Treadmill advice

[Tinijocaro]

We are looking to purchase a mid priced treadmill for use by a family of six. We probably won't really all use it but at least three of us will be trying to use it on a reular basis. None of us are overweight. DS is a track and cross country runner who would like to use it occasionally. I'd like to use it at least 3-4 times per week mostly fast walking but some jogging too. The other occasional kid or dh will also use it, but not often.

What do you have that has held up well with multiple people using it. I guess I'd like to keep it around $1000.00 give or take a couple hundred.

Any treadmill brands to definitely avoid?

 

[Christine]

I have a Pacemaster Silver Edition. It cost me $2500 many years ago. I use it 4 times per week, my cross-country son uses it during his season, and my husband who is a runner uses it in bad weather.

I haven't had one problem with it in all these years.

I'm not sure what I'd look for/brand in the $1,000 price range. It actually sounds like it's going to get some heavy duty use.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

What about an elliptical? I have an old treadmill however using it is REALLY hard on my feet, ankles, etc.

I know that people use an elliptical because it does less wear and tear on the body I think.

I would certainly compare a treadmill vs elliptical as well.

I am not expert so hopefully people can give you better advice. I am just saying from experience that it is really hard on the body.

 

[FlyingDumbo]

The home treadmills are not as sturdy or nice as a gym grade treadmills. But the price reflects the difference. I have had both the Sears brand and Nordic track, liked Nordic track better. Best one we had was Landice, but its significantly more expensive.

Don't get sucked in to all the bells and whistles on the machine, most never get used. DO get one of those mats to put under it. I always get the warranty, but have only used it a couple of times. Sears has put my treadmills together incorrectly a couple of times, and damaged on on delivery so make sure it is in the spot you want it, plug it in and make sure it works and looks ok before they leave.

It is right about that time of year where you might be able to get one on Craigslist, from the failed New Years resolutioners.

See if you can google reviews for any model you are about to buy.

 

[golfgal]

I was also going to suggest an elliptical. I can't use a treadmill-they are just too hard on my legs/knees. I would strongly suggest taking advantage of a free 2 week membership (if you can find one in your area--offered here all the time) and using a treadmill to see if you like it. You can also try other machines to see if one works better.

We have a 5 year old NordicTrac Elliptical that gets fairly frequent use and has held up well. It was around $800 when we bought it.

 

[Momvic5]

Three or four years ago, we purchased a treadmill from Walmart. It cost about $350.00 if I remember correctly. At the time, I wasn't sure how I was going to like a treadmill so we opted for a cheap one just to make sure it was something I was going to use. I have used that thing almost everyday since purchasing it. At first, I walked on it (3-4 miles)every other day, but now I run anywhere from 5 to 8 miles on it almost daily. Twelve miles is the longest distance I have ever run on it at one time. During that run, I had one problem with it - it shut off and reset itself after about 2 hours of my run. I thought I broke it, but as soon as it reset itself, it kicked back on. When I was looking for one, my biggest concerns were cushioning for my knees and feeling comfortable on the tread length and width. I don't use any fancy settings - I only use the speed and incline settings so there isn't a need for fancy bells and whistles for me. The only negative thing I can think of is that it is really loud, but it doesn't bother me because I listen to my MP3 player while running. For the miles that I put on it weekly (30-40miles), it has held up well and worked like a charm.

 

[momrek06]

ITA with the elliptical. While I do not own one, I use one 4 days a week at my gym.

Now I was always, always, a treadmill person. Love it, still do but it does NOT love me. Over the years it just got way too hard on my feet and knees to use the treadmill over and over again.

My DH uses the treadmill but I feel I get an amazing and a better w/o on the elliptical. JMHO.

I like the pp's idea of a gym that can give you a weeks pass (trial membership) to use their gym while you ponder your decision to go with the treadmill or the elliptical.

 

[FireDancer]

A gym-quality treadmill will be way better than most consumer products but like a PP stated you will pay for it. I would recommend finding a place that sells refurbished equipment taken out of gyms when they upgrade. The equipment is not only designed for wear and tear but usually has plenty of life left in it, especially for use in a home as opposed to a high trafic gym. They usually replace gym equipment earlier than they have to for liability reasons, at least good gyms do.

I'd get a treadmill over an elliptical personally but I'm a runner.