If you're buying a treadmill, chances are you've done lots of research already. You probably know exactly what makes up a high quality treadmill and have an idea of which features you want in your unit.

But even with this knowledge many people still fall prey to slick treadmill deals that end up costing them in long run.

In order to keep that from happening to you, here are 3 essential buying tips to make sure you choose very best treadmill for you.

#1) Not All Treadmill Brands Are Created Equal

I recently had a gentleman e-mail me asking for advice on which treadmill he should buy. He had narrowed it down to 3 choices:

Choice #1: Brand A: 2.5 HP motor $999

Choice #2: Brand A: 1.75 HP motor $899

Choice #3: Brand B: 2.0 HP motor $1099

He asked me which treadmill I would buy. He was clearly leaning towards Choice #1.

This was natural choice for most people and it makes sense: get most for least. Or get most motor power for least amount of money.

However, my answer surprised him. I told him if it were my choice, I would go with Choice #3: Brand B for $1099. Here's why:

Although motor power is lower than Choice #1 and price is higher, Brand B makes an overall better treadmill. Why?

Brand B has a reputation for making high quality treadmills and backing them up with extensive warranties, including 10 years on motor. It can afford to give such lengthy warranties because it knows that it makes a quality product that probably WON'T break down - even in 10 years.

Brand A on other hand offers a 90-day motor warranty. What does that tell you about quality of parts?

Although motor power is a good feature to consider when buying a treadmill - you have to be careful. Look at it in context of whole treadmill - including brand.

Not all treadmill brands are created equal. Some treadmill brands use extremely high quality materials. Others well, don't.

Make sure to look beyond just bare numbers when choosing a treadmill. Look at whole picture to find best treadmill for you.

#2) Don't Always Believe What The Salesperson Tells You

Get it in writing. This isn't to put down any salesperson - but they are human. They do make mistakes, and sometimes this can end up costing you.

I had another lady e-mail me asking for advice on choosing a treadmill. She'd narrowed it down to several and was leaning towards one in particular (let's call it Treadmill X).

She had been told by a salesperson in store that this Treadmill X (for $899) came with a lifetime warranty on motor.

We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence
then, is not an act but a habit.
-Aristotle-

I remember watching my boys growing
up. They would go to their Scout meetings
and bring home a pole that they had

cut from a sapling. They made it into a pole
by stripping bark and carving different
designs into it. They would talk about
how they used it for hiking and on campouts.

Today things have changed a lot. The Scouts
still make their trekking poles, but more hikers
are now going high-tech.

Todays poles have much of same
benefits scouts used them for.

Hikers also use two of them for
hiking. Which double benefits.

1.This includes pack weight distribution
to arms, thus increasing indurance.

2.Makes keeping your balance easier
as you cross rivers and streams as
well as rough terrain.

3.Lowers stress on joints, knees, hips
and lower back.

4.Gives a more upright, hiking posture.
This in turn will make breathing
more efficient.

5.Helps you go up those steep inclines.
Also helps you keep your balance on
declines.

6.Dispite some drawbacks concerning
them, advantages far outweigh
the drawbacks.