Treadmills come in all shapes, sizes, and shades of grey. Some have handle buttons, incline adjustment, reprogrammable programs, heart-rate monitors, fans, cup holders, mp3 ports, book trays, extra-wide belts, orthopedic belts, and a huge array of other features. If you buy a treadmill without figuring out your own personal preferences, you might end up paying a whole lot more money for features that you don't even want or need in a treadmill. Or, you could buy a basic model and discover that you really should have gotten something with more features. How do you choose?

First of all, bigger is not always better. I have seen some huge plastic giants with all the bells and whistles that turn out to have teeny tiny motors that won't go above 5 mph. Check the manual (or sometimes a sticker on the treadmill itself) to find details about the motor. Most treadmills have incline adjustment. This can be a neat alternative to jogging constantly. Most people actually get a better workout going a little bit slower on a high incline than they do jogging endlessly. This also tends to be easier on your joints than jogging. Some treadmills have handle buttons for adjusting speed or incline. While this isn't necessarily a make-it or break-it feature, it can be convenient. Programs are pre-set workouts, where the treadmill will automatically adjust your speed and incline in a set pattern. Reprogrammable programs make it possible for you to set your own programs that the treadmill will save and allow you to reuse. These can be really useful on days where you are not feeling very creative with your workout. Often, there will be what looks like a little silver plate surrounding one or both of the handles. These are heart-rate monitors. If you like to keep track of your heart-rate during a workout, these will definitely come in handy for you. Fans and cup holders are there to make your workout a little bit more comfortable. Cup holders are self-explanatory, although I would advise only using them with closed bottles instead of an actual cup, as I have spilled water all over the place during a workout before and know from experience that treadmill motors do not enjoy getting wet. Built-in treadmill fans are generally tiny, and in my opinion, ineffective. I would much rather spend the ten dollars for a giant box fan that I can put on the floor next to me. That said, some people adore their built-in fans. Mp3 ports and book holders make your workout a little more enjoyable. For some people, music helps them zone out during a jog, and an upbeat song really does help get you moving. Books can be a little hard to read while jogging because of the bouncing, but I really enjoy reading them while I walk on an incline. Both books and music mainly serve as a distraction from the boredom and agony usually associated with cardio exercise. Extra-wide belts make it easier to stay on the treadmill. For people with a wide stance or wobbly balance, it can be a lot safer than risking a misstep onto the treadmill edge or the floor. Orthopedic belts cushion your step a little bit. Some people don't notice the difference, but others swear by it. If you tend to have joint or shin pain, or other types of exercise injury, an orthopedic belt could be a very valuable thing to look into. My last suggestion is to go to the gym for a week or two before you buy your own treadmill. Use all of the treadmills they have there, and make note of the ones you like the best. Is it a particular brand? Do you love having that built-in fan blowing on your face? Figure out exactly what it is that you like. A treadmill is an expensive but extremely worthwhile investment if you make sure you are getting exactly what you need. Don't be afraid to splurge a little bit for things that make your workout more comfortable. You will be much more likely to stick with it if you are enjoying yourself than if you are miserable and uncomfortable the whole time.