Save or spend: Spend
These days you can buy a treadmill for as little as $100, but it's really no bargain. The machine will lack stability and cushioning - and you could end up hurting yourself."Step onto a cheap treadmill and it'll wobble," says personal trainer Paul Frediani, author of "Tri Power."
Quality treadmills are sturdier, with oversize steel rollers, welded-steel frames and big motors (Precor's C956 is 410 pounds).
A good one costs $2,000-plus. For a deal on a gym-quality treadmill, go to the secondary market. Recently a refurbed Precor c956 was selling for $2,200 on GlobalFitness.com; a new one costs $8,000.
