Buying a Treadmill

[jj]

I know I know, running on the road is better, I do that, but I am buying it for my wife because she can run on it at home while our son sleeps. It is what she wants and I was looking for recommendations. Of course price is a factor, but I can got up to about 2K. Any ideas?

[Jean-Paul]

You should be able to get up into the "light commercial" grade at that price. That is certainly the route I would go. The typical Sears treadmills are flimsy and worthless. Get something with at least an 8hp motor and really test the hell out of it before you purchase.

My favorite brands are Matrix and Nordic Track Incline trainers. The NC ones are especially my fave because they will go 30% incline (they even have a model that will do 50%, but that is probably outside the range you have indicated), they will actually decline by 5%, and they will go in reverse. For an extra $500 you can get one with a built in TV screen.

Sometimes lightly used equipment is the best route because what usually kills you with new treadmills is the freight. I will see if I can find any from my various sources and get back with you.

[Mahler]

I have a Nordic Track and it's a great machine. Built in fans, water bottle holder, lap screen, heart rate monitor, etc. I really like the screen that shows you doing a quarter mile lap. It is a real motivator when you have to run indoors. Plus it built in walking, running, jogging programs and allows you to program your own running course by time, speed, incline etc. The action of the belt and the startup and slowdown are smooth. My wife uses it for walking. I use it to jog, as a warm-up before lifting, and for full running routine. If you are really serious, it has the capability to plug into your DVD and you can purchase programs on disc that will simulate various running locations and automatically change speed and incline while you watch the screen and see what you would see if you were running in a particular location.

[smoddelm]

I love my Nordic Track. It even looks better than some of my furniture.

[JoshDunn]

off track but i found some research that said that a 1% incline pretty closely compares to road running. Obviously different places are going to be more hilly but 1% was more accurate.

Just some interesting info for ya.

[Mahler]

Originally Posted by JoshDunn

off track but i found some research that said that a 1% incline pretty closely compares to road running. Obviously different places are going to be more hilly but 1% was more accurate.

Just some interesting info for ya.

I have read that, as well. Apparently the 1% incline compensates for the difference between a static road surface and the moving belt. When not doing a program, I usually run at 3.5% incline just to keep myself honest.

[Lost Dog]

When you run on the ground, you are physically propelling your body forward, which takes energy. When you run on the treadmill, you're not propelling your body, but trying not to go backwards, which is easier. The 1% incline gets you to that extra level of energy expenditure.

[jj]

Originally Posted by Jean-Paul

You should be able to get up into the "light commercial" grade at that price. That is certainly the route I would go. The typical Sears treadmills are flimsy and worthless. Get something with at least an 8hp motor and really test the hell out of it before you purchase.

My favorite brands are Matrix and Nordic Track Incline trainers. The NC ones are especially my fave because they will go 30% incline (they even have a model that will do 50%, but that is probably outside the range you have indicated), they will actually decline by 5%, and they will go in reverse. For an extra $500 you can get one with a built in TV screen.

Sometimes lightly used equipment is the best route because what usually kills you with new treadmills is the freight. I will see if I can find any from my various sources and get back with you.

Thanks JP, I would greatly appreciate that.

[jj]

Originally Posted by Mahler

I have a Nordic Track and it's a great machine. Built in fans, water bottle holder, lap screen, heart rate monitor, etc. I really like the screen that shows you doing a quarter mile lap. It is a real motivator when you have to run indoors. Plus it built in walking, running, jogging programs and allows you to program your own running course by time, speed, incline etc. The action of the belt and the startup and slowdown are smooth. My wife uses it for walking. I use it to jog, as a warm-up before lifting, and for full running routine. If you are really serious, it has the capability to plug into your DVD and you can purchase programs on disc that will simulate various running locations and automatically change speed and incline while you watch the screen and see what you would see if you were running in a particular location.

Sounds good John, I will definately look into the Nordic Track after the recommendations on this thread. JP, I will also look at the Matrix as well.

[jj]

Smoddelm, JD, LD thanks for the info. At least makes me feel a little better about her running on it, hell I may do it on my lazy days.

[MacSob]

jj,

I highly recommend PaceMaster. I own this model :

http://www.omnifitness.com/products/...ro%20Treadmill

I weigh in at roughly 200LBS and run HIIT sprints on this one at least 1x per week. My wife uses it 2-3 times per week and loves it as well. We have had it for about a year at this point are are very satisfied. I picked mine up for $1799.00 so its within your price range.

Mac

[MacSob]

jj,

Sorry, that link is from where I purchased my unit. This is the link to the mfr website.

http://www.pacemaster.com/gold.htm

Mac