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Any recommendations on Treadmills?
craig1410 - 15/9/07 at 09:17 PM

Hi,
As above, I'm looking for a treadmill for home use and wondered if anyone can recommend a decent one? Not looking to spend a fortune but I don't want some cheap rubbish. Budget around the £600 or lower mark.

Cheers,
Craig.

Hellfire - 15/9/07 at 09:20 PM

Buy a decent pair of trainers and get out there, pounding the streets. You know the treadmill will end up in the garage or on e-bay before long......

Phil

coozer - 15/9/07 at 09:24 PM

Get a bike and go for it.. I couldn't run up the street after the paperlad without losing a lung if he left the wrong (tory) paper but I can manage 5 or more miles on the bike along the old railway line.

That means, I can go further, making me feel better, but, I don't get as much worn out.

Just have a long stare at them lunatics who do the Tour de Onion land..

[Edited on 15/9/07 by coozer]

craig1410 - 15/9/07 at 09:58 PM

LOL, it's not for me it's for my wife!

I've done 3 half marathons in recent years and agree completely that hitting the street is way better than a treadmill. Unfortunately my wife is concerned about being seen coughing her lungs up by the neighbours and she reckons she can combine running with TV watching so wants a treadmill...

I have told her that I expect her to run herself into the same shape as Denise Lewis if I buy her a treadmill and she has agreed so it's definitely worth a shot!!

caber - 15/9/07 at 10:12 PM

Build one and link a genny to the telly then she might get fit! no running = no telly

Caber

craig1410 - 15/9/07 at 10:13 PM

quote:
Originally posted by caber
Build one and link a genny to the telly then she might get fit! no running = no telly

Caber


Now there's an idea.....

bimbleuk - 16/9/07 at 05:39 AM

Just a thought but if you walk for 20mins and run for 20 mins you burn twice as much fat when walking! Running will build muscle but burns the the carbs not the fat at first. What I'm getting at is start her slowly and build up to the jogging maybe?

I hated jogging but still tried for a few weeks never seemed to get better so I went back to cycling in the end.

StevieB - 16/9/07 at 10:11 AM

Don't get a treadmill, they're horendous for your knees! You're striking a mocing target with your entire bodyweight with every step, and the force you put through your foot is incredible.

Spend the money on some good running trainers (go to a proper running store and get fitted for the right type of shoe - you'll end up with good trainers and not just the high street fashion items) and get out and pound the pavements.

If you want something in the house, get a rowing machine as it's by far the best thing to use.

craig1410 - 16/9/07 at 02:10 PM

quote:
Originally posted by bimbleuk
Just a thought but if you walk for 20mins and run for 20 mins you burn twice as much fat when walking! Running will build muscle but burns the the carbs not the fat at first. What I'm getting at is start her slowly and build up to the jogging maybe?

I hated jogging but still tried for a few weeks never seemed to get better so I went back to cycling in the end.


Yes I know, I train using a heart rate monitor and low level exercise always burns more fat than high level exercise. However, low level exercise doesn't improve cardiovascular fitness very much. When she went to the gym she usually set the treadmill to a fairly steep incline and walked quickly up that incline. She intends to start the same way and ideally progress to running once the basic fitness comes up to scratch.

You've got to bear in mind that she works full time and with the 3 kids it's not easy to find time to get the bags packed and head off to the gym. She is hoping that having the treadmill in the house will allow her to "steal" 20-30 minutes here and there throughout the week. Obviously she needs to do this 4-5 times per week to be effective.

Cheers,
Craig.

craig1410 - 16/9/07 at 02:20 PM

quote:
Originally posted by StevieB
Don't get a treadmill, they're horendous for your knees! You're striking a mocing target with your entire bodyweight with every step, and the force you put through your foot is incredible.

Spend the money on some good running trainers (go to a proper running store and get fitted for the right type of shoe - you'll end up with good trainers and not just the high street fashion items) and get out and pound the pavements.

If you want something in the house, get a rowing machine as it's by far the best thing to use.


Hi Stevie,
Whilst I appreciate your opinion on this I don't share it I'm afraid.

My point of view is that running is an excellent form of exercise provided you don't fall into the "too much too soon" trap. I do agree that the right trainers are a must and to that end I always go to Greaves sports for my own. Last time I was there I got my stride analysed for free on the treadmill camera and compared the bio-mechanic effects of different trainers. I normally buy asics but this time I bought Nike Air Structure Triax 10+ which were considerably better than the equivalent asics shoe.

In addition, I would argue that running on a treadmill puts much less stress on your body than running on a flagstone pavement. Concrete is simply the worst surface to run on as the shock loads are much higher. Tarmac pavements are much better and grass is supposed to be best although I've never found grass to be a suitable running surface due to the lumps, bumps and dogmess you encounter...

So, if you start gently and let your joints get used to the extra loads without damage then unless you are doing massive mileages per week (say 30 miles+) then I don't believe that running is bad for you. What is bad for you is if you do what I did last time I did a half marathon and just do a few 3 or 4 mile training runs and then run the race! Crazy!!!

Cheers,
Craig.

ps. Is anyone going to recommend a treadmill or are you all just going to try and talk me out of it?