Treadmill search--need help please

katiedarling503
katiedarling503 Posts: 4 Member
edited January 20 in Fitness and Exercise
I am looking for a treadmill for home use, mostly for jogging/running. I am at a loss at how to pick the best one for me, in our price range. I want one with at least a 60" belt, quiet operation, ideal for jogging/running, very smooth and low impact for my joints.

I have looked at NordicTrack, ProForm, Sole, and many others, but just don't know how to pick.

Any recommendations for or against are appreciated!

Replies

  • keninf
    keninf Posts: 215 Member
    We did a bit of searching as well- stick with a commercial grade motor though or else we were finding many warranties wouldn't accept repairs for breakdowns if the machine was used more than 30 minutes 3-4 times a week!! My husband and I ended up with an EPIC treadmill from Costco. It has great features (we compromised on the amount of incline) it is also ifit compatible with wifi and so we build our runs into google maps and the belt mimics the course with incline as well as allowing the ability to manage speed. We can also download various workouts and courses from the web to the machine, so we never tire of it, even when the weather dictates we stay inside to workout. There are so many out there it takes some time, but if you find your "must haves" and then the nice to haves, you can start to compare units and pick the best. Good Luck!
  • RonandDi
    RonandDi Posts: 120 Member
    There's a lot of info out there....almost too much to digest. What I came up with is motor size and service availability. There are some real reputable machines out there, but none close enough to me that I could go see/buy in person. I ended up getting a Sole from Sears. They seem to be liked by everyone buy the die hard extremests. I don't know if it will hold up to someone training for a marathon, but I like it and don't have any complaints...at least for the month that I've had it.

    If you believe the "experts", stay away from the Proform and Nordic Track. Spirit and LifeSpan are the most recommended, with Sole being a step down from them. If you are lucky enough to live close some dealers, the Spirit and LifeSpan both sell machines in a fiarly reasonable price range.
  • Shawshankcan
    Shawshankcan Posts: 900 Member
    Get one with a motor of at least 2.75CHP, 3.0 is better. Lower and you will burn it out. The one at Costco is 2.75 and a great price or normally around 800 bucks I think.
  • MeanSophieCat
    MeanSophieCat Posts: 200 Member
    I have a Sole. I don't know the features - hubby did all the research - but it is still is top condition after 2 years. We use it more in the winter and less in the summer - but some weeks it was being used twice a day for 45-60 minutes 5-6 days a week. We both use it for sprint interval runs and it has great cushioning for my 225+lbs husband at 12mph.

    I do know it was the best deal for the price at the time and I've been really happy with the way it has lasted.
  • katiedarling503
    katiedarling503 Posts: 4 Member
    Thank you!
  • katiedarling503
    katiedarling503 Posts: 4 Member
    I've had some strong recommendations for NordicTrack. What did you read that what negative? And thank you!
  • RonandDi
    RonandDi Posts: 120 Member
    Again, take it for what it's worth, but most of the "independent" reviews that I read had the Nordic Track at or towards the bottom. Mainly for overall construction and reliability. Personally, I think a lot of these reviews are rating the machines for a lot more abuse than what most people will put them through. Like you, I read a lot of personal reviews about the Nordic Track that were positive. But, who knows for sure.

    Like I said, depending on your price range, you might be able to find an upper teir machine for about the same price. Might not have all the bells and wistles, but I wasn't worried about that.
  • katiedarling503
    katiedarling503 Posts: 4 Member
    Thanks, I'm finding that as well in terms of Nordic Track. My highest recommendations are for Precor or Life Fitness, so I'm going to locate a dealer for those and try them out. Hopefully they will have what I need in my price range.

    :happy:
  • RonandDi
    RonandDi Posts: 120 Member
    Good luck. I was leaning towards the Spirit, but there wasn't anything remotely close and I didn't want to order online.
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