How much does a decent treadmill cost?

[Shockwave78]

I will be looking into them probably around tax time next year. Basically I need to know what brands i should consider and what to look for in them. I have never used them before.

Basically i would like to keep it around a $1000 at the most if possible. I thought i read a bunch of post on here awhile back though saying anything of real quality is around 2k??

If weight matters with them I am about 220 at my worst but usually about 10-15 under that.

Thanks for any suggestions

[mmagearhouse]

I will be looking into them probably around tax time next year. Basically I need to know what brands i should consider and what to look for in them. I have never used them before.

Basically i would like to keep it around a $1000 at the most if possible. I thought i read a bunch of post on here awhile back though saying anything of real quality is around 2k??

If weight matters with them I am about 220 at my worst but usually about 10-15 under that.

Thanks for any suggestions

weight really isnt an issue if you are buying quality. if you plan on going anywhere like a sporting goods store, buying on the internet, or using a big box store product then yes weight is a major major issue. generally those warranties have loopholes that allow them to not warranty your item if you are over 185lbs.

as for cost, at $1k you are severely limiting yourself. i have been in the industry for the last 16 years on both sides. retail sales and manufacturing. you can get something ok but if you are going to beat on it just plan to spend some money on repairs that will not be covered based on the "wear and tear exclusion" rules.

when you are ready let me know and I will help you out. honestly right now it is pointless to look around because by the time you are ready to buy all the new stuff will be out and any advice you get now will be void.

[4MEandThem]

You can get a used Landice for 500 (give or take) if you take your time looking on Craigslist.They will last a lifetime for home use.

[Shockwave78]

weight really isnt an issue if you are buying quality. if you plan on going anywhere like a sporting goods store, buying on the internet, or using a big box store product then yes weight is a major major issue. generally those warranties have loopholes that allow them to not warranty your item if you are over 185lbs.

as for cost, at $1k you are severely limiting yourself. i have been in the industry for the last 16 years on both sides. retail sales and manufacturing. you can get something ok but if you are going to beat on it just plan to spend some money on repairs that will not be covered based on the "wear and tear exclusion" rules.

when you are ready let me know and I will help you out. honestly right now it is pointless to look around because by the time you are ready to buy all the new stuff will be out and any advice you get now will be void.

thanks, if you don;t buy from a sporting goods store or the internet wtf do you buy them? Directly from the manufacturer?

I am really just looking for a few brands to start researching then i will narrow it down. I can picture myself saying screw it and at the most spending $1500.

[hawkens]

The Sole F80 is a good treadmill for $1499.00 available on the internet from different vendors or from sole. Reviews are on the internet about it.

[CFF]

We have been in the treadmill business for 10 years; used & new. I am not going to waste anytime on what you shouldn't buy or what you should stay away from. Instead, here is what you should look for & is worth buying:
First off, if you want it to last, make sure it is a commercial one; not light commercial, but full commercial! Light commercial is a glorified way of saying residential, you just pay more. I cannot stress this enough!
Second, Brands:
-Life Fitness
-Star Trac
-Precor
Third, How much?
You should be able to find a good used treadmill starting at $400 (i.e. - Star Trac 3900) on up to a refurbished one for $2500 (i.e. - Life Fitness 95Xi).
If you have specific questions on what you should look for or check out on a used treadmill, you can PM me, but this should get you pointed in the write direction with out getting ripped off.
Lastly, make sure the company you buy from is reputable and do a background check through the internet on the company. You should be able to find feedback about previous purchases from other customers.

[Keetman]

I'm not sure if I completely agree with you on your terms CFF. I know you're in the business, so maybe I'm just confused.

I have a Precor (I think its a 9.21). It was purchased in 2000 and my wife and I have used it a lot in that 10 years. It is still running strong with zero maintenance.

It is not commercial. I don't know if they call it commercial or not, but this is in no way the same type of heavy duty piece of equipment you'd see in a gym. It a very nice one and blows the doors off of anything I've seen in any sporting goods store. It cost me $2500 and while expensive, I will buy one again tomorrow when/if this one breaks down.


Just seems odd for you to say ONLY buy a commercial unit when I don't think the higher end home models are the same as a fitness center model.

[CFF]

At $2000 it better last. I have to also assume you take care of your equipment. It has just been our experience selling new and used, that in the end full commercial; used, is the best way to go and is usually cheaper. In the end, you get what you pay for. At any rate, here are the places you definitely want to stay away from when buying a treadmill:
Walmart, dicks, Sports Authority, K-mart, etc. They make their money on selling cheap, low end equipment.

By the way Keetman, it is good to here about the treadmill working out. No joke, I would like to be updated on it from time to time. Precor should make your treadmill their poster child.

[Philsworld]

A high quality treadmill is one of the few pieces of equipment that I will not buy for home use. I've been on the best of them at the gym and their quality is top notch. However, the price matches the quality. I just don't want the hassle of maintence, etc... and the initial cost of $2,000 and up for a quality used machine. For $2,000 in gym fees ($20\month), I get 8.3 years of trouble free use on a top of the line $7,000 life fitness machine. I also get to use their airconditioning, cold water, bathroom, TV's, and whatever else I feel like using that day over the hour or two that I am there. I live about 1.5 miles away so gas is not an issue. The treadmill is the only reason I use the gym for the most part. Everything else I need is in my garage and I'm happy with that. Basically, I'm leasing a gym with a treadmill with nothing up front and no maintence costs, etc... Some people want the home treadmill for a variety of reasons. Maybe they don't live near a gym. Then I agree that the only option is a quality name brand commercial machine. Don't go cheap. You get what you pay for. Consider the pounding it will take over the years and choose accordingly.

Phil

[CFF]

A high quality treadmill is one of the few pieces of equipment that I will not buy for home use. I've been on the best of them at the gym and their quality is top notch. However, the price matches the quality. I just don't want the hassle of maintence, etc... and the initial cost of $2,000 and up for a quality used machine. For $2,000 in gym fees ($20\month), I get 8.3 years of trouble free use on a top of the line $7,000 life fitness machine. I also get to use their airconditioning, cold water, bathroom, TV's, and whatever else I feel like using that day over the hour or two that I am there. I live about 1.5 miles away so gas is not an issue. The treadmill is the only reason I use the gym for the most part. Everything else I need is in my garage and I'm happy with that. Basically, I'm leasing a gym with a treadmill with nothing up front and no maintence costs, etc... Some people want the home treadmill for a variety of reasons. Maybe they don't live near a gym. Then I agree that the only option is a quality name brand commercial machine. Don't go cheap. You get what you pay for. Consider the pounding it will take over the years and choose accordingly.

Phil

Thank you! I needed a laugh today and you could not have said it better. You make it sound like a vacation away from home. You should sell gym memberships. No joke. Thanks!

[Keetman]

At $2000 it better last. I have to also assume you take care of your equipment. It has just been our experience selling new and used, that in the end full commercial; used, is the best way to go and is usually cheaper. In the end, you get what you pay for. At any rate, here are the places you definitely want to stay away from when buying a treadmill:
Walmart, dicks, Sports Authority, K-mart, etc. They make their money on selling cheap, low end equipment.

By the way Keetman, it is good to here about the treadmill working out. No joke, I would like to be updated on it from time to time. Precor should make your treadmill their poster child.

Still just a little confused by your take on this. You almost make it sound like you've had bad experiences with the line of treadmill I'm referring to. I have had a great experience with my equipment, but I've also heard wonderful things about Precor's home model from several people here including at least one other guy in the business. I'm not sure what troubles you've had, but personally I wouldn't hesitate to buy another Precor home model. I'd do some research first, because companies change, but I've never been given any inclination that my situation was a fluke.

A commercial treadmill would be fabulous, but I'm not going to spend $5000 or more on a commercial model for my home. Less than 3 grand on something I can expect will last me a decade or more and provide solid, consistent use on....yea, I'll go there.

I don't think Precor is sold in any of those stores either. If they start, I may change my tune because selling to the masses is usually a sure way to dilute your product. On that part I agree though, I wouldn't go to one of those places looking for a treadmill.

[SUL]

just picked up a bodyguard t300 on CL for 500

i like

[btoddkelley]

I used to work at a gym in college, which allowed me to get familiar with the differences between the brands. It was a smaller gym so while I did some sales and had a PT certificate and trained people, since I was the guy who didnt mind fixing things, repairs became part of my job description.
I agree with CFF on his suggestion that if you want a treadmill in your home, buying a commercial is the way to go. Over the years I have had lots of friends ask me to repair their broken "ligh commercial" treadmills. To put it frankly, they just aint well made.
I really believe the manufactures of home units know that most people will buy a piece of equipment but not use it and the build it accordingly, while commercial manufactures know that the unit will be used and they build it to last. If you are in the forum, odds are you plan on using what you purchase, so it becomes a chioce: Do you want to buy something that will work and not give you trouble or do you want to buy something that you constantly have to repair.
I have a Quinton 3.0 that I bought with 15k mile on it 10 years ago. I do basic maintanance once a year and I have never had a problem with it. My wife and I use it all the time. Since it was used i put a new belt on it when I got it, but other than that it just runs. This is how I prefer my gome gym equipment, Costs a little more up front, but works forever. (I have a stairmaster 4000pt that I can say the same thing about)
BTW Quinton was not mentioned as a suggested brand. In my opinion they are the best, but Quinton switched to just medical products a few years ago and they are expensive. Used ones are much harder to find than the others.

[Keetman]

btodd, I agree with both of you that commercial models are better...of course.

I just don't think its realistic to think many people will be willing to spend $5000-7000 one piece of equipment. Yes, there are those that will, but most won't be able to or be willing to. You can find deals on commercial equipment used, but some (like myself) just don't feel real comfortable with used electronics equipment (and I'm a CL guy!).

I've never heard of the brand you speak of, so I'll take your word its excellent. Again, I'm not disagreeing at all that the true commercial stuff is better and will last longer.

However, I assume CFF has, but have you ever had any experience with Precor? I'm not sure what brands you put in "light commercial" category, but from the way you two talk, I'm gathering you're trying to talk about machines that are sold at Sears, Walmart, Dicks, and other chain sporting goods stores.

The Precor brand, as far as I understand, is not. It is not a cheap brand. In your post you make this comment:

.....I agree with CFF on his suggestion that if you want a treadmill in your home, buying a commercial is the way to go. Over the years I have had lots of friends ask me to repair their broken "ligh commercial" treadmills. To put it frankly, they just aint well made.
I really believe the manufactures of home units know that most people will buy a piece of equipment but not use it and the build it accordingly, while commercial manufactures know that the unit will be used and they build it to last.

I'm not trying to defend my purchase or Precor. Their reputation stands for itself. The model I have is not a "commercial" unit, but I assure you it is made well and I think the Precor has established itself as a company that produces home treadmills that are expected to be used hard and a lot. (They aren't the only one, Landis is another company that produces quality home treadmills.....I believe they both make Commercial models as well).

So I guess my point is that while I agree with you that commercial models are best and its not typically a good purchase to get a treadmill at a chain sporting goods store.....lumping home models from companies like Precor and Landis in with these other store brands is a mistake.

You can usually get these models in the $3000 area.....still expensive yes, but for me it was a worthwhile compromise between commercial quality and a reasonable price.

[CFF]

Quinton is made by StairMaster. It was it's predecessor.

Bottom line is you need to feel comfortable with your choice. As Keetman say's, he just does not feel comfortable about buying a used commercial treadmill for $1000 - $2500 dollars, a light residential new one for $2000 - $3000 or a cheaper one used or new. If you are not happy with your purchase mentally, more than likely you will not use it and it will be a waste regardless.
I am happy Keetman has found good fortune as well as he knows other who have as well. Precor is a great company and it is nice to hear it is going well for him. Others have purchase light commercial and have not had the same good fortune. Not to say the same has not occurred with used commercial.

Personally, I and many others have had good fortune with used commercial and bad with residential/Light commercial. Walmart, Sears, and Sports Authority garbage comes to mind.

In the end, it seems there is no right answer as to new or used. Just be diligent, do your homework reading review on the treads as well as who you are buying from, and remember that you are going to pay around $1000 or more for a treadmill that is worth while. Be it used commercial or new.

[thousand]

you might keep an eye on amozon. they always have treadmill with good price.