Understanding The Difference Between Walmart, Dick's And Your Specialty Fitness Retailer

Understanding The Difference Between Walmart, Dick's And Your Specialty Fitness Retailer
Where you order your treadmill matters a lot.

MASS MERCHANT RETAILER (The Walmarts and Costcos)

Walmart and Costco are great businesses. I'll be the first to admit that I have made my fair share of purchases from them in the past but when it comes to treadmills, be careful.

This is not saying a treadmill sold at Walmart or Costco automatically makes a poor treadmill. In fact, if you do your research before hand, you might just find the perfect treadmill that suits your needs. But if you were to walk into the store determined to make a purchase no matter what, chances are you're likely to be kicking yourself 6 months down the road. Stores like Walmart usually only carry the lower end models where breakdown rate is much greater. If you're only going to be walking on the treadmill (less than 4 m.p.h), the one you buy might actually hold up fine. Having said that, we don’t believe that you should just go in and pick the one that looks the best. Do the research and get the best walking treadmill for your money.

Now, for those who have greater needs than a walking treadmill, you should definitely look a bit further. This brings us to...

MASS MERCHANT SPORTING GOODS RETAILER (The Dick's Sporting Goods And Sports Authorities)

If you intend to do a fair bit of jogging and running on your treadmill, you should move away from Walmart and into Dick's. Although mass merchant sporting goods retailers such as Dick's does not carry the best treadmills in the world (i.e commercial treadmills) they do have a fair share of decent HOME rated treadmill brands. These are brands such as Sole, Horizon, New Balance, and Bowflex.

Like before, just because these stores generally carry higher quality treadmill brands does not automatically mean every model is a slam dunk. Again, do your homework. There are great buys to be had here but just as easy, if you fail to do research, you could be sold a lemon.

FITNESS SPECIALTY STORES

The best of the best treadmills are sold here but brand selection varies from store to store. These are the stores which carry nothing but specialty fitness equipment such as home gyms, recumbent bikes, weights, and of course ellipticals and treadmills. You can find the best products here but you're also likely to be confronted with the heaviest sales pitch of the three. A lack of research beforehand and a smooth talking salesman (possibly working on commission) could mean you end up buying something that does not fully address your needs. So be careful!

WHAT ABOUT THE INTERNET?

Prior to the internet, the three choices above were all you had. But since we no longer live in the dark ages, what does this mean for the consumer?

One word. Choice.

No where on the internet can you find as many treadmills and ellipticals (meta)reviewed and price compared as this site (650+ models at the end of 2007). What this ultimately means is that you, as the consumer is able to not only find the perfect treadmill to match your needs but also at the lowest price AND in the comfort of your home (in your jammies too!) Isn’t life wonderful?