Treadmills

[MacB]

Hi, looking for any feedback in this area as my wife has decided that she would like one. As I may use it as well and I'm aware of the boredom factor I'm excluding any cheap and cheerful ones due to my size and Janes desire to be entertained while jogging. So music docking and large touchscreen movie watching would be good. Though it may be easier/cheaper to have a more basic console and just use a tablet mounted to the side of the machine. The ones I've looked at so far range in price from £2k to £7.5k and I think the latter would really be the upper limit. Space isn't an issue nor is power supply etc, quieter would be nice though.

If I may be so bold as to save the odd smart alec the trouble I am aware that running outside is free and that you may think of many things you'd rather spend your money on.

Apart from that please let me know your experiences....thanks....Al

 

[srw]

Seriously dull. As ditchwater. 10 minutes is about all I can tolerate before I start climbing the wall. And if you're working hard enough you won't have the brain for the telly. For that money I'd buy a gym subscription and some personal training sessions (or just the PT sessions) - you'll get more results more quickly, and you'll get less bored.

(Which wasn't the answer you were looking for, but it's an honest one based on several years of experience.)

 

[MacB]

yep, we've had those discussions but I know from past experience that a gym membership will go unused. I know that's a risk with a treadmill as well but we've reached an agreement.

 

[edindave]

I'm not a runner by any standard. Doing my first 5k event this weekend.
I've tried training on the treadmill at the gym, and I find it so much more difficult compared to running outside.
The treadmills at the gym have 15 TV channels on a built in personal screen - doesn't help.
There are lots of fit people to look at - doesn't help.
There is a panoramic view of the Forth Bridges - doesn't help.
Running outside - no problem!

I thought running outside would be harder - due to the elements, the changing terrain, obstacles and hazards.
Nope. It's easier outside than a treadmill. Or maybe it's just me - the inexperienced runner!

 

[srw]

yep, we've had those discussions but I know from past experience that a gym membership will go unused. I know that's a risk with a treadmill as well but we've reached an agreement.

Hence the personal trainer. I loathe the gym with a passion. But I have been twice a week on average because I've got a very persistent chap who likes his £40 a session (at central London prices). It has undoubtedly been beneficial. If you pick the right PT you don't even need the gym membership.

 

[pubrunner]

I've got a Reebok RT2000; it is a very solidly built treadmill and can be bought for not a great amount on Ebay. Reebok also made the RT1000 - which looks exactly the same - but presumably, there must be some small difference.

The RT1000/2000 can be folded up, has an incline facility and will go plenty fast enough for virtually any runner - I actually got mine, from a 2:12 marathoner. The display incorporates a small display screen, which shows the outline of a 400m track. A flashing light shows progress around the track. This treadmill also has an emergency cut-out switch which is attached to the wrist - if you get any treadmill, check that it has such a facility. The RT1000/2000 offer a small range of courses, over which you can train; the machine will automatically alter the incline for these. The RT2000 also tells kcals burnt and pulse.

On safety grounds, I wouldn't recommend watching a TV whilst using a treadmill; besides, you should be focussed/concentrating and working too hard for that.

I only use mine when the weather is really bad or when I 'have' to stay in, on child-minding duties. That said, I can thoroughly recommend the Reebok RT1000/2000 machines. Mine has all the features that I need and I see little point in paying a lot more for a machine that offers few (if any) extra features.

My treadmill is the same as this . . .

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Reebok-RT...ciseFitness_Treadmills_JN&hash=item4d084e6672

 

[Hicky]

Clothes hangers eventually, I'll ask a fried as he's started a gym and bought a couple of second hand ones similar to what your describing.
Personally(having a wife who like the idea of gyms n exercise) is find what they like and do the legwork to find that...me, I found a few boxing gyms and she went, had a look until she found a trainer/gym she liked....pay as you go too!

 

[MacB]

Hence the personal trainer. I loathe the gym with a passion. But I have been twice a week on average because I've got a very persistent chap who likes his £40 a session (at central London prices). It has undoubtedly been beneficial. If you pick the right PT you don't even need the gym membership.

I'd agree but time limitations make that a non starter, Janes current plan is for 20-30 mins in the morning before she showers to go to work. I have my own personal reservations about a treadmill but the maths just doesn't pan out for the time to go to a gym, trainer or no trainer.

I only see this as a stepping stone to a fitter and more active lifestyle...we've tried a few over the years but never this option. If it doesn't work then it's another to tick off the list.

 

[lukesdad]

Wifey has a Reebok treadmill she does about an hour to 45 mins a day on it, plugs in soundz and off she goes. Not for me but she loves it, gives me a bit of peace its a win/win situation.

 

[PpPete]

Do these Reebok's have a titanium frame ?

 

[Crackle]

How about this one

 

[MacB]

Pete and Crax you'd both be going in the little black book if you weren't already there

LD, thanks mate will look at the Reebok offerings

 

[Plax]

I've got an Horizon Olympus Odyssey Treadmill I bought several years ago from Amazon half price in the sale for about £300

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Horizon-Olympus-Odyssey-Treadmill/dp/B001DHTKUA

It's pointless getting anything with a built in TV etc. You just can't focus if you're working out properly. I just use my MP3 player. You're probably better off just getting a TV mounted to the wall if you think that will be an incentive to use it (no matter how quiet the treadmill is, the noise of the motor and of your feet hitting the belt is going to make enough noise to make it hard to hear the TV anyway. Also those people using machines at the gym while watching telly are wasting their time and money. I've watched them and they might as well not bother.

Make sure the top speed is adequate for you. Some, for example, have a top speed of only around 6 MPH which is rubbish, I start off my workout at around 6 - 6.5 MPH.
Also if you are both using it ensure that it meets the max weight of which ever of you is heaviest.

It'll be used for a few months and then left to gather dust. I tend to only use mine if it's really crap weather out and/or I've been snowed in. I personally find going to the gym 4 times a week, 2 of those being with a personal trainer much better for me.

 

[lulubel]

I can't help on the treadmill, except to say that you'll be looking at the kind of stuff they have in (small) gyms for that kind of money, and whatever you buy is going to be a good piece of kit. I spent about £300 on a Reebok i-Run a few years ago, and I'm finally getting rid of it because it hasn't been used for over a year. I did use it, generally for 30-45 minute sessions because it couldn't manage any more than that before the belt overheated and started to slip.

I know of people who have done a fair chunk of marathon training, including runs of 3+ hours, on a treadmill, so there can certainly be opportunities for TV/movie watching. (If you can't concentrate on the telly during a run of that duration, you're working too hard.) Try to make it as entertaining as possible, but remember that whatever you do, it will still be mind-numbingly boring.

I hate running in the rain. I really, really, really hate running in the rain. But I would rather run in the rain than run on a treadmill.

(I have, however, done my own version of circuits at the gym, doing 5-10 minutes each on the treadmill, cross trainer, stationary bike, rowing machine and stepper, and that was quite good fun. But that would require a full home gym.)

 

[BristolScouse]

I'd stay away from the tread mill. It will quickly become an expensive unused dust collector. All you need is a pair of comfy running shoes, shorts, top n ipod with some high tempo music. and then use the great outdoors. Set yourself a goal (by distance) say the local high street n back, do that afew times, then add another 1/2 km on it every few days. to go from coach potato to 10km run is easily achiavable in 2 months. Good luck ps: dont let the rain deter you, in the summer you be begging for some drizzle when your knocking out 10k's for fun