Best bang for your buck treadmill?

FL_Hiker

Hi y’all,
I’m looking to get a treadmill, but don’t want to spend too much.. It would primarily be for my husband since he doesn’t like running outside, and I might use it too on rainy days (marathon training here!). For me I’d like a distance tracking feature for sure.. incline isn’t too important to me since I run in FL my normal trails are pretty flat. Hubby is a beginner and is just looking to improve his fitness. Neither of us are large people, both normal weight and average height.
Thanks for your suggestions!

BrianSharpe

Don't want to burst your bubble but if you're training for longer races you're going to want to get a good quality treadmill and they're not cheap. I rarely run on mine any more but I can recommend Pacemaster from personal experience (we paid about $1,600 in Canada over 10 years ago, put a ton on miles on it and have never had any sevice issues)

If I was doing it again I'd probably opt for a membership at somewhere like Planet Fitness. At $10 a month I'd get my money's worth just in hot water and not have a treadmill taking up space in the basement.

kimkimcoleman

I have a Bowflex brand treadmill. I've had it for about 10 years now, very good quality. You may want to look into getting a used one. Lots of people buy them and hardly ever use them.

dewd2

I can tell you from experience that cheapo treadmills (under $1000) are not worth it (unless you only walk).

Check out treadmilldoctor.com for some recommendations and look on local sales sites for used ones.

Duck_Puddle

Seven years ago, I bought the cheapest Proform they sold at Sears. I think it was $400. It even has the little arm handle doohickeys. I bought an extended warranty. I burned out the motor in ~2 years.

When I called the warranty people they seemed surprised that anyone had burned it out through actual use. My friends kept asking where I stored my clothes if I was using the TM for running.

They replaced the motor and something else ($700 worth of free-to-me repairs to a $400 treadmill lol).

I almost never use it now (except as part of a gym workout).

Every warranty is expired now. It sounds like a jet engine. It shakes, the belt rubs on the casing every so often. I ran 17 of a 21 mile long run during tornado warnings on it over the summer and it still smells funny (like a burnt clutch if you’ve ever smelled that). It’s not long for this world.

I’ll be in the market for a new one soon-ish. This one has done more than expected-far and above the call of duty. But I am not looking at spending less than $2k for a new one and I rarely use it.

inglysh731

I LOVE my treadmill. Its a BH S5TI or something similar. I use it with a foot pod and Zwift... it's fun as hell and I hate running.

Motorsheen

I bought a brand called: True

If I'm not mistaken, they are made in St. Louis. ( Murica'!)

anyway.... it's built like a tank and I've beat it up pretty good. It keeps running and running.

The price? dunno... somewhere around $2500. (cheaper than cardiac by-pass!)

bashaq

Can't remember where the gym is located in my house but recall it is a professional one that wasn't cheap. I highly recommend using the incline as it is a totally different work out with different muscles used. I look forward to visiting my home gym as my New Year's commitment!

FL_Hiker

Woahhh okay didn’t realize they ran so high lol! Thanks for the info y’all.. yup good point cheaper than cardiac by pass 😅. And I would rather get one meant for running that lasts. Appreciate the recommendations, keep em coming!

KatAdele

We have a Sole brand one that I like. I think it was around $1500 but we’ve had it for several years.

RoxieDawn

I've got a Sole F63. I've been using it going on 4.5 years now, under 1000.00. I can only train 6-7 miles on it before I HAVE to run outside, so longer training miles I don't do in it.

I keep it cleaned/dust free and lubed, I think it has many years left on it.

MelanieCN77

We have a Pacemaster Pro Plus II that was in the $2000 range but it's been going for nigh on twenty years without a sneeze and is solid. I bought a cheap exercise bike thinking what could go wrong? and within two months it clicks and whines and is generally annoying. Save for a good treadmill or loke someone said, a cheap gym membership will come with some high end ones.