Tips on buying a treadmill or an elliptical (treadmills, running, weight)

[elnina]

After all that holiday indulging, many people want to shed a few pounds and usually look to a piece of exercise equipment to help them do it.
Consumer Reports offers tips on buying a treadmill or an elliptical.
Guide to diet and fitness, do-it-yourself fitness guide

[LongIslandPerson]

I purchased an elliptical and I didn't take into account the stride length. So, it feels uncomfortable being on it since it seems to be designed for a short person.

[I. B. Trippin]

WOW!!! Great timing, Elnina!

I'd spent the last few days calling stores and visiting websites, but just getting more confused and frustrated. Should've known to check my trusty city-data! LOL! Anyway, I really need a treadmill right now and alternative solutions are not viable.

Unfortunately, everything I've seen on the subject, including info in the link you've provided, leads me to believe that any treadmill purchase I could make on my budget would be a waste of money, due to the fact that the decks on the less expensive models are not built to withstand the activity for which they're sold.

Nevertheless, my health situation is currently so critical that I'm willing to consider spending what money I do have for a model that I know will eventually break down, if it will only last 3 years or so.

I'm hoping to get input or feedback from treadmill users who have spent less than $500, (really more like $300), on a treadmill. How long did it last? When it did break down, what was the cause? Are there any other factors, which you feel contributed to the eventual premature failure or uncharacteristic longevity of your machine, such as using it more for running than walking or keeping it dust-free?

Thanks to all who reply for anything you can tell me.

[SVTRay]

We've had a Schwinn 6900i for a couple years but it was donated to us by my father in law. I'm guessing it's 5-8yrs old and still works great.

[I. B. Trippin]

Originally Posted by SVTRay

We've had a Schwinn 6900i for a couple years but it was donated to us by my father in law. I'm guessing it's 5-8yrs old and still works great.

Hi SVTRay,

I did find a site which gave lots of good info, (pretty impressive, really), on the Schwinn 6900i, fitness equipment, fitness equipment maintenance , though nothing on the price. I'm guessing from the description that it's toward the upper end of the price range but the header on the page says, "Reconditioned Treadmills", so maybe not. Unfortunately, none of the searches I've done on this model yields pricing info. Any idea what your father-in-law may have paid for it when it was new?

[Ringo1]

We have a treamill that we purchased from Sears about 3 years go. It has the crosswalk thing so that you can move your arms. I'm guessing we spent $500 on it. Fits perfect in our finished basement.

For Christmas, my son and I bought an elliptical. $800 at Sears and on sale for $500. Probably not the best model ever - but it gets the job done for me.

Here's the thing - don't forget to factor in HEIGHT with the elliptical! I had the perfect spot picked out cause the machine was not extremely long ~ right in front of the big screen tv ~ and our heads hit the ceiling every time we used it.

I was able to move it to another part of the basement - where the ceiling is heigher and we just use our Ipods instead of watching tv.

[SVTRay]

Originally Posted by I. B. Trippin

Hi SVTRay,

I did find a site which gave lots of good info, (pretty impressive, really), on the Schwinn 6900i, fitness equipment, fitness equipment maintenance , though nothing on the price. I'm guessing from the description that it's toward the upper end of the price range but the header on the page says, "Reconditioned Treadmills", so maybe not. Unfortunately, none of the searches I've done on this model yields pricing info. Any idea what your father-in-law may have paid for it when it was new?

All I know is the man can buy anything. So the sky is the limit. He replaced it with a newer model and started taking up outdoor walking.

[Ulysses61]

If you're going to use your treadmill for running (and will be on the machine fairly consistently), I urge anyone to purchase a service agreement. Treadmills can and do break down and if you have a service agreement, they will send out a repairman to replace the motor or whatever else is broken. Not just any handyman can work on a treadmill, it's a specialized job. Service agreements for $1200 treadmills should be able $75 but it's money well spent!

[I. B. Trippin]

Originally Posted by Ringo1

We have a treamill that we purchased from Sears about 3 years go. It has the crosswalk thing so that you can move your arms. I'm guessing we spent $500 on it. Fits perfect in our finished basement.

For Christmas, my son and I bought an elliptical. $800 at Sears and on sale for $500. Probably not the best model ever - but it gets the job done for me.

Here's the thing - don't forget to factor in HEIGHT with the elliptical! I had the perfect spot picked out cause the machine was not extremely long ~ right in front of the big screen tv ~ and our heads hit the ceiling every time we used it.

I was able to move it to another part of the basement - where the ceiling is heigher and we just use our Ipods instead of watching tv.

Thanks, Ringo1,

Re: the treadmill you bought from Sears 3 years ago for $500, that's the kind of thing I'm looking for. Do you use it regularly?

Yea, height would be an issue for me if I got an elliptical but I'm looking for a treadmill, only.

[Livefan]

I really don't know much about purchasing/maintenance on either a treadmill or an elliptical, since I use a gym, but I have to say from personal experience I used to only use the treadmill and had a very hard and laborious time of loosing weight. Then I got advice to use the elliptical and I noticed faster and better results! I haven't used a treadmill in a very long time and I don't foresee ever going back to it anytime soon. Best of luck with which ever you choose.