I'd like to spend no more than $1000. If there is one that is REALLY worth the extra $, I'd be willing to spend a few hundred more.
I'd like to spend no more than $1000. If there is one that is REALLY worth the extra $, I'd be willing to spend a few hundred more.
Woodway is really the only option you should consider, but it's gonna cost you some extra $
Thanks for your advice. Anyone else have an opinion on this?
We got a Precor a little over 3 years ago and paid 4k for it. It still runs like the day we got it and we have used it quite a bit during the winter. Spend your money on a brand that does not emphasize extras (peripherals: built-in speakers, fans, touch screens), but one that puts money into the motor, belt and deck.
A Woodway is prohibitively expensive for most folks.
I bought a really nice, lightly used (only about 200 miles), recent model Landice L7 cardio trainer several years ago for $1300. It was worth more than three times that amount new. I just kept checking craigslist for good deals, and the one I bought came up after maybe a couple months of looking. Most of the stuff on craigslist was junk though.
I've run many thousands of miles on a large number of different treadmills and my conclusion is, unfortunately, that it is almost impossible to get a decent new treadmill for less than $5,000. Because you really want a top of the line, wide, long, powerful treadmill, like the ones you only see at the gym, almost never at home. They are just too expensive. However! There is a way out. Do not buy a new treadmill, take your time and buy a good used one. Here's what happens in real life. Every now and then (relatively) rich folks realize how out of shape they are, and they go ahead and buy a treadmill. Being (relatively) rich, they invariably buy something expensive, top of the line, but even if not, it still very often ends up being a gym-level machine for several thousand dollars. Then they run on it two or three times and that's it. Pretty soon they realize it is just taking space, so they are very eager to sell it for a tiny fraction of the price. I know people who bought like $7,000 treadmills for a few hundred bucks and they were basically new, virtually unused.
I have a Nordictrack 1750. Bought it new for about 1400 on sale. I treat it like crap. I have kept it out in my garage and have only cleaned the belt once. I'm daring the damn thing to quit working.
Haven't a clue as to how many miles. I see them for sale used from time to time for 300-500 dollars.
I have a Nordic track 1750 as well. 4 years old. Must have 2500 miles on it by now. Yes I use it in the summer a lot too. Thing is a work horse. Only issue is this fall it stated to not be exactly level. Now 1% is really level running, but I just compensate. Did 4×2mi at 5:30 pace yesterday, no problems.
Actually, did my math wrong. It's got to be closer to 5000 miles on it between me and my wife training on it. Right now in winter, I put around 40mpw on it. Summer is closer to 10-15mpw. Wife adds another 20 in winter and 10 in the summer.
Well this is where you don't want to buy the treadmill but to encourage these rich out of shape people to get back on the treadmill and start getting in shape. You would be doing th a favour
I ended up getting a barely used (has 20 minutes and 1 mile of usage on it) Nordictrack commercial 2950 on Ebay for $1180. It has all the features of the 1750 but a more powerful motor. I'm feeling great about the deal I got, and owe you all thanks for your input. Also, thank you to the moderators for putting this thread on the front page for people to see and comment. Merry Christmas, everyone!!!
Save money. Run outside.
Does anyone have the number of the YMCA where the kid tore up the treadmill with spikes? Reach out to them. I'm sure they'll give you an awesome discount on that one.
Haha
I'm one of those rich folk with a woodway... barely ever use the thing as most running is done outside or run commuting to beat traffic. Seemed like a great idea. But I ain't gonna sell. I don't think you need to maintain them the same as the other machines.
Hoping I don't have to use mine that much but good to know it's there when I want to.
I used to live in upstate NY where it snowed and wind chills were well below zero and I never used a treadmill. Be a man and run outside.
Get a gym quality TM off of Craigslist. I did for $400. Huge steal for that kind of price. Even if it only lasted a few months, it'd be worth it. But those gym quality ones are usually indestructible and gyms sell them off every year or so.
I have a Reebok 3500c. I don't think they still make the same model anymore, but I paid about $1200 ...it goes up to 12mph with little trouble, has easy controls for running workouts (1-12mph buttons so you can quickly hit your rest or hard interval) plus go up and down by 0.10 to be more specific. The best this is the 12th winter I've had it. It has over 8000 miles on it (3 runners in my household) and has required very little maintenance.
If you do not mind running on your hands and knees the Dogpacer is great. Because you have to run on all fours it is Ideal for areas with low head room and the optional side panels help minimize distractions to either side.
Only a few hundred bucks and there is even a mini version if you have small family/friends.
Before you purchase, consider a membership enrollment at a gym where you have many options to run on more than one treadmill. $1000 won't even be enough to buy a treadmill that you'll want to run on or show to your friends. You'll end up with a paper weight in your house. I seen it many times where there were good intentions to make an resolution to exercise but usually end up collecting dust in the basement or somewhere it is store.