Buying a Treadmill Online – The Ultimate Guide

Buying a treadmill is a step in the right direction toward better health and fitness. For you however, it’s the thought of actually shopping for a treadmill that’s daunting. Going from store to store comparing models and talking to high-pressure sales people just isn’t appealing, and takes up lots of precious time.

That’s why it’s more convenient buying a treadmill online when you are ready to purchase. You can shop at your leisure, whether that means 2:00 am or noon, and you can think it over without pressure. You also get a greater variety of treadmills to choose from on the Internet because an online merchant can ship any of their treadmills to almost anywhere.

Why Waste Money When Buying a Treadmill?

We believe that a treadmill is one of the best investments you can make in yourself, but that doesn’t mean we think you should pay a premium if you don’t have to. You may have a variety of reasons for wanting a treadmill in your home (gym schedules don’t work for you, you hate the idea of having an audience when you work out, or you want a treadmill as a replacement for walking or running outdoors for when the weather’s bad…), but we’re sure you want to get the best possible treadmill at the best possible price.

Online merchants do most of their business, if not all of it, over the Internet. That means they don’t have the high overhead of a store. They also save money by shipping treadmills directly to you from factories or warehouses instead of delivering them from stores where they’ve already been delivered once. All of these are savings that the merchant will pass on to you when buying a treadmill online.

Companies such as Sole and NordicTrack also offer free shipping because they do so much of it (and with shipping running into the hundreds of dollars for some treadmills, this is a significant savings).

To find a reliable company that knows what they’re doing and can give you excellent service, keep these tips for finding an online treadmill seller in mind:

• Online stores usually post their own company history on the website. Look for the “about us” or “history” section to see how long they’ve been in business. Also check consumer reviews and the Better Business Bureau.
• Know what the return policy is for all treadmills. Some Internet stores give you a short “money back guarantee” period to try out the equipment. Be sure to ask, however, if you can return it because you just don’t like it, or if you can only return because of faulty equipment.
• Warranties are one of the most important features to consider when buying a treadmill. The longer the coverage, the better off you will be. Look for warranties that also cover labor for a period of time, as this can get expensive. Will the merchant back up the warranty on treadmills they sell?
• Talk to others who have bought a treadmill online. Reputation with consumers can give you a very accurate read. Ask about the companies they considered and the customer support/response experiences they have had. Also ask each company you visit on the Internet what type of customer service they offer – live chat? phone? e-mail?
• And finally, did you know that some of these online merchants offer financing to spread out the payments of your new cardio machine?

The Best Merchants Offer the Best Deals

There’s a reason that you can get a better deal at a big department store than at a little specialty shop. Actually, there are two – volume and variety. The same holds true for online merchants. You can usually find your best deals when buying a treadmill by checking out some of the larger online treadmill or fitness equipment brands.

Here the best ones with the best deals.  You can visit the sites by clicking the logos below.

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How Do I Choose The Best One?

When it comes to finding the best treadmill, you need to decide what your budget is and what you are looking for.  A great starting point is our Best Treadmills list, which breaks down our expert's top selections by type and by price.

Your budget will dictate the type of treadmill you can buy.  For example, if you have less than $1000 to spend you will not be getting a commercial grade treadmill with a touch screen and powerful motor.  But you can still find something that will fit your needs.

What adds to the price of a treadmill?  Advanced cushioning, longer/wider decks, stronger motors, better construction, advanced consoles (touch screens, internet capability), more programming.  All of these things are considerations when it comes to making a selection.

So start with your budget.  What's the most you can possibly spend on your new treadmill.  Then choose your needs.  Then finally choose your wants.  Once you have that all narrowed down you will find the ideal machine for your home gym.