Hello, I'm thinking about buying a treadmill but I need some advice. I was willing to spend up to $1000 on one, but then I read in Runner's World that if you run regularly the minimum you should be spending is $1800-$2800. That price range really isn't in my budget. I do plan to run on it 4-5 times a week, but I'm not going to be training for a marathon or anything. For those of you who own treadmills and run on them regularly, could you give me some advice as to which brand/types you like? I want a good sturdy machine, but that is still affordable too.
Treadmill question
- Thread starter Colette
- Start date
Hey Colette, you may want to try picking up a copy of the current Consumer Reports magazine. There's an article in there reviewing several different treadmills (and ellipticals), and there were a few in there (ProForms, I think) that were well under $1,000 with a good rating.
That said, my treadmill is by Keys Alliance, and I love it. It cost me $1300, but has been worth every penny!
That said, my treadmill is by Keys Alliance, and I love it. It cost me $1300, but has been worth every penny!
[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Feb-14-02 AT 01:20PM (Est)[/font][p]Hi Colette. Here are some more websites that may be of interest to you: http://treadmilldoctor.com and http://consumersearch.com
Also, Consumer Reports can be accessed via the internet http://consumerreports.org . You can subscribe to the online service for as little as a month (I think it's $24.00 a year or $3.95 a month). The web site gives you access to current issues, including the latest one with ratings on exercise equipment.
http://epinions.com has some good information on purchasing treadmills, written by consumers, and some ratings (although, not many.) Another interesting site is http://ecomplaints.com . I checked ecomplaints out when I narrowed my selection to a few, just to see if anyone had submitted a complaint on the brand or model that I was considering.
I recently bought a SportsArt treadmill (their entry level treadmill) and so far I am very pleased with it. I will someday get a more expensive model with more options, but I figure that the one I have should certainly last as long as the warranty and by the time that expires, I'll be in a position to spend more money. Also, this gives me the opportunity to make sure that I am committed to using a treadmill before I go out and spend $2000-$3000.
I spent a great deal of time researching treadmills on the internet before I made a purchase. You'll have to ask yourself a lot of questions before you will be able to determine the right machine for your use. You can also find some good deals on the internet (no tax, free shipping, etc.), but ultimately, I decided to go with a reputable local dealer, as I felt that should any problems occur, it would be so much less of a hassle to deal with a local merchant.
Good luck to you!
Also, Consumer Reports can be accessed via the internet http://consumerreports.org . You can subscribe to the online service for as little as a month (I think it's $24.00 a year or $3.95 a month). The web site gives you access to current issues, including the latest one with ratings on exercise equipment.
http://epinions.com has some good information on purchasing treadmills, written by consumers, and some ratings (although, not many.) Another interesting site is http://ecomplaints.com . I checked ecomplaints out when I narrowed my selection to a few, just to see if anyone had submitted a complaint on the brand or model that I was considering.
I recently bought a SportsArt treadmill (their entry level treadmill) and so far I am very pleased with it. I will someday get a more expensive model with more options, but I figure that the one I have should certainly last as long as the warranty and by the time that expires, I'll be in a position to spend more money. Also, this gives me the opportunity to make sure that I am committed to using a treadmill before I go out and spend $2000-$3000.
I spent a great deal of time researching treadmills on the internet before I made a purchase. You'll have to ask yourself a lot of questions before you will be able to determine the right machine for your use. You can also find some good deals on the internet (no tax, free shipping, etc.), but ultimately, I decided to go with a reputable local dealer, as I felt that should any problems occur, it would be so much less of a hassle to deal with a local merchant.
Good luck to you!
kimroberts
Cathlete
MIne is 5 years old, I got it from Sears. It is a "gym-quality" treadmill. It had been respossessed. I paid around $1200. It is just as good as the Star Trak ones we have at my gym.
This is one item that I truly believe the phrase -- you get what you pay for.
This is one item that I truly believe the phrase -- you get what you pay for.
BronzedGoddess
Active Member
Yesterday I actually went looking for a treadmil myself. I went to Sears and tried out their one of their NordicTrack models that was on sale for 799. It was on sale it normally is 999. It felt smooth, but it was a bit noisy. The lady there told me that Nordic Track is better than the ProForm, but I'm not sure. I plan on buying one soon, but I don't plan on paying more than 1000.
getnfit@38
Cathlete
Okay, so enlighten me cause I can see i would have made a MAJOR error! These treadmills you see advertised at say, Fingerhut, for $199.-$399.00, they are dinosaurs? I was so tempted to get one just for the price, so what is the deal with the cheapies?
Donna
Donna
Most home models of Nordic Track, Proform, Reebok, Image, Healthrider and Weslo treadmills are manufactured by Icon Fitness. Icon Fitness is headquartered in Utah and I believe they are the largest maunfacturer of treadmills in the world. The quality of their treadmills varies greatly and some of their models have been criticized for shoddy design and workmanship. They have also sold many treadmills that their customers have been happy with. It pays to do your homework.
I think that most people would agree that the most important component of a treadmill is its motor. Look for a motor that has a "continuous duty" horsepower rating of at least 1.5hp. If you plan on using your treadmill frequently, you plan on running and you are a heavier (weight wise) user, a higher horse power motor would be a smart investment. The general recommendation on motors is: If you are planning on doing some serious training (running) on your treadmill, go with no less than 2.0 continuous duty hp motor. If you are using your treadmill for a walking program, a 1.5hp continuous duty motor is plenty adequate. Many treadmill users fall somewhere in between. My treadmill has a 1.8hp motor. I made an informed decision that this would be enough power for the kind of performance that I would want and expect.
Check out the warranty of any model that you are considering. Low end treadmills usually carry 90 day warranties. Treadmill repairs can be quite expensive, so there's value in a good warranty.
I agree with Kim, when it comes to treadmills, you get what you pay for. But...you knew that was coming...not everyone needs to spend more than $1000 to get a treadmill that will serve their purposes. If you are a serious runner and plan on doing some serious treadmill training, you should be prepared to invest a significant amount of dough if you want a quality treadmill that will withstand hard and heavy usage over time.
Donna, to answer your question: Most inexpensive treadmills are lacking in quality components. The motors are loud and not meant to withstand much use or abuse. The frames are usually bolted and not welded. The belts and decks are of a lesser quality, and the electronic packages are almost always inferior. Many people have purchased low end treadmills and have been satisfied with their purchase, but many people have not. It's a gamble.
Research the internet. Talk with reputable equipment dealers. Ask alot of questions. Your homework will pay off in the long run.
I think that most people would agree that the most important component of a treadmill is its motor. Look for a motor that has a "continuous duty" horsepower rating of at least 1.5hp. If you plan on using your treadmill frequently, you plan on running and you are a heavier (weight wise) user, a higher horse power motor would be a smart investment. The general recommendation on motors is: If you are planning on doing some serious training (running) on your treadmill, go with no less than 2.0 continuous duty hp motor. If you are using your treadmill for a walking program, a 1.5hp continuous duty motor is plenty adequate. Many treadmill users fall somewhere in between. My treadmill has a 1.8hp motor. I made an informed decision that this would be enough power for the kind of performance that I would want and expect.
Check out the warranty of any model that you are considering. Low end treadmills usually carry 90 day warranties. Treadmill repairs can be quite expensive, so there's value in a good warranty.
I agree with Kim, when it comes to treadmills, you get what you pay for. But...you knew that was coming...not everyone needs to spend more than $1000 to get a treadmill that will serve their purposes. If you are a serious runner and plan on doing some serious treadmill training, you should be prepared to invest a significant amount of dough if you want a quality treadmill that will withstand hard and heavy usage over time.
Donna, to answer your question: Most inexpensive treadmills are lacking in quality components. The motors are loud and not meant to withstand much use or abuse. The frames are usually bolted and not welded. The belts and decks are of a lesser quality, and the electronic packages are almost always inferior. Many people have purchased low end treadmills and have been satisfied with their purchase, but many people have not. It's a gamble.
Research the internet. Talk with reputable equipment dealers. Ask alot of questions. Your homework will pay off in the long run.