Treadmill for home use

My wife loves everything Precor. Pricey but will hold up very well.

Budget quite a bit of money for a treadmill. It seems many treadmills are designed for walkers or for light runners (meaning they don't weigh much). If you're a triathlete, it means you've got pretty strong quads. You will beat up any normal treadmill due to your biking muscles. It's also nice if you can get one that can be serviced locally. The one's I've had require a few little adjustments now and then.

We have a ProForm Trailrunner 2.0 that I got from Best Buy when they used to sell exercise equipment.  I think I paid $1500 but I got three years interest-free on it or something like that.  Got it in March 2011, still going strong.  I weigh anywhere from 195-210 depending on conditioning and it holds me just fine.  It's easy to adjust cushioning and tighten/loosen the belt if necessary.

EDIT:  Oh, and these things are HEAVY.  Don't fall for the portable nonsense.  Once you have it where you want it, that's where it stays.

Edited by jmhpsu93 2017-10-08 8:28 AM

I went through this a few years ago, and (at least at the time) it seemed the Sole F80 was the best "budget" treadmill. No Frills, just a good wide running surface and strong motor. There are many great options (as good as your budget will allow) and some priced below the F80 are also good... the things you should consider are how strong the motor/deck is vs. your pace... you don't want "skips" when you're overpowering the motor/deck. The other thing that was important to me was width of the belt... gym treadmills are usually pretty wide, but most home models are much narrower, so it's easier to veer off. Like anything, ymmv wildly.

I agree with ^, portable is a lie. I was a cheapskate and didn't pay the extra few bucks for the "in room" setup, that was a big mistake.

I went through this earlier this year and decided on the NordicTrack Commercial 2450 which I got on sale for $1600. Even at the normal price of $2200, it looked like a good value on paper. The only other treadmill I seriously considered was the Sole F85 which is about the same price. Both have comparable motors and wide 22x60 belts so even tempo runs and intervals shouldn't be a problem. I did listen to other online reviews and paid for the in home delivery and assembly and I'm glad I did. The machine is heavy...~300lbs which is great when you're using it.

I have used plenty of treadmills that cost $5000+ at gyms and hotels (Life Fitness and Precor) and I can say that the NordicTrack 2450 rivals them. One of the deciding factors for going with the NT 2450 was the decline feature which isn't found on any other treadmill in this price range. After using the NT 2450, I'm a big fan. If $2000 is out of your price range, I'd consider the $1500 NT Commercial 1750 which has similar features, with a slightly smaller motor. Good luck

-john

I bought the Noritrack 2450 last winter since moved back to Chicago from California and needed something for the winter training.

Pretty happy with it so far. Was awesome to be able to program in maps on it, and see it on google street view. Was training for ITU Worlds in Canada and had some of the course mapped in there; once I was in Canada it felt like I had already done the course since I previewed it a bunch of times!

https://www.nordictrack.com/treadmills/commercial-2450-treadmill

Timely thread because I'm about to pull the trigger...

Does anyone here have experience with Woodway? Beside the astronomical cost(even for a reconditioned unit which is what I'm looking at) is there any reason why I would steer clear? I have a BT friend who's a treadmill maniac and he swears by his Woodway but then he is a maniac...

We have some Woodways at my gym and I don't like the super-soft "belt" (these Woodways don't use a continuous belt). Seems overly squishy to me, like I am running on soft grass. Some people seem to love them though!

Just bought the Proform 5000 last week. Hasn't been delivered yet but commercial grade 4.0 HP motor for $1500. But paid xtra for in home delivery and assembly. I have my fingers crossed, good warranties so I am hoping it was a solid buy (decent reviews online).

I got a Nordic Track i9 trainer 2 years ago. Purchased it on sale and was still $2000. I think it is worth it. It is heavy (took 3 of us to move it in place)

I was heavy (around 260 when I started using it/ 190 now) and it has held up very well. I have over 1800 miles on it. I has an incline that goes from -5 to +40%. It comes with a tablet that connects to IFIT.Com You have all types of programs that you can follow or create your own routes using google map.

Speed goes up to `12 mph.

I use it when the weather is bad