| Xintao | 21 Dec 2008 10:29 a.m. PST |
I'm thinking about getting a treadmill. Any TMPer's can offer advice? What features should I look for? What features are useless? Thanks, Xin |
| Mike G | 21 Dec 2008 12:00 p.m. PST |
Get the biggest motor as you can afford, that really separates one treadmill from another. You can get a lot of bells and whistles, but the motor is what runs the beast. I would stay away from big box stores and their treadmills. They usually have smaller motors and not designed to be used every day, nor for an extended time period. I used to be a manager of Sporting Goods department in one of those big box stores. The treadmills that they carry are designed to be used for three months and then not to be used much after that. Three months is what the avg consumer uses a piece of exercise equipment. Mike |
| Ron W DuBray | 21 Dec 2008 5:47 p.m. PST |
what Mike said about the motor is dead on get the biggest one you can afford. and go for the name brands that you see at the gyms I used to work for a fitness supply company and you want the stuff that the gyms use |
| Space Monkey | 21 Dec 2008 5:51 p.m. PST |
Yep, the plane-Jane treadmill my parents bought… and which I 'borrowed' from them cause they weren't really using it… crapped out on me after about 3-4 months… the motor just burned out. |
| Klebert L Hall | 22 Dec 2008 10:21 a.m. PST |
Consider whether you're actually going to use the damn thing once you've bought it, or whether it'll just take up space and gather dust like the majority of those sold. I know some people dedicated enough to go through with it, but they're the exceptions. Also consider whether you have strong and pliable friends to move it into your house. Those things are a pain to manouvre, and are heavy.
-Kle. |
| Union Jack Jackson | 22 Dec 2008 5:44 p.m. PST |
Put the money towards gymn membership. You'll get pro gear, and get out of the house as well. |
| Neotacha | 24 Dec 2008 6:35 p.m. PST |
Do a little research and find out who in the area can fix it when it goes wrong. |
| Striker | 29 Dec 2008 12:52 p.m. PST |
As others said, get the biggest motor and the gym stuff. We got an eliptical that's lasted 8 yrs now. |
 Der Alte Fritz  | 05 Jan 2009 10:23 a.m. PST |
Yes, joining a health club is cheaper in the long run. Plus you don't have a piece of unused junk taking up space in your house, after you get tired of using the treadmill. |
| Der Alte Fritz | 05 Jan 2009 10:25 a.m. PST |
Or get a Precor brand. Ours has lasted for about 6 years. |
| Striker | 08 Jan 2009 9:32 p.m. PST |
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Rogzombie  | 24 Sep 2009 1:40 p.m. PST |
Unless you have a bad back get one, nayone and use the damn thing. I lost 60 pounds using one. They are a versatile and low impact exercise tool. The best thing for me. Its also easier than walking on concrete which is very hard on the joints. |
| Rich Knapton | 16 Oct 2009 12:57 p.m. PST |
I have to recommend the gym. Aerobic exercise is important but if you want to lose weight you need anaerobic exercise (lifting weights) as well. What I've been told is that in aerobic exercise you only burn off calories while you are exercising. Once you stop, you stop burning calories. Weight lifting has a hang-over effect in that you continue to burn calories once you are done. Fees to a gym is cheaper than a treadmill and a bowflex (of course free weights are better than a bowflex any way). At a gym you have access to all the equipment (including free weights) and the people who can tell you the best way to use the equipment. Be warned. Running on a treadmill is BOOORIIING!!! unless you have one of the new kind that has a TV monitor built in. I run about 5-6 miles a day outside when the weather permits. When the weather gets bad I go in to the gym. I much prefer to run outside. Actually I much prefer seakayaking for 3-4 hours twice a week. Then I run 4 days a week. Three days a week I lift weights. Sunday, I don't do either. I just let my body heal. Rich |
