| So, you want to buy a treadmill. Congratulations. The | | | | buy, there are a few questions you need to ask |
| decision to invest in your health is an important one, but | | | | yourself before your visit. Who will be using the |
| not always an easy one. For many people, diverting | | | | product (you, spouse, and other family members?) |
| their limited disposable income towards fitness | | | | How many times per week will it be used and how |
| equipment means putting off the purchase of other | | | | long will each training session be? (Total estimated |
| items that might be considered more "fun" or | | | | usage will help determine the quality and performance |
| "prestigious" (think plasma TV, new computer , or even | | | | level required). Will the users be walking or running? |
| a down payment on a boat or RV). So, kudos to you | | | | What are you goals of the users? (Examples include |
| on your decision. Now that you're decision is made, it's | | | | weight management, lower blood pressure or |
| time to focus on how to find the absolute best | | | | cholesterol, managing diabetes, general wellness or |
| products for your, your needs, and your financial | | | | even training for a 10k or marathon.) Are there any |
| situation. | | | | physical issues such as bad knees, ankles, hips or |
| First off, there are a dizzying array of places you can | | | | back? Many treadmills offer a cushioned walk/run |
| purchase a treadmill. Large sporting goods stores, big | | | | deck and some even have adjustable cushioning |
| box retailers, wholesale warehouses and on-line are | | | | systems that can help reduce impact to joints. |
| just a few of the choices. Industry statistics indicate | | | | Other questions to consider include where will the |
| that over 80% of the units sold nationally are sold | | | | treadmill be going? Remember you are more likely to |
| through theses channels. However, savvy buyers | | | | use it if it's in a nice, well-lit room, possibly eve with a |
| know that they best place to purchase high quality | | | | TV or music available (to reduce boredom of course). |
| fitness equipment is at specialty fitness retailer. | | | | Do you have space limitations? If so, there are a |
| A good specialty fitness retailer (SFR) will have an | | | | number of great folding units available. |
| experienced staff that can explain key product | | | | Now that you know specialty fitness retailers are the |
| features and how they will help you reach your goals. | | | | way to go as well as some of the key questions to |
| The products they carry generally offer significantly | | | | consider, you can bust out the yellow pages (old |
| enhanced construction, quality, durability and warranty | | | | school) or surf the various equipment manufacturers |
| when compared to what you will find at the mass | | | | websites to find dealers near you. Pick one or two |
| merchants and other channels. Remember, value is not | | | | reputable dealers (yes, there are some snakes out |
| always about price. A $799.00 treadmill that fails after | | | | there, so be careful) and maybe even choose which |
| 6 months, or that feels so rickety you end up not using | | | | manufacturers products you want to look at. Focus on |
| it, can quickly become an $800 clothes hanger. | | | | the long term, stable companies that have been |
| Conversely, a $1,999 treadmill that carries a 5 or even | | | | serving the industry for at least 10 years. |
| 10 year warranty, that feels solid and smooth, has | | | | Several fitness suppliers have been going out of |
| enough electronic features to keep you interested and | | | | business in the last year or two, so remember, if |
| has training tools to help you reach your goals, is | | | | something seems too good to be true (such as the |
| probably a far better investment. | | | | price is too low or is the warranty too good), it |
| In addition to knowledgeable staff and high quality | | | | probably is. Believe it, or not, super low pricing and |
| equipment, SER's also generally offer delivery and | | | | ridiculous warranties are generally the direction |
| installation and service after the sale. They can help | | | | companies go when they are struggling to get traction |
| you set up training programs or even refer you to | | | | in the marketplace. What good is a lifelong warranty if |
| personal trainers. Let's just say that they are more | | | | the company that offered it is out of business? |
| interested in helping you reach your goals and having a | | | | Again, congratulations on your decision to invest in |
| customer for life than their big box counterparts. | | | | yourself, and thanks for reading this how-to-buy tutorial. |
| Now that you know specialty fitness is the place to | | | | |