Buying a treadmill

Do thorough research on brands and models. Be careful buying used.

How much are you willing to spend?

If you want to run on it, plan to spend at least $1k (USD). That would be rock bottom. Cheaper models just won’t hold up to the wear and tear.

I am short and small and managed to make do with a $400 pro form. No one else (in my family) fit on it (belt too short and narrow for most people), and I fell off the back often (belt too short even for a shortie like me) but I made it work (it was right up against a wall so “fall off” didn’t really happen-but my feet did slip off the back). And I don’t know if I would have wanted to spend more when I wasn’t sure I would stick with it.

I blew the motor once and then when the whole thing started thinking, clunking, the belt started fraying and it smelled funny, I decided to replace it. It’s been 8+ years and I’m training for my second marathon so I guess this is a thing I do now and I’m probably going to stick with it. No qualms dropping $1500 (on 0% financing) on a new one.

I regret not having it replaced it year’s ago. Night and day difference. The new one is quiet, solid, and large enough that I have yet to fall off the back or step on the sides. While not necessary-it also includes iFit-which allows me to map a route and the treadmill will automatically adjust incline/decline to match the route and show me google street view as I go. I’m stuck on the treadmill right now for a number of reasons and that really is making a big difference in alleviating boredom.

Icon fitness brands (proform, NordicTrack, Golds gym, etc) have wildly varying reviews. They also have a huge share of the market. My first and my replacement treadmill have both been icon fitness (first program, now NordicTrack). However, there are lots of reviews about less than optimal customer service experiences-particularly in reference to repairs/replacements.

When you buy used-you don’t know if it’s one of those that someone gave up on having proform honor a warranty, or been used (possibly nearly to its useful lifespan), or perhaps been in a damp/flooded basement/garage, or was it assembled correctly, or maybe had a bowling ball dropped on the bed, experienced power surges, had any kind of maintenance, etc. Or maybe it really was just sitting in a spare bedroom being used as a towel rack. Who knows?

Good luck with whatever you decide.

I bought one on Kijiji for $100. No way in hell am I spending the same amount of money on a treadmill as I could a nose job. Or a trip to Cuba.


Especially in your case as you expect it to take a beating! My advice is to get one ASAP and start your journey. If you keep at it for a year treat yourself to a nicer one.