Considering buying a treadmill? There are several factors to consider before deciding on which treadmill make and model.

Belt size, speed, horsepower, displays, deck cushioning - all of these aspects can influence your choice from the large number of models available.

A Treadmill can take a real pounding, if you are a serious indoor runner. Runner's World selected the heavy-duty Precor M9.33 Treadmill as top of its class. Its sturdy construction makes it feel like a treadmill you may find in a health-club, earning the model high marks for ergonomics, an oversized running surface, and an array of features that includes a heart-rate program.

A Precor Treadmill will give you an inch-thick deck and no weight limit, as well as controls that are so touch-sensitive that you don't have to push on them. Precor's frame has a lifetime warranty, with a ten-year warranty on all parts and a one-year warranty on labor.

If you have a limited budget, the Smooth 5.0P Treadmill is an outstanding value. Its display panel is highly readable, and it folds up to save space. Incline and speed controls are on the handgrips, which makes adjustments safe and easy. A Smooth Treadmill has a running surface, which is smaller than the Precor's, however, its 10-year motor warranty is twice as long as the motor warranty on Precor's.

The Smooth 5.0 Treadmill is Smooth's top selling treadmill. Among other less expensive models, the ProForm 995 SEL Treadmill gets good marks for its interactive iFIT.com technology with CD programs and its smooth 2.75 hp motor. A ProForm Treadmill represents very good value for money but these machines are not really meant for heavy extensive use.

The Landice Treadmill is another well known make of quality exercise equipment. Earning two nominations in the latest Consensus Report is the L7 LTD Executive Trainer Treadmill. If you can afford it, this is a really high quality treadmill.

Icon Health & Fitness now produces HealthRider, Image, NordicTrack, ProForm, and Reebok Treadmill models. Icon also developed iFIT.com technology, which streams workouts from its fitness training Web site, iFIT.com, to the company's Internet-compatible models.

If you live in an apartment, you may want to consider purchasing a folding Treadmill that can be easily put away. In general, most inexpensive models like the Smooth 5.0P Treadmill or ProForm 995 SEL Treadmill offer this feature.