treadmill recommendations?

[mom to little e]

DH REALLY wants a treadmill (for both of us) and is comparing a SOLE vs. Life Fitness. I've used Life Fitness in the gym before. Anyone use a SOLE before?

Maryann

Ean 11/06/03
& Ean's Baby Sister due to arrive via c-section 01/04/06! - 13 days!

[chiqanita]

We have something called a TRUE Treadmill.

Here's some info for you:
Best for avid runners; well designed and especially sturdy:
1 Landice $2,900
2 True $2,300
4 Precor $3,000

The Landice (1) and the Precor (4) have especially long belts, good for runners. The True (2) is less expensive but has narrow foot rails and lacks programs. None of these models folds, and only the True comes with a heart-rate monitor. All three have a lifetime warranty on the frame. The Landice has a lifetime warranty on parts, the Precor covers most parts for 10 years, and the True’s warranty covers the parts for 3 to 5 years.


Best folding models; both are CR Best Buys:
5 Horizon Fitness $1,800
9 Life Fitness $1,400

Both are fine for running and walking, but neither is quite as sturdy as the more expensive models. The Horizon Fitness (5) has a larger deck. Both have hydraulic cylinders that take up some of the load of the heavy deck when folding and unfolding. Both also have lifetime warranties on the frame and 2 years on other parts. The motor warranty for the Horizon Fitness is 25 years; for the Life Fitness, 5 years.



Fine for most running and walking;
both are CR Best Buys:
7 Vision Fitness $1,300
14 Schwinn $1,300

These nonfolding models are well-built, moderately priced, and have good warranties that cover the frame and motor for at least 10 years and other parts for 2 years. They aren’t quite as sturdy, however, as top-rated models. The Vision Fitness (7) lacks a heart-rate monitor and exercise programs.


Fine for walking:
21 Image $400

This treadmill, sold at Wal-Mart, lacks the construction quality of the other Quick Picks and should be used mainly for walking or the occasional jog. We recommend that you consider an extended warranty to the 90-day parts and labor warranty.

[mom to little e]

Thanks for the information! We did look at the Landice and it was very nice but the deck seemed to be more stiff compared to the Life Fitness ($2300) with the Flex Deck. I haven't heard of True so maybe we'll try one of those +out this weekend.

Maryann

Ean 11/06/03
& Ean's Baby Sister due to arrive 01/08/06!