Treadmills?

[scrub-jay]

We are considering purchasing a treadmill so that I can get a workout in while the baby sleeps. I am more of a speed-walker and less of a jogger and I don't have a fortune to spend (of course). I love working out on treadmills and don't really like elipticals (I know, I am in the minority). I just don't see myself walking outside with the baby when it is below zero.

Advice? Thoughts? Warnings?

TIA!

-C

[diggitydot]

No advice, just glad someone else hates elipticals, too.

[HouseofWool]

My mom just bought this one at the beginning of the year and I really like it. It is on sale for $999 right now with free shipping, which sounds like a lot, but it doesn't take much for it to pay for itself when compared to a gym membership. I find myself using it the most after the kids have gone to bed for the night. I generally get my run in around 8 pm, a time at which I would never go out to run on the road (we live out in the sticks) or to the gym.

I have a treadmill and it was one the best purchases I have ever made. It is just so convenient and I don't enjoy jogging outside unless the weather is perfect. I bought a pro-form crosswalk and it is still running strong after about 8 years and I use it 3 - 5 times a week.

[MDPhDWife]

We bought our treadmill from Wal-Mart about 7-8 years ago for about $500 (I think). Can't recall the brand, (posting from my phone) but it still works well, the only thing is the programs that automatically adjust the incline/speed don't work but we can still adjust manually. We got it because I'll only workout if I'm able to watch TV while doing so.

[MissCrabette]

Not much help with the treadmill. I use an elliptical which I also got for very little money at Walmart. To be honest, it still works well after over 5 years, but I HATE it. The display sucks, so I barely get any useful information from it. I have to adjust it manually, and I honestly don't even know if the stupid knob works. I keep wanting a better one, but I use this one so inconsistently (because I hate it) that I don't think I can justify spending that much money. It's a vicious cycle really. I don't use it because it's bad and cheap. I won't spend more because I don't use it. Sorry for the hijack.

I know that Nordictrack is a great brand. If that's too expensive, Costco will also have a Reebok treadmill on sale for $599 starting on March 10th. It's in their coupon book.

[Tenacious_D]

Love my treadmill mostly because it was FREE!!! I set S in his jumper and E in front of Curious George for 30 minutes and run in the morning. I posted on freecycle and said I'm a sahm looking to lose baby weight and got a response from another mom who didn't need her 1500 treadmill any longer. We only had to pay to rent the uhaul for one hour. Good luck!

[bokelley]

We got our used from a neighbor at a garage sale (150) It is older but it has incline and speed settings. I hate they elliptical but this works out great on raining or colder days. In fact this is how I started training the couch to 5K!! Great program!!

[DCJenn]

I would say that I have a dear friend whose grandson stuck his hand in the belt and it took off all of the skin along the top of his hand. Luckily they're in DC and the plastic surgeons at Walter Reed were able to fix it but it required grafting, etc. So, for those of you with kiddos, make sure that they can't turn it on OR access it while you're on it.

As for recommendations- first- see if any of the local gyms are upgrading their equipment- ours will sell to the public once a year. Also, check the obvious sources- craigslist, freecycle, etc. but also check the Consumer Reports reviews. I'd love a treadmill but we have no room. (or more accurately, there is no room where I'm willing to give up that much space.)

Jenn

[SuzySunshine]

Not even access it, unplug it. I have a friend here who's son was pulled under it by the force of the belts and had 3rd degree burns over a large portion of his body. Luckily the other boy in the room knew enough to unplug it or its hard to say how bad it could have been.

[Tenacious_D]

The unfortunate death of mike tysons daughter made me vigilant about people/child proofing the treadmill. It's in a separate space in the basement with a child gate and the emergency rope is always disengaged unless someone is physically using it. These machines scream of danger around kids.