Horsepower (DC Motor): Your treadmill motor should have a Continuous Duty rating, or horsepower, of at least 1.5 continuous duty horsepower. Continuous duty means how much horsepower can be constantly delivered to the motor regardless of the user's weight. Peak duty is the maximum horsepower that a treadmill can deliver. A continuous duty rated motor in your treadmill will give you a more quality performance and longer life. Treadmill duty and peak performance ratings are two other rating systems that should be avoided at all costs. Some treadmills have a horsepower of 3. You do not need a treadmill that powerful for your home use, but if you find one you like that has 3, there's nothing wrong with that. A higher horsepower treadmill will, however, be more expensive. DC Motor warranties should be 2 years or more.

Now, let's talk about the other parts of your treadmill that you should know about so that you get the best possible treadmill for your money.

Deck-Belt: The treadmill deck should be designed and manufactured to require very little maintenance. The noise generated from the belt moving along the deck should be very low. Some deck-belt combinations required a lubricant to help reduce friction. High quality decks-belts require very little lube. The warranty should be 2 years or more.

Frame: The treadmill frame should be constructed of a high alloy steel or aluminum / aircraft aluminum. Any materials less than the above would not be appropriate for a treadmill frame. Steel is heavier and sturdier than aluminum. Welded frames will hold up far better than bolts or glue. Frame warranties should be Lifetime.

Operating/Control System: You treadmill's control panel should be easy to read and use. Always check for an emergency stop button that can attach to your body/clothing. A good quality treadmill will start slowly and stop slowly. There are many programs and options available on today's models. It's very important to choose the machine that has features that are most relevant to your needs and not just what the salesperson suggests. Computer and electronics warranties should be 2 years or more.

Rollers: You should also consider the treadmill rollers. Basically, this means that the larger the roller the better because a larger roller creates a larger surface for the belt to make contact with, which means less belt tension. This also means that the roller turns less therefore the roller bearings heat up less. Remember larger rollers means less tension, less heat and longer life. Roller warranties should be 2 years or more.

Here are a few other suggestions when you're looking into purchasing a treadmill.

A good treadmill should feel sturdy and comfortable to walk and on. It should also be quiet enough to hear yourself think. Although finding a quality treadmill at a good price may take some looking around. A specialty exercise equipment store will offer many different models with different prices. A good home treadmill will probably cost around two thousand dollars or more. If it costs less than that, you're sacrificing quality for price. And many people who have purchased a lesser quality treadmill have ended up spending more on repairs and such than if they bought the real thing. So get ready to have some fun and get in shape with your brand new treadmill!