InsideTreadmill.com » treadmill industry

Discount Treadmills – Are They Really a Deal

admin — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 21:59:48 +0000

We all want to save money and buy at a discount. When it comes to treadmills getting the best value is particularly important when you consider the price. A treadmill can cost a small fortune. And if you are not sure it won’t end up as an expensive clothes hanger, you want to be cautious on how much you spend.Whether you buy online or in a retail store, you’ll find just about any treadmill is marked down significantly from its list price. List prices have no basis in reality of the true value of the treadmill. It is no different than other products like cars, jewelry, furniture, etc. The problem becomes, what is the real value, and how does that compare to the discount price.Having worked in the treadmill business for a number of years I know how companies manipulate the prices to give the illusion of value. You’ll find some retailers suggesting their prices are reduced as much as 60%. That is absurd.So how do you determine the true value of a treadmill, regardless of the discount price? By comparison shopping. There are three important factors to consider when buying a treadmill:Treadmill Features and components Warranty for both parts and service Company reputationFeatures and ComponentsTreadmills have a number of features and components that are found on models. Examples are the motor, deck, running service, incline, programs, console and rollers. By comparing the various components and features you can determine how one model compares to another.For example, you may find a treadmill selling for $1,000 that has a 18″x 52″ running surface, ” deck, 1.5 hp motor, 4 programs, 1 3/4″ rollers, LCD console and weighs 150 lbs. You could find a treadmill at the same price with a 20″x 54″ running surface, 1″ deck, 2.5 hp motor, 7 programs, 2.5″ rollers, LED console and weighs 200lbs. The numbers reveal that the second model is a much better buy.WarrantyIt should be noted that not all treadmill components are equal in quality. And the unfortunate truth about the treadmill industry is they tend to exaggerate on the specifications of the parts. One factor that reveals the true quality of the treadmill is the warranty. An extensive warranty suggests the treadmill is built to last. If it wasn’t the company would go out of business with excessive repairs. When purchasing a treadmill look for a minimum 5 year motor, 2 year parts and 1 year service warranty.Company ReputationAnother important factor in determining the value of a treadmill is the company reputation for quality and customer service. There is a good chance that once you purchase a treadmill you will either have some questions or you may need service. You want to purchase from a company that stands behind their machines, and is there when you need assistance. Check out some of the more popular shopping comparison sites for information on customer satisfaction. There are also a number of sites that review treadmills, including www.treadmill-ratings-reviews.com, www.treadmilldoctor.com and www.consumerreports.org.So ignore the discount price, which is nothing more than marketing hype. Follow the recommendations above and you will determine the true value of a treadmill.Fred Waters worked in the treadmill industry for a number of year and is author of the Treadmill Rating and Review site. Check out the latest reviews on over 75 of the most popular treadmills, and get important buying tips from the Treadmill Buyer’s Guide.

Treadmill Ratings – What Most People Don’t Know About Treadmill Ratings

admin — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 20:06:42 +0000

If you’re buying a treadmill, chances are you’ll want to research before you buy. Everyone wants to get the best deal for a discount price. They also want to find the best treadmill to suit their workout needs.So you’ll probably be interested in looking at various treadmill ratings or reviews. But why are there so many different ratings and which one is the most accurate? Here’s a few things most buyers don’t know about treadmill ratings.There are really 2 types of treadmill ratings:1) Consumer Ratings2) Expert RatingsUser Treadmill Ratings:Consumer treadmill ratings are done by the layperson who has bought and used the specific treadmill. Many websites allow anyone to go online and post a review of their treadmill. Customer reviews and ratings can be very valuable when searching for a treadmill – however keep in mind several things:#1) No treadmill has a 100% perfect track record. Even the BEST treadmill manufacturers sometimes make a dud. And it’s usually the people that have had BAD experiences that leave negative reviews of their treadmills, not the many that have had good experiences with the same treadmill. They have every right to do this and hopefully the treadmill manufacturers read these reviews and do something about them. Just remember that one bad review doesn’t prove it’s a low quality brand.#2) The treadmill industry is growing more competitive each year. And marketing is a huge portion of the treadmill industry since treadmill manufacturers KNOW you’re going to research treadmill ratings before you buy. So while I’m not making any accusations, I have read ‘customer reviews’ that are clearly NOT written by the average buyer. They sound like they’re written by somebody working for the competition – someone well versed in the art of sales psychology and who knows more about treadmills than the average person. Again, not making any accusations here – just keep this in mind when reading user ratings online.Rule of Thumb: Use common sense. If it sounds like it’s written by a treadmill salesperson, take the treadmill review with a grain of salt.Expert Treadmill Ratings:There are also expert treadmill ratings. These are the ratings written by the experts in the fitness industry. People like Consumer Reports, Runner’s World, Consumer Guide, Men’s Health, Prevention Magzine are just a few out there. These people rate and review various treadmills at various times in the year. While these ratings are much less likely to be tainted by biased reviewers, here are a few cautions to keep in mind while reading them:#1) Each rater has a different rating system and may rate treadmills on such factors as price, cushioning, stability, quietness, belt area, warranty, console, electronics, programs, incline and quality of parts. So while one reviewer may put more emphasis on cushioning the other may put more emphasis on warranty. It’s nothing to get confused over – just understand that different experts value different features. They’ll usually have an area where they list exactly how they rated the treadmills and which features they valued highly in their review.#2) Expert ratings also usually don’t have time to look at EVERY treadmill brand on the market. Nobody does. We’ve been reviewing treadmills for over 3 years and we still haven’t covered all the brands. So just because a certain brand isn’t in the ratings, doesn’t make it a poor quality brand. Try to find other reviews on a brand if you can’t find it in your favorite expert ratings list.One last thing: Many treadmill ratings are also based on comparison to other similarly priced treadmills on the market. So if you have a $1000 treadmill that gets 5 stars – that doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s better than a $2000 treadmill that gets 4 stars. It means that compared to other $1000 treadmills it is one of the best values.By remembering these things when sifting through treadmill ratings, you’re less likely to be confused. And it will be easier to choose the best quality treadmill for your needs.

Treadmill Ratings: What Most People Don’t Know About TreadmillRatings

admin — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 09:00:45 +0000

If you’re buying a treadmill, chances are you’ll want toresearch before you buy. Everyone wants to get the best deal fora discount price. They also want to find the best treadmill tosuit their workout needs. So you’ll probably be interested in looking at varioustreadmill ratings or reviews. But why are there so manydifferent ratings and which one is the most accurate? Here’s afew things most buyers don’t know about treadmill ratings. There are really 2 types of treadmill ratings:1) Consumer Ratings2) Expert Ratings User Treadmill Ratings:Consumer treadmill ratings are done by the layperson who hasbought and used the specific treadmill. Many websites allowanyone to go online and post a review of their treadmill. Customer reviews and ratings can be very valuable when searchingfor a treadmill – however keep in mind several things: #1) No treadmill has a 100% perfect track record. Even the BESTtreadmill manufacturers sometimes make a dud. And it’s usually the people that have had BAD experiences thatleave negative reviews of their treadmills, not the many thathave had good experiences with the same treadmill. They have every right to do this and hopefully the treadmillmanufacturers read these reviews and do something about them.Just remember that one bad review doesn’t prove it’s a lowquality brand. #2) The treadmill industry is growing more competitive eachyear. And marketing is a huge portion of the treadmill industrysince treadmill manufacturers KNOW you’re going to researchtreadmill ratings before you buy. So while I’m not making any accusations, I have read ‘customerreviews’ that are clearly NOT written by the average buyer. Theysound like they’re written by somebody working for thecompetition – someone well versed in the art of sales psychologyand who knows more about treadmills than the average person.Again, not making any accusations here – just keep this in mindwhen reading user ratings online.Rule of Thumb: Use common sense. If it sounds like it’s writtenby a treadmill salesperson, take the treadmill review with agrain of salt. Expert Treadmill Ratings:There are also expert treadmill ratings. These are the ratingswritten by the experts in the fitness industry. People likeConsumer Reports, Runner’s World, Consumer Guide, Men’s Health,Prevention Magzine are just a few out there. These people rateand review various treadmills at various times in the year. While these ratings are much less likely to be tainted by biasedreviewers, here are a few cautions to keep in mind while readingthem: #1) Each rater has a different rating system and may ratetreadmills on such factors as price, cushioning, stability,quietness, belt area, warranty, console, electronics, programs,incline and quality of parts. So while one reviewer may put more emphasis on cushioning theother may put more emphasis on warranty. It’s nothing to getconfused over – just understand that different experts valuedifferent features. They’ll usually have an area where they listexactly how they rated the treadmills and which features theyvalued highly in their review. #2) Expert ratings also usually don’t have time to look atEVERY treadmill brand on the market. Nobody does. We’ve beenreviewing treadmills for over 3 years and we still haven’tcovered all the brands. So just because a certain brand isn’t in the ratings, doesn’tmake it a poor quality brand. Try to find other reviews on abrand if you can’t find it in your favorite expert ratings list. One last thing: Many treadmill ratings are also based oncomparison to other similarly priced treadmills on the market. So if you have a $1000 treadmill that gets 5 stars – thatdoesn’t necessarily mean that it’s better than a $2000 treadmillthat gets 4 stars. It means that compared to other $1000treadmills it is one of the best values.By remembering these things when sifting through treadmillratings, you’re less likely to be confused. And it will beeasier to choose the best quality treadmill for your needs.

Treadmill Ratings – What Most People Don’t Know About TreadmillRatings

admin — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 09:00:43 +0000

If you’re buying a treadmill, chances are you’ll want toresearch before you buy. Everyone wants to get the best deal fora discount price. They also want to find the best treadmill tosuit their workout needs.So you’ll probably be interested in looking at various treadmillratings or reviews. But why are there so many different ratingsand which one is the most accurate? Here’s a few things mostbuyers don’t know about treadmill ratings.There are 2 types of treadmill ratings:1) Consumer Ratings2) Expert RatingsUser Treadmill Ratings:Consumer treadmill ratings are done by the layperson who hasbought and used the specific treadmill. Many websites allowanyone to go online and post a review of their treadmill. Customer reviews and ratings can be very valuable when searchingfor a treadmill – however keep in mind several things:#1) No treadmill has a 100% perfect track record. Even the BESTtreadmill manufacturers sometimes make a dud. And it’s usually the people that have BAD experiences that leavenegative reviews of their treadmills, not the many that have hadgood experiences with the same treadmill. They have every right to do this and hopefully the treadmillmanufacturers read these reviews and do something about them.Just remember that one bad review doesn’t prove it’s a lowquality brand.#2) The treadmill industry is growing more competitive eachyear. And marketing is a huge portion of the treadmill industrysince treadmill manufacturers KNOW you’re going to researchtreadmill ratings before you buy. So while I’m not making any accusations, I have read ‘customerreviews’ that are clearly NOT written by the average buyer. Theysound like they’re written by somebody working for thecompetition – someone well versed in the art of sales psychologyand who knows more about treadmills than the average person.Again, not making any accusations here – just keep this in mindwhen reading user ratings online.Rule of Thumb: Use common sense. If it sounds like it’s writtenby a treadmill salesperson, take the treadmill review with agrain of salt.Expert Treadmill Ratings:There are also expert treadmill ratings. These are the ratingswritten by the experts in the fitness industry. People likeConsumer Reports, Runner’s World, Consumer Guide, Men’s Health,Prevention Magzine are just a few out there. These people rateand review various treadmills at different times of the year. While these ratings are much less likely to be tainted by biasedreviewers, here are a few cautions to keep in mind while readingthem:#1) Each rater has a different rating system and may ratetreadmills on such factors as price, cushioning, stability,quietness, belt area, warranty, console, electronics, programs,incline and quality of parts. So while one reviewer may put more emphasis on cushioning theother may put more emphasis on warranty. It’s nothing to getconfused over – just understand that different experts valuedifferent features. If you look around you can usually find anarea where they list exactly how they rated the treadmills andwhich features they valued highly in their review.#2) Expert ratings also usually don’t have time to look at EVERYtreadmill brand on the market. Nobody does. We’ve been reviewingtreadmills for over 3 years and we still haven’t covered all thebrands. So just because a certain brand isn’t in the ratings, doesn’tmake it a poor quality brand. Try to find other reviews on abrand if you can’t find it in your favorite expert ratings list.One last thing: Many treadmill ratings are also based oncomparison to other similarly priced treadmills on the market. So if you have a $1000 treadmill that gets 5 stars – thatdoesn’t necessarily mean that it’s better than a $2000 treadmillthat gets 4 stars. It means that compared to other $1000treadmills it is one of the best values.By knowing these things when sifting through treadmill ratings,you’re less likely to be confused. And it will be easier tochoose the best quality treadmill suitable for your needs.

Treadmill Ratings – What Most People Don’t Know About Treadmill Ratings

admin — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 20:29:02 +0000

If you’re affairs a treadmill, affairs are you’ll wish to analysis afore you buy. Everyone wants to get the best accord for a abatement price. They aswell wish to acquisition the best treadmill to clothing their conditioning needs.So you’ll apparently be absorbed in analytic at assorted treadmill ratings or reviews. But why are there so abounding altered ratings and which one is the a lot of accurate? Here’s a few things a lot of buyers don’t apperceive about treadmill ratings.There are absolutely 2 types of treadmill ratings:1) Consumer Ratings2) Able RatingsUser Treadmill Ratings:Consumer treadmill ratings are done by the layperson who has bought and acclimated the specific treadmill. Abounding websites acquiesce anyone to go online and column a analysis of their treadmill. Customer reviews and ratings can be actual admired if analytic for a treadmill – about accumulate in apperception several things:#1) No treadmill has a 100% absolute clue record. Even the BEST treadmill manufacturers sometimes accomplish a dud. And it’s usually the humans that accept had BAD adventures that leave abrogating reviews of their treadmills, not the abounding that accept had acceptable adventures with the aforementioned treadmill. They accept every appropriate to do this and hopefully the treadmill manufacturers apprehend these reviews and do something about them. Just bethink that one bad analysis doesn’t prove it’s a low superior brand.#2) The treadmill industry is growing added aggressive anniversary year. And business is a huge allocation of the treadmill industry back treadmill manufacturers KNOW you’re traveling to analysis treadmill ratings afore you buy. So while I’m not authoritative any accusations, I accept apprehend ‘customer reviews’ that are acutely NOT accounting by the boilerplate buyer. They complete like they’re accounting by somebody alive for the antagonism – anyone able-bodied abreast in the art of sales attitude and who knows added about treadmills than the boilerplate person. Again, not authoritative any accusations actuality – just accumulate this in apperception if account user ratings online.Rule of Thumb: Use accepted sense. If it sounds like it’s accounting by a treadmill salesperson, yield the treadmill analysis with a atom of salt.Expert Treadmill Ratings:There are aswell able treadmill ratings. These are the ratings accounting by the experts in the exercise industry. Humans like Consumer Reports, Runner’s World, Consumer Guide, Men’s Health, Prevention Magzine are just a few out there. These humans amount and analysis assorted treadmills at assorted times in the year. While these ratings are abundant beneath acceptable to be attenuated by biased reviewers, actuality are a few cautions to accumulate in apperception while account them:#1) Anniversary rater has a altered appraisement arrangement and may amount treadmills on such factors as price, cushioning, stability, quietness, belt area, warranty, console, electronics, programs, acclivity and superior of parts. So while one analyst may put added accent on cushioning the added may put added accent on warranty. It’s annihilation to get abashed over – just accept that altered experts amount altered features. They’ll usually accept an breadth area they account absolutely how they rated the treadmills and which appearance they admired awful in their review.#2) Able ratings aswell usually don’t accept time to attending at EVERY treadmill cast on the market. Nobody does. We’ve been reviewing treadmills for over 3 years and we still haven’t covered all the brands. So just because a assertive cast isn’t in the ratings, doesn’t accomplish it a poor superior brand. Try to acquisition added reviews on a cast if you can’t acquisition it in your admired able ratings list.One endure thing: Abounding treadmill ratings are aswell based on allegory to added analogously priced treadmills on the market. So if you accept a $1000 treadmill that gets 5 stars – that doesn’t necessarily beggarly that it’s bigger than a $2000 treadmill that gets 4 stars. It agency that compared to added $1000 treadmills it is one of the best values.By canonizing these things if coursing through treadmill ratings, you’re beneath acceptable to be confused. And it will be easier to accept the best superior treadmill for your needs.