Tuesday, January 1, 2008

Shopping Tips - How To Find Discount Treadmills

Treadmills offer a great way to get a workout in the comfort of your own home. The only problem is that they're expensive. There's no way around it, if you want a good new treadmill, you can expect to pay a grand or more. This is why some people prefer to look for discount treadmills.

Discount treadmills come in different shapes and sizes. You can save money on a discount treadmill, but each avenue has its ups and downs. Here are some tips on finding deals on discount treadmills.

Gyms and Fitness Clubs

One great way to buy discount treadmills is through gyms and fitness clubs. Every year, they have to update their machines and get the latest models, and they end up passing their old ones cheaply to you.

Pros - Gyms and fitness clubs use only the highest quality and most popular treadmill models. You can get top name brands like Proform, Nordic Track and Horizon for a good deal.

Cons - These machines have really been used. Even though gyms use sturdy models that can withstand a lot of use, these treadmills may have problems due to the heavy use they've endured, and they will definitely be past warrantee.

When buying a treadmill from a gym or fitness club, ask how old it is. The younger it is, the safer it will be.

Buy Online

You can find great deals on treadmills online. There are tons and tons of e-retailers carrying treadmills, and you can compare prices without leaving your computer.

Pros - At the touch of your fingers, you can find the cheapest deals on discount treadmills available. You can easily find new discount treadmills at prices you would rarely see at your local store.

Cons - Some of these companies are not so reputable. If you're buying a treadmill online, make sure that 1) they are a legitimate dealer and trustworthy company, 2) they will provide ongoing customer service in case of any trouble you have with your treadmill (something like a 30-day money back guarantee is good here), and 3) they offer a warrantee. Make sure you are covered if your treadmill doesn't work.

Before you hop online and start looking, take a trip to your local treadmill dealer and try a few out. Look at all the different models, take them for a spin, even take notes on what features and models you liked. This will help you make an informed decision when you're looking online.

Cut Down On Extras

One of the things that make treadmills so expensive is all the new features they're packed with. You'll see the latest models advertised with all kinds of incline options, electronic voice coaches and printable heart rate monitors. You should ask yourself, what do I really need?

If you plan to just do brisk walking with your treadmill, you can buy the cheapest models on the market. It has a deck, a motor and an electronic console to control it; it's enough for you. If you need a simple treadmill, you can pay as little as $500 for a brand new one at your local dealer.

These extra features are great for serious athletes. But, when you are shopping for treadmills, take into account what you plan to do with it before you buy it. You can save money and give yourself a discount if you ditch the special features.

It's not hard to find discount treadmills. It's just a matter of knowing where to look, and what to look for.

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