My wife wants a treadmill. I’m giving 50:50 odds that it will be a clothes rack within six months. If she uses it, it will be for brisk walking 4-5 times a week.
I could only see myself using it 8-10 times a year on days when I’m home with sick kids or school is closed due to snow. I initially looked at Dicks for ones in the $1,500-$2,000 price range, but I see several with favorable reviews on amazon for $350-$500. Please advise. I used the search function but there were over 7,500 results.
Around here, Canadian Tire always has huge sales on treadmills leading up to Christmas, usually can find a $2k list price treadmill for about $800 or so. I’m sure you can find similar sales in the US.
If you’re just using it for walking, then yes those cheaper ones should be fine.
I was trying to find the cheapest serviceable one for more serious running and ended up getting a Proform Pro 2000. They list the msrp at $1999, but never actually try and sell it for that. From what I’ve seen they offer it at around $1300 mostly. I was able to find it at Academy sports here for $1199.
If you’re just using it for walking, then yes those cheaper ones should be fine.
I was trying to find the cheapest serviceable one for more serious running and ended up getting a Proform Pro 2000. They list the msrp at $1999, but never actually try and sell it for that. From what I’ve seen they offer it at around $1300 mostly. I was able to find it at Academy sports here for $1199.
The Sole’s are pretty competitively priced and well made. In general they have less bells and whistles, but the motors and decks are solid. The lower end models can be found pretty cheap and they can certainly handle fast walking as well as some spirited runs if need be. I searched a lot (albeit for running ~7min/miles regularly) and ended on the F80, but other than the wider deck it came with could have went with the cheaper models and been fine. I ran on it 3-5x / week for about a year before getting injured and moving to straight cycling. I can also confirm it can handle a fairly substantial load of clothes on either or both arms, as well as having a nice platform to sit stuff on.
For running, you are better off with a $1500+ treadmill. The reality is that if you actually run on it, you’ll put stress on the wearable parts, which include deck, engine, belt, and the bolts of the frame, and if the control card if you heat it up a lot due to fast running.
I use a Sole F80, and I do recommend it, but I keep it in a garage that used to get a lot of morning condensation (not good for electronics), and after 7 years I had to replace pretty much the entire thing since I wore out everything. The engine actually held up the best of all the parts which I was surprised by as I thought that would wear out first, but Sole sent me a new one for free just because I was replacing so much of the treadmill, and the new engine is quieter than the old one, so I was wearing on that too.
I’ve had a sole F85 and use it extensively during the winter months. I can do a pretty fast pace on it without any signs of the motor lagging. I would recommend it.
My last two treadmills (out of 3) I bought the cheapest model I could find at Sears or Wal-mart and bought the two-year protection plan. That way you are guaranteed a couple of years at least. My last one is like six years old and my daughter used it extensively last winter and it kept on chugging. It maxed out at 10mph but it has worked on those days when I was desperate for a workout because of weather or I had kids at home that I could not leave. It is a good way to see if she will actually use it without putting out a lot of money.
Around here, Canadian Tire always has huge sales on treadmills leading up to Christmas, usually can find a $2k list price treadmill for about $800 or so. I’m sure you can find similar sales in the US.
^^^This.
I’ve pounded an 800$ TMs since 2010 with no maintenance other than making sure the track was aligned. I typically use it from December to March and sometimes in the summer for specific workouts. Typically do between 40-60km/week during the winter months.
If that is really going to be the case then why not peruse craigslist or facebook marketplace for used treadmills that met the same fate. You might be able to get $2k msrp when new treadmill for a $500 or less in nearly perfect condition (minus dust collection).
I “received” a treadmill secondhand from my buddy as his mom/dad divorced and sold their home, needed to downsize all their stuff. Ended up “storing” their older Nordictrac treadmill (I forget the year but it is a C2050) that was probably bought in the late 90’s/early 2000s. Still had the plastic film on the displays and really used for a clothes rack. Worked perfectly fine for me even running 3-5 days a week for a 1.5 years until I got some injuries. Motor belt loosened but I tightened it back and it is working great again (replacement motor belt is pretty cheap relatively speaking). It’s been nearly 7 years and counting “storing” this thing and my buddy’s mom moved to LA area (I think) so she isn’t picking this thing back up anytime soon.
This thing worked so much better than a $800 treadmill I bought from Dick’s (msrp was $1200 or so). That thing broke down fast when regular 3-4+ days a week running by me and another actually in less than 8 months (we are talking 6mph-8mph regularly, an 1-2 hours total operation per day between the both of us when used). It’s been a long time but I want to say it was either a Proform or the cheaper line Life Fitness ones (consumer versions and not the commercial versions).
My wife wants a treadmill. I’m giving 50:50 odds that it will be a clothes rack within six months. If she uses it, it will be for brisk walking 4-5 times a week.
I could only see myself using it 8-10 times a year on days when I’m home with sick kids or school is closed due to snow. I initially looked at Dicks for ones in the $1,500-$2,000 price range, but I see several with favorable reviews on amazon for $350-$500. Please advise. I used the search function but there were over 7,500 results.
thanks,
I was in the exact same boat 3 weeks ago. Picked up a used Sole F63 for $200 on craigslist. And to my surprise, she’s actually using it!
I got mine for free. Craigslist. The lady just wanted it gone. She said it slipped, and didn’t use it anyways. It’s a cheapo junker Pro-Form, but a pretty decent model for them. I just tightened the motor drive belt, and no more slipping. 6 years later and it’s still going strong. I’ve even done long runs over 20 miles on it.
I got mine for free. Craigslist. The lady just wanted it gone. She said it slipped, and didn’t use it anyways. It’s a cheapo junker Pro-Form, but a pretty decent model for them. I just tightened the motor drive belt, and no more slipping. 6 years later and it’s still going strong. I’ve even done long runs over 20 miles on it.
I found mine on Craigslist as well, a “commercial lite” treadmill. I’ve had it over 10 years, and only tighten the motor belt and lube underneath every once in a rare while. It was a “divorce liquidation” and I think I paid $500 for it.
I got mine for free. Craigslist. The lady just wanted it gone. She said it slipped, and didn’t use it anyways. It’s a cheapo junker Pro-Form, but a pretty decent model for them. I just tightened the motor drive belt, and no more slipping. 6 years later and it’s still going strong. I’ve even done long runs over 20 miles on it.
Say what you want about Proform. I bought mine new somewhere around 2001. Up until last year, I’d done NOTHING to it, except use it. Finally last year, I replaced a transistor on the motor controller board, and the deck belt. My wife and daughter use it every day for walking. I’ve trained for marathons, IM, and now Oly tris during those 17 years.
My wife wants a treadmill. I’m giving 50:50 odds that it will be a clothes rack within six months. If she uses it, it will be for brisk walking 4-5 times a week.
I could only see myself using it 8-10 times a year on days when I’m home with sick kids or school is closed due to snow. I initially looked at Dicks for ones in the $1,500-$2,000 price range, but I see several with favorable reviews on amazon for $350-$500. Please advise. I used the search function but there were over 7,500 results.
thanks,
Shop around and pick up a 2nd hand commercial one. Plenty have been flogged, but you should be able to find ones with little use.