Before getting into how to find the best cheap home treadmill while on a budget, let’s talk some sense.
Have you been to a health club as of late? I have and over a period of three decades, it would be rare to show up at the gym and not find a treadmill or elliptical that is in need of some type of repair.
It seems that while treadmills and cardio equipment last, they are frequently in need of repair. That’s why you need to be mindful of the warranty length when buying a cheaper treadmill. Because you could deal with issues as soon as the factory warranty expires. A repair cost would especially sting if it is shortly after you purchase the treadmill.
Although it’s possible to find high quality treadmills at a reasonable cost while on a budget, you want to make sure you look at the warranty and also consider an extended warranty.
Okay, now let’s get into how to find the best affordable treadmill for your home while on a tight budget!
1 Shop Special Discounts and Comparison Shop
It’s unbelievable how you will find price differences from one website vs. another for the same exact product! I tell you this from experience because I used to be a dropshipper for one of the biggest manufacturers at my site Treadmill-World. I sold ProForm, Reebok, NordicTrack, Welso, Golds Gym and other brands through this one manufacturer.
What I found was… the prices that were on one of their sites was different on another of their sites. Specials and free shipping offers were often different as well. Luckily, I was able to use their lowest price. Therefore, I could offer my customers the best possible deal.
Make sure you always check multiple websites such as Amazon, Walmart, Dicks Sporting Goods and ProForm!
Some say to check sales in February and March because new models are coming into the store and older models must go out. But I see great deals throughout the year and there is often free delivery. Just a side not, usually at-home assembly is an extra charge.
Some of the notable times during the year that come to mind are in January, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Labor Day and Memorial Day.
2 Buy An Older Model Treadmill
The warranty on a treadmill begins the day you buy it. And often the only difference between last year’s model and this year’s model is the price. By simply buying the last year’s or the “Closeout Models”, you can save a bundle.
3 Buy A Used Treadmill
You have to be careful buying used but consider this option if you can get the treadmill for a fraction of the retail price. Remember what they say about buying a new car, right? The second you drive it off the lot, it experiences accelerated depreciation. This is true when it comes to treadmills too. Remember, you won’t likely have the warranty so if you break it, you already bought it.
4 Do Your Research
There are many treadmill models that are extremely durable and have a quality reputation but still have a cost less than $600.00. They may not offer everything you desire but they’re still a great option considering the cost.
Here Are Some Things You Would Find In A Treadmill In The $400-$600 Range. Many treadmills in this range still have a healthy number of features and functions for a fraction of the cost of other high-end models.
- A sizable 2.25-2.75 horsepower motor.
- 0 to 10 miles per hour with quick speed.
- An incline that ascends to 10 degree degrees.
- Built-In workout programs.
- Built-In heart rate monitor.
- A large cushioned running deck.
- The ability to support up to 275-325 pounds.
- Typically up to 10 years frame warranty.
- Top brand names like Weslo and ProForm.
- Space Saver technology for fold-up and roll away.
- LED console that displays your incline, heart rate, time, calories, speed, and distance.
When you are shopping for a treadmill, decide on your main objective. Is the treadmill for weight loss, daily use, walking, running or treadmill workouts?
If you plan on using it daily and have a long term fitness plan in mind, choose wisely because you may want to consider a longer warranties and more durability. The quality will be important too.
You can compare the durability, the motor size, and the length of the warranty length in addition to the price. Over the course of five to ten years, you can be sure to get a good return on your investment.
But is it possible to find a quality treadmill on a budget? Yes, shop for deep discounts, special and even coupon codes. You can signup on email lists at treadmill websites for email specials too.
Determine If A Manual Foldable Walking Treadmill Is Right For You
With so many different treadmill options, you might not even have realized that a manual treadmill was an option. If your not looking to spend a ton and all of the technology isn’t that important to you, this option might be good for you.
Manual Treadmill 101
A manual treadmill doesn’t have a motor. It is powered by your footsteps. It’s essentially a belt on rollers. My mom actually had one of these years ago and since she is a nice mom, she actually bought it off of my website Treadmill-World. It was a product by Weslo. At the time, it was only $99.00 and had free shipping!
My mom was trying to lose weight and stay in shape but she couldn’t afford an expensive treadmill and she also wanted something very small that would fit nicely in her townhouse. Plus, she was a home body and didn’t want to venture out to a gym or even go on walks in her neighborhood.
When you want to start on a manual treadmill, you simply start walking. If you want to stop the treadmill, you stop walking. You can also step off the treadmill to make it stop moving too. There are many pros and cons to a manual treadmill.
The pros are:
There is no motor to plug in. This means you don’t have to position your treadmill near an outlet. You can use it wherever you want it. No motor also means it’s environmentally friendly. No electricity or energy is used to power the fitness equipment.
A manual treadmill is also much lighter than a motorized treadmill. This means it’s easier to transport around your home. Many manual treadmills are also foldable with space saver technology.
You can pack it up in a corner or a closet if you’re not using it. There’s very little maintenance required for a manual treadmill. You simply dust the belt and the bars occasionally and you’re good to go. Finally, the price. You can typically get a manual treadmill for far less than what you would pay for a motorized treadmill.
The cons are:
A manual treadmill doesn’t’ come with any bells and whistles. It’s purely functional. It can also be difficult to get started. The only speed you can exercise at is the speed you’re moving at. Getting off or stopping the treadmill can be a lit bit tricky. They are smaller than average.
Is a Manual Treadmill Right for You?
A manual treadmill is good if you want to spend less on electricity and you’re tight on space. It’s a bare bones piece of exercise equipment that is great for walkers and runners alike.
Walkers may prefer a manual treadmill. Imagine walking, or jogging, while you watch your favorite television programs each evening. You’re able to hear the programs because your
television doesn’t have to compete with the sound of your treadmill motor. You can exercise and enjoy your favorite programs at the same time.
Motorized treadmills can be very loud. I remember worrying about waking up my family when I was running on my treadmill in the early morning and it was even in my basement!
If you are on a tight budget but desire something to get started, consider an entry level manual treadmill. I have seen them starting as low as $79.00. They can help get you on track to great health and fitness.