Do you have a treadmill?

[KarefulKactus15]

So my wife wants a treadmill, and we will probably get one when the new budget year starts.   But treadmills seem silly to me. Does anyone here have one, use it and enjoy it? Or does it just sit around as an eye sore? Cause all the people I have known that had one, ended up just storing clothes on top of them.

[crazyworld]

I do - barely used.  I recommend not buying.  I bought one soon after my son was born and I did not feel like I could go to the gym any longer.  But those things are boring - every 2 minutes I look at the time willing it to be over.
That said, some people park theirs near a TV and do use them.  Has she tried them in the gym and does she like to use them there?  Or maybe try craigslist? I'm sure there are people like me who would  (should) sell for cheap.

[KarefulKactus15]

Yeah she's been stalking craigslist. Theres actually quite a few for 10-20% of their original purchase price. Apparently we have a non treadmill using epidemic in this country lol.    And yes to the TV thing.    She wants to put it in our living room facing the Tv!  what an eye sore.... but whatever I guess.   And yes she uses them at the gym. I just feel like it won't last cause they are rather boring, in my eyes any way. 

[Retire-Canada]

So my wife wants a treadmill, and we will probably get one when the new budget year starts.   But treadmills seem silly to me. Does anyone here have one, use it and enjoy it? Or does it just sit around as an eye sore? Cause all the people I have known that had one, ended up just storing clothes on top of them.

Personally I'd get her a cheap 6 month gym membership she can not actually use and an $50 IKEA storage unit. Far more practical/cheaper way not to workout, but feel like you spent money on your health and yet still store stuff.

[YK-Phil]

Treadmills are great as clothes organizers, at least that's what all the people I know use them for.

[MsPeacock]

I have a elliptical that I got off freecycle. It is mechanical (no electronics, doesn't plug in) and pretty small. I really do not enjoy using it. I have a small TV that I plan to mount on the wall in front of it. I consider it a last resort exercise option - like it is too cold and there are 17' feet of snow on the ground, and such - otherwise I try to do something else.  I haven't been able to afford a gym membership in several years, but I will go out for a walk, go swimming (free at work), or ride my bike before I want to get on that thing. When my kids were little the best thing was a good job stroller (also free from freecycle) which I basically walked into the ground in about 5 years time.

Short answer - elliptical, and basically never use it.

[frugaliknowit]

No, I hate them.  The most boring way I can think of to exercise.  Fortunately, the condo building I live in has a gym with, among other things treadmills.

At least she is looking at used ones.  You can always flip it...

[BlueMR2]

No, treadmills are ridiculous.  No way I'm spending a bunch of money to stand still while walking in my house!  I'll go outside, even if the weather is bad.

[Catomi]

I'll be a contrarian. We have a treadmill we got for $25 from a neighbor who was having a yard sale (he even helped carry it into our basement). It's been worth every penny. I don't necessarily use it consistently (when it's nice out I'd rather run outside), but I stay at home with two small childen so can't go workout whenever I want without figuring out what to do with them, and it's snowy/icy here a chunk of the year, so it's nice to be able to run inside. My SO can use it, too, and get a run in before work when it's dark out without worrying about getting hit by a car. It's not the greatest for long runs because it can get boring, but it's better than nothing. And it's worked well so far for HIIT.

My suggestion is to keep looking through Craigslist/garage sales. Also, if you're worried about it turning into a clothes rack, then have her figure out how many months of workouts she'd want to get out of it in order to feel like you've gotten a return on your investment. If you have a gym membership now, then maybe it can replace that cost for X months. After that point, any workouts you get from it are gravy.

[ShoulderThingThatGoesUp]

I have a door.

[sol]

We have a very fancy one, was $100 from CL.

I run outside in good weather and never saw the point, but it rains sometimes.  The rule in our house is that adults never get to watch tv except when on the treadmill, so if you develop an addiction to house of cards or something you're going to get in better shape.

Practically speaking, this rule just discourages us from watching television more than it encourages us to use the treadmill.  I figure those are both lifestyle improvements, though.

[rmendpara]

Depends on if you will actually enjoy using it.

I had one years ago, and used it frequently, but just ended up hating the feeling of being on a treadmill. I much prefer a quick video for agility or yoga or other cardio... or even running outside if weather permits.

Some people I know do love it though. Saves a good amount of time if you can just wake up, put on some socks and shoes and go for a jog.

[RFAAOATB]

I have one in the living room, given for free, used occasionally.  My wife prefers an elliptical and I may buy that for home and put both machines in the second bedroom as an alternative to driving ten miles each morning to the gym.  Most of the time the weather is too bad to run outside here.  On the other hand having the mental break of going to the gym helps, especially if you like lifting which you should.  A treadmill at home is recommended only if you use it.

If she's using the treadmill what are you doing for PT?  Will you have an AM/PM split or considering buying two machines?

[iknowiyam]

When I was still in school I LOVED my treadmill. Can't focus on the books? Hop on the treadmill for ~10 minutes, hop off, and go back to studying... rinse and repeat. I would often put on music and listen to, say, 3+ songs. I try not to look at the timer.

If your wife is already using the treadmill a lot at the gym, then she knows what she is getting. I have heard of some pretty bad TV going on at gyms (A Fault in Our Stars 3 nights in one week, seriously), so I see what she is getting at.

[Bobberth]

Does your wife run now?  The only people that I know who use them are people who would run outside but can't for some reason-weather, can't be away from the kids etc.  I hate the treadmill.  I would rather run outside in snow and negative windchills (and I do) than run on a treadmill.  My wife uses it all the time to get a run in while the kids are around or she is at the Let it cook 30 minutes part of cooking.  Know your lifestyle.  I bought a 17' kayak without ever being in one before.  I've since paddled more than 1,500 miles as I knew that it would be something I like and enjoy.

If you buy a good priced used treadmill and it doesn't work out, you could probably sell it for the same price you bought it for so not much lost.

[Petuniajo]

I have one and I do use and like it. I binge watch shows on Netflix while on the treadmill. I find it a bit loud to watch TV, so I set my iPad on it and plug in headphones to watch.

[Frankies Girl]

Yup. I use it a bit mostly when the exercising bug hits at 3 am (because I am NOT going outside at that time - too many bad things can happen to a woman alone in the wee hours), but the husband uses it at least 2-3 times a week when it's too hot or raining to exercise. We try to ride our bikes or go on the walking trail near our house mostly, but sometimes it just is easier to hop on the treadmill.

We got it for under $300 about 12 years ago, so definitely gotten our money's worth out of it. It's not a fancy programmable one; just basic stuff, and it does get folded up to access other parts of the room when not in use.

Never have mastered watching television on it tho. Too distracting. We both listen to really, really loud music. It's in a room with some weights, a cardioglide (that we also use) and our book collection, so it isn't an eyesore.

[Trudie]

Had one (past tense), but it broke and we wasted $$ on it.  If you're set on it, Craiglist is the way to go.

We have access to treadmills through the free work out facility at the college where my husband works.  So, it would be foolish for us to buy one and worry about it breaking.

They have their place, but I have a mostly "hate" relationship with them.  I've tried to use them for winter half-marathon training and get bored with them.  They aren't called "dreadmills" for nothing.

[acroy]

I have a door.

^^ heck yeah!!

[jwilliams0215]

I'm currently using a treadmill (at a slight incline) for preparation for my first half-marathon in December and full marathon in January. The heat of Florida is one thing in the summer, but the damage from the sun and skin cancer scares has made it completely worth it!

[Full Beard]

I had an awesome SOLE treadmill that I bought brand new for $1400.  Of course this was before I started reading the MMM blog.  I had the treadmill for about a year and a half and I probably ran on it about 20 times.  I ended up selling it to a guy on Craigslist for $1,000.  It was taking up too much space in my house and it was also tripping some breakers just about every time I would use it. 

If you do decide to get a treadmill I would recommend Craigslist like many others have already said.  I would also check to make sure you have an outlet that can handle the current draw from the treadmill.  It was not fun carrying 300 pounds up a flight of stairs and getting it all set-up and then realizing your house can't even handle it. 

[darkadams00]

So my wife wants a treadmill, and we will probably get one when the new budget year starts.   But treadmills seem silly to me.

If she has a track record of using one --or participating in any other regular, weekly form of exercise--for six months or so, I wouldn't even ask questions other than when can we go look at one. No history of exercise to date? I would be more hesitant, but more from a pros/cons discussion with her, not from a discouraging "bad idea" aspect. I value DW's health, and I would rather potentially waste money on her exercise efforts than some material girl fashion waste. I've definitely spent more money myself that two years later didn't pan out as planned.

And "silly"? Why do you care? You're not on the machine. She is. I bought an awesome rower. I can walk for hours or run for a few miles indoors or outside. I bike almost daily. But 30-45 minutes on the rower leaves me dripping wet and totally beat--a great workout on days I drive. Totally worth it to me. But not interesting to DW at all. I really don't care, and I would be pretty ticked if she mentioned that I didn't use it one week when I biked 125 miles instead. It's there when I want it--frequently per month but not regularly every week since my biking is my more dominant method of exercise on average.

[patrickza]

I'm trying to motivate a treadmill desk for the office. While I think walking or running on one is completely dull, I think it'll still be an improvement to sitting on my ass all day at work.

[JJNL]

No, but that's because:
a) the bit I enjoy most about running is being outside
b) I live somewhere with a mild climate so I can feasibly run outside for at least 11 months out of 12
c) I live in a relatively safe neighbourhood in a large city, so I am comfortable running alone outside at odd hours (like 11 pm or 6 am).

If I'd live somewhere where conditions b and c would not be met, I would probably buy a treadmill or an elliptical.

[Fishindude]

They are great for hanging laundry on.

[thd7t]

Just a hedonic one, but I'm trying to keep off it.

[GuitarStv]

I have a treadmill.  It's pretty awesome.  Super cheap to use, low power consumption, tons and tons of various terrain variations, built in scenes that change as you run along, fully air conditioned (during winter), excellent heating system (during summer), easy to bring with you when you move.

[thd7t]

I have a treadmill.  It's pretty awesome.  Super cheap to use, low power consumption, tons and tons of various terrain variations, built in scenes that change as you run along, fully air conditioned (during winter), excellent heating system (during summer), easy to bring with you when you move.

GuitarStv, I have your treadmill, but the lights always go out when I use it in winter!

[KarefulKactus15]

So my wife wants a treadmill, and we will probably get one when the new budget year starts.   But treadmills seem silly to me.

If she has a track record of using one --or participating in any other regular, weekly form of exercise--for six months or so, I wouldn't even ask questions other than when can we go look at one. No history of exercise to date? I would be more hesitant, but more from a pros/cons discussion with her, not from a discouraging "bad idea" aspect. I value DW's health, and I would rather potentially waste money on her exercise efforts than some material girl fashion waste. I've definitely spent more money myself that two years later didn't pan out as planned.

And "silly"? Why do you care? You're not on the machine. She is. I bought an awesome rower. I can walk for hours or run for a few miles indoors or outside. I bike almost daily. But 30-45 minutes on the rower leaves me dripping wet and totally beat--a great workout on days I drive. Totally worth it to me. But not interesting to DW at all. I really don't care, and I would be pretty ticked if she mentioned that I didn't use it one week when I biked 125 miles instead. It's there when I want it--frequently per month but not regularly every week since my biking is my more dominant method of exercise on average.

I guess this article fits us best.  She has been exercising and says she wants a treadmill to use before work. Her work has a gym but she says it would be an inconvenience to use it then shower.   So I guess we can craigslist one and re-craigslist it if it doesn't work out.

[ketchup]

No treadmill here.  I feel like we wouldn't use it much (prefer walking/biking outdoors), and they take up a lot of space.  Our only dedicated exercise equipment is a squat rack and bench in the garage.  It gets out of the way pretty easily when not in use. 

Oh, I guess we've both got bikes too.

[BeardedLady]

I got a treadmill off Craigslist for $50, but not for myself. It is great quality, even has a powered incline feature. My dog loves it, and it makes our walks afterward much more enjoyable since he is tired enough to go my speed. :)

[Melf]

Yes, it's right behind me here in the office.  Hardly ever used but the cats seem to enjoy laying on it from time to time so not a total waste.

[MBot]

Does she want to run or walk?

If she wants to run, you'll have to be a lot pickier about motor and treadmill length. Many are just designed for walking.

That said, I love treadmills for running. I use it three times a week.  I set my time, I don't have to think about speed and when it's -45 Celsius it's way warmer. I don't have one at home though, I use the gym across from work and right by my house. Switching to the new gym that costs $9/month is still eons ahead of a treadmill cost where I live, but it's also very close to me.

[music lover]

I have a treadmill...a higher end $3000 model I bought used from a friend's sister with 300 miles on it for just $1000.

But, I live in a winter climate where it goes to -35 with -50+ wind chills in winter and where snow stays on the ground from November to early April. Running in a treadmill sucks, but for me it beats running outside in winter.

[MrsPete]

If you actually use it, it's a bargain. 

I personally know two people who've contracted MRSA from using group equipment at a gym, and that's nothing you want to mess with.  That alone is a good reason to consider setting up your own little exercise area in a corner of your house. 

[MayDay]

We have one, bought full price as we couldn't find used.

H uses it an hour every day, I use it occasionally in the winter.

The problem is he gets sweaty and stinks up the room. I wouldn't want it in the living room! H watches Netflix on thew iPad while he exercises.

It saves 50$ for a gym and the extra drive time.

He doesn't like to go outside because the treadmill makes him faster.

[Trifle]

Yes -- we have one, love it, and use it heavily.  Our current treadmill is 9 years old now and has thousands of miles on it.  DH and I are both runners, and use it when we can't get outside, the only time we can run is 4 in the morning, whatever.  It is also good for specific training, like intervals, if you do not have a track available. 

Key questions to ask are -- would you use it for running or walking?  And how much will you use it?  For a solid running treadmill that can stand up to heavy use, look for a used Landice or Precor on Craigslist.  I've also run on True machines and I like that brand too.  So many people buy high-end treadmills and don't use them, that it is pretty easy to find a good used one for sale. For walking, almost any brand will do.  You can check out the Consumer Reports reviews for what is good right now. 

Good luck!

[vhalros]

There are so many pieces of cardio equipment that are cheap-to-free; jump rope, sledge hammer+tire, 50' of rope, etc. that I don't see a lot of point in a treadmill unless you particularly like running.

[wtjbatman]

I'm training for upcoming job testing, and I use the treadmill at our apartment complex 5 days a week. Thank god for it, because I'm not a fan of running outside.

It helps having a goal and a real reason to use it other than just "get exercise" (mine is improve my 1.5 mile time). And thanks to all the features like incline adjustment/timers/distance traveled/heart rate monitor/etc it really lets me zone in on what I'm trying to do, instead of just jogging around the neighborhood and checking my watch every now and then.

[MBot]

 In the "why I use a treadmill" vein:

The main advantage of a treadmill, for me, is that it forces me to maintain a faster pace. And instead of thinking about my pace or attempting to find music at the right pace, I can occupy my mind with ohter things (like podcasts). This results  a more efficient run for me.

[KarefulKactus15]

Lots of interesting replies. I didnt think a treadmill thread would be so hot lol.  I think were gonna get one, next year lol.

[Villanelle]

Had one until recently, when we sold it because we are leaving Europe and won't be able to use a 220v item.

It was nice to have when the weather was bad.  I also liked to be able to walk while watching TV.  Not a great workout, but better than sitting on my butt.   Stalking Craigslist and other used-stuff sites, and being patient, can save you hundreds. 

[Faraday]

We have a very fancy one, was $100 from CL.

I run outside in good weather and never saw the point, but it rains sometimes.  The rule in our house is that adults never get to watch tv except when on the treadmill, so if you develop an addiction to house of cards or something you're going to get in better shape.

Practically speaking, this rule just discourages us from watching television more than it encourages us to use the treadmill.  I figure those are both lifestyle improvements, though.

We have a treadmill, a low-end "Sole" brand model. We have the same rule as Sol: to watch TV, you walk on the treadmill. DW is using it right now - it saves us big-time when the weather goes all to hell and the weather is bad enough to discourage exercise. Plus, from the TMI department: you really don't have to be fully clothed to use it as long as you have good shoes. :-)