Consumer Reports grades on an overall score to determine its Best treadmill and also suggests four treadmill Best Buy models that combine good value with quality.

The Best Treadmill For You

With product information, tips on buying, and a discussion on testing results, Consumer Reports most recent treadmill rating in January 2005 tested 22 treadmills from about 16 manufacturers, including Proform, Nordic Track, Weslo, and Image, all Icon Health and Fitness Companies, as well as Landice, True, Precor, Horizon, Life Fitness, Vision Fitness, Schwinn, Smooth Fitness, Keys Fitness, Trimline, Spirit, and Nautilus.

Consumer Reports does not break down its treadmill reports by price range, as is often the case in other organizations reviews, so their Best treadmill, at almost $3000, is not likely to be the best treadmill for you, but they do suggest four Best Buys, all in the $1300-1800 price range. Ratings are provided for all tested models, however, and thats where you should begin.

A cautionary note: Consumer Reports was disappointed in the number of machines that had problems in this treadmill rating–an ominous change from their last treadmill reports in February 2004. With the exception of higher-priced models with the kind of warranties you should expect, they recommend an extended warranty. Thats something they almost never do.

Rain, snow, sleet or hail, it doesn’t matter because you’ll be able to workout anyway!

But wait a minute – there’s so many treadmill brands to choose from!

And why are there so many differences of opinion?

If you’ve read many treadmill reviews in your search for the best treadmill you may have ended up a little confused:

One person swears by their Proform treadmill; another says it’s a piece of junk. One expert loves Nordic Track; another expert wouldn’t touch it with a 10 foot pole.

How are you supposed to make a smart decision with so many conflicting reviews?

To help you out, here are the top 3 things to keep in mind when reading treadmill reviews:

#1) Consider this: It’s just ONE PERSON’S opinion.

People have different opinions on everything from movies to ice cream to cars to cities. Someone prefers Honda to General Motors. Another person prefers Dell over IBM.

That doesn’t mean that one thing is necessarily better than another, it just means somebody has a preference for it.

So just because you really want to buy a Landice and one person may not agree with you doesn’t make it a bad buy for you.

Keeping an open mind is always a good thing and listening to other’s peoples’ reasoning behind their decision can help you with your purchase.

But in the end it’s your choice and it’s YOUR opinion that matters.

Just because somebody doesn’t like what you like, that doesn’t mean you are going to make a bad decision. If your treadmill has everything YOU need, then that’s what’s important.

#2) Consider this: Who’s writing the review?

I’ve read so many ‘user reviews’ on treadmill websites that are clearly NOT written by a normal treadmill buyer.

The lingo smacks of a treadmill salesperson. And while I’m not making any accusations here, when a treadmill buyer writes something like:

“Let’s look at the features of the ABC treadmill and see what they mean to you…”

or

“The XYZ treadmill offers an Optical Speed Sensor used in combination with the PWM motor controller to produce the smoothest speed changes. The optical eye actually counts the revolutions of the motor directly at the axle…”

I get just a little bit suspicious.

If the review sounds a little too much like a treadmill brochure, take it with a grain of salt.

(That doesn’t mean that the quality of the treadmill is bad or good, mind you. Just make sure you don’t base your decision on those reviews alone.)

#3) Consider this: Flukes DO happen.

Even the BEST treadmill manufacturers sometimes make a dud. Nobody has a 100% customer satisfaction rate ALL the time.

And unfortunately, it’s usually those people that have had BAD experiences that leave nasty reviews of their treadmills.

They have every right to do this of course. Hopefully the treadmill manufacturers read these reviews and do something about them.

But keep in mind that one bad review doesn’t prove it’s a low quality brand just as one stellar review doesn’t prove it’s a high quality brand.

The Bottom Line:

Trust your own decision.

If you’ve taken the time to research treadmills, chances are you know what makes a quality treadmill.

Don’t let one person’s opinion ruin the fun of getting in shape with YOUR choice of home treadmill. Good luck and have fun!

Kathryn O’Neill is chief editor for Treadmill Review.
For treadmill brand reviews, best buys and free buying tips, visit:
http://www.treadmillreview.net