Treadmills are one of the best ways to get yourself on the road to cardiovascular health and achieve and maintain a healthy weight. While they come with a variety of prices and features, they are definitely NOT all created equal.

Buying a treadmill is a fairly big investment, so it is important to know what you want, how that particular product has been reviewed by consumers who have purchased it, how much you are willing to pay, and what type of quality and features you are looking for.

There are several factors you should consider when shopping online or in-store for a treadmill. There are also several brands that make treadmills. Reebok, ProForm, Horizon, New Balance and others are some of the top brands on the market today, and they usually can be counted on for quality and durability. For the sake of simplicity, I'll list the features to consider when shopping for a treadmill and briefly discuss their importance.

Treadmill Features

1.) Motor - Preferably a 2.5 horsepower or more. Any less than this quite frankly will be a disappointment as far as performance and product lastability.

2.) Space saving option. In other words, does it fold up for easy storage if this is what you want?

3.) Console display features.

4.) Speed control. Can you go up in speed in increments, or little by little. If it's the latter, this can be frustrating.

5.) Magazine or book holder for easy reading while you're walking or running.

6.) Non-slip belt.

7.) Belt padding, otherwise known as shock absorption. This is very important, as it will protect your joints and help to avoid soreness and muscle fatigue. It reduces the risk of injury in runners as well.

8.) Incline position control.

9.) Noise control. No one wants a noisy machine. It's distracting and annoying.

10.) Additional statistical data such as heart rate, calories burned and special interactive fitness programs.

11.) Good warranty.

12.) Spacious walking surface.

13.) Helpful hint: If you spend $200 or less, chances are you may be disappointed in the product's performance and sturdiness. Most reviews of the cheaper treadmills are very negative, and most consumers state they wish they'd invested a little more to get a higher quality product. The phrase "you get what you pay for" is definitely applicable in the purchase of a treadmill.