When shopping for a motorised treadmill, you can work out easy how much you will need to spend based on your intended usage and your body weight. If you only need a treadmill for walking, a top-rated budget treadmill under £500 will probably hold up fine. Light joggers can get away with treadmills around £1,500, but serious runners should start looking at treadmills in the £2,000+ price range. Our running experts here at PhD say spending more initially will save you endless frustration and time spent dealing with customer service representatives. Reviewers also say to keep the following in mind when shopping for treadmills:

• Look for a motor on the treadmill with a continuous-duty rating of at least 2 horsepower for running. Lighter runners may be able to get away with a 1.5-horsepower motor, but bigger is better in this case. If you plan to just walk on your treadmill, a less powerful motor is fine. Here at PhD we belive you should avoid manual treadmills altogether.

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• The two-ply belt on the treadmill should be no less than 18 inches wide and 48 inches long. 

• The deck should be at least a quarter-inch thick. The best decks are low-impact structures that absorb shock by flexing under your foot when it strikes the belt. If you have injuries like shin splints or recurring back/foot problems, this feature is a must.

• The treadmill display panel should show all of the necessary information at once, preferably in large, easy-to-read numbers. Make sure the display shows speed, distance covered, incline and time elapsed. Some displays show all the information at once, but many have a scanning display, which rotates information.

• Push-button controls on the treadmill are better than dials or switches. Sliding switches can be imprecise and stubborn to move. You should be able to easily reach and push control buttons while you're running.

• Beginners should look for an incline on the treadmill of at least 10 percent. A treadmill's maximum incline should suit your fitness level. According to the American Council on Exercise, beginners will do fine with an incline of up to 10 percent, but advanced exercisers may want a treadmill capable of 15 percent. Test the machine's stability during incline mode before you buy.

• Walkers need a treadmill with a speed capability of 5 mph; runners need 8 to 11 mph. The starting speed should be slow (0.1 to 0.5 mph) to avoid injury.

• Look for a safety keyon the treadmill  if you have kids. Children and pets should not be able to start the machine by accident. Reviews say refrigerator magnets can start some machines that use a magnetic key.

• Go for a treadmill with a panic button or automatic shutoff. If you slip or get into trouble, the power should cut off instantly by means of a button you push or a tether attached to your clothes.

• Read the fine print on the warranty (treadmills are complex). If you're heavier than the warranty specifies, the contract may be void. The frame should have a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects.

• Keep your treadmill clean. Dirt and dust are the primary early killers of treadmills, so weekly dusting is a must to ensure your machine has a long life. Lack of regular at-home maintenance can also void your warranty. Many treadmills also require regular lubrication to keep the belt and deck in good working order; check your user guide for instructions.
• If you need any further help chosing your new treadmill then please call one of our experts here at PhD Fitness on 01482 609850