking!

So now that we have established that a treadmill just might be an excellent idea for our home, and maybe yours, here are some interesting points that I found in my research that are important to consider in the process of deciding to get a treadmill or not. The most common question we all seem to have is related to the cost: Is it better to pay for a gym membership? Or is better to in the long run to buy a treadmill for home?

CONSIDER THIS -- Cost

Treadmills range in price, and get can get amazingly expensive for high-end models. I remember seeing one on late night TV for $99.00 (or 3 easy payment of $34.99!). Because of the cost, it's 's obviously important that you take your budget into consideration before you make your final choice. But it's also important to buy the highest quality that you can afford. You most certainly want to get the most bang for you buck.

You can find a quality treadmill without seriously damaging your bank account. But expect to spend at least $1000. That may sound like a lot, but there are far more expensive pieces of equipment people buy for their homes. If you want more features on your equipment, expect to add another $300 to $500 to the sticker price. There are some good models that fall under that price range, but remember that cheap treadmills may end up costing you more in the end.

The four factors to consider are:

1. Your own budget
2. Extras you want (programming, heart rate monitor, resistance, etc.)
3. The type and quality of the motor.
4. Where you will put it in your house.

Consider all these (the 4th one often is often forgotten until you try to bring the treadmill into the house and try to fit in in the room you thought it should go) and you should have a good idea where to start your search for the right treadmill.

CONSIDER THIS – The Motor

The core of the treadmill is really the motor. Remember me mentioning that late night TV model? It was only $99.00 because it didn't have a motor at all! And they made that a core feature of that treadmill. Years later, I saw that same "As Seen On TV" Treadmill that had no motor, and I tried it out briefly. Wow! Talk about a battle! The "built in resistance" that they claimed would be there--well they weren't kidding! That was a tremendous chore just to get running on it. Imagine having to shove the sidewalk behind you everywhere you walked! Oh My! I am sure glad I didn't get THAT treadmill!

As an overview, a treadmill has seven key components. They are:

* The Frame holds the whole structure together from handlebars and Console to running deck and belt.
* The Deck is the horizontal part that you walk or run on.
* The Belt is the moving part of the running deck that loops around and provides you with a gripping surface to run on.
* The Motor makes the running belt move.
* The Throttle is the part that allows you to control the speed of the motor.
* The Incline Motor is the smaller motor that controls the incline of the running deck (if your treadmill has this feature).
* The Console and Computer are the parts of the treadmill that interfaces with the user of the machine, and may include other advanced features like heart rate monitor, etc.

While all of these components are important. I want to draw your attention most to the motor. Without it, your treadmill becomes a really huge doorstop.

As you noticed in that list, most treadmills of any quality will have two different motors. One to do most of the work of keeping you moving on it, and the other to raise or lower the inclination of the treadmill to create "gravity resistance" during your workout. As you shop around, you will want to get a belt motor with no less than 1.5 horsepower. This is the average for these motors, but remember that "more" doesn't always mean "better". This is especially true with a motor that is not a "continuous duty" motor. Sometimes salespeople will focus on the "maximum power" of the motor. Don't be fooled. A continuous duty motor is the betty buy.

To help you in your shopping efforts, and so that you will know your way around the store before the salespeople try to lead you by the nose to their highest commissioned equipment, here are some terms you probably ought to know:

Fixed Speed Alternating Current (AC) MotorsThese motors run at a constant speed and uses gears and a transmission to increase or decrease the speed of the belt.Direct Current (DC) MotorsSpeed with these motors is varied by voltage, not a transmission. The motor itself changes speed as you need it to. Variable Speed AC MotorsThe motor connects directly with the drive belt and regulates speed based on current.Peak HorsepowerThis is the maximum amount of HP a motor is capable of before stalling out.Continuous horsepowerThe actual amount of HP being used while the treadmill is in use.

CONSIDER THIS – Important Specs

While the motor is certainly a core component, and the most important part of your buying decision, there are many other specifications that should also be considered. These other specs and features are what will set treadmills apart and help you choose the one that's right for you. The motor is important for reliability and longevity. These other specs fill out the rest of the equipment into a machine you will want to use regularly, or will easily ignore and leave as a dust catcher in the basement.

Statistically, more people use treadmills for running as well as walking. Because of that I recommend getting a treadmill with a longer and wider deck. It should be at least 3 feet long and 16 inches wide. With a treadmill at least that long and wide, and you will be very happy with the results.

For runners, you will want a treadmill that accelerates to at least to 10 mph. For incline, you will appreciate the flexibility of up to 10% incline for making your workouts more challenging. Higher inclines, up to 20%, are often recommend, especially by eager salespeople, but really, that's overkill for your workout (running up steep inclines is not only more difficult and potentially dangerous, but it's something you would rarely do anyway. Besides, the price difference usually doesn't justify it.

Speaking of potential dangers, pay attention to the cushioning. A treadmill designed for running will be one that can absorb the shock of each stride without the danger of knee or ankle injury. It is also very important to make sure the treadmill remains sturdy during your fastest runs. Obviously one that might move around under your foot-pounding actions could result in a quick trip to the emergency room.

Along these lines, examine the frames. Look for solid welding at the joints. For runners especially, be aware that your "pounds per square inch" is up to 5x higher while running. Be sure to test out the treadmill by running on it. It should not shake move move at all while you are pounding away on it. If it doesn't feel solid, move on to a different one. It's not worth the risk to have the treadmill bounce out from under you will you are working out.

Ah, and now the FUN part! The control panel and computer features! Do you want a treadmill that can run different terrains and programs? I like being able to vary my walks with hills and speed changes. My favorite treadmills at the gym have a heart rate monitor, and will automatically adjust the incline for the speed I have chosen to make sure I am at the best heart rate for the type of workout I have selected. It's like having a personal trainer stand by and watch you as you work out.

Make sure that the control panel is easy to reach and read from where you will be using the treadmill. It also needs to be simple to use. I like to see motivational numbers as well. Timers for how long you have worked out, how much time you have left in your workout, how many calories you have burned, the distance you have gone, etc., are all great to see while working out.

CONSIDER THIS – Making the Decision

There are so many treadmills out there, it's almost like there has been a treadmill made for everyone who ever wanted one. So before you buy, make sure you consider all these features and decide which ones are must-haves, and which ones are would-likes, and which ones are not necessary at all.

How varied would you like the programming? Would you like running programs as well as walking programs? Cardio and Fat Burn? Would you like to be able to program and save your own workout routines?

How important is a heart rate monitor? Are sensors in the handlebars sufficient, or do you need sensors that let you workout hands-free?

Would it be convenient to have a treadmills connect to a website to customize your workouts and track them online?

When considering the space you have at home, does the treadmill need to be able to fold up to conserve space? Or do you have enough room to leave it out full time?

Is the treadmill easy to maintain, or does it come with a good service warranty?

As soon as you feel you have those questions answered in your mind, you should be ready to take the next step.

CONSIDER THIS – The Test Drive

It's one thing to look over a spec sheet when buying a treadmill, comparing them side-by-side, examining reviews in consumer magazines, but as I have said before, you just can't know until you get on it and take 'er for a spin.

After comparing features, motors, options and so on, narrow down your list of different treadmill models, put on your socks and running shoes, and head out to meet with some vendors. Like a car, you will want to test-drive each of your favorite models, and take your time. You should be on each one for at least 10 minutes each, so you get a realistic feel for how the machine operates. Get familiar with them and learn about the rest of the amenities, like cup holders, book racks, and so on.

Have a tape measure with you to be sure it will fit with ample "maneuvering" room into the spot you have picked out for it at home. Make sure you have the room you need to safely board and exit the treadmill, and that you will be able to get it through doorways and around corners to its new home.