Treadmill pointers...help

I am looking into getting a treadmill, as I live in the hot, humid SOUTH. I love gardening, and I will walk outside in the heat and humidity to move a garden hose or to pull weeds.... BUT I will not walk/run to exercise in hot and humid..JUST hate it.

I am six weeks post op and want to start walking...

SO - am looking into investing in a good motorized, incline & variable speed treadmill to put in my house. I have used the ones at the gym...and love to walk and run while watching TV and had worked up to an hour of running while watching TV at the gym before my surgery. BUT I want to drop my membership ($80.00 a month), because I think I'd be more regular if I had a GOOD treadmill here at home..and could run half naked if I took the mind to..then hop right in the shower...after cool down.

SO - any sisters out there have a good treadmill you just LOVE? What kind would you recommend, etc?

I can't give you advice on a treadmill because I don't have one. I think you have to go try several and see what you like. some come with a lot of bells and whistles so you need to know what you really want, then go look for it. The reason I am replying to your post is that I do have a stationary bike and an elliptical trainer and we keep both right in our living room. We find that because they are right there both my husband and I work out very regularly. He watches TV while he works out. I either watch TV or listen to books on tape while I work out. But because they are so handy, they do get used. Pat

I have a proform treadmill. I like it it has a lot of cushioning when you walk/run. I've tried a number of treadmills and ended up purchasing this one through HSN. It costed about $600+.

It has the incline, and some programming choices. Check it out on the 'net.

I have a Reebok ACD1 & love it. It has variable inclines & speeds, shows calories & fat calories burned. I have had it for two years. I love it because of living in hot, humid Texas & can't walk outside in late June, July & August due to Asthma. The treadmill is the best piece of exercise equipment I have ever bought because I actually use it. I have an execise bike which is rarely used.

Definitely buy a "professional" treadmill instead of a "home" version. If you're used to the treadmills in the gym, a home version treadmill will feel very flimsy to you.

Is there a used sports equipment store in your area? There's one near me and you can buy used stuff for very, very reasonable, all warranteed.

I'd suggest going to stores, and trying them out before you buy. A good treadmill is pricy, so you want to make sure you like the machine.

Also, if you have kids, keep the treadmill in a room away from them and don't let them play in the same room as you when you're on it. Apparently there's a rise in hand injuries for children, mom's on the treadmill, walking away, kid goes up to it and sticks their hand in the space between where the belt goes under the machine and the frame of the machine.

I had a Gold's Gym membership in NC. But not working yet here in FL doesn't give me the extra $ to dish out on a new membership. So, I just purchased a ProForm treadmill from Sears. It was very reasonably priced - I got $250 off! It has a 2.5 hp motor and I had my DH run on it in the store to make sure it was not "flimsy" feeling (He is very tall and can run easily at 8 miles per hour). We've both been using it every day. It also has up to 10% incline, up to 10 miles per hour, and several programs. You can even purchase iFit.com CDs and video tapes that you use after hooking the treadmill up to your stereo or vcr. The tapes/CDs actually control the treadmill speed and incline! Or you can hook it up to your computer and go to iFit.com for the same thing.

Good luck in your shopping!

Wow the post just before this one...that sounds like my treadmill...got it at Sears too...and LOVE it!!! I too had a Gold's membership that fell to the wayside with all the GYN problems preop......Once I got back on my feet....energy level back to normal, I headed out to buy my own treadmill...and do it everyday....pop in a CD and put on the headphones....no more driving to the gym and feel like you are on a stage exercising.....try out all the models....I bought a Proform with iFit...and it is wonderful.....
Good luck!!
Lilly

I, too, live in the hot south. (not far from you) My husband has a full gym in our basement and my favorite thing is our treadmill.
Ours is from Sears and it's great. I think as long as you get one that has an incline and keeps up your heart rate, the number of calories you burn and the time that you walk, it shouldn't matter the name brand. Watch out for those salesmen who try to stiff you with a really expensive one. Sometimes, you can find treadmills that have been brought back and they will be reduced. Just make sure you get some kind of warranty with it.
I can't wait to get back to walking. I'm ready to get in shape and have a whole new body! (probably will take months but that's ok)
Good luck shopping!!! Gayle

Surgery was 7-18-03 Doing great! Feel better than I have in years!!!

I have had my treadmill for a year now, it is from Trimline and it has a 3.0 motor in it. When I started looking at them, a friend of mine told me to make sure that I got at least a 3.0 motor because they tend to burn out. I was going to go with Sears but went to a local sporting goods store because I know the owners and they promised if anything went wrong they would be out to fix it, and Sears is over 45 miles away.
I love mine and can't live without it. Both my husband and I dropped our gym membership. It is great having it handy so you can use it anytime.

Simple mathematical answer for you as you are paying $960.00 a year for your gym membership. You can go to any store that sells treadmills and find a bargin for your gym membership fee. Only difference is you will be paying upfront the total cost instead of a monthly fee.

I'd love to have the room for a treadmill at home, as this is my best method of staying in shape. Due to a layoff and no longer being able to afford my gym membership, I had to give it up. I walk at my local mall in the mornings for exercise, but due to the surgery right now, cannot do so. I'd dearly love to own a treadmill