Treadmill (sore, gym, stationary bike, workouts)

[ChasT]

I'm looking for a really good yet affordable treadmill ($500-800). Are the refurbished ones reliable? Thanks :-D

[GloryB]

With the current economy woes....it would just be a shame to pay full price for anything new. Check your local craiglist and newspaper classified ads. So many people are selling off stuff. You'll find a great deal on a the perfect product if you take the time to check it all out. I bought my son a Chuck Norris advertised exercise machine for only $15 a couple of months ago. It looked like new. Someone had it in their gym in their house being foreclosed on. It was a super deal.

[usmcmotort]

Dont buy a treadmill. Every person I know that bought one (including my parents, twice!) stopped using it after a month and they end up turning into a clothes rack. Why a treadmill, can you run outside?

[mjohnson4381]

Originally Posted by usmcmotort

Dont buy a treadmill. Every person I know that bought one (including my parents, twice!) stopped using it after a month and they end up turning into a clothes rack. Why a treadmill, can you run outside?

Because you can run on a treadmill safely at night or while it's raining. And you don't have to dodge traffic, either! I'm a wuss, the only time I like to run outside is in a race. Running outside in nice weather in nice surroundings is one thing, but to run outside in nasty, humid Arkansas summers and having to stop at red lights is something I don't have the slightest interest in doing. And I prefer not to run outside at night or in the rain. And how many people do you hear about getting mugged or attacked from behind while on a treadmill?

Personally, I don't own a treadmill, but there's a 24-hour fitness center within walking distance of where I live. I think that would be the best possible scenario. If I wasn't so lucky, though, I'd definitely buy one. I know I'd use it. I've been running for 10 years now...I'm not about to stop anytime soon.

If you know you're going to use it, I think a treadmill would be a great investment. I've already looked at which ones I'd be interested in if I moved somewhere without a fitness center. Here are some that people seem to be happy with:

Amazon.com: Bowflex Series 3 Treadmill: Sports & Outdoors

Amazon.com: Horizon Evolve SG Compact Treadmill: Sports & Outdoors

Amazon.com: Horizon Fitness T91 Treadmill: Sports & Outdoors

I think I'd probably get one of these three.

[vinn2d]

Originally Posted by ChasT

I'm looking for a really good yet affordable treadmill ($500-800). Are the refurbished ones reliable? Thanks :-D

hI,
I HAVE A SPARINGLY USED TREADMILL FROM NORDIC TRACK FOR SALE.
I PAID $900 ABOUT 10 MNTS AGO. AM LOOKING FOR $500 OR BEST OFFER.
I'M LOCATED IN WILMINGTON, ABT 25 MILES FROM PHILADELPHIA.

[treedonkey]

Running on a treadmill is the best way to ensure that your entire running career lasts no more than a month. There are exceptions (like mjohnson above) but very few.

I have a spinner for days when getting outside is just not realisitic, usually due to weather reasons, but those days are rare, since I'll get outside, coat, gloves, boots and all even when it's actively snowing, which is still better than a treadmill to me.

The advantages of a spinner are:
1) It takes up half the space of a treadmill
2) It costs half the price (If that) of a treadmill
3) It has few moving parts and no electronic parts so it will last practically forever with little or no maintenance (note that I'm talking about a simple studio spinner - NOT a stationary bike with a bunch of useless bells and whistles)
4) If your main exercise is jogging, then the treadmill will provide a nice cross-training option for you.
5) On days when you're very sore or tired, you can set it on low resistance, put in a movie, and go for a couple hours without even knowing it. (I would not make a habit of that though, unless you want minimal fitness benefits from the time you put in)
6) You can usually find 'spinner' classes at any gym if you want to add a social aspect to your workouts on some days (they'll provide the spinner for you of course in that case)