Seven Bad Ways to Buy a Treadmill

Here is a recent article I stumbled recently and I feel he covers ways on buying your treadmill especially in UK. From Robert Braun:

1. Spending more than you need to - Treadmill quality and treadmill prices both vary greatly. The first step in not spending more than you need to is to know what equipment you need. The second step is to know the best places to buy that equipment. Usually, buying online will spare you the pain of spending more than you need to.

2. Spending too little - Treadmills are like anything else; you get what you pay for. "Cheap" treadmills tend to be fragile. They are not heavy or large. When running on them, the user may feel uncomfortable because the machine moves around or does not feel stable. Good starting points here are an adequately-sized belt and an adequately-sized motor. What is adequate depends on your size and intended use. Generally speaking, the bigger the user the bigger the belt and motor should be. For faster or more serious runners, heavier machines are better. While heavy may not mean better, heavier machines almost always have bigger belts and bigger motors, so it's an easy place to start.

3. Buying Obscure Brands - The simplest method of ensuring you are spending enough is to buy well-known names. If you can't find much on the brand on the Internet, it is not a brand name. Why take chances? Many of the best brands have parts made in China to U.S. standards. Then the parts are assembled in the U.S. with the best technology. Contrast this to Chinese brands assembled in China. Chinese brands may be fine, but why take the chance?

4. Paying Sales Tax - Ouch! Your total cost can be quite a bit higher if you live in a state with a high sales tax rate. Making your purchase online usually allows you to avoid this. As of this writing, a buyer is only required to pay sales tax if he resides in the same state as the company he's buying from. A Congressional committee is working on a bill that would collect sales tax on all online purchases. Some big online retailers have already started collecting sales tax in anticipation of these changes. If you can buy now, this is a good reason to do it!

5. Paying Shipping Charges - Most specialty exercise equipment stores will not charge extra for delivery. They can afford to do this because they generally sell only the highest quality equipment at premium prices. Discount and department stores generally have lower prices, but, if they delivery at all, they add a significant delivery charge. Unless you have a pickup truck and strong friends with time on their hands, this is difficult to avoid. It can be difficult to compare prices if you have to add sales tax, shipping charges, and time. How about about just determining the right treadmill for you and then not paying for shipping or sales tax!

6. Not having the support of people you live with. As with any important goal, if the people close to you don't support it, they can subvert your efforts. There are aspects of this phenomenon that are unique to treadmills. First, if your family members are out of shape and are not trying to get into better shape, on some level they can start to resent the new you. They may call you a narcissist or accuse you of ignoring your responsibilities. They may not want you to succeed! This may sound crazy, but it really does happen and can be tough to resist.

Treadmills do make some noise. It's usually not the treadmill as much as it is your feet repeatedly hitting the belt that makes most of the noise. Someone in the room downstairs from you may not appreciate that. A treadmill mat or a rug can help, but be forewarned!

7. Not using the treadmill! - Everyone starts with good intentions. They gradually tail off into the land of excuses and procrastination. Your chances are best if you avoid the first six sins. The final mistake is the worst, and actually can be deadly. As some wise person said, "You either invest your time and money on your health, or you spend them on you diseases. The only way to escape this fact is to die early!"

End of article.

I like the #6 and #7. #7 reminds me of a friend of mine who bought a treadmill and not actually use it. Making excuses not to use it. I think most of the time people are to feel like they are doing something for themselves. Remember even with a treadmill an action is still required. Don't consider buying the treadmill as an change to your health.

Until next time, stay healthy.

Jan Michael A. Buyco

P.S. Treadmill in UK are great equipments for workouts.

Source