Treadmill Suggestions

[rgrutland]

Okay so I am reading through all of these posts and have always wanted to run the 1/2 marathon in WDW! I know that I will not be able to motivate myself to get outside and train in this cold cold weather, so does anyone have any suggestions on reasonably priced treadmills? Walking into these stores or looking online has proved overwhelming so I would appreciate any suggestions on brands/models!!

Also, when does registration open each year for the marathons?

Thanks!

 

[cewait]

Okay so I am reading through all of these posts and have always wanted to run the 1/2 marathon in WDW! I know that I will not be able to motivate myself to get outside and train in this cold cold weather, so does anyone have any suggestions on reasonably priced treadmills? Walking into these stores or looking online has proved overwhelming so I would appreciate any suggestions on brands/models!!

Also, when does registration open each year for the marathons?

Thanks!

Second question first - Monday January 11, 2010 for the 2011 event

Treadmills are as personal as shoes. You really need to get to a store and try them on. Bring your running/walking shoes and go from one to another and see how they feel, see what controls you want/need. Run the elevation up and see how stable the bed is while elevated. Go to a store specializing in them to see what you like and dislike. Most box stores (Wal-Mart, Dicks, etc) will not plug them in so you cannot get a feel for the machine. Again, you really need to work on one to understand what you want.

You really want as large a motor as you can afford. Next you want as long a running surface as you can afford, followed closely by the tread width. Motor size and the size of the flywheel will keep the belt from lurching with every footfall. The longer the tread the less likely you will be to develop bad form on the mill. Short treads force short strides due to the fear of falling off the back.

Cup holders; most have them but many are set up so that your bottle will bounce around a lot during a run – that annoyance can be just enough to cause you to say the run was long enough. Many have fans and other gimmicks….personally, these detract from the mill. If you need a fan get a box fan. If you need Jillian Michaels yelling at you, by the DVD.

Foldable mills have improved over the years. I used to say no way to them but upper end manufacturers have started to produce them. I would still say that if you are not pressed for the room, then do not get one. It adds complexity to the machine and once folded you may forget it.

Next you really need to understand where you will place the mill. Garages should be a place of last resort due to the dirt dust factor. I think that basements are also a bad place unless you have other reasons to go down….you will eventually forget the mill.

Read INDEPENDENT reviews on places like Runner’s World. There are ratings sites that will pop up on Google that are underwritten by a particular manufacturer (TreadmillDR for one). Take these with a grain of salt.

Look to Craigslist and EBay. Many lightly used ones are now on the market. You will have a better understanding of what you what after visiting a store and reading reviews so this can save money.


I chronicled how my old one died just after thanksgiving in the Goofy thread of the events forum. I am a proud owner of a new Life Fitness T7-0. I went to two I use a treadmill hard so I am more concerned about how well it will perform at 6-10% elevation than most folks. I did not go to the store with this brand in mind. I was looking for a PaceMaster to replace my 10 year old Pace Master. However, once I started running on the various mills, if decided on the Life Fitness. I did spend about 3 -3.5 hours running and using the equipment in the store before I made my mind up.



Go look, read and decide. NordicTrack, Pace Master, True and FreeMotion have good brand reputations

 

[pjlla]

Great advise there! I only have a bit to add.

First of all... I don't know you, so I don't know if running is a new idea to you, or if you have been doing it for some time. If it is totally new, you may want to consider going to a gym for the first few months of training... just to be sure you are going to keep it up. It would be a shame to spend lots of $$ on a TM only to find that your (fill in the blank with a body part) ____________ can't handle the running.

Second of all, I agree with what the PP said about WHERE you are going to put the TM. When I got mine, I had to fight with DH about NOT putting it in the basement. I knew it wouldn't see any use down there, no matter HOW determined I seemed to be. Who wants to go down to the dark, damp, cold, lonely basement?? I put mine in our bedroom and I haven't regretted the decision. Yes, occasionally it gets used as a clothes hanger (I don't use it every day and I run/exercise at the Y several days a week), but it is still right there, handy whenever I want to use it. I can watch tv or a movie while I run/walk. And the kids can use it whenever they want and I'm SURE they wouldn't if it were in the basement. Mine is a fold-up kind and I have had it for many years without trouble.... admittedly, it has gone through periods of "rest" over the years

Cup holders are very handy.... especially if they are deep enough. One thing I would like that I don't have is a lighted display. Sometimes I run early in the morning while others are still sleeping. They can sleep through the TM noise and the tv noise, but I don't want to turn on a light and then I have trouble seeing the display (I like to keep an eye on my mph and such)... so I run with a penlight in my hand.

THis is a big time of year for people buying exercise equipment, so you may find good sales at the bigger stores. That said, there may be less used equipment available on Craigslist and Ebay, due to increased demand. If you want to buy used, wait a few months, until all of those New Years resolutions have been broken and people are trying to unload their new equipment.

Good luck!......................P

 

[rgrutland]

Wow! Thanks so much for the great suggestions! I didn't expect so much thought in the response!

I used to run a lot more than I do now, but it is my exercise of choice so while I am by no means an experienced runner, I do have "some" experience running!

I am planning on putting the treadmill in our basement, but it's a finished basement with TV. I have this strange fear that using a treadmill upstairs is going to be too heavy for my floors handle. I know it's a VERY strange fear, but a fear none the less - I am laughing as I am typing this b/c I know it's silly

Anyway, I do really like the idea of ebay or craiglist, I sometimes forget that option! I will go to the stores first to check out what's out there and then narrow down my choices to then search for a good deal either at a store our on craigslist!

It helps to know what I should be looking out for (motor, tread length, and cup holder)!

I have a hard time running outside after I have trained on the treadmill so I will also like a TM that has an incline that I can use to help with the wind factor. But I know I won't run outside when it's so cold so I need another option!!

Thanks again!!
Robyn

 

[cewait]

Great advise there! I only have a bit to add.

First of all... I don't know you, so I don't know if running is a new idea to you, or if you have been doing it for some time. If it is totally new, you may want to consider going to a gym for the first few months of training... just to be sure you are going to keep it up. It would be a shame to spend lots of $$ on a TM only to find that your (fill in the blank with a body part) ____________ can't handle the running.

Second of all, I agree with what the PP said about WHERE you are going to put the TM. When I got mine, I had to fight with DH about NOT putting it in the basement. I knew it wouldn't see any use down there, no matter HOW determined I seemed to be. Who wants to go down to the dark, damp, cold, lonely basement?? I put mine in our bedroom and I haven't regretted the decision. Yes, occasionally it gets used as a clothes hanger (I don't use it every day and I run/exercise at the Y several days a week), but it is still right there, handy whenever I want to use it. I can watch tv or a movie while I run/walk. And the kids can use it whenever they want and I'm SURE they wouldn't if it were in the basement. Mine is a fold-up kind and I have had it for many years without trouble.... admittedly, it has gone through periods of "rest" over the years

Cup holders are very handy.... especially if they are deep enough. One thing I would like that I don't have is a lighted display. Sometimes I run early in the morning while others are still sleeping. They can sleep through the TM noise and the tv noise, but I don't want to turn on a light and then I have trouble seeing the display (I like to keep an eye on my mph and such)... so I run with a penlight in my hand.

THis is a big time of year for people buying exercise equipment, so you may find good sales at the bigger stores. That said, there may be less used equipment available on Craigslist and Ebay, due to increased demand. If you want to buy used, wait a few months, until all of those New Years resolutions have been broken and people are trying to unload their new equipment.

Good luck!......................P

Dang GREAT CATCH! You really need to know you will use it before you buy it! Otherwise is is one expensive clothes hanger.

 

[JJ721]

I purchased a Sole F85 treadmill about three years ago, and I have been really happy with the performance (I've logged about 1500 miles on it).

The F85 appealed to me because of the folding feature. However, I have only folded it once in the three years that I have had it. Also, we located the treadmill in a loft on the second floor - so far, no problems at all.

 

[ohMom]

you may want to consider Craig's list and possibly find a great gently used TM...i got mine at a garage sale, barely used. I know i was fortunate so just a thought

 

[MelanieC]

I have a nordic track TM and really like it. I got it back in 2004 in preparation for my first 1/2 marathon.