How to buy a treadmill

Purchasing a treadmill should be exciting. You’re investing in your health, creating a workout space that fits your life, and building habits that last. But between scrolling through hundreds of online options and trying to decode a spec sheet filled with technical jargon, excitement turned to frustration. Over the past 20 years, we’ve helped thousands of Arizona families find the perfect treadmill for them, and we’ve learned what really matters when making this decision.

Why treadmill shopping feels so complicated

Walk into most big box stores and you’ll find a few dusty treadmills lined up against the wall, and probably a teenager nearby who knows as much about cardboard specs as placards. When shopping online, you’ll be inundated with reviews, conflicting information, and one nagging question: What happens if a freight truck goes wrong after dumping a 300-pound box in your driveway.

The truth is, buying a treadmill doesn’t have to be complicated. It just requires understanding what’s really important in your specific situation and having someone who can guide you in considering those factors, rather than just pushing for the thing with the highest commission this month.

Start with how you actually use it

Before you look at a treadmill, be honest about your plans. Can you walk, jog or run? Will you use it every day or a few times a week? Is this for one person or shared among multiple family members? These answers are more important than almost any spec you read online.

Walkers require different features than runners. Someone training for a marathon has different requirements than someone recovering from knee surgery. A home with three people of different sizes using devices needs to consider things that a single-user home can ignore. These are the first questions our team asks when you visit our showroom, because matching equipment to actual usage patterns can avoid costly mistakes.

Specs that really matter

Treadmill specs may overwhelm you, but only a few truly impact your day-to-day experience.

Motor power, measured in horsepower or continuous horsepower (CHP), determines a treadmill’s performance over sustained use, especially at heavier loads or higher speeds. Walking requires less motor power than running. Larger users require more motor power than smaller users to perform the same activity. Generally speaking, you need at least 2.5 CHP when walking, 3.0 CHP when jogging, and 3.5 CHP or higher when running, especially if you weigh more than 200 pounds.

Belt size affects comfort and safety. Width is important because a belt that is too narrow will force you to focus on foot position rather than exercise. Length is important because taller users and runners will need more room. Most quality treadmills offer a belt that is at least 20 inches wide by 55 inches long, while serious treadmills offer belts that are 22 inches wide by 60 inches or longer.

Weight capacity isn’t just about whether the treadmill can support you physically. Every time you hit the ground while running, you create an impact equivalent to two to three times your body weight. A treadmill rated for 300 pounds used by a 280-pound regular runner will always be at its limit. Give yourself room on this norm.

Cushioning systems vary widely between makes and models. Some treadmills feel like running on concrete, some feel bouncy and unstable, and some absorb shock without affecting your natural stride. It’s nearly impossible to evaluate based on specs alone, which is why it’s so important to try out a device before buying.

Features you’ll use vs. features that sound good

Modern treadmills come with a lot of features, but many of them sound better in marketing materials than they do in real life. A built-in screen with streaming workouts seems exciting until you realize you’d rather watch your own shows, or that a subscription costs $40 a month. Fancy preset programs seem useful until you find yourself pressing the same Quick Start button every workout.

Think about what you actually do now and what you would actually do. If you already watch workout videos on your tablet, you might value a treadmill with a good device mount and Bluetooth connectivity over one with a built-in screen. If you listen to podcasts while walking, a simple console that displays speed, time, and distance may suit you better than a touchscreen you can never fully explore.

The ability to tilt is important to add challenge and variety without increasing speed. Most treadmills offer inclines of up to 15%, simulating fairly steep hills. Some models also offer a descent feature, which is valuable for runners training for downhill sections. Consider whether to actually use these features based on your fitness goals.

If space is really limited, folding mechanisms can help, but they add complexity and potential points of failure. If you have a dedicated workout space where you can place your treadmill, non-folding models often offer better stability and longevity. If you need to fold it after each use to free up living space, make sure the folding mechanism feels sturdy and operates smoothly.

The value of trying before you buy

Here’s what online shopping can’t give you: the feeling of actually running on a treadmill. How the cushioning responds to your specific gait. Is the height of the console appropriate for your body. How loud does the motor sound in an actual room rather than in a product video. Does the running belt feel stable at your running speed or does it start to feel uncertain.

Every body moves differently. A treadmill that feels perfect for one person may feel uncomfortable for another, even if the size and fitness level are the same. The only way to know is to try it yourself. That’s why we stock our showrooms with equipment you can actually use, not just view from behind a rope.

When you visit our Scottsdale, Ahwatukee, or Gilbert showrooms, you can walk, jog, and run on the treadmills we carry. Wear sportswear and real shoes. Spend enough time with each machine to really get a feel for how it responds to your movements. Our team will ask you about your goals, help you compare your options, and provide honest answers about what makes sense for your situation.

Delivery and setup are more important than you think

Treadmills typically weigh 200 to 400 pounds in the box. Items purchased online often arrive via freight, which means a truck will drop the pallet off at your curb or garage. From there, you’re responsible for putting it in, unpacking, assembling, and handling all packaging materials. If an item is damaged or defective, you can repackage it and arrange a return.

We handle things differently. Our white-glove delivery means we bring the treadmill into your home, set it up in the location of your choice, make sure everything works properly, and take all packaging with us when we leave. If there is a problem, we will deal with it. No phone trees, no return shipping labels, no waiting weeks for replacement parts. There is only one local team that supports the products we sell.

What happens after the sale

Treadmills are mechanical devices that require occasional maintenance and sometimes repairs. Belts wear out, motors need attention, and electronics can develop problems. When you purchase products from a local retailer that has a service department, you can get help when you need it. When you buy online from a company thousands of miles away, you expect their customer service to answer the phone and that finding local technicians willing to work on their brand won’t be a nightmare.

We service the products we sell. Our technicians know the equipment in our showroom because they are trained on it and operate it regularly. When something needs attention, you can call a local number and talk to someone who can actually help, rather than a call center reading from a script on a device they’ve never touched.

Find the investment level that’s right for you

Treadmills can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars, and the right investment depends on how you use it. A committed runner with a lot of mileage to log needs equipment designed specifically for that workload. People who walk several times a week for general health have different requirements. Buying more than you need is a waste of money, but buying too little means the equipment won’t last or provide the experience you were hoping for.

Our team helps you find balance. We’ll ask you about your goals, your space, who will be using the equipment, and what’s most important to you. Then we’ll show you options that make sense, not just point you to the most expensive model on the market. Sometimes the right treadmill costs less than you expect. Sometimes, a larger upfront investment can save money over time. We’ll help you understand the trade-offs so you can make an informed decision.

Ready to find the best treadmill for you?

Skip the online guessing games and big box store chaos. Visit one of our three Arizona showrooms where you can try the equipment yourself and talk to people who really know what they’re selling. Over the past 20 years, we’ve helped thousands of families find the right fitness equipment, and we’d love to help you too.

stop at our scottsdale Location: 6969 E Shea Blvd (480-951-6951), our Ahwatukee The showroom is located at 14647 So. 50th St, Suite 110 (480-940-1022), or our gilbert The store is located at 2810 S. Market St (480-855-6044). Our opening hours are Monday to Friday 10am to 7pm, Saturday 10am to 6pm, Sunday 11am to 5pm

Pay using your HSA/FSA

Many of the fitness equipment brands we sell are eligible to offer HSA/FSA payments to qualified customers. Use your pre-tax health care dollars to invest in doctor-recommended exercise equipment. When you visit, please ask our team about HSA/FSA payment options.

question? Please call us at 1-888-940-1022

Prefer email? Please contact us at support@athomefitness.com

For over 20 years, At Home Fitness has been Arizona’s trusted professional fitness leader, helping customers find the perfect equipment solution for their unique needs and goals.