Checking out Treadmills

by Heather Long | More from this Blogger

04 May 2006 09:06 AM

I told you yesterday in So You Want to Buy a Treadmill .. that I would be talking to you more about other treadmill options including Proform, Reebok and NordicTrack. Let me begin this part by reminding you to check out Overstock.Com. I paid a visit there yesterday just to check out the deals that are available. I found several Proform treadmills available and nicely discounted.

If you do find a treadmill that you are interested in buying for yourself, be sure to check Overstock.com beforehand. You may just find a great deal on it. So let's talk more about treadmills. Today, we're going to look at the higher end treadmills.

Bowflex

Bowflex may be famous for their home workout stations and weight training equipment, but they also have a line of aerobic and cardiovascular equipment. One of their best treadmills is the Bowflex 7-Series Folding Treadmill. This machine retails for about $1,999. Bowflex also offers financing and a payment plan that can take that cost down around $30 per month with nothing down.

This is a fairly affordable way to get a higher end piece of equipment, but the payment plan can take you a couple, three years to pay off. So that's something to keep in mind. The Bowflex 7-Series Folding treadmill has 15 programs as well as a heart rate monitor that will allow you to perform heart rate control programs.

It features a built-in fan with varying speeds that will help keep you cool. It has a good warranty versus other treadmills. 15 years for the frame, 10 years for the motor, 2 years for the electronics and parts and 1 year for the labor. It also folds up to decrease the footprint size for better storage in your home. This is a great treadmill for the family with two or more persons planning to use it on a regular basis. It's also relatively affordable for most families.

Reebok is For More Than Shoes

When you think of the name Reebok, chances are you think about shoes - I know I do. That's not a bad association for the Reebok brand of treadmills. There are a lot of good things to be said about the Reebok treadmills, unfortunately the Reebok home treadmills are not made by the same company that makes the ones you find in fitness gyms. They have a reputation for being a lot less durable than other brands we've discussed. The warranty is lasts for about 2 to 3 years and their more popular models sell for around $1700. They have plenty of features, comparable to the Bowflex, the Proform and other models. But I wouldn't recommend the Reebok home treadmill as a good investment for heavy-duty use.

NordicTrack

We have a NordicTrack, so I may be a bit biased in this assessment. They make good treadmills. We've had ours for more than 4 years and we've had no significant mechanical issues. It's been moved twice (once across country) and was more than durable enough to survive the moves without major maintenance.

Most NordicTrack models (including mine) offer good cushioning. This can be a huge plus for those of us with bad knees. The cushioning helps to absorb shock to your joints - this is good for people with arthritis or other joint ailments as well. Their warranty is a 3-2-1 for motor, frame and parts as well as labor.

NordicTrack offer six to twelve programs depending on the model. They are great for incline and speed training. The incline can be quite as steep as you'd like it to be. It's excellent for endurance training, steady walking or hiking. The versatility and flexibility of the equipment makes it a great choice, but NordicTrack are expensive and sell for anywhere between $1500 and $1700.

Proform Performs

The Proform is what I would call the middle of the road choice. It's not a bad choice nor is it the absolute best choice. However, they do have budget models that are affordable in the $400 to $600 range and they do not have a warranty beyond 90 days. However, they offer a selection of higher end models that come in around $1000.

They have a lot of good features including speed variation and programs. They also have varying footprints in size. If you are looking for a treadmill that is budget friendly and has mild versatility, the Proform is a good choice. If you plan to be the only one using it, a less expensive model of Proform should serve you well for mild to regular workouts. With 2 or more people, I'd go for one in the higher ranges.

Check out the warranty options and check out the detailed information you should be able to obtain with the purchase of the treadmill. Ultimately, the treadmill you choose should be the one that provides you with the benefits you are looking for. Do not be sold on just a name. Your best bet is to see if you can try out the different types at a sports or fitness store. If you are not comfortable using it - chances are you would be wasting your money to buy it.

I hope this helps you to find a good treadmill. I'll be looking to add a few more reviews of more specific models as I have a chance to try them out. Please don't hesitate to share your experiences.

Learn more about Heather Long

Heather Long is 35 years old and currently lives in Wylie, Texas. She has been a freelance writer for six years. Her husband and she met while working together at America Online over ten years ago.

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Lisa Kennedy (4068) 04 May 2006 06:11 PM

Great tip about Overstock.com . . . I've seen great deals on there for all sorts of things . . including workout equipment!

Heather Long (16954) 05 May 2006 05:05 AM

I like Overstock.com. They do offer good deals and while they don't always have what I am looking for; I check there first and on more than one occasion they have had exactly what I wanted for a very good price.

fitnfast (5) 18 Jul 2007 06:46 PM

i think you should look at Smooth fitness as well. i got one for $1000 a year ago and it is solid, quiet and i use it every day (yes , i am an endorfin junkie). i have had proform before and it broke down in only a few months and they have really bad customer service.