What say you STers? I am not overly concerned about space requirements or fancy gadgets. I just what a durable workhorse that is somewhat soft.
I was just asked this the other day, and found some very helpful info online. The first link is a buyer’s guide with solid advice to determine your budget and such. The second link is actual recommendations by price range. Good luck!
http://www.treadmilldoctor.com/Downloads/Treadmill_Buyer_Guide_2003.pdf
I am in the market as well…Treadmill doctor website appears to be an objective site. From searches on this site and general research the best for me (I will be running ~20 miles, primarily during winter, wife will also use) appears to be the landice L7 or pacemaster gold elite, although I am leaning towards the landice since it seems to be a little sturdier. Costs 800-1000 more, but I guess you get what you pay for.
coupe recommendations. True Fitness has won two editor choice awards from Runners World and Pacemaster won both Best Buy awards.
I LOVE my Landice. It is highly recommended by Consumers Reports and highly recommended by me.
I have a True and love it. I bought it 4 years ago and have experienced no mechanical problems (well, none with the treadmill-my legs/lungs are another issue altogether). Runners World has a comparision chart somewhere on its website.
I have owned both the Pacemaster and the Landice L7 and your observation is totally correct. The Landice is well worth the extra money. I have had it for 4 years with no issues whatsoever running on it 2x week minimum. The Pacemaster required numerous belt adjustments, a module replacement and a few other repairs.
Dean Wilson
www.anaeorbiczone.com
True makes fantastic treads. They are the industry leader. What is true for bikes, is true for this kind of fitness equipment. Buy from a specialty retailer. These things do need periodic maitainence.
Best of luck.
I found to be the best value to be Horizon 4.1
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Another vote for the Landice L7.
I bought my wife a treadmill at CostCo last Christmas and have been very happy with it so far. I believe it’s an Epic T60 and cost less than $1k. It has a big running surface, big motor and nice speed/grade range. It was kind of heavy and bulky to get into our basement, though. I’m not sure what to expect for durability as we’ve only used it for a year but it seems very solid.
I have a True Z5. It would be nice if the deck were a little longer–I almost went off the back in an exercise induced daze–but I guess it is standard for non-commercial equipment.
After I bought it, a personal trainer I know said that his facility had just replaced all of theirs and the old ones were in storage, and they would probably sell them for $300-400, so deals might be around for you somewhere on a commercial machine. For a few hundred dollars, if it only lasted a year, it wouldn’t be such a bad deal, and it might last forever.
Focus on a big motor and on the continuous horsepower rating.
Focus on a big motor and on the continuous horsepower rating.
Thanks. I always am brother.
I hate the treadmill, as I think just about everyone does. But when you have to run on one, TRUE treadmills are really the nicest. They are soft, smooth, and and very durable.