Home treadmill recommendations?
Hey, team--
I assume there have been previous threads on this topic but my searches didn't turn any up so apologies if this has been covered recently.
Now that I'm in the middle of the OS I'm rapidly seeing the advantage to having an in-home treadmill to tackle those brick runs when the weather is bad or if I can't get out of the house due to parenting duty. My DW is a runner too so this was any easy pitch to get the OK on. 
A quick Google search on treadmill reviews and I was quickly overwhelmed by the number brands and models out on the market. So I was hoping those ENers with in-home treadmill experience could offer up their recommendations (good or bad) and any "what to watch for" advice for a first-time buyer. Craigslist in my area shows a whole bunch of treadmills for sale at much lower than MSRP.
Here are my "gotta haves":
- Foldable
- Adjustable incline
- Handles/armrests
- Up to 12mph
- Water bottle holder(s)
- Built-in fan
Thanks in advance for any feedback!
-Chris
Comments
First off, I highly recommend using treadmill doctor as a resource for treadmill research. Their reviews are excellent.
I recently went through the same search (with built in fan as a nice-to-have, not a must, since I have much bigger fans in the pain cave). I really like the Sole F80 (hard to go wrong with this one), and there's a Lifespan TR3000 that is pretty nice. I ran on the new Livestrong line, and didn't like the cushiony feel under foot. I ended up buying last year's Horizon T1200 on clearance at Dicks (they dropped the line in favor of Livestrong, you may still find some deals on it). I've been running on it since October, and really, really like it. The only feature I'd change is that there are only 3 pre-set speed buttons, and I'd really like to have 5 or 6 (5 EN zones + walk would be ideal).
Good luck on your search.
Mike
Hi Chris--
Here is a very good thread I started in 3.0 on home treadmills. Lots of input from the team.
I am going to get one, but an still deciding. I'm totally spoiled now running on Woodway's at the gym. Fabulous machines. Not sure my budget is going to hold up to that, however. Still pondering and looking. Good luck!
Chris,
I had a Pro Form fold up with cup holder and fan a few years ago. Am not sure of the model was great and lasted about 5 years. It would probably have lasted longer had I not moved several times. So, I recommend Pro Form brand.
You may also try the YMCA as a source of equipment. They use a company to resell their used equipment. We bought an eliptical this way and have been happy as the company refurbished the equipment. Contact: Jed Sherman, Commercial Consultant/Sales
Good stuff!
@ Mike -- I checked treadmilldoctor.com and you're right, lot's of great info and reivews there.
@ Linda -- Thanks for the link to the thread (forgot to search 3.0). Great ideas and tips there.
@ George -- Thanks for the recommendation. I'll take the contact number of the refurbishing company if you can find it.
It really is amazing how much information on products you can gather so quickly on the internet! I've already got a couple of promising local craigslist leads. Will report back once I make a decision.
Thanks all!
-Chris
Hey, gang--
Thought I'd provide an update for those who are interested. Did my reserach and ended up buying a year-old Sole F80 treadmill off of craigslist for $900. They retail new for $1500. It was a bit more than I wanted to spend but I figured if I was going to make the investment in something I'd have for a while I wanted to err on the side of quality/durability. The Sole F80 received tons of glowing customer reviews as well as all kinds of kudos and "Best Of" lists from industry treadmill sites. It folds up and has little bells and whistles like built in fans and speakers for MP3 players (which are nice but not determining factors). It also has one of the best warranties out there. Went for my first run on it this morning and it is quiet, smooth and rock solid. Feels very much like a commercial-grade treadmill. So unless it breaks down anytime soon you can call me intially very pleased with the purchase.
Word of caution to any prospective buyers. It is HEAVY. Had to hire a couple of big dudes to help me pick it up and get it into my house and they were huffing and puffing. It folds up but even then it's pretty bulky. I had to disassemble it into two pieces to get it down into my basement.
Thanks again to the team for the tips/advice. Happy running!
-Chris
Eric
Just want to resurrect this thread briefly for a few follow-on questions.
Like Chris I'm getting a Sole F80, but had to get mine new since I couldn't find a used one at all - let alone one from a source I'd trust. It's good to know about the weight of the thing, I appreciate that info!
What I'd like to know from all home treadmill users in da Haus is what kind (if any) and number of supplemental fans are you using with the treadmill. The little ones built into the treadmills do very little for me and I sweat big time (to give you an example, I conducted a sweat test during a 90 min indoor trainer session 2 years ago. I weighed myself before and after in a dry state with no clothing. I consumed 36 oz of fluid during the session, or approximately 2.4#, at the end of the test my body weight was down 3#.) Right now I only have a medium sized box fan that I can place on a chair when I ride the trainer, but I'm looking for options for the treadmill and trainer. So I'm hoping to get some recommendations on good, as in powerful and reliable and relatively quiet (if possible), fans to use.
I was thinking of getting two industrial type stand fans that are height adjustable and somewhere in the 18-22" diameter with 3-speeds. But another option might be to get some smaller fans and mount them on the wall.
So what, if anything, do you folks use indoors with your treadmills and trainers?
Tony, good to see you on the boards again!
I use a box fan in front of my treadmill, staring me in the face. It's just enough (though my basement is naturally in the 45 degree range, so YMMV). In front of the trainer, I have a vertical Black and Decker fan that's about 3' high and only about 5-6" wide/deep. It oscillates, and is pretty powerful.
The best feature of the B&D is the remote control. I'd highly recommend looking for that, as it makes being semi-comfortable (temperature-wise) much easier.
Mike
Mike, Michelle - thanks for the recommendation, I'll look around to see if I can find that type of fan near me. Appreciate the help.
For the record the two little built-in fans on the Sole F80 are almost useless. They're bascially the kind of fans that are used to cool desktop computers. But at least they provide a minor breeze. I'm a big sweater too so I augment those with a round 11-inch Honeywell air circulating fan on a shelf so it hits me in the face when I'm running. It's pretty powerful for a smaller fan but the drawback is that it has a fairly narrow "jet stream" so I have to aim it just right to get the breeze in my face. I may upgrade to larger traditional fan at some point. Enjoy the treadmill!