12 Dec 12 Days of AHF Christmas: Six treadmills a-churning

Editor’s note: To help get our loyal Internet followers ready for Christmas, and let them know about the many great deals available through At Home Fitness, I’m revealing the 12 days of AHF Christmas. Here’s Day 6:
“On the sixth day of Christmas, At Home Fitness sent to me Six treadmills a-churning, Five golden dumbbells, Four exercise mats, Three vibration machines, Two home gyms, And A sales associate with a great fitness plan for me.”

A treadmill is one of the most essential pieces of equipment for a person looking to stay in shape at home. Winter, spring, summer or fall, I’m always glad to be able to have a treadmill to hop on for a workout.
When the weather is nice I’m less likely to use the treadmill, opting instead to exercise outside with a jog or walk.
But even during periods of ideal outdoor weather, a treadmill is still handy if you get busy during the day, you want to use it at night or you just want to change up your workout. Many people prefer exercising on a treadmill year-round because of the great ways they can customize their run or walk.
Treadmills are one of the easiest ways for a person to get an efficient aerobic workout. Whether you’re trying to get back into shape, begin a new exercise routine, maintain what you have or train for the next level, a treadmill can help take you to your goals.
This Christmas, I’m highlighting six treadmill manufacturers who you should check out if you’re interested in buying a treadmill .
3G Cardio – The ingenious 3G Cardio 80i Fold Flat Treadmill is a game-changer for people who previously didn’t think they could find a high quality fold flat treadmill.
Available at At Home Fitness for $1,499 ($600 savings off MSRP), the 3G Cardio 80i Fold Flat Treadmill has the strongest motor among fold flat treadmills and is sturdy enough to provide an excellent workout whether you’re walking or running. In fact, it’s rated for use for people who weigh up to 325 pounds.
If you’re short on space in your home, garage, apartment, camper or wherever else you want to have a treadmill, the 3G Cardio 80i Fold Flat Treadmill should fit your needs. It can fold flat to a height of just 9.75 inches and easily be rolled under the bed for storage, or it can be folded up and stored vertically. Wheels make it very easy to push. The 3.0 HP motor is the most powerful on the market for a fold flat treadmill and the heavy duty frame gives it a running and walking feel of a much higher-priced model.
Landice – When it comes to treadmills, one size definitely does not fit all.
There are many variables to consider: how much you’ll use it, how you’ll use it, what style you want, warranty and, of course, price.
For those who want the best of the best in a high-end treadmill, Landice offers several outstanding choices. People might be surprised to learn they can mix and match some even at the elite level. Based on the model and options you choose, the award-winning Landice Treadmills generally sell for between $3,000-$7,000.
Landice offers two different sized frames (L7 and L8) and four different electronic boards (pro trainer, pro sports trainer, cardio trainer and the top of the line executive trainer) to select from.
Life Fitness – Life Fitness has models ranging in price from $2,300-$7,000. Their models combine great aesthetics and style, with top-rate options for customizing your workout and high quality.
Vision Fitness – Just because you don’t have $4,000-5,000 to shell out for a treadmill doesn’t mean you can’t afford to still get a top-quality home treadmill. When it comes to mid-level treadmills there are some excellent options available for consumers.
One brand that stands out in the mid-line game is Vision Fitness, which is manufactured by Johnson Health Tech.
One of the largest manufacturers of fitness equipment in North America, there are numerous options for Vision Fitness treadmills available in the $1,500-3,000 price range.
AFG Fitness – The entry-level market for quality home treadmills is led by AFG (Advanced Fitness Group), which is kind of a little brother to Vision Fitness. Although priced at $1,500 and below, these entry-level treadmills are really not too much of a step down in quality or performance from higher-priced models.
It is rare to find treadmills below $2,000 that offer the quality of AFG.
Life Span – Get into the treadmill market with a solid entry level manufacturer in Life Span, From $599 for the popular compact treadmill to $3,200 for Life Span’s top unit, these treadmills are safe, durable and easy top operate.

At Home Fitness consultant Aaron Dorksen’s blog deals with a variety of fitness topics, ranging from workout tips, motivational ideas and feature stories on how exercise impacts people’s lives. E-mail him with comments, questions or ideas for future blogs at aaron@athomefitness.com