Buying a Treadmill

How much are you looking to spend? I know quite a bit about them. If youre wealthy go with Woodway (www.woodway.com). Next choice would be Landice. 3rd choice would be Bodyguard though their decks are firm.

Feel free to email me if you have specific questions.

matt@impulsetshirts.com

True -- http://www.truefitness.com -- is also a great manufacturer of high quality treadmills. Landice has nothing on them. Woodway does but then again, Woodway has something on everybody. For years I've been wishing I could afford one of True's high-end, commercial models.

Got mine here:

http://www.smoothfitness.com/

Best buy for the money.

minnow wrote:

Got mine here:

http://www.smoothfitness.com/

Best buy for the money.

That link has a picture of a hot woman with tight shorts running on that treadmill. Is that necessary? Not that I mind, but is it necessary?

minnow wrote:

Got mine here:

http://www.smoothfitness.com/

Best buy for the money.

That link has a picture of a hot woman with tight shorts running on that treadmill. Is that necessary? Not that I mind, but is it necessary?

Completely necessary

I bought mine online, a used Precor. It was years ago and I can't remember the name of the place (somewhere in California). The treadmill was great. The only problem I had was the shipping company. They ended up breaking it and I didn't realize it until they had left. They only brought it into the garage and wouldn't actually take it into the house where I had a 220 outlet to test it. Since they left, it became a huge hassle to try to get it fixed and paid for. The company I bought it from was real helpful but the shipping company sucked.

Don't make the same mistakes I did. Inspect the treadmill carefully and test it out before the delivery guys leave. Also try to confirm they will deliver it into the house, because it can be incredibly heavy.

Average_Joe wrote:

Completely necessary

Ok. Good answer.

Bought a Landice a looooong time ago - still works great, it goes to 11 (in my best Spinal Tap voice) - and has required very little maintenance. It's gets about 1,000-1,500 miles per year on it.

Can't support Average Joe on this one. I bought a True 550 2 years ago and am now replacing the front and rear rollers for the 3rd time.

The first 2 times were 100% covered by warranty, now only the parts are, so I have to pay for the labor. The 550 is the high end home model - with speeds to 12 mph - this machine can't seem to handle the higher speeds - I have a jogger friend who bought the exact model and has had no problems. I believe they are using low quality bearings in the rollers that fail after a certain period of fast running. They also had to replace the console because the keys repeatedly became stuck.

I had a Precor prior to this that was perfect - should have stuck with Precor.

Buy from a local dealer, service is a HUGE issue.

What should people really look for in it?

- Horsepower

- max speed

- quality brand

If you dont care for a fancy console, what should you really ask the salesman?

Belt size should be #1 on your list. Then horsepower.

Buy local. If sometimes goes wrong you don't want to try and fix it yourself. Like a cracked deck...:) Although if you pay me enough I'll come out and fix it for ya.

Alan

Runningart2004 wrote:

Belt size should be #1 on your list. Then horsepower.

I wouldn't call it the number one thing, but belt size is a big consideration. One of the reasons I love True is that they have one of the biggest belts in the business in some of their top-end models. 23" by 63", I believe.

Message:

What should people really look for in it?

- Horsepower

- max speed

- quality brand

Horsepower- Your outlet will only supply enough electricity to use 1.75 HP. You want a high peak HP so your treadmill isnt always running at its peak. This puts less stress on the motor which will help it last longer. Go with at least a 4HP peak.

Max speed- the higher the better even if you dont run that fast.

Quality brand- Important because many treadmill manufactures go out of business.

Rollers- At least 2.5 inches. 3 is even better.

Peak HP? So when they say "Motor: 3.0hp continuous-duty" Is that the Peak HP you refer to, or does that mean the tredmill requires a 240 outlet?

What about Life Fitness models? t5-5 is the one I was looking at.

Anyone?

I'm going between a new Landice 7 and a refurbished Star Track Pro. The Landice would be around $2500 and the Star Track $1500.

I like the warranty of the landice and they’re local. But like that the Star Track is $1000 less and commercial grade, but not local.

Any suggestions?

No you will not need a 220 outlet