A treadmill costs a chunk of change. There's no way around that. Choosing a treadmill can be a stressful experience. There are lots of things to keep in mind, and of course, every company or salesman will tell you that their's is the one for you!

It doesn't have to be so tough. There are a few simple things to keep in mind when choosing a treadmill.

What Do You Want To Use It For.

Exercising, of course. That's a no brainer. But, exactly what kind of exercise do you plan to do on your treadmill? A little light walking in the evenings while you watch your favorite show? A varied workout that works every part of your body? Are you training for a marathon?

What you specifically plan to do with your treadmill makes a big difference.

Treadmills come with millions of special features. You can get heart rate monitors, electronic voice coaches, built in stereo systems, incline and speed controls; virtually anything you can imagine. But, do you really need all that stuff? All those special features add dollars to the price tag. Knowing what you want to do with your treadmill can help you save money on these extras.

To Fold Or Not To Fold

You may be worried about all the space your treadmill will take up. Treadmills are giant, heavy pieces of machinery, and they don't make good furniture.

Most treadmill companies now make models that fold up for easy storage. This is a great convenience, and these models are often cheaper than their non-folding buddies.

But, the trade-off is durability. Non-folding treadmills are much stronger. Because of the construction of the folding frame, folding treadmills compromise toughness.

You can also get manual treadmills. These handy machines are just frame and belt; there's no motor and nothing that needs to be plugged in. They are light, cheap and extremely easy to move and store. But, they're not right for some people. Try one out first before you buy. Give it a good, long test drive and see how it feels.

Quality And Durability

You'll notice that prices on treadmills range from about $400 to well over $4,000. What's the difference?

In general, you get what you pay for with treadmills. The extra cost includes special features, but the main factor in cost is the quality of parts and durability of materials. If you are planning on running that treadmill hard, you should pay the extra money and get something high quality. To find out which treadmills are considered the best, check out some reviews and ratings in fitness magazines.

On the other hand, if you plan to take a leisurely stroll in the evenings and aren't training for any Olympic events, a cheap treadmill might be fine. The key is whether you plan to walk or run. Running puts more wear and tear on the treadmill, and you can shred right through a cheap model.

Keep Yourself Covered

Finally, make sure you're well covered in case your treadmill dies a premature death. There are as many warrantees as there are machines and people who want to buy them. Usually they will cover different parts separately; for example, the motor is covered under a 10 year warranty, the electronics are covered under a 2 year warranty, etc. Be sure you check this out before you buy.