Men's Health – Men's Guide to Fitness, Health, Weight Loss, Nutrition, Sex, Style and Guy Wisdom | Basketcatalunya.com

One of the most crucial features to consider when purchasing an elliptical trainer is the warranty. The extent of the warranty speaks volumes as to the quality and the durability of the machine.

There is a relative new player in the elliptical trainer industry, Sole Fitness. They are defining their niche by offering one of the most extensive warranties available at any price range. This includes 5 year coverage on parts and electronics, and 2 year labor. (Excludes the E25)

Why is the warranty so important when purchasing fitness equipment? First, it reduces your liability if the machine breaks down. Replacing parts and hiring someone to service your elliptical trainer can be very costly. Second, the warranty generally reflects the quality of the machine.

When you think about it, a warranty is based on simple economics. If an elliptical trainer is built to last then the manufacturer can offer a generous warranty. On the other hand, if the machine is of questionable quality, it would be cost prohibitive to support it with a lengthy warranty. The company would go broke with service costs.

Why do you think cheap elliptical trainers come with a 90 day parts and labor warranty? It’s because the manufacturers do not have much faith the machine will last much longer than that.
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Buying elliptical exercise equipment? There are so many different brands and types of ellipticals out there – it can get confusing! How do you know which one is best for you and how do you avoid buying a lemon?

In order to keep things simple and have the very best buying experience, here are 3 key tips to help you choose the best elliptical exercise equipment:

#1) Price

If you want a quality elliptical trainer, be prepared to spend at least $800. Why? Because most ellipticals under this price point just aren’t built to stand up over the long haul.

Example: My $400 elliptical that I bought from a department store several years back lasted 3 months – 4 if you count the last month it was used as a clothes hanger in my living room.

After 3 months it developed a loud squeaking noise that couldn’t be fixed – no matter how long or hard my handyman husband worked on it.

If I’d been smart enough to spend a bit more, I’d probably still have the elliptical today. In the end it was a huge waste of money and time.

So the bottom line is this: If you’re really serious about getting in shape, you deserve to invest in a piece of exercise equipment that’s going to last you – so be ready to spend a bit more on your elliptical trainer. If you consider how long the elliptical will last you, you actually SAVE money over the long term.

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When I first started working in the fitness equipment industry the idea of customers buying online seemed absurd. But about 9 years ago the company I worked for built a web site and started advertising on Yahoo. Back then Google was still a concept, and pay per click advertising hadn’t been conceived. Surprisingly a few people here and there would make purchases, primarily for treadmills. All sales were conducted through the phone.

Gradually sales increased, so about 6 years ago I suggested we include a shopping cart on our site. The reaction was, “who would buy fitness equipment online without talking to someone first.” Well, how times have changed. When I left the company over 60% of our sales were through the cart. Our minimum price item was $1,000, with our premium products exceeding $3,000.

Purchasing fitness equipment online has become a major industry. There are several benefits from buying online:

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Have you ever noticed how many treadmills are being sold at a discount prices? Of course, that is part of commercialism. For example, when was the last time you paid list price for a car or jewelry?

What motivated me to write this article is the fact that “Discount Treadmill” is a very popular search term. People are looking to get the best deal possible when they purchase a treadmill. That makes sense, since even a moderate priced treadmill can run from $1,000 – $2,000.

So how do you tell when a treadmill is being sold at a discount?

First, by comparative shopping. You find a particular model that satisfies your needs and you shop around. Depending on the quality of the treadmill, you compare prices at the various mass retailers, large sporting goods stores, specialty fitness stores and online.

In addition, you look for special offers like free shipping, added accessories and extended warranties. Regarding shipping, some businesses may drop off a treadmill on your curve, while others will bring it into your house, set it up and remove the packaging. Considering the weight of some models, that can add considerable value.

Discounts from Buying Online

More and more people are going online to purchase a treadmill. Are they really saving money? Yes and no. Yes, you can save money from not having to pay sales tax if you purchase from a business that is not located in your state. You can also find discounts online that are better deals than you would find in retail stores. Also, several manufacturers sell direct on the Internet, thus cutting out the middleman.
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