To get friend the treadmill she wants (but husband won’t get her)

[Studentnursesos12e]

Hi,
My good friend has wanted a home treadmill for ages. She’s 32 with 5 kids (7, 4, 4,3 and 14mo)her (awful) dh works offshore on a 3:3 and when home works in his family shop. She works as a TA 1.5 days a week too, and does childminding. So is very busy.

I live the other side of the country (200 miles 😭) so don’t see her enough but has really got into fitness this last year. She has an old exercise bike and is really creative with the home workouts. Childcare and finance limits her time to go on runs, to the gym etc.

Anyway it’s her bday soon, she’d never ask us to get her a treadmill or home gym equipment but really wants it, he’d never get it her and she’d not buy it for herself.

(If we could afford to take 5 kids we’d book a holiday or something similar but can’t just yet)

To add, this wouldn’t just be from me but from our other friend too. On the surface it seems a strange present but she really likes her fitness and tbh think it helps her cope.

AIBU?

Also, any other home fitness related present ideas welcome. I lack fitness knowledge to know what to get 🤣 she has one kettlebell, hula hoop and the exercise bike. Everything else is cool uses of household stuff.

It wouldn’t be the most expensive treadmill either just a decent one

Thanks xx

I think this is a lovely idea! What a great friend you are x

So nice, I think that would be a much appreciated present. I am the same age as your friend and have two little ones and find getting out to the gym is difficult time wise. I wish someone would buy me a treadmill, might ask dh if he can stretch to one for my birthday. Definitely not being unreasonable, go for it x

That's a lovely present from some lovely friends. She'll really appreciate it.

Home fitness ideas could include foam rollers, small dumbbell set, flexibility bands, yoga strap and yoga block. A lot will depend on what sort of fit was she does.

I have to admit I feel lazy just hearing about her.

You sound lovely and so thoughtful. Fantastic idea

As long as she has room for one it would be a great idea

Thanks so much @Hermione @Sceptre and @Lola

I’m not 100% sure on what type of fitness but her parents a while back got her the 30 day shred, Lucy (meckleburgh or something) exercise dvd and similar. She did ballet her whole childhood also and has a ballet bar in her house (present from her parents few years back).

X

That's so kind and thoughtful!

Thanks @Mary @Frusty xx

She has a disused double garage, just going to get one of the smaller sized ones though

maybe I am a cow but I find such cases puzzling: can afford 5 kids but not a treadmill?

You could look on eBay and see if there are any near her.

I got a brand new vibroplate machine on there and they were also selling a treadmill but I didn't get that too wish I did now

@milkshak3 perhaps she's prioritising her kids needs over her wants....

I have a cross trainer which I prefer to a treadmill, she might fancy that.

What a lovely friend she has

A treadmill is a great present but needs to be a certain level one to cope with any regular use. Mine from John Lewis was £650 on sale but is incredibly heavy so def make sure the delivery men out it where you want to build it so it doesn't need moving !!!

Lovely idea - but do please make sure she has space, it's quite a big thing to have in your house if you don't really want it...