Treadmill?

BChanFit

I'm thinking of getting a treadmill. I currently run about 20 miles a week and will start training for my first marathon this spring. I don't mind layering up but living in Minnesota it would be nice to also have an indoor option especially through the winter. Anyone have one that they love? Recommendations on brands or features?

pmur

Do you have any indoor facility that you can drive to? I like an indoor jogging track better than a treadmill. I have one closeby and it was a lifesaver during triple digit summer temp days.

BChanFit

I have a gym membership that I use for my weight lifting but it's a 20 minute drive, no track. They have treadmills but it's a pain to have to dig out through 6" of snow and then drive to get started. Would rather spend that time getting my workout in. I also run outside and plan to do a lot of that as well but there are some days it's just not safe no matter how much you layer (5 am, dark, everything frozen over, plows haven't come yet, 30 below etc.)

Stoshew71

I live in an apartment complex and we have a gym with treadmills just a short walk away. So I don't have the necessesity nor any advice. Sorry.

lporter229

I have a Horizon brand treadmill that my husband bought from D!ck's. It's your basic, middle of the road treadmill. I think he paid around $700 for it about 7 or 8 years ago. I run outside whenever possible, so I only use it on days when it's just not feasible to run outside or sometimes for interval training. It has held up well. I would say that if this is your intended use, I would look for on line reviews and buy the best one that doesn't break the bank.

DonPendergraft

I recommend going to http://www.treadmilldoctor.com/ and checking reviews. It's nice to have just in case, but personally I avoid the treadmill whenever possible. I spent my $ on an elliptical for cross-training purposes and just do my running outside. The only time time when I've pined for a treadmill is during a long back to back in the summer heat. Saturday, no problem. Just get up at dark thirty and run. But for Sunday it's not really possible for me to put in 20 before church so would have to do it in the afternoon. If it's 100 degrees outside, I will admit that if you offer me an indoor treadmill I would be all over that!

lporter229

Also, do you have a bike? Another, less expensive option is to buy a bike trainer, such as a cycleops and use it to cross train on days you can't run. I have one and use it a lot because it's convenient.

BChanFit

Thanks everyone! I love running outside too and that *definitely* is my preference. I have the gear and have run in sub zero temps several times. Again, this is for those really terrible days when even getting to the gym is tough. I already have an elliptical for cross training. I do have a bike I like and have thought about getting a trainer later this year. Right now I'm really working to increase my running mileage and for that I need either semi-decent weather or the treadmill. Will check out those reviews, thanks!

mamarundrc

I am not a fan of the treadmill but I have a Livestrong, not sure the model and as far as treadmills go it isn't bad. It has the capability to go up to 12 mph and a 12% incline. There are 12 different programs you can use or just go manual. It has built in speakers so you can hook up your IPOD and you can create users and save your data for up to 5 runs. There is also a USB port that you can dowload your data and upload new programs from Livestrong (although I have never done either so I do not know how well either work). The one we got ran us 999.00 about 4 years ago.