Do to having kids, I’m not able to leave the house and go for my runs anymore. So, that leaves me with the idea of purchasing a treadmill. I was never a big treadmill guy what so ever, but I guess I’m going to have to give it a shot.
I’m an avid runner and don’t want to purchase something that is going to give me issues and brake down later on. I run anywhere from 30-50mpw. I’m not looking for the cream of the crop treadmill just something above average. I know nothing about treadmills
With that said, can anybody recommend a model?
What do you look for in a treadmill (motor size. cushion)?
Look for the brand name Woodway. If you can’t afford new, then buy used.
Simply the best treadmill made from the standpoint of cushioned running surface. The rubber tank-tread design is twice as soft as any other brand’s surface.
A few years ago I lucked out and managed to pickup a used LifeFitness 9100 from the local Y for $25. I’ve since worn the belt and deck out. The parts will cost more than it is worth, so I’m also in the market for a new one.
As others have mentioned, Woodways are awesome. They are also expensive. Very expensive. Think superbike with zipp wheels expensive ($10k). The used ones are significantly less expensive in the same way that a used Ferrari is not nearly as expensive as a new one. But $3500 for a used one is a lot more than what I want to pay. If cost was no object or I was running a gym I’d get a bunch of them. But for the one hour a day I average on it the Woodway simply does not make financial sense.
In looking around for a replacement it seems that you pay a lot of extra money for a few extra features which never get used. In the past 6+ years I found that I only use one of the “programs” on the treadmill: manual. I set the speed, I set the incline, I run for an hour. I’m done. I found that I never used the “hills” or “fat burn” or anything else like that. Likewise, I have a garmin, I don’t need yet another heart rate monitor. Entertainment is better served by my iPod or a small TV I picked up from Costco. I just one a treadmill that will let me run. The only numbers I really care about are max speed (12mph is a good number) and incline (15% is my target for a usable mill, but only because I run the Pikes Peak Ascent each year).
A lot of folks bring up the shock absorption capabilities of the running deck. I found that all of the mills are a lot softer than running on pavement or sidewalks. If you need more than what the low end mills will provide, save yourself a small fortune on the higher end treadmills by getting a pair of Hokas and call it a good day. You’re inside, so you don’t have to worry about anybody making fun of you for running in moon boots.
A NordicTrack C970 is $999 and you can save even more with a Google search for some coupon codes. If you are worried about reliability, just remember that you can get 3 or 4 of them for the cost of a “more reliable” treadmill that may only last 2x as long.
I have a Sole F80. It’s definitely no Woodway but generally I’ve been happy with it for home use. I think it’s pretty solid given the price point and certainly better than other low to mid priced treadmills I’ve seen and used. I’m not an avid runner and am pretty slow so faster runners may have more gripes with it than I do.
My biggest complaint is how long it takes to change speeds… this primarily an issue at the end of a fast interval. It takes forever to slow down. I suspect this is an issue with all treadmills with weaker motors. I could see this being even more annoying if I were a better/faster runner.
I did a quick search on google and the brands Lifespan & Horizon keep coming up. Lifespan has a 2.5hp motor and Horizon has a 2.25hp motor.
Horizon has a better price at around $700.00.
Still wanting opinions, thanks.
I have the Horizon T101 from 2010 and it is still solid as a rock. I got it for $599 at Academy. It does not rattle and is solid while running. Speakers still work so does the fan. It has a 2.25 hp motor but it is plenty fast for me and any incline I do. I’ve never oiled the belt eithet becuase I am lazy. Oh, and it folds up.
I say forget Woodway business. $10k+ for a new treadmill?? I’m always amazed it keeps coming up as recommendation #1 for folks here.
Why spend $10k when you can get a treadmill that you almost certainly will never break or exceed the abilities of, in a $1400-$1500 range, like the Sole F80 and get 99% of the same results in your running training gains? That’s the model I have, and it’s super sturdy, has great customer service reviews, and is widely available. Runs down to sub6-min/mile, and if you need any faster, just push up the incline to the 15% upper range - you’ll never max it out.
Aside from the not-$10k cost of a Woodway, it also doesn’t require a special power adapter that I think some Woodways require. And why would you WANT a super-cushioned deck? You don’t race on super-cushioned roadways, so it’s no problem to not have the most cushioned deck out there.
I’ve run on quite a few TMs, have owned 3 (sold 2 when I moved), and pretty much any TM that’s made for running, and is north of $1200 is going to work very, very well and will not crap out on you. Even the $800 running TMs at Costco have gotten solid reviews from some serious runners, although I think it’s probably worth eating the cost of a slightly higher priced TM like Sole to deal with any potential hassles down the road since the thing weighs so much.
Typical specs for serious runners are 1.5+ motors, but don’t buy into the more is better HP here either - there’s so much variability in how they measure the HP that it’s probably not that useful. There have been no widespread reports of runners killing 1.5T TMs (compared to 3.0 HP) because they ran so much, so you don’t have to worry about that issue.
I got a top line ($2k) nordictrack first time around. After 4 years and about 4K miles the motor was still going strong but the frame was getting wobbly and noisy so I moved on.
Now I have a $4K precor. Quieter and more stable. But only 6 months in.
I was happy with both.
Most important thing is a large TV in front of you and a big fan or two.
As an aside, I still think a killer app that has never come to fruition on the TM is something ANT+ controllable, which would make it possible to run things like Trainerroad for runners, or have coaches send you workouts through Trainingpeaks etc that you could just run your treadmill with. Given how popular CTs and Kickrs are, it seems like a no brainer, but nobody has convincingly done it. I love my SoleF80, and have next to no complaints, but I’d drop it in a heartbeat if there was a model that could do such a thing convincingly and not be vaporware.
I’d take a look at the Landice Models. Lifetime warranty, solid build, noticeably sturdier than those in the 2k range. I have the Landice L7…run 40+ miles per week, all pre-dawn on this treadmill with the exception of a long trail run about every other week. I’m guessing I have north of 600miles on it now with no issues whatsoever. The thing I was hoping for when I bought it was consistency & accuracy in terms of speed, ability to adjust speed quickly, and a simple console without a bunch of useless bells and whistles. It’s met or exceeded my expectations.
Would echo others when it comes to Woodway…not worth it and a new L7 with a warranty is much better than a refurbished Woodway. Also worth pointing out that the Woodway would have a noticeable impact on your power bill each month with your kind of running volume. I’ve also seen the recommendation about the Sole F80. I tried it and thought the Landice was better for me…the warranty won me over + mainly just felt sturdier and pacing felt better but just my opinion.
Lastly, if you’re consistently running in the 30+mpw range I would not go for anything in the 1k range. You will eventually kill it…you’re not the target market for a 1k treadmill.
Woodways are expensive and the warranty on them isn’t great. If it breaks be ready to spend a lot of money on parts. Yes they are great and probably don’t break that often but something to think about.
Last year, I was in the market for a treadmill and ended up with BodyGuard T560X commercial model. Comes with lifetime warranty on everything. I tried other treadmills but most of the ones that are available for residential use aren’t built strong. Mostly built for walkers.
The ProForm Boston treadmill looks good and seem to be built for runners. I never tried it but heard good things about it. Basically, if you want a treadmill to run on and last you a long time, you want to spend around $4k.
The Sole T85 seems to get a lot of good reviews here too and they are priced well.
Keep your eyes open for something used. I was able to find a commercial $10K model that someone had bought new for their home. Darn thing weighs like 400lbs. Got it for $300 bucks.
Getting down stairs into my cave was tough. I have no idea how we will get it back up the stairs. Just want something sold as a rock!
I’d take a look at the Landice Models. Lifetime warranty, solid build, noticeably sturdier than those in the 2k range. I have the Landice L7…run 40+ miles per week, all pre-dawn on this treadmill with the exception of a long trail run about every other week. I’m guessing I have north of 600miles on it now with no issues whatsoever. The thing I was hoping for when I bought it was consistency & accuracy in terms of speed, ability to adjust speed quickly, and a simple console without a bunch of useless bells and whistles. It’s met or exceeded my expectations.
Would echo others when it comes to Woodway…not worth it and a new L7 with a warranty is much better than a refurbished Woodway. Also worth pointing out that the Woodway would have a noticeable impact on your power bill each month with your kind of running volume. I’ve also seen the recommendation about the Sole F80. I tried it and thought the Landice was better for me…the warranty won me over + mainly just felt sturdier and pacing felt better but just my opinion.
Lastly, if you’re consistently running in the 30+mpw range I would not go for anything in the 1k range. You will eventually kill it…you’re not the target market for a 1k treadmill.
I run on the Landice L7 as well. Great treadmill. I have somewhere around 2,000 miles on mine and would buy another one in a second.
I bought a Horizon once and paid something like $700-800 from Dick’s sporting goods. Thing got all messed up (belt slipping really bad) after a couple of years. Unfortunately, my dad used it quite a bit and was kind of rough on the treadmill.
Personally, after that experience, I’d spend at least $1000-$1500 instead to get something better and more durable.
My current treadmill actually cost me nothing as my buddy’s parents got divorced and needed a place to store the thing (which was barely used and even still had the clear plastic display protector on it) and is an old Nordic Track treadmill (probably over 10-15 years old. It still runs pretty well but my only complaint is the speed isn’t always consistent (the same speeds on treadmills at my local gym feel much more steady and not a “fast” for a given pace…but I don’t have a lap pool at home so I do my short runs at the gym on their treadmills before hitting the pool). I don’t have to give it back anytime soon that I know of though as my buddy’s mom (her treadmill) move to another state and no plans for him to take it back (he already has his own at his house).
If always advise to look for a higher HP motor whenever possible. Anything below 3.0 I probably wouldn’t even go near if you want it to last more than a couple of years. +1 on Woodway being really overpriced.
Sole (at least here in Canada) has their F85 on sale for less than 2k, which is a really good deal. Large belt, 4.0HP motor and good warranty.
Although why buy new? Our local Kijiji has piles of decent treadmills for 1/4 of what you would pay new and if you find a decent one they will last forever.
