If you have a treadmill

[bjscheel]

We are considering getting a treadmill for the girls. DD15 is very into track and with track practices starting very early spring, it's not easy to get ready ahead of time when there's snow on the ground. DD12 will probably go out for track for the first time, and she needs to build up some endurance ahead of time.

We really don't have a good place for it, but I did figure one out, so I've been browsing Craigslist. I have discovered that the Weslo ones are a cheaper line, so it's probably better to buy a used ProForm than a used Weslo if they are the same price. I found a nice looking ProForm for $200. Or, there is a NordicTrack 2250 for $300. Then Sears has brand new NordicTracks for $400, but they are the low end of that line and have bad reviews.

Any advice on buying, whether new or used?

 

[crisi]

They are heavy, figure out how you are going to move it.

We have a Reebok we bought from Costco for probably $1200. Still works wonderfully after five years, but its a model you'd find in a health club.

 

[reenie1]

I bought a nice used Proform from a fitness store several years ago. It clearly had not been used much as there were no signs of wear. It is still going strong. The fitness shop checked it out, tuned it up, delivered, and set up. I did have to call them regularly for about a month until one came in in my price range.

 

[mjkacmom]

If they are going to use it for running, you really can't go cheap. I love mine - Lifefitness purchased 10 years ago for about $3000. I'd suggest buying a GOOD used on. Many years back, I purchased a used lifecycle for only $500, and it was great.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

If they are going to use it for running, you really can't go cheap. I love mine - Lifefitness purchased 10 years ago for about $3000. I'd suggest buying a GOOD used on. Many years back, I purchased a used lifecycle for only $500, and it was great.

I agree - you aren't going to find a good quality running treadmill at the prices you mentioned, unless you can pick up a used one. Do your research (lots of reviews are available online) before buying.

 

[DizzyStitch]

If you are looking for a treadmill to run on do some checking. Most of the ones under 1,000.00 may not do well for that. You really need something more comparable to a gym model. I picked up one of the better Nordic Track ones from Sears. It is working really well so far and I have one kid who uses it at 9 and 10 MPH to train for distance. Also do some serious checking on the height if you buy one with an incline deck. They take up alot of floor and headroom space. I am pleased with mine so far. I invested about 1700.00 in it and it does what I need. Those low end ones are really best suited for walking. Good luck.

 

[johde]

Before spending a huge amount of money on a treadmill, I would decide if it's something my DD would use. Running outside in the winter really isn't that bad. Ice can be a problem. If your daughter has an old pair of running shoes you could convert them into "screw shoes" Running would discuessed them http://www.runnersworld.com/trail-running-gear/screw-shoes . Basically, you screw shallow screws into the bottom of the shoes for extra traction. You wouldn't want to do it with track flats but you can add spikes to them. I know when I was running I would much rather run outside even in the cold instead of running on a treadmill. I planned a loop around town of places I knew plowed quickly.

 

[bjscheel]

Thanks guys! Hmm, maybe I should think more seriously about getting them to the fitness center instead. I really wasn't sure about bringing something heavy and ungainly into our smallish house anyway, and especially not at a high cost.

The fitness center is not expensive, it's just kind of inconvenient to get them there. We live in the country. The girls have an hour between school and the time I get off work and take them home so they go to my office or grandma's house. Grandma could probably take them there sometimes for that hour. It's just that DD12 can't use the treadmill without a parent. I will email and ask if she could use it if my mom supervised her, but I think we already asked that. She can use the exercise bikes there, but last year when we did a month trial membership she was the only one that would be in there and she was bored and lonely. She'd rather be running with her sister.

I'll see if I can get something worked out there.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We had Proform from Sears and it lasted about two years. We replaced it with a Sole (from the website and was upgraded to a better model at no extra charge) in 2008. We still have the Sole and both my husband and I use it almost daily. it's a much better treadmill.

 

[MrsPete]

They are heavy, figure out how you are going to move it.

I was going to say the same thing.

We bought one through the mail a couple years ago . . . and the guys left that huge thing outside the house, so we had to get it up the steps and into the house, and then we discovered it was broken! We had a time getting them to come back and get it, and someone had to be home to see that the right people took it away.

It was way bigger than we'd anticipated, and we didn't buy another . . . but we agreed that IF we ever did, we'd buy it locally and pay the fee to have it delivered INTO our house.

 

[SandyinMonterey]

I have a NordicTrack. Got it over 10 years ago and still works like the day I got it. I think I spent about $700.

 

[scoutmom41]

Hi- I see you are in Iowa also.
Running outside is great but sometimes the wind chill and ice make it not possible. I have a treadmill and use it all winter and love it, however my DH prefers to use the treadmill at the fitness club. Check to make sure it is able to do higher speeds and has a longer deck - some of the shorter ones don't work for running. I have had mine 4 years with no problems. I would check to see if your school has any place that the kids can train or see if a neighbor has one, we often let people come run when they are on visiting family in our area and they don't have access to their treadmill. I have also offered it to other runners when temps hit high 90's in the summer!

 

[mieuxmew]

I have a 6 year old Landice treadmill and highly recommend it! When I purchased it it was #1 rated by Consumer Reports. Check fitness stores for closeouts and/or floor demos. The store will perform a tuneup and deliver it.

Good luck!

 

[bumbershoot]

I was going to suggest talking to the school, too.

Or talk to the other track kids; see what they do pre-season.


Having done almost all of my training for the TOT 10-miler on a treadmill I will tell you it's excruciating. Thankfully I managed to do it just right where I was running faster and harder than the treadmill wanted me to, so when I got on the road it was a breeze (I hear that usually it goes the other way), but that was a fluke LOL. I did 10 LONG miles on the treadmill, then made myself go out in a storm to do my 11 mile just before tapering down. Ever since then it's not just a joke to call it the "dread"mill...I really hate that thing!

So maybe the other kids have things they do and you can get some ideas!

 

[dakcp2001]

You need to up your price range if you want a treadmill for running. Have you looked into a local ymca or fitness center where they can use the treadmills? That way YOU don't have to maintain them, which can be a pain. My husband can burn through a treadmill like no one else.

We have tried Proform, my husband killed those in a year or two. We have had ok luck with a Nordic Track, great luck with a Sole. I recommend Sole for both treadmill and elliptical. While pricey, with a treadmill you get what you pay for. Make sure you get a mat to put under it, and make sure that while on it the celling is high enough for your height plus the treadmill. Some rooms with ceiling fans are too low. As a previous poster mentioned, Landice have great reviews. The gym I used to work at in college had only land ice, while expensive, again, worth the investment only if YOU WILL USE IT.

 

[bjscheel]

You need to up your price range if you want a treadmill for running. Have you looked into a local ymca or fitness center where they can use the treadmills? That way YOU don't have to maintain them, which can be a pain. My husband can burn through a treadmill like no one else.

We have tried Proform, my husband killed those in a year or two. We have had ok luck with a Nordic Track, great luck with a Sole. I recommend Sole for both treadmill and elliptical. While pricey, with a treadmill you get what you pay for. Make sure you get a mat to put under it, and make sure that while on it the celling is high enough for your height plus the treadmill. Some rooms with ceiling fans are too low. As a previous poster mentioned, Landice have great reviews. The gym I used to work at in college had only land ice, while expensive, again, worth the investment only if YOU WILL USE IT.

Yeah, the investment, size, and maintenance factors have convinced me not to get one. I think we will just make the effort to get DD15 to the fitness center. She likes one they have there because it shows your progress on a little diagram of a track, so it helps her pace a 1500. I checked and DD12 can't use the treadmills at all, even if I was there, so we'll see if she wants to use the exercise bikes or run around the gym. Then by next winter she will be old enough and they can use them together.

Thanks everybody, I think you saved me from wasting money, space, and time on a Craigslist purchase!