How do I buy a treadmill?

March 14, 2005 3:46 PM

What are the caveats for purchasing a treadmill?

For a variety of reasons I've settled on a treadmill as my preferred piece of exercise equipment. I've done some shopping online and the choices are a bit dizzying. I don't have a lot of requirements except for the fact that it has to handle my 335lb. carcass. I won't be running, obviously, so can I get away with a treadmill rated for 300lbs.? What else should I be looking for or wary of? A friend already suggested getting a wired vs. battery-operated control panel. Any other hints, tips or feedback?

posted by friarjohn to shopping (15 comments total)

If you live in an apartment above someone else, you could have major noise issues.
posted by mischief at 4:14 PM on March 14, 2005

I'd suggest an elliptical trainer over a treadmill, if you're concerned about the impact of excercise on your "carcass."
posted by SPrintF at 4:25 PM on March 14, 2005

i would seriously recommend joining a gym over purchasing a treadmill. There are a couple advantages to this:

Gyms are going to have nicer equipment than you can purchase at home -- with free weights and stuff, this difference is minimal (though noticeable -- it's nice having handles on those 45 lb plates, and i like a good thick bar for pressing); with stuff like treadmills and elliptical trainers, you're looking at quite a bit of difference. The treadmills i've used at gyms are either StarTrac or LifeFitness and these would probably be adequate for your use -- i can full on sprint on them without worrying too much about causing any damage to the machine (and I weigh about 180-190). I couldn't imagine doing this with any sort of home treadmill; and other machine fitness equipment that's available at the consumer level seems to have the same sort of quality -- that is, really really poor compared to what even the most ill-equipped gym is going to have. I find that having a good experience while exercising is the thing that's going to make you come back to it, so this is something to consider -- if you buy a treadmill that feels cheap and precarious i'd wager you're not going to want to use it that often. The treadmills like the Star Trac's and the Lifecycles start at around $3k, so unless you're prepared to put that kind of money into a treadmill, I'd honestly advise against purchasing one. I understand that everyone might not want to join a gym, and I concede that joining a gym and not going can be just as worthless as buying a consumer-grade exercise machine and not using it. However, i think most people avoid gyms because they feel uncomfortable with them, but I can assure you that if you're in a reasonably sized city you'll find one with folks that are a little closer to your fitness level. My gym doesn't have a whole ton of meatheads at it -- it's mostly folks 40 and over, so there's a very laid back vibe. People are there to exercise, and that's it, not judge others. If you don't want to join a gym, i would, weather permitting, say you should consider walking outdoors as a cost-effective alternative to the treadmill -- it's free! You might not be able to watch TV while you're doing it, but you can spend the money you saved on an iPod or something -- and you don't have to worry about storing something in the corner of your living room.

if you are set on buying a treadmill (and yeah, i'm sure home exercise equipment works well for some people, so don't let me entirely dissuade you with the above) the most important thing is to go to a store where it's set up and try it out. You should immediately be able to get a feel for the build quality. You can still buy one online if you wish, to save money, but there is no way i would ever purchase an exercise machine without stepping on it and giving it a shot (preferably for a half-hour or greater, so you know how it'll perform for you). things might look nicely put together in a catalog or online, but when you get to the store, you'll be able to tell if it's a complete POS (because if it is, it'll probably be trashed from other people trying it out).

(i also prefer the elliptical over walking on a treadmill -- easier on the knees. But there ain't nothin' like running.)

good luck.
posted by fishfucker at 4:56 PM on March 14, 2005

mischief: I live in a house so neighbors aren't a problem.

SPrintF: I've never tried an elliptical trainer, but you're not the first to mention them. People seem to rave about them. I absolutely loathe stair-stepper machines, though. I'd need to spend some quality time on one before I made a financial commitment.
posted by friarjohn at 5:00 PM on March 14, 2005

I love my elliptical. It's a NordicTrack, very solid, very quiet (you need a mat for it if you have carpet) and you get the benefits of running (in terms of cardio/fat burning) without the impact. I use it pretty much daily, it's actually fun. Not at all like a stair-stepper, more like running in anti-gravity boots.
posted by biscotti at 5:08 PM on March 14, 2005

Elliptical machines are great for some, but they feel unnatural to me. So I agree with you on the treadmill thing.

You're probably looking at spending $1500 to $2000 for a decent quality treadmill. You definitely don't want the ones that are at the sports stores, you need to go to a store that sells the professional equipment. Look for continuous drive motor, at least 2HP, but 3 would be better. I've been told walking puts more strain on the motor than running, so in your case you might want to make sure the motor is poweful and has a good warranty.

If the prospect of spending $1500 is too much, then I agree with those who said "get thee to a gym", and avoid looking for lower cost treadmills.
posted by knave at 5:09 PM on March 14, 2005

Friarjohn -- I'm gonna second the elliptical trainer over the treadmill. I've got a similar carcass, and have had nothing but trouble with treadmills, and little trouble at all with ellipticals. Not only talking here about impact, but just technical things like how treadmills tend to break down more often.

Do try before you buy, though.
posted by Hildago at 5:13 PM on March 14, 2005

The one problem with exercise equipment is tedium, I mean you just walk and walk and walk, but you have your music you know, and perhaps some tv, but you just walk and walk and the music you know, the tv and the tedium keeps growing and then you walk and . . . . Exercise equipment is BORING! Before you drop $1500 on a treadmill for walking I very much recommend getting in the groove out on the pavement. You see things, you explore, you can still take your music and it is infinitely less boring than a machine. Now, if you have kids and can not leave the house or something then fine. The weather is starting to turn nice, at least in the northern hemisphere, and the time for outdoor walking is upon us. Perhaps you have contemplated all of this already, if so, sorry, but I really hate to see someone drop good coin on something that may be hard to stick with. Some have mentioned a health club, and the big advantage there is company and schedule both of which can help keep you on the program. Good luck in whatever you decide.
posted by caddis at 6:00 PM on March 14, 2005

I agree with you that weight capacity is the most important, but length and width of the belt that you walk on is also important. Try it on to make sure it's not too restrictive as you walk. Make sure the handlebars are comfortable. I think the best thing would be to test them in the store. You will be able to tell the poorly built ones because they rattle and shake a lot more than the quiet and sturdy better built models.

I wouldn't worry about the fancy electronics. As long as it allows you to select the type of exercise that you desire (weight-loss vs cardio, etc). Ours is completely programmable and we've never used that feature.

I highly recommend that you setup a PVR such as TiVo that is controllable during your exercise. Live TV or Music is nice, but a PVR means that you can exercise whenever you want and there will be something good on TV! and you can skip the boring commercials. I speak from personal experience when I say that exercise is tough when there's nothing good to watch.

Good luck!
posted by quiet_type at 6:58 PM on March 14, 2005

A few people allude to this, but have you been doing some other kind of exercise on a regular basis leading up to this? Regular walking, gym use, etc, so you know you can commit to regular exercise? I would say it's a bad idea to buy an expensive piece of gym equipment on the basis that the amount you've spent will motivate you to keep using it, chances are you'll just end up with a white elephant taking up space in one of your rooms, and it's a mistake a lot of people make. Good luck.
posted by biffa at 1:24 AM on March 15, 2005

Thanks for all the feedback, everybody. I'll definitely give ellipticals a shot.

I haven't been doing any exercise on a regular basis, recently anyway, and that's the problem. What's odd, and I don't have a fully reasonable explanation, is that walking outside hurts my back, but walking on a treadmill does not. I don't know if it's uneven ground, or the fact I can steady myself on the treadmill's bars or whatever. I should've added that for variety, however, I do have a bicycle. But with the snow outside that doesn't do me any good.

I hate clubs. I don't need the company. I live in a town of about 30,000 with three clubs and they all suck. A few years ago I belonged to one and just couldn't find a time of day when it wasn't crowded. But I did manage to keep up with it for a few months, which is probably a record for me. All that being said, if I could find a gym with a reasonable monthly fee and no commitment, I'd probably try it again.

Quiet_type hit it on the head - I need to setup whatever machine I get in front of the boob tube with my DVR. If I get my mind on something else I'll be more likely to stay with it.

I've got a couple friends with those white elephants sitting in spare bedrooms. If they're serious enough machines I might try and "borrow" one.
posted by friarjohn at 6:41 AM on March 15, 2005

If you get a treadmill:

Think very carefully about safety in the chance that you fall down on the moving treadmill. This happens a lot and is extremely dangerous. I have a friend who works on lawsuits arising from treadmill falls, and the injuries are horrific. Basically, your skin is stripped off by the moving belt. The two ways to protect yourself are:

(1) NEVER place the treadmill with its back end against a wall. If you fall, you want to be thrown off the back of the machine, not stuck on the belt and smashed up against a wall.

(2) Look for machines that have safety devices like "deadman's switch" clips or other things that will shut off the belt when you fall.

Seriously, the injuries are really really nasty.
posted by Mid at 8:41 AM on March 15, 2005

I've got a couple friends with those white elephants sitting in spare bedrooms. If they're serious enough machines I might try and "borrow" one.

I'd give long odds that they are under $1000 machines, and not worth moving (but it's certainly worth checking).

A couple of thoughts:

** A good machine (treadmill, elliptical trainer, or - my personal favorite - a recumbent bike) is HEAVY - I think the elliptical trainer that my wife and I own weighs at least 150 pounds. So don't move it yourself - when you buy it, make sure moving and set-up is included (pay the extra, if necessary), assuming this is available.

** If you don't enjoy your exercise, your machine will end up gathering dust (like those of your friends). TV or Tivo or music - whatever it takes to make it more enjoyable, you should do it - or expect that you've not likely to continue exercising. (For me, reading while on the recumbent bike makes the time pass quickly.)

** Enjoying means not pushing yourself really hard. "No pain, no gain" is a stupid slogan -- if you voluntarily are doing something, and it hurts, you're going to stop (whether a conscious or unconscious decision).

** Most gyms/health clubs have a day membership - that's ideal for thoroughly checking out something unfamilar (like an elliptical trainer) before you buy. What you might do even before you go to a gym for a day is to visit an equipment dealer (if there is one in town) and get a bit of instruction. They'll usually be happy to let you pedal away for 5 or 10 minutes to give you a better sense of things.

Good luck!!
posted by WestCoaster at 10:02 AM on March 15, 2005

ah. well, if you don't like the clubs (and they're crowded -- which is the thing i HATE most about clubs -- if you have to wait to get on a machine i'd pretty much consider them worthless) and you want/need to be able to exercise inside because of snow, then yes, it is worthwhile to look into getting a treadmill -- if you get one that lasts for about 3 years without service and pay $3k for it, that's approximately what a good gym membership would cost you (maybe a little more). I'd look into buying one used, and if you can, look at the "professional" models that i mentioned before, like Star Trac or LifeFitness. Those are kickass treadmills. If you've been a member of a gym you probably already know what you're looking for, and what a crap treadmill will feel like. I'd just project a budget and start doing research on what you can get for the money. Try searching rec.running on google groups to get recommendations from runners -- if a runner likes a treadmill, odds are it's pretty good, because 1) they're logging mad hours on it, and 2) they're friggin running on it.
posted by fishfucker at 10:52 AM on March 15, 2005

Consumer Reports, in its January 2005 issue, has ratings and recommendations on treadmills and ellipticals (p. 17-21); available in any good local library; highly recommended.
posted by WestCoaster at 8:36 PM on March 15, 2005