Treadmills
 

We've been ruminating over killing our YMCA membership, which we really do not take advantage of any longer, and putting some of the saved $$$ toward a treadmill and some basic weights. Any suggestions for treadmills? I immediately thought that, given the large number of people who buy stuff like that and don't continue with it, that it makes sense to get a used one, so I'm starting to troll Craig's List.

They make a hell of a coat rack.

I agree, second hand. I'd go for cross trainer thingie over a treadmill.

Are eliptical trainers pricey? The few times I've used them they felt "better" than treadmills.

I'm using dumbbells and an exercise ball these days to work on core stuff and cycling season is back for cardio.

Ellipticals seem to be in the same price range as treadmills. I like them too, but Mrs. Dallas doesn't ("seasick", she says!) so it makes more sense to go for the one we will both use.

What kinda exercises do you mainly do? Running? Walking?

I'd suggest an Elliptical Trainer as the overall workout is fair superior than the treadmill and not as hard on the joints....but you can elect to just take it slow and just have a cruisey walk.

I'd also suggest one with some programs or programming facitlity...mine has an *undulating hills* setting and the arse burning *Mountain Climb*....that bugger makes my Gluteus Maximus scream for days.

Second hand is the way to go, I dont know what they run for preloved over there, but over here its easier to buy them 2nd hand than rent them for a couple of months to make sure the enthusiasm doesnt wear off too quickly.

I have a shed full of exercise crap that I have bought and then lost interest in, the Elliptical Cross Trainer, my medicine ball (rather than weights) and Exercise ball as the only ones I have stuck with...besides a skipping rope :)

Ahhh shit, you posted whilst I was wasting my time typing all that up.

Treadmills....dont get a cheap one, get one that has heaps of different speeds and incline levels.

Dont know about your space confines, there are ones that collapse pretty well, I dont like them :)

Set it up in front of the TV!!

I may have mentioned this here before, but my mom set her treadmill up facing a wall and put her computer monitor on a shelf at face height. This effectively forced her to walk anytime she was on the computer, and she said it's worked really well to keep her from abandoning her exercising.

Don't have a chance to post my recommendations right now, but lemme know what you are looking at. DON"T GO CHEAP. Absolutely positively do not buy a Pro-Form treadmill. ever. Unless only your dog will be walking on it. And even then, only if it's an old dog who won't need it for much longer anyway.

Landice treadmills have a lifetime warrenty that you can pass to your next gereration. They are the gold standard. You will pay for this quality. My next one will be one.

I currently have a Horizon top of the line (forget name, will look tonight) and love it. Run on it regularly (30-60min at a time) in the winter and crappy spring/summer/fall weather. so far, no troubles

All depends on how you will use it.

More later...

Go for it! Dumping a gym membership is the way to go unless you find that it is more motivating to work out in a gym environment. I think there are more cons than pros in having a gym membership: Most cardio rooms look like rooms full of hamsters on wheels in peak hours, have an endless supply of germs, equipment that takes serious abuse and sometimes suffer from serious neglect. In addition to that, you can save 45-60 min. by avoiding driving, waiting turns during peak hours and packing enough stuff in a gym bag to stun an ox.
I prefer an elliptical trainer over a treadmill; it feels better on your knees and they tend to not be able to fill with grit/sand the way a treadmill can, leading to wear on the belt and motor. I would also recommend not buying a used treadmill/elliptical from a gym. Equipment has a weight limit and I wish I had a nickel for every time I saw people that were well over the weight limit pounding away on it and the equipment racks up a lot of mileage in constant use in a gym environment. Purchasing from a private sale can avoid most or all of the above.
Good luck to you!

My home gym:

My Horizon Elite 5.2 Panel:

Bought at the local Push Pedal Pull.

My Giant OCR2, new Specialized seat, Minoura 850 magnetic trainer:

Free weight set (my kickboard is that colored thing tucked in behind:))

Me actually using the treadmill this morning :D. Damn Iowa weather.