I have one with pre-programmed running programs that I never use! Check for top speed. Not all TM's have the same top speed. Make sure you get one that'll be a challenge for years to come. Check warranty. Lifetime warranty guarantees the manufacturer thinks he's supllying a really great product. Check maintenance that comes with it. Check the belt. Does it have the extra thingy (don't know what it's called) to absorb some of the high impact. Check on calibration of belt (is distance accurate?) Check the display shows all the information you want: speed, distance, time, incline, etc. Check incline and speed can be adjusted in small increments. Some TM's allow for "downhill" running. Check belt is wide enough to ensure comfortable running, even when you lose balance a bit. Happens to me when my kids hang around and I look aside or back. Check noise level at high speed while you run on it. The thump-a-thump can be annoying for the wife. Be aware that noise in a big space is not the same as in a small space. Check for bottle holder(s). Is there one. Does it hold bottle securely. Check for room to put remote (tv, stereo). Would the remote bounce around a lot or is it secure? Are there speed buttons for speed: I mean can you go from 12 to 16mph with a push of a button or do you need to push a button a kazillion times to get there Check the stop button, does the belt slow down gradually or does it halt in one split second, launching you into flight? Well, of the top of my head that's what I'd be looking at. Aaron is on the TM a lot, he'll probably have more input. Always, always go to a shop and run on the darn thing! And not for 30 seconds. Play around with speed, incline.

thinking about a TM. Why? -dog can use it too (supervised, of course)

In my experience, putting a dog on a treadmill is like putting a cat in the shower. Good luck with that!

Ooooooh, I'm brand new to the group, but I'll jump in because I do most of my running on the TM--I'm a girl and my hubby refuses to let me run outside alone in the dark and since I have to do most of my running before the kids get up . . . what? Oh, we were talking about TMs. Sorry. I'll just tell you that my TM has an incline but doesn't actually tell you what degree of incline you're on, and that's a little annoying, in my humble opinion. If heartrate matters to you, you might look for that feature. For now, I train by feel, so that doesn't matter to me. I read while I run (yeah, nerd alert, I know), so the book-holding thing is a plus. As for water-holders, mine's useless one's I'm running because there's no rubber to keep the bottle secure. Also, our model was advertised as being mobile because it has wheels, but the wheels are the same size as the ones that came on my 26" suitcase and the TM weighs 500 lbs, so it would take a team of weightlifters to roll the thing into another room. If mobility is important to you, check if it really is moveable. Just a couple of things I thought of right away. BTW, you forgot that treadmills make great drying racks. And if you ever get the dog on the thing, please post pictures. Better yet, get it up on YouTube.

all info much appreciated. I realize that the initial question sounded naive (I mean, I can read reviews etc) but there are some things in here I didn't think of that I would want to take into consideration...maybe even a deal breaker or two that completely escaped me. There's NO WAY Hobbes will go anywhere near a TM...you should see him when we pull out the vacuum, he kicks in his full force emergency evacuation program. But should he decide to,I'll be certain to take pics.

Hi all, lurker and first post in this group as I just bought a treadmill two days ago in preperation for the australian winter (even though it doesn't get that cold...) My main reason for getting it was not so much the cold but because streets and paths are very poorly lit around here so would feel safer inside. When buying i looked at the programs, incline, speed (get as high a top speed as you can for intervals, etc) plus a lot of the other things mentioned. The model I got folds up so can take up less room if needed which can be handy. Also importantly it is worth looking at the motor, mine was 6HP, I believe that 3-3.5HP is the standard and not really worth having anything below that. Also worth looking at what warranties are included, often different warranties for parts, motors and frames. Hope that helps Hank