Buying a Treadmill

I don't know. You tell us. How fast do you plan to run?

Most people who use TM's don't like to run a monotonous run at the same pace for the entire time. It gets really old and boring. Most people like to mix it up. So even if you're a 40-minute 10K runner, you'd probably want to go faster than 10.0 mph for some intervals.

yes in my opinion it is worth getting one that is at least 18kmph. People may say adjust the gradient but I just found it unnatural running uphill all the time. You should get one that at least will enable you to run your VO2 max pace. I managed to buy one cheap from a local gym who were upgrading - it might be worth ringing around. It's an old outdated model which doesn't even allow me to use a HRM (it always makes the treadmill stop), however, the maximum pace is 15mph (not that I will ever use that).

Agree with above poster, unless you are a casual jogger/runner you will at times want to go faster than 10mph. You will regret having it max out. I inherited one that went 10mph and I was running on it basically with the motor full out all the time. Eventually I played around with the speed controller and was able to overdrive the motor to almost 11mph but it burned out after a few months of that. I bought one that goes down to 4:17 mile pace and it's fantastic even for 400 repeats.

I bought a used Precor about 7 years ago that goes to 12 mph. Its real basic. There are no set programs, just speed and incline. Getting in shape I usually stay between 9 and 10 mph, but once I start my marathon training I do 10 mile progression runs where I increase the pace every half mile until I'm running at 11.3 mph by the end.

Like I said I bought my used. I found a place on-line. I can't remember the name of the place, but it was back in California. They pack it up and shipped it out. You might want to check to see how much power the treadmill you choose uses. Mine required a 220 line that I had to install in my house.

Do you need a treadmill is a better question. Yes, You can get a workout from a treadmill, but you can't summon up the fantastic feeling running brings, you can't feel the wind as you blast away in the last mile of a tempo run, you can't cover territory, you can't be a real runner. If you have the money to spare buy some running supplies and suck it up. If you want the treadmill for winter, you can get a lot of under armor and running sweats for much cheaper.

How often are you going to run faster than 6:00 per mile on a treadmill?

Alan

I also like to run outside. However, there are times were it’s dangerous in the winter; due to footing and traffic. My wife also runs and isn’t a fan of the cold, we live in western NY.

My easy runs are around 7min pace. It’s more the tempo runs that I’d like it to go faster. Most likely we’ll join a gym. It’s just such an inconvenience and I’m not a fan of meatheads. Thanks for the advice. I agree that I’ll need faster than 10mph, I just don’t want to spend that much.