come on, come on, come on, TELL me about treadmills...

[WilfSell]

I don't want to throw my money away at the gym, I have 3 kids and NEVER manage to get out of the house to do my power walking... would I be better buying a treadmill?

Who has one?

Is it very noisy? Heavy? I can't run (yet) as too fat and knees knackered. But hope to shift flab by 40 mins power walking each evening... Can anyone recommend one or put me right about this mad plan?

[justRia]

I had a treadmill I used twice. There's always something better to do of an evening.

I try to speed up on the home journey of the school run and take a slightly longer route home, and maybe add an extra family stroll later in the day.

HTH

[WilfSell]

Thanks Ria.

But surely there must be someone who thinks it's a Really Good Idea?

[futurity]

i got one for my birthday in may.i have not used it much as i run outside but plan to use it more in the winter.when i do use it i use it for speed work.it is quite noisy but not too bad and it is heavy to fold up.it is a reebok i run.

The great thing about it is that my dh has started a run walk program on it and is doing well and doesn't feel self conscious as he would if he was outside.he has set up a tv with it and off he goes.

[hatcam]

evening

why don't you try hiring one first to see if you really use it? Not the most economical way in the long term, but at least if you rent for a month then you'll know if it just becomes a glorified clothes horse quite quickly!! I've used www.hirefitness.co.uk they're pretty good. Does what it says.

if you come to buy, you do genuinely get what you pay for - you want a large-ish treadmill if you want to run on it at some point, many of the 'compact' or cheaper ones are really too short and lightweight for running. worth spending the extra money and getting one with an incline capability.

also you def need some distraction (TV/DVDs/tunes) while you're on the treadmill, otherwise you'll ge seriously bored!

[WilfSell]

Hiring!? Now that's a good idea. I didn't know you could so thanks for the link. Will maybe give that a go.

I already have the Choons, since do a bit of ipod fuelled power walking already...