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