A running treadmill under $1000?
August 1, 2012 8:58 AM
A running treadmill under $1000?
I'm looking to buy a treadmill for running. I want to use it to run about 3 miles, 5-7 days a week. I'm 160 lbs, and I don't give a darn about fancy programs, heart rate monitors, etc etc. I just want to run inside. My bf will also be using the 'mill.
I've been looking at lots of consumer reviews and ask me posts, but many of them are older (and I'd like the think the tech has gotten better since then) or the reviewer gives a good/bad rating that don't seem relavent to what I'm after (ie fancy workout pre-programs, or they're 300lbs and it broke on them, etc)
Is it possible to find such a machine for under 1000???
I'm looking to buy a treadmill for running. I want to use it to run about 3 miles, 5-7 days a week. I'm 160 lbs, and I don't give a darn about fancy programs, heart rate monitors, etc etc. I just want to run inside. My bf will also be using the 'mill.
I've been looking at lots of consumer reviews and ask me posts, but many of them are older (and I'd like the think the tech has gotten better since then) or the reviewer gives a good/bad rating that don't seem relavent to what I'm after (ie fancy workout pre-programs, or they're 300lbs and it broke on them, etc)
Is it possible to find such a machine for under 1000???
What Joh said. I got mine at Play It Again, which cost me a few extra dollars over Craigslist, but they deliver and you don't have to worry as much about being scammed.
posted by Etrigan at 9:13 AM on August 1, 2012
posted by Etrigan at 9:13 AM on August 1, 2012
You may also be able to buy it used directly from a gym in your area. Plus you get to test it out in person before buying.
posted by elizardbits at 9:20 AM on August 1, 2012
posted by elizardbits at 9:20 AM on August 1, 2012
We sold a very expensive treadmill; it had under 300 miles for 6 years of "use" for less than a third of what we originally bought it for, and felt lucky to get that. It still had 4 years on the warranty :/
Personal used equipment is likely very lightly used (many post/brag practically unused). I'd be a bit afraid of buying older gym equipment; it's going to have been heavily used by the time they're looking to replace it. Heck, thinking of some of the worn down beaten up machines that they had at my gym, but were still olding on to, I wouldn't even consider buying used gym equipment, unless the gym went out of business and the equipment was less than a year old and looked to be in great shape.
posted by nobeagle at 9:56 AM on August 1, 2012
Personal used equipment is likely very lightly used (many post/brag practically unused). I'd be a bit afraid of buying older gym equipment; it's going to have been heavily used by the time they're looking to replace it. Heck, thinking of some of the worn down beaten up machines that they had at my gym, but were still olding on to, I wouldn't even consider buying used gym equipment, unless the gym went out of business and the equipment was less than a year old and looked to be in great shape.
posted by nobeagle at 9:56 AM on August 1, 2012
Craigslist!
posted by small_ruminant at 10:23 AM on August 1, 2012
posted by small_ruminant at 10:23 AM on August 1, 2012
We just bought our NordicTrak super-deluxe treadmill at the Sears Outlet for $450 plus $60 to deliver it and set it up.
It came with a 12 month warantee.
You can go to their website and see what's actually at the Outlet closest to you.
I was really impressed with the whole deal. Good customer service (shocker!) I use mine every day.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 10:36 AM on August 1, 2012
It came with a 12 month warantee.
You can go to their website and see what's actually at the Outlet closest to you.
I was really impressed with the whole deal. Good customer service (shocker!) I use mine every day.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 10:36 AM on August 1, 2012
OP, you're a dedicated runner - you do not want to buy a USED treadmill. This kind of equipment takes terrible abuse just through the nature of use. Health clubs are constantly repairing them.
You might get lucky, but why roll the dice with a relatively high risk?
Sounds like you've achieved a level of financial success & comfortable position to throw some good money towards the 'mill. For less than a thousand $$, you can get a brand new one from Sears (or similar middle class caterer), including a store and manufacturer warranty.
Good luck
posted by Kruger5 at 12:20 PM on August 1, 2012
You might get lucky, but why roll the dice with a relatively high risk?
Sounds like you've achieved a level of financial success & comfortable position to throw some good money towards the 'mill. For less than a thousand $$, you can get a brand new one from Sears (or similar middle class caterer), including a store and manufacturer warranty.
Good luck
posted by Kruger5 at 12:20 PM on August 1, 2012
I bought a barely-used ProForm treadmill through craigslist years ago for under $200, and was able to sell it at a profit (also via craigslist) when I moved to a more walker-friendly neighborhood.
posted by Iris Gambol at 12:57 PM on August 1, 2012
posted by Iris Gambol at 12:57 PM on August 1, 2012
Thanks! I'd thought about buying used, but thought it was out of the question due to lack of delivery service...but seems like there are options around that.
Re: Kruger's point: Do ya'll with treadmill buying experience think it's riskier to buy used or to buy a cheaper new one? Maybe this is all just a matter of personal experience...
Thanks also for the specific store and brand recommendations!
posted by Calicatt at 1:09 PM on August 1, 2012
Re: Kruger's point: Do ya'll with treadmill buying experience think it's riskier to buy used or to buy a cheaper new one? Maybe this is all just a matter of personal experience...
Thanks also for the specific store and brand recommendations!
posted by Calicatt at 1:09 PM on August 1, 2012
I don't know how used mine was, but it certainly looked new, and I haven't had any problems with it over the last four years.
posted by Etrigan at 2:03 PM on August 1, 2012
posted by Etrigan at 2:03 PM on August 1, 2012
Do ya'll with treadmill buying experience think it's riskier to buy used or to buy a cheaper new one?
I've had my used treadmill for 5 years now, and its still going strong. Basically there are two factors to getting a good used treadmill:
1. buy a decent treadmill, which means when you see an ad on Craigslist, google the model to see if its decent quality.
2. When you go and view the treadmill, look at the treadmill owner as well as the treadmill. Is this someone who has used the machine regularly, and therefore subjected it to lots of wear and tear? Or is it someone who used it 10 times, and mostly just hung wet laundry on it? Ask them what they liked and disliked about it. If they struggle to answer you can take a good guess they are the latter category of owner.
posted by Joh at 3:22 PM on August 1, 2012
I've had my used treadmill for 5 years now, and its still going strong. Basically there are two factors to getting a good used treadmill:
1. buy a decent treadmill, which means when you see an ad on Craigslist, google the model to see if its decent quality.
2. When you go and view the treadmill, look at the treadmill owner as well as the treadmill. Is this someone who has used the machine regularly, and therefore subjected it to lots of wear and tear? Or is it someone who used it 10 times, and mostly just hung wet laundry on it? Ask them what they liked and disliked about it. If they struggle to answer you can take a good guess they are the latter category of owner.
posted by Joh at 3:22 PM on August 1, 2012
I match your description of use exactly and we ended up buying a Horizon T202 on sale from Amazon. I think we paid around $650 for it. We've only had it a few months but the reviews were great and it's been awesome.
posted by InsanePenguin at 6:27 PM on August 1, 2012
posted by InsanePenguin at 6:27 PM on August 1, 2012
Another enthusiastic recommendation for Sole Treadmills. After weeks scouring reviews and discussions, I purchased the F85, which you can find on Craigslist in the $1000-1200 range. The frame is solid as a rock, the motor is a beast and the belt is super smooth. It just feels fantastic underfoot. I prefer it to the commercial treadmill at my former gym.
One caveat: I nearly pulled the trigger on a lightly-used unit off Craigslist. However I learned that the excellent warranty (lifetime replacement of the frame, deck, and motor) doesn't transfer from the original owner. This, plus the pain of lugging the beast across the city in a rented pick-up, was the deciding factor to buy new, direct from the factory. With that said, I don't intend to discourage you from purchasing a used Sole model, especially at your target price point; they seem to hold up very well, especially if the owner didn't log many miles.
If you buy a used model, no matter the brand, be sure to closely inspect the belt/deck for wear and tear and spend a good 10 minutes on the machine switching between speeds (i.e. 2mph, to 6mph, back to 4pm, etc.) to ensure a smooth transition. If the belt skips or is slow to speed up/down to other presets, inspect the belt for potential need of replacement, and ask whether the belt has been lubricated. Restoring the belt might be as simple as cleaning and lubricating the deck, or it could be a sign of a more serious issue that could cost several hundred $$ post-purchase.
posted by prinado at 11:57 PM on August 1, 2012
One caveat: I nearly pulled the trigger on a lightly-used unit off Craigslist. However I learned that the excellent warranty (lifetime replacement of the frame, deck, and motor) doesn't transfer from the original owner. This, plus the pain of lugging the beast across the city in a rented pick-up, was the deciding factor to buy new, direct from the factory. With that said, I don't intend to discourage you from purchasing a used Sole model, especially at your target price point; they seem to hold up very well, especially if the owner didn't log many miles.
If you buy a used model, no matter the brand, be sure to closely inspect the belt/deck for wear and tear and spend a good 10 minutes on the machine switching between speeds (i.e. 2mph, to 6mph, back to 4pm, etc.) to ensure a smooth transition. If the belt skips or is slow to speed up/down to other presets, inspect the belt for potential need of replacement, and ask whether the belt has been lubricated. Restoring the belt might be as simple as cleaning and lubricating the deck, or it could be a sign of a more serious issue that could cost several hundred $$ post-purchase.
posted by prinado at 11:57 PM on August 1, 2012
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posted by Joh at 9:08 AM on August 1, 2012