The treadmill you purchase should have a strong motor that will withstand a lot of use. There are many different types of treadmill motors, and not all are created equal. Many times, a sales person or an advertisement about a treadmill will be misleading about the treadmill's horsepower, so it's important to know what kind of motor you will want and need before shopping around so you can make an educated, informed decision.

Types of motors
The type of motor you get depends on the type of treadmill you want. If you are purchasing a treadmill just to use as backup in case it rains or snows, or if you only plan on walking slowly on your treadmill, you most likely won't need to pay extra for a super motor that reaches speeds of 12 mph. However, if you plan on using your treadmill multiple times a week and for extended periods, you will need a more powerful motor.

• Peak Horsepower. If the salesperson totes an amazing horsepower of a particular treadmill, make sure you ask what kind of horsepower you are getting. If he or she, or the advertisements, use Peak Horsepower as their main type of horsepower, you might want to look at something a little stronger. This type of horsepower is the treadmill's top power output and generally can not be sustained for more than a few minutes
• Continuous duty horsepower. This is the best type of motor to get for your treadmill. High continuous duty horsepower provides power designed to sustain the treadmill continuously over 24 hours of constant use. This type of treadmill motor can not only reach higher speeds, but it also allows the treadmill to work better under more weight, which is especially important when the runner makes a harder impact on the belt with higher speeds.
• Commercial grade motor. This type of motor will typically reach higher speeds and be able to maintain them for longer periods of time, usually 12 miles per hour. Fast runners or people who want to push themselves should look for this type of motor. This type of treadmill motor is usually found in health clubs and gyms and will be more expensive than a lower-grade motor.

Warranty
Don't purchase a treadmill that doesn't come with a warranty of some sort. Most treadmills actually have a lifetime warranty on their motors, which is preferable. Look for the best warranty you can, especially if you plan on using your treadmill frequently or running hard on it.

The treadmill motor is a big part of the way your treadmill will be functioning, so make sure you understand what you want from your treadmill before you purchase one. Educate yourself on different motors, and you will end up with a treadmill that lasts a long time.