Anyone own a treadmill?

[wdwmom2]

I have been thinking about purchasing a treadmill. I love to walk, but sometimes, especially this time of year, the weather just isn't calling me outside. Brrrrr!!!!! I do love to walk outside when the weather is cooperative. If you own one, could you give me some info. Example: brand, durability, does it fold up when not in use, any special features that you really like. I have been looking at the Proform's, but would love to hear about any brands.

Thanks much!!!!

 

[sweet angel]

I have a ProForm Crosswalk 365S that I bought about a year ago from Sears. It folds up. It counts calories burned, time, distance, fat calories. It works well enough -- but walking on a treadmill is BORING compared to walking outside. I tried reading, but it's hard to position yourself comfortably to read and walk at the same time. I also tried listening to my iPod, but still find myself watching the time tick by.

Also, sometimes when it's folded for a long time, it starts to stink like onions (or body odor) -- don't know if it's the oil, or what, but mine is in the garage and sometimes the garage really stinks.

 

[GailT]

I "DID" have one but it became a coat rack and when it died I did not replace it, I just felt like I didn't really use it enough, Oh I did when I first bought it

 

[Jennifer S]

Funny you should ask. I just got my sister's yesterday. She moved and didn't have room for it. I think it is a Proform. It folds up, increases the incline, tells how many calories burned. I'm going to use it for the first time in an hour and will let you know.

I just find it convenient. I belong to the YMCA but on mornings I don't have time to get there I will use this. My trainer said to loose weight you really should try to do some cardio every day. So I'll get back to you around lunchtime.

 

[wdwmom2]

Sue
I understand the boring part. I own a Bowflex and there is nothing you can do while using it, but it is an excellent machine. It really works!!!! DH keeps his blood pressure in check by using it. His choice is exercise or medication. He chooses exercise. He lowered his BP from 145/85 to 120/70 in 1 month. Doc told him that whatever he was doing, keep doing it. I plan on putting a treadmill in front of my window so that I can look out and see all the goings ons in my neighborhood. That in itself should keep me entertained !

Gail
Hey, I understand the coat rack thing. During hunting season we hang our hunting coats and clothing on the Bowflex. It airs them out quite nicely !!! But at this time we do get exercise from hiking up and down the mountain in pursuit of deer. Trust me, that IS exercise enough!!!

 

[Just2554]

I have a treadmill at home...I'm not sure what brand it is though, not being home at the moment. I love the thing! I try to walk on it about 5 days out of the 7 in the week.

My treadmill counts carbs, calories, and keeps track of the time you've been on it and the amount of time it would take you to walk a mile depending on the speed and incline you're using. We keep it on one side of our toyroom and never fold it up because it gets used everyday by someone.

I do have to say though, it can get boring if you don't have anything to do while on it. We have a TV down by ours, so I watch that when I'm on it. I usually pop in an episode of Gilmore Girls or whatever on DVD and I usually walk off between 450-500 calories while watching a 45 minute episode.

 

[Christine]

I bought one a few weeks ago and it will be delivered next Saturday!

I wanted one that was durable and that would hold up to me actually running on it. Plus, I'm 5'7" tall (not an amazon, by any means) but when I had a ProForm Walker that I got from my FIL, I found that the belt was not long enough for my stride.

So, I went to a fitness store that sells stuff that is a bit "above" what you might find in Sears or at a shopping mall athletic store. They sell like a notch above that stuff all the way up to "health club" brands.

I ended up with a Pacemaster Silver. Pacemaster only makes treadmills and no other equipment and, I am told, that it is one of the more durable machines out there. This one does just about everything, has several programmable routines, and also comes with a chest strap heart rate monitor. This feeds into the treadmill and will slow you down if you get above your target rate. This was important to me as I am working right now with some issues related to high heart rate and palpitations.

I was also told that the treadmills that fold up are not nearly as durable or stable as the regular kind.

So, for $1600 this is what I ended up with.

 

[ChristmasElf]

We have a PROFORM that we bought at Sears and are very pleased with it.
It does everything but the running for me (wish I could find that kind!)
it folds up, but I find if I leave it set up, I tend to use it everyday.
PROFORM also has the treadmills with the longer tread area for people with long strides, we have this one as I wanted that option for me.
Great thing about Sears, any problems, no hassles in exchanges plus you will get to take it home that day when you buy it.

 

[wdwmom2]

This one does just about everything, has several programmable routines, and also comes with a chest strap heart rate monitor. This feeds into the treadmill and will slow you down if you get above your target rate. This was important to me as I am working right now with some issues related to high heart rate and palpitations.

Now that sounds like a nice feature!!!!

 

[luvsmickeymouse]

We got one for Christmas. I love it. It is from Sears. Not sure what kind, but it is a less expensive one. I leave it set up right in the Living room. I use it every morning. Also trying to eat better!

 

[chyam]

Was interested in the responses on this thread since I too have been considering it, I usually walk 6 miles a day but when the weather is crummy I can't talk myself into it! But I have also been reading alot about elipitcal? machines, they are supposed to be a little more exercise for you and also alot easier on your joints.........anybody have any input on them?

 

[grlpwrd]

I have an older commercial Trotter (now Cybex) treadmill. It is very powerful and I bought it off of ebay a few years ago. My dh, my older kids, and I use it. It can withstand about 300 lbs., it's quiet even running on it, and it's heavy. I've had it serviced twice now just to keep it maintained properly.

On the fitness boards I frequent (I am, after all, a fitness freak ) many people are also pleased with their Proform. It's one of the popular models yet I have also read that it depends whether you run or walk on them because they can get noisy and some vibrate too much if you run. If you plan on running intensely and regularly than you'd probably want something more powerful, but since you plan to walk on it I think you'd be okay with it. I would try them out if you can to see if it will work for you. I know the belt space to run/jog/walk may be very limiting for some people, too.

My sister has one and it has those functions, like heartrate monitoring, but I think I read (Consumer Reports or a health site?) that the monitoring is not as accurate as a conventional one.

You might want to check the reviews in Consumer Reports because they recently rated the newer models. They mention noise, durability, etc., but they didn't rate Starbucks and other popular products like the Dyson vacuum very highly so I always take that in consideration.

As for ellipticals, I have a Bally's one and I use it more than my treadmill. I think it's more fun because you can rotate backwards and it's easier on my joints. Of course, some models are more stable than others and the "stride" length (?) is comfortable. I would definitely try some out at the store or see the ratings so you don't end up buying a coat rack. lol

Hope this helps

 

[sweet angel]

I have a Reebok elliptical and I hate it. The stride is more like that of a stepper. I can only use it for a max of 5 minutes before it really starts to hurt. I was able to use the ones at the gym for 45+ minutes without a problem.

 

[foxfire]

I have a True treadmill. It's used in exercise centers around here so I knew it was a tough piece of equipment. I've had it for 10 years and never had any problems with it. The only maintenance I have to do is sprinkle 1/8 tsp. of lubricating beads under the belt once a year. It doesn't fold up but we have a finished room in our basement that we use for exercise equipment and such. It monitors heartrate, calories burned, distance walked, time walked, etc. In addition to having varying speeds it also has a feature to tilt upwards to increase the grade which increases the workout. I love having it to use when the weather is cold or hot and humid. I walk outside when the weather is nice so I won't get tired of using the treadmill.

 

[snels]

Hi,
I just got a new treadmill (last week) . It is a PaceMaster Bronze. Made in the USA. I love it so much! I did alot of research before buying. I suggest you go to treadmilldoctor.com. That site helped me alot. Pace Master has a great warranty. The model I bought costs around 1699.00. It is alot of money, but I have never been so happy with a purchase.
Good luck,
Sandy

 

[JanetRose]

I have one from Sears - Since my daughter is at college, I moved it to her room and use it 4-5 times a week, walking about 2 miles. I watch TV or taped David Letterman or Oprah shows. Sometimes if I get bored, I will do a mile and return later for another mile.

 

[ottawa-newbie]

I have a Proform from Sears as well and it works just fine. (Although right now it's mostly being used to hang clothes up to dry! ) I like the 10 year warranty it came with, and the yearly maintenance you can sign up for that keeps it running smoothly.