Treadmills?

Well our search is over, we picked up a Proform Power 995c last night. Got it on sale for $799 vs the usual $999. It received good reviews on both treadmillreviews.net and treadmilldoctor.com - if you want a laugh, read the review on the 2nd site for the Proform Performance 500s! So, I figure if they have something positive to say about this model it must really say something, because they hate Proform.

Anyway, one major conclusion so far: if I were smart, I'd just start a business delivering & installing treadmills - all the workout, plus I'd get paid to do it.

We had an elliptical for years (our favorite machine at the gym) until it turned into a clothes rack, so we got rid of it. The rest of the family now wants a treadmill but I'm of the opinion that walking around the neighborhood is actually better, and, of course, free (no health or weather concerns to prevent outside activity 3 or 4 days a week).

petegossett wrote: Anyway, one major conclusion so far: if I were smart, I'd just start a business delivering & installing treadmills - all the workout, plus I'd *get paid* to do it.

I worked in sporting goods retail for a long time and I can tell you that it's HUGELY lucrative if you can stay organized. Demand always seems to be high for this stuff, especially when combined with setting up basketball hoops.

That said, the rule of thumb with treadmills is get as much horsepower and weight capacity as you can afford. Also go for something that has a good IN HOME warranty. Historically, Proform has always made junk that lasts a few years and craps out. Sole seems to make nice stuff for the home market segment.

We've gone through a fair number of treadmills. The higher end Proforms seem to be pretty good. Sole and Smooth Fitness seem to be top picks for home models. However, I just bought my wife a new NordicTrack when they were on sale at Sears. So far, she is very happy with it...and she's hard on them. She runs a lot, including sprints.