Does anyone know anything about buying a treadmill?

[coodawoodashooda]

Im overwhelmed and don't want to get the wrong one.

What's your budget? Are you using it for walking or running? And what sort of running if so eg 5k vs marathon training?

Do you need any fancy features such as TV or internet to be part of it?

I would get the biggest motor you can afford if you intend to run on it. Don't get hu g up on lots of programmes as you. don't use most of them.

I have a Sole treadmill. Sort of semi commercial. it's still trundling along and I have done a LOT of running on it without a doing a single bit of maintainance or greasing of its bits.

Thank you so much for replying. £250 would be my budget but i could go more if there was a deal.

I'd like it to be quiet so i coupd use it when my kids are sleeping. Im very fat so it would definitely be for walking but im expecting that my young kids would use it for running.

I like the ones that are easily transportable and foldaway.

@montysma1

I would get the biggest motor you can afford if you intend to run on it. Don't get hu g up on lots of programmes as you. don't use most of them.

I have a Sole treadmill. Sort of semi commercial. it's still trundling along and I have done a LOT of running on it without a doing a single bit of maintainance or greasing of its bits.

I honestly couldn't run but i intend to get my speed up and walk quickly. Speed walk even. Thats a while away though. I dont think the programming bothers me.

Kids are definitely not recommended to use them, they are incredibly heavy.

Okay. I hadn't realised.

How do you know if it would be quiet or not?

Are you definitely definitely going to use it? I ask because we bought one, full of good intentions blah blah. I don’t think it had 10 miles on it when we sold it.

Look on Freecycle or Facebook Marketplace for a free or very cheap one.
Thats how I get new exercise equipment, then if I use it I'll upgrade if I need to and if I don't I can give it away again without worrying about wasting money.
There are also walk workouts on YouTube for free you could try, with headphones wouldn't disturb your DC.

OP I'm a PT and if your aim is to lose quite a bit of weight, I wouldn't go for a treadmill, a stationary bike (the sit down kind that supports your back) will give you the results without the major stress on your knees, back, ankles and hips. I've used an old second hand one for donkeys years (I own quite a bit of home kit now, but that bike is still a favourite!). You'd definitely get a good one for £250. I think psychologically, sitting down somehow makes the whole thing feel easier even if you're expending the same calories.

I got my current treadmill off Facebook marketplace & use it for plodding 5k. I also do Get Fit with Rick videos on YouTube. When this treadmill gives up, I'll probably just stick to the YouTube workouts. Have a look first at YouTube as it may save you some money.

I agree with polka a bike would be better. Dh is 6'3" and built to play rugby, we had to get a semi-commercial grade treadmill due to the weight limit. We had a Sole F85. They are not that quiet, I know you said about walking but if you even remotely jog on it the bounce makes a thudding noise.

Dh tore the cartilage in his knee so cannot run anymore sadly, but did use it for brisk walking in the end for his rehabilitation after surgery, it also meant he could quit if he had any pain rather than going for a walk and needing to stop and being stranded.

A treadmill takes up a lot of space due to the length of the running bed. I do think a bike would be better.

Unless you are going to pay way more than £250 (or go second hand) don't bother. Just walk/run outdoors.

The cheap ones are universally shit.

Just sold my treadmill. Bought it a few months before lockdown for £549 with plans for winter and me to walk and ds(17) to run and we are lucky if it did 100 miles (95 of which were ds!).

Looked online and it is now selling for an inflated lockdown price of £899 and managed to sell for £450 so not too much of a loss.

Honestly OP I wouldn't bother with a treadmill, they take up so much space, anything that is light enough to be transportable will not be sturdy enough and they are also incredibly dull. The motor will always have some noise and add in the thud thud noise of walking/running too if it is not a sturdy machine.

Money being no object I would go for a good cross trainer. I don't like bikes as any I have tried I end up with a sore bum!

If you have a TV with space/privacy there are so many youtube videos that you can do at home at your own pace, are free and less dull - if you don't have privacy can you send anyone upstairs for 30-45 mins while you workout. Can you get outside or do you need to stay inside with the dc? If you can get out spend the money on a good rain proof breathable jacket instead.

Thank you everyone. So much to consider. Im a single parent. A very unfit single parent. Kids are easier than they've ever been but not old enough to be left at home alone. I have tried the home workouts. I used to be really quite fit but am so aolid and letharigic. I figured i would walk on a treadmill. I definitely wouldn't be able to run. The second hand ones are tempting but the collection and delivery puts me right off. I dont know?

Meant to say that I don't know what to do.

I'd also agree with a bike, or an eliptical/cross trainer. I have both (and a rower) and I'd say the cross trainer is the quietest. Definitely way quieter than a treadmill IME. And both much gentler on my joints too. I'm losing weight now but was pretty heavy when I started so whatever model you consider check the weight limit.

Make a great clothes horse...
Ime!!

@Brollypackedforscottishholiday

Make a great clothes horse... Ime!!

I know. Me too.

@StatisticallyChallenged

I'd also agree with a bike, or an eliptical/cross trainer. I have both (and a rower) and I'd say the cross trainer is the quietest. Definitely way quieter than a treadmill IME. And both much gentler on my joints too. I'm losing weight now but was pretty heavy when I started so whatever model you consider check the weight limit.

I did look at these. Just couldn't decide.

If you are genuinely heavy (rather than Mumsnet "I weigh more than 8 stone" heavy ) then in all seriousness you might need to spend a bit more than planned. We tried some cheaper equipment before and it just didn't feel solid or secure when we were using it and as a result it didn't get used. It's difficult to put decent effort in to a workout when the equipment is jiggling around/rocking/bouncing.

@StatisticallyChallenged

If you are genuinely heavy (rather than Mumsnet "I weigh more than 8 stone" heavy ) then in all seriousness you might need to spend a bit more than planned. We tried some cheaper equipment before and it just didn't feel solid or secure when we were using it and as a result it didn't get used. It's difficult to put decent effort in to a workout when the equipment is jiggling around/rocking/bouncing.

Thank you. Im genuinely heavy. I head up to a size 22 then panic and get to a nearly size 18. Repeat. Foe years. I need to add more to my daipy life to knock the edge off things. Im also of sick of puffing and panting. Im sick of wearing shit clothes.

I have no idea re treadmills, but I'm also an overweight single parent, having put on a lot of weight since having children and general boredom eating during lockdown. I have recently got into doing Koo Koo Kangaroo dances on YouTube. They are gentle enough for a beginner, but silly enough for the kids to join in. There are dozens of videos, and every time we do one, we always end up doing at least 10. The fact the kids now ask to do them means I've no excuse for not getting stuck in, so much easier to keep motivated!