A good treadmill is not cheap. If you are planning to buy a home treadmill unit and are stuck with the problem of choosing a model for good, efficient, easy storage and longevity, find out about the way treadmills are constructed to make an informed decision.
Here are some components of an efficient treadmill:

Frame: Treadmills come with two types of frames: steel and aluminum. The steel frame provides a spring-like feel when your foot strikes the deck; aluminum frames provides more of what some call a "deadpan feel". The steel frame also lends itself to a tighter, quieter unit. For these reasons, many prefer steel frames over aluminum.

Motor: Most home treadmills work on a DC motor. All top brands of treadmills use quality motors with comprehensive warranty options. Warranties are given for up to and over 10 years to ensure long lasting use. So look out for a treadmill model with a good warranty and a precision-balanced flywheel.

Treadbelts: Treadmills have two-ply belts which consist of a black polyurethane (not the rubber) top layer and an under-layer made of a nylon-polyester weave. It is this under-layer which has a tendency to wear out. Customers should peel back a treadbelt to look at its underside, with these indicators in mind:

1. Whether the seam is a horizontal or a diagonal cut. The diagonal cut will indicate a long-lasting treadbelt because the extra bonding area creates a stronger bond where the belt is glued together and will avoid the THUMP-THUMP sound which occurs with each rotation of the belt as it travels over the front and rear rollers.
2. The weave of the belt. The belts with a tight, soft weave on the base will last for thousands of hours of use.
3. Experience the base of the belt. Rub your fingers across the under-side of the belt. You should feel a soft (cottony) feel from the polyester. If the under-side of the belt is rough, it will wear away the top (phenolic resin) coating of the deck which will result in the unit running hot and cause the treadmill to break down. Also beware of machines which produce buzzing or other sounds while in use; they're probably wear indicators.

Decks: Go for a treadmill where the manufacturers are using ¾”-1” thick solid wood decks which are mounted on top of elastomer rubber grommets laid upon the steel frame. The rubber grommets absorb impact and are commonly referred to as a floating deck in the industry. Cheaper quality machines use pressboards, which are sure to break. Replacing a deck is an expensive business. You cannot replace the deck alone; you have to change the treadbelt too, at the same time. Models with reversible decks offer twice the life-span for a machine since they can be turned over and used before they are replaced.

Rollers: Look for a roller that is anywhere from 2”-3” in diameter. But more importantly, look out for the size and type of the bearings used. Every treadmill has two screws in the rear of the machine which are used to adjust the treadbelt tension. High-end machines have several features like crowned rollers, rubber-coated front rollers or even auto-tracking computerized rollers. During your machine’s break-in period, the treadbelt may stretch. If you notice any slippage, you may need to tighten up the rear roller.

Electronics: Each treadmill has an upper electronics package called the console and a lower motor control board which is the brain of the treadmill. The console can be programmed with set user profiles which can be set up for each user in the family. Look for at least a three-year warranty on your electronics.

Wireless Heart Rate Control Programs (HRC): This feature is better than the handgrips and is more accurate in monitoring your heart rate on a treadmill. If a treadmill is equipped with HRC, it will come with a rubber chest belt which you wear against the skin just below the rib bones above your upper abdominals. The belt will transmit a wireless signal to a hidden receiver built into the console. The treadmill is able to adjust its speed and/or incline automatically to keep you in your target heart rate zone.

Orthopedic Belts: An orthopedic running belt has the same nylon/polyester weave layer on the bottom side as a regular treadbelt. The top layer is replaced with a very thick rubber layer which is heavy and soft on the feet. It should be used on a 20-amp circuit breaker with a dedicated line. These high quality ortho belts will hold up just fine if paired with a larger motor and top-grade deck. Lubrication of ortho belts monthly is advisable to avoid it getting hotter.