If you're used to running or walking a local circuit for fitness, you better have a plan B for winter. Rain, hail, sleet and shorter daylight hours are bound to see you caught out and unable to work out. More and more people are turning to home based treadmills, that they either purchase or hire, and here's why...

Comforts of home
You may not actually go anywhere by pounding a treadmill, but that is the biggest appeal to many people. You can simply workout whenever you like in the comfort of your own home. You can wear what you like and not feel self conscious about fitting in with the latest look at the gym. Or worry about working up a sweat in the company of strangers. Even more appealing for some, you can watch your favourite program on TV without feeling guilty and make your session pass more quickly.

Safe and secure
Treadmills remove the 'stranger, danger' threat of walking at night on your own. Plus they also control the environment so there are no potholes or hard surfaces like footpaths to contend with, which minimises the risk of injury.

Tailored training
Treadmills now come with sophisticated computer feedback systems that track your progress and allow you to adjust the exercise intensity as you train. You can monitor your heart rate and total kilojoules burned, adjust the incline by minute percentages and there's even talk of customised iPod docks, so you can plug and play your favourite upbeat tunes.

What to look for?
According to Dr George Janko, Medical Director at the Institute of Health and Fitness, "There's a huge choice available in treadmills. You really need to shop around to find the type and price range that suits. Hiring a treadmill is a great way to try before you buy.

"When testing treadmills look for things like cushioning (how well the treadmill's belt and deck absorb the shock of your foot strikes) and stability or the smoothness of the ride. You also want adequate walking or running space and the optimal belt width is around 50cm. If you're a bit unsteady on your feet make sure your treadmill has side bars" says Dr Janko.

Ultimately, treadmills come down to individual choice. If the best part of your power walk or run, is getting OUT of the house, into the fresh air and capturing some 'me' time, you may be better off investing in some good wet weather running gear, than an expensive treadmill. And if you have a dog, forget it. Treadmills are definitely not built for two!