We all lead such hectic, busy lives today that it can be hard to find the time to go down to the gym and fit in a full workout session. Without regular exercise we can become sluggish and out of condition.

So if you want to fit in a workout routine when it suits your busy timetable, what can you do?

Well, one of the simplest ways is to invest in your own home treadmill. By having your own fitness machine you can fit in a full workout routine in the time it would take you just to drive to your local gym and back. An added benefit of having your own treadmill is that you don’t waste time queuing behind some Olympic wannabe, training for a marathon run!

Of course, having an exercise machine at home means that the whole family can catch the fitness bug. And once it becomes a routine part of your day, it’s much easier to stay in shape. After all, it doesn’t matter what the weather is doing outside, you can just wake up, work out and shower before you head off to work.

But if you are looking to buy a treadmill of your own, what features should you be looking for?

It is a false economy to buy the cheapest treadmill you can find. It is much wiser to invest a little more in order to buy a sturdy, well built treadmill that will give you and your family many years of service.

I recommend that you find the largest running deck that you can afford. See, the cheaper machines have a small running deck which restricts your stride. Not only is this uncomfortable, it can actually cause you problems. Large running decks of over 50 inches are a standard feature on even economically priced machines.

A continuous rated motor of at least 2hp is another must have feature, especially if the treadmill is likely to be used by a number of family members. Lower rated motors simply cannot handle the workload.

One of the biggest reasons that people stop using their treadmill is boredom. So a variety of built in exercise routines should be high on your shopping list when browsing for your ideal machine. Many models now have computer controlled workouts that vary the speed and incline for you to keep interest and motivation high.

So now you have no excuse. For around the cost of a single annual gym membership, your whole family could enjoy regular fitness workouts in the privacy and comfort of their own home.