Treadmills?? Where to even begin?

[mommaU4]

Hi there!

DH and I are finally going to attempt to get serious about losing weight. We've made the decision to purchase a treadmill and that's as far as we got before it became really confusing!!

I was hoping someone here can help point me in the right direction on how to go about finding a good treadmill. We are looking for something we can both use. We don't need any fancy bells and whistles, but it would need to accomodate at least 275 pounds.

Price wise, I think we were hoping to stay in the $500-$700 range. If anyone has some experience they'd like to share with one brand over another, a model or make they can recommend, or if there is already a thread discussing this or a website they can post a link to, that would be GREAT!

Thank you so much for helping us get started in the right direction.

 

[Zoesmama03]

I had a decent proform one once. I used it quite a bit then moved a couple times and when I went to get active on it again after my daughter was born the belt had shifted. I ended up giving it away to someone if they want to try to fix it to get it out of our apartment that had no room.

It was very basic but I loved it. It did have ifit.com technology and could hook to computer and run programs from there. I never tried it that stuff cost extra I know. It showed the laps like on a track and did incline and went pretty fast.


Try them out if they won't let you don't get it. Walmart I now has a thing about not letting you try them, plus theres while they seem good price wise are not that great I've heard. Sears allows you to try them or a sporting goods store would too(I got mine at one). Some have poor horsepower on the motor. When I was getting mine 8 or so years ago 2 HP was the min you should get I dunno what they say today. But be sure you both try it to be sure the belt is wide enough for each of your walk/gait.

 

[AlreadyexcitedGrammy]

love my tm - trying search this site there have been some very good threads regarding purchase and comments from owners.

My first comment - is will either of you run on the tm? It is important to take in account the length of the belt. My DH runs - I walk - but definitely bought one to accommodate the running.

And, I agree with Zoesmama03, if the seller will not let you try in the store - don't EVEN bother shopping there! We made the "mistake" of trying the cadillac models first and then tried the lower cost ones, ended up with the cadillac................ but have had no problems with it, belt needed adjusted once for service call but it has been well worth the money. ours is at least 8 yrs old - I use all the time - DH only weather is bad - he runs outdoors for the most part.

Do you have any "second time around" type stores - try there or too.

 

[VernRDH]

I have a Nordic Trak treadmill that I have had for at least 5 or 6 years. It is solid, not cheesy, but not like the ones at the gym. Sears does have a nice selection and as AEG said, try it out before deciding. Also, sometimes you can get refurbished TM's previously used in gyms/YMCA etc. We have a store locally that does that. You could ask around as to where the local gyms send their equipment when they get new. From what I understand, you can get a real quality machine for very little (comparatively speaking).

Good luck-I would die with out my treadmill. Winters here in the Northeast are not kind for running outdoors, so my treadmill keeps me going.

 

[mommaU4]

Thanks for the hints everyone! I appreciate it.

 

[disneychrista]

I too am looking at getting a treadmill. The one I have focused on is a Gold's Gym. It runs about $400 at walmart.com. That is the one thing I am having trouble with, I can't try it out first. I don't have a place locally that I can try them out at.

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

I don't know if this thread will offer any additonal help for you, but thought I'd link it here.

This link has buyers guides that might help.

Best WISHes in you quest.