They know that a treadmill can help them lose weight, get fit, burn extra calories and reach their fitness goals.

But that's only if you use it. A treadmill is a large investment to make and you want to be sure that it is right piece of exercise equipment for your needs.

How do you know if a treadmill is right for you? How do you know if it's suitable for kind of exercise that fits your lifestyle?

If you're thinking about buying a treadmill, here are 3 ways to tell if a treadmill is right piece of exercise equipment for you:

#1 Do you prefer to exercise alone or in groups?

Walking on a treadmill is not a group activity (it could be - but that's a little dangerous). If you prefer to exercise with other people, say for example in a group sports situation, a treadmill might not be best choice for you.

Of course a treadmill can add another side to your exercise options if you do get most of your exercise from social or group sports. But if you absolutely hate exercising by yourself, don't buy a treadmill.

On other hand, some people enjoy exercising on their own - it's a sort of getaway from constant social buzz surrounding them every day. A treadmill would be great for someone looking for this kind of exercise 'retreat'.

#2) Do you prefer to exercise outdoors or indoors?

Some people prefer to exercise outdoors. They take hikes to enjoy beauty of nature or rollerblade down sidewalks to take in fresh air. If you prefer to be outdoors to exercise then a treadmill may not be for you.

And if you live in all-year-round sunny, warm weather, you may not need a treadmill (then again, you may prefer a cooler, air-conditioned workout.)

However, if you happen to live in seasonal climates where it rains, snows or both, a treadmill can be a handy tool to maintain your fitness regimen during bleak weather months. Exercising on your treadmill can help you fight winter weight gain and even stave off those nasty winter blues.

#3 Do you enjoy walking, jogging or running?

Walking is an exercise that everybody can do. It's simple, doesn't require heightened coordination, and can be a great way to clear your head and deal with stress. Anyone can do it, regardless of fitness level - from absolute beginner to elite athlete.

There are also people who enjoy rhythm and routine of jogging or running. Running or jogging is also one of best all-round ways to burn fat. Again, it's fairly simple to do and doesn't require complex coordination.

While benefits to walking, jogging and running are numerous, some people just don't like to exercise this way. They like challenge of a box-aerobics class or mastering a complicated martial art. If you fall into this category, a treadmill will not meet your exercise preferences and it may not be right machine for you.

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.