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March 3, 2010 10:24 AM Subscribe
Treadmill recommendations
Almost 32, 2 kids (3yo and 10 mo), about...30lbs (give or take) overweight with no daylight hours available for running so I'm looking for low to moderate priced treadmill recommendations. I've seen plenty on Craigslist and sports and outdoor shops but reviews online seem to be all over the place in regards to what's a decent product.
I'd like to not spend more than $600 but I also want something that will last and not kill my joints (I have chin spints but that has always subsided after a few weeks of moderate walking). My wife would also be using it but she's not a runner so she'll just be be walking.
I don't need bells or whistles or exercise programs...speed control and a timer is really all I can think of in terms of past gym experiences.
My plan is for 30 minutes a day in the evening on the treadmill and to later incorporate outdoor running as schedules permit with the treadmill being the constant.
Can I get a decent product for 600 or less, or if not point me in the right direction. Thanks!
Almost 32, 2 kids (3yo and 10 mo), about...30lbs (give or take) overweight with no daylight hours available for running so I'm looking for low to moderate priced treadmill recommendations. I've seen plenty on Craigslist and sports and outdoor shops but reviews online seem to be all over the place in regards to what's a decent product.
I'd like to not spend more than $600 but I also want something that will last and not kill my joints (I have chin spints but that has always subsided after a few weeks of moderate walking). My wife would also be using it but she's not a runner so she'll just be be walking.
I don't need bells or whistles or exercise programs...speed control and a timer is really all I can think of in terms of past gym experiences.
My plan is for 30 minutes a day in the evening on the treadmill and to later incorporate outdoor running as schedules permit with the treadmill being the constant.
Can I get a decent product for 600 or less, or if not point me in the right direction. Thanks!
Runner's World treadmill page has a lot of reviews, discussions, etc. on their forums.
Treadmills do tend to be expensive, though... it might be more economical to join a gym for a few months, especially if you can find a Y or somewhere lower-cost like that, use their treadmills, then see what you like/need in a 'mill. It would suck to get a low-end treadmill now and then have to get an entirely new one as your skill/interest in running improved and you needed more features.
Also, it's totally do-able to run in the dark. I run before dawn most mornings, because it's when I can get out, and I HATE the treadmill so I run on the street. You will need a bright reflective shirt or jacket, a blinky light to attach to yourself, and a headlamp if you don't have well-lit streets where you live. Total cost for these three items should be around $100 -- much cheaper than a treadmill. You just need to take extra precautions and be watchful of cars who aren't looking for runners (just as true in the daytime, btw).
posted by kataclysm at 10:38 AM on March 3, 2010
Treadmills do tend to be expensive, though... it might be more economical to join a gym for a few months, especially if you can find a Y or somewhere lower-cost like that, use their treadmills, then see what you like/need in a 'mill. It would suck to get a low-end treadmill now and then have to get an entirely new one as your skill/interest in running improved and you needed more features.
Also, it's totally do-able to run in the dark. I run before dawn most mornings, because it's when I can get out, and I HATE the treadmill so I run on the street. You will need a bright reflective shirt or jacket, a blinky light to attach to yourself, and a headlamp if you don't have well-lit streets where you live. Total cost for these three items should be around $100 -- much cheaper than a treadmill. You just need to take extra precautions and be watchful of cars who aren't looking for runners (just as true in the daytime, btw).
posted by kataclysm at 10:38 AM on March 3, 2010
Just from looking around quickly I would say... it might be tricky to find a good treadmill for an overweight runner at your price point, esp. if you are buying new. The nice treadmills at the gym typically cost thousands of dollars (like eight thousand). You won't put as much use on a home treadmill, but most of the good ones tend to be at a higher price than you want to spend. (And if you've ever run on a cheapo treadmill, which I have, you know that it'll tear up your joints worse than running on the street.) Look around @ craigslist, or Costco, or eBay or something -- you might get a decent-quality treadmill at a bargain.
Don't get a Gazelle if you want to run. If you want a cheap home version of an elliptical trainer, then you might like the gazelle, but if you're interested in doing some outdoor running, participating in any of the local races, or really doing anything other than building a bit of cardiovascular endurance and burning a few calories, it won't do you much good.
posted by kataclysm at 10:50 AM on March 3, 2010
Don't get a Gazelle if you want to run. If you want a cheap home version of an elliptical trainer, then you might like the gazelle, but if you're interested in doing some outdoor running, participating in any of the local races, or really doing anything other than building a bit of cardiovascular endurance and burning a few calories, it won't do you much good.
posted by kataclysm at 10:50 AM on March 3, 2010
Nthing checking Craigslist after you've done your research for the one you want to buy; sometimes gyms will be going out of business and selling their stuff cheap, people will be moving and looking to sell the treadmill they never used, etc.
posted by Nattie at 11:08 AM on March 3, 2010
posted by Nattie at 11:08 AM on March 3, 2010
Go to Horizon Fitness outlet store and look for a refurb or clearance unit. Right now they have their T101 for $200 off, or $600. Last fall, we bought a discontinued model that had originally retailed for $2400 for just $800. It is very well built and quiet. I would recommend any of their products.
posted by kindall at 11:34 AM on March 3, 2010
posted by kindall at 11:34 AM on March 3, 2010
I don't know how much you weigh ("30 pounds overweight" doesn't help) but the T101 supports up to 275 pounds. The one we got supports up to 400 pounds, though!
posted by kindall at 11:35 AM on March 3, 2010
posted by kindall at 11:35 AM on March 3, 2010
I finally got a treadmill for the winter months, too. No more excuses. I thought I might spend around $600 as well - but ended up spending $1000 when it was all said and done. (They are having a sale at Sears now - so maybe you could get it for less.)
I got a Nordic Trak. Really like it so far. I learned that you want at least 2.5 horsepower if you're going to do anything beyond walking.
You said you don't need bells and whistles, though they all seem to have some. I don't have the iFit hooked up (extra $ for online stuff), but I do like the few programmed workouts that came on my treadmill. They help me not have to concentrate on how fast I should go and for how long. The warm-ups are too slow, but I just punch up the speed. It changes speed and height every minute on a few of the workouts - and hey - I can do anything for one minute!
Not sure if this was helpful, but I hope you find something you like!
posted by LilBit at 11:42 AM on March 3, 2010
I got a Nordic Trak. Really like it so far. I learned that you want at least 2.5 horsepower if you're going to do anything beyond walking.
You said you don't need bells and whistles, though they all seem to have some. I don't have the iFit hooked up (extra $ for online stuff), but I do like the few programmed workouts that came on my treadmill. They help me not have to concentrate on how fast I should go and for how long. The warm-ups are too slow, but I just punch up the speed. It changes speed and height every minute on a few of the workouts - and hey - I can do anything for one minute!
Not sure if this was helpful, but I hope you find something you like!
posted by LilBit at 11:42 AM on March 3, 2010
Best answer: Keep in mind that you will probably have to spend over $1000 to get a quality treadmill you can run on. Don't cheap out on a treadmill if you want to run on it. Most run-of-the-mill treadmills are designed for walking, not running.
Bad treadmills will tend to bounce or give way when you run from step to step, almost like a car with bad shocks. Good treadmills will be more stable, make less noise, and require less upkeep over time - i.e. the treadmill will be closer to running on a flat road surface.
Also, be sure to buy some silicon spray to spray down your treadmill running surface in order to lubricate it. This will reduce mat stretching over time. I usually spray my treadmill once every 2-3 months (I have been running on it about 2-4 miles / 3-5 times per week).
posted by seppyk at 11:52 AM on March 3, 2010
Bad treadmills will tend to bounce or give way when you run from step to step, almost like a car with bad shocks. Good treadmills will be more stable, make less noise, and require less upkeep over time - i.e. the treadmill will be closer to running on a flat road surface.
Also, be sure to buy some silicon spray to spray down your treadmill running surface in order to lubricate it. This will reduce mat stretching over time. I usually spray my treadmill once every 2-3 months (I have been running on it about 2-4 miles / 3-5 times per week).
posted by seppyk at 11:52 AM on March 3, 2010
I got lucky enough to acquire what seems like a perfectly adequate treadmill via Craigslist for $150, iirc, or maybe it was $250, but in any event it was pretty cheap and I haven't noticed any downside to jogging on it. I'm not a fast runner so maybe I'm not into the territory that would distinguish a good from a bad treadmill. Anyway, just wanted to pipe up with the idea that Craigslist isn't necessarily a no-hoper for this objective.
posted by lakeroon at 1:02 PM on March 3, 2010
posted by lakeroon at 1:02 PM on March 3, 2010
I love the True and Precor series - I use these in the gym and find them to be sturdier than other treadmills with lots of great output/workout options. Word to the wise - do not get some cheap waify treadmill. We have one in our apartment complex and its miserable to run on which ultimately leads to not running/exercising.
posted by icy at 2:41 PM on March 3, 2010
posted by icy at 2:41 PM on March 3, 2010
I have a little different (controversial) take on your question. How committed are you to this? Are you waiting to buy your treadmill before you start? You could start running in place, doing burpees (probably the most effective exercise you could do), jumping jacks, push-ups, squats, walking/running stairs at work right now and get some or a lot of benefit out if it.
It's been my experience that the more you spend on the machine the better it will facilitate your ability to exercise (though not your motivation).
I'd look on craigslist, but if you aren't doing something now and waiting to buy a machine, then chances are - no matter what you buy - it won't stick.
posted by revan at 9:39 AM on March 4, 2010
It's been my experience that the more you spend on the machine the better it will facilitate your ability to exercise (though not your motivation).
I'd look on craigslist, but if you aren't doing something now and waiting to buy a machine, then chances are - no matter what you buy - it won't stick.
posted by revan at 9:39 AM on March 4, 2010
Response by poster: Ended up finding a gym quality machine (originally 2k, less than 3 years old) that I bartered $250 worth of gear for.
posted by doorsfan at 12:06 PM on March 22, 2010
posted by doorsfan at 12:06 PM on March 22, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
Some people love it (quiet, cheap, etc.) while others hate it (can be hard to get the same results as running), but in any case may be worth investigating further to see if it is for you, since it is incredibly popular.
posted by jameslavelle3 at 10:36 AM on March 3, 2010