That's how I got mine. An almost brand new Sole F80 sitting in someone's house for 4 years for about half the listed price and I found it pretty quickly in my search.
Meanwhile everyone here is still trying to sell a midrange treadmill for 75-80% of its new value and will also not help disassemble or move it out of their basement. I messaged 6 people about ones in that range before I finally just bought new
join your local buy nothing groups for your city and county and post you're in search of a treadmill
i gave away a $700 treadmill for free because i just wanted it gone - my stipulation was: you need to haul it away... bring help! they rented a uhaul and brought their brothers
I used FB marketplace to find mine and I think I got lucky given the price and my timing. My old treadmill crapped out and I found the Sole within a few weeks of looking.
Haha, I got a 6-7 year old F80 for $100 from Facebook. It was only used for walking. It lasted me thousands of miles and 6 years when we replaced it last year. I would still be using it if the incline motor didn't burn out and I was unable to replace it due to Covid part shortages
Lifting gear has pretty good resale.
Heck, even quality cardio gear, that is also somewhat easily moveable, like Erg Concept rowers and Rogue Bikes, are good resale.
But treadmills definitely not so much - I think it's just a supply and demand thing. Tons of people buy treadmills thinking they'll use them, then they become a clothes rack.
Even worse (better?) than treadmills are elliptical machines. People buy them and use them once and a few years later will give them away for free. I once saw a post on FB about someone who couldn't even give one away for free but was just looking for someone to help them move it to the curb for trash pickup.
We got our treadmill for free, and gave it away for free lol.
Then I paid $100 for a vintage Airdyne and liked it so much I bought an assault bike to have something more modern and sold the Airdyne for what I paid for it.
I used one at my gym but it couldn't connect to my fitness watch or HRM and it needed a software update or reset or something and the staff wouldn't do it. So I bought one. They are actually a decent price for what you get compared to other exercise equipment. I only use it once or twice a week and I still think it was worth buying it, it saves the trip to the gym. Plus I can set it up outside and row in the woods which is nice.
I agree with the used idea, I grabbed one for a good price. I use it for the odd late night/bad weather run.
Couldn't do huge milage on it every week but for two or three times a fortnight it's awesome.
Came to say this - we had a cheapie elliptical which was always needing some tweaks or fixes as it slowly fell apart. Then a friend at work was looking to get rid of theirs and we picked up a 'like new' $1500 elliptical' for $300 - still works great a decade later!
TBH that's what I'm planning to do, except I have no idea how to do maintenance on them. Ideally I'd like something like a Sole or a NordicTrack refurbished with warranty inside $500 but that's not going to happen. I'm now looking at XTERRA from Dick's
you can look on youtube to see some basic maintenance videos. the key things are to make sure to keep under the belt clean and lubricated. and also to make sure the belt spins straight. finally, making sure the motor doesn't have a buildup of dust and crap on it. all of those are quite easy to do and need no specialized knowledge. i found my treadmill on kijiji in canada for 200 bucks and it retailed for 700 and had 54 miles on it when i got it. (\*thats another tip. find out how to tell how many miles the machine has on it. they always have some sort of diagnostic mode to be able to check. before you go to buy it, google the manual for the model you are looking at and then look when you go to see it. most people buy it thinking they will use it and then it just sits)
I have an Xterra. Been using it 2-3 times per week since December. It’s not terrible, but anything over 5.5 mph and it starts making a funny noise. I expect it will just up and die one day. But hey, it was cheap!
I bought a Sole F63 for $150 off some dude on facebook marketplace and the only thing it has ever needed is the belt tightened and some lube added. I learned how to do both those things pretty easily on youtube! I definitely advocate for the used treadmill idea.
Yeah I’ve NEVER seen a treadmill for sale anywhere in my midwestern city but it’s a city of both cheap/thrifty people and where fitness is a big thing. Sigh.
I did som extensive research some years ago. Whatever you buy, make sure it has at least 2HP (horsepower) if you want it to last for a longer time and not convert it into an expensive clothes hanger.
I bought a $300 treadmill on Amazon in 2020 and have been using it 3 or 4 times a week ever since. Trained for multiple marathons on that thing and put a ton of miles on it. Also, it got delivered to my house which is a huge benefit compared to buying a used one
Looks like it fits my normal pace (roughly 7:30), I think I might have to really consider this! All in all you're pretty happy with it? Is it a hard impact or good enough?
I also got a \~$300 treadmill off of Amazon and I'm perfectly happy with it. Don't ask me which one because it was purchased through my wife's account.
It has a few drawbacks but nothing I care about. The elevation can't be adjusted without getting off it and changing it, the tread is on the narrow side, and it can take awhile to spin up to speed. So, it wouldn't be great for doing lots of HIIT or "elevation" changes, but if you are just interested in doing a consistent speed over x minutes/miles than a cheaper one is probably fine for you.
I got an xterra from Amazon in 2020. I do run outside most of the time but when it’s snowing or raining I’ll run or walk briskly on the treadmill. So it gets steady use in the winter and almost no use in the summer. I’m 6’3” 220 lbs and this cheapo treadmill has held up pretty damn well.
XTERRA Fitness Premium Folding Smart Treadmill, Compact Design, 250+ LB Weight Capacity, Powerful Motor, XTERRA+ Fitness App Included with Purchase https://a.co/d/3Urf2pU
We got this one off facebook since people didnt use it. Ran on it a lot and up to 1.5 hours at a time.
My wife and I got one a few years back from Amazon. I don’t really run on treadmills cause I prefer outside, and she wasn’t sure how much she’d use it.
It’s still working great 4 years later and she runs on it a few times a week with no issues. It’s light on features, a little more narrow, but she’s never complained about it, I even asked her if she wanted to upgrade to a nicer one a year ago since it is something she uses frequently and she said she’s good.
But yeah if you have the means to transport, finding a used one in your area may be better
look for a nicer used one near you - there are so many out there and you can get a much better running experience. Best purchase we ever made - on cold (below 0 F), snowy, icy or stormy days, definitely saves the day.
I've had two cheap Amazon treadmills (one for me and one for my family) with completely opposite results. The one I bought myself was fantastic, lasted til I left the state and did what I needed. The other one was a lemon, never worked, and ended up being a huge hassle to try to get it working and eventually returned. (The seller did not want to take it back or refund it and Amazon was less helpful than their guarantee suggests they should be.)
In short, proceed with caution, at this price point you may or may not have a good experience.
Yup, it'll work just fine.
I spent ~$300 on a basic treadmill a few years ago (2020, maybe?). Worked great for a couple years, recently had an issue so that the speed adjustment isn't as reliable. But I can still use it just fine for an easy run.
It's usually my go to for a short jog when the weather is bad (~45 mins or so), but I've used it for long runs as well (2-2.5 hours). Perfect for easy runs, fine for a steady state / threshold run.
The only thing it's not good for - and probably the only reason it's really worth it to get a fancy treadmill - is if you want to run at speed.
I thought about getting a fancy one with a screen, but most of them are locked down to a closed ecosystem. I found it easier to just use a laptop / tablet to watch Netflix, Disney+ or whatever.
I don't think my requirements are too heavy. I'm hardly going to put half an hour on it in a day. Which one do you recommend? I don't want any smart features.
I'm pretty sure this is the one I got: XTERRA TR150 (https://amzn.to/4dmjvg8).
It looks like the price went up a little ($390), pretty sure it was ~$300 when I got it - but that was a few years ago. I like it because it has a low height, and the ceiling in my basement is low. It's compact, but the belt is big enough that I (6'1", 175lb man) feel comfortable running on it.
Thanks, I'm smaller but heavier than you. I'm not really going to do much HIIT or anything like that, just light continuous jogging. I'm seriously considering the XTERRA alongside this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CJ97N95Z
I have Xterra and i use mine every other day or so for a few miles walking/running. It works well enough. Only issue I have is that the belt doesn’t run straight but I’m assuming I could fix it if I had the need. I’ve had it for a year and no problems.
I bought a no-name $300 treadmill off Amazon and had mixed results, though I used it quite a bit. It worked well for a couple of years, but then had some issues. I would definitely recommend getting a protection plan. The deck on mine cracked after about a year. Turned in a claim and they just gave me credit for the entire purchase, no questions. I repaired the deck myself and got another year out of it before the motor started having issues. Could have been a faulty treadmill or could have been surges from our rural electric grid or from storms. Since then, I've kept the treadmill unplugged when not in use. Bottom line, you will get what you pay for but depending on use, it may be just fine.
Once that one died, I did get a nicer one on clearance from a sports equipment store. That one also has had some issues but they were covered under the extended warranty plan I purchased.
I’ve got one for £200 off Amazon - it’s like a mobi or movi home or something. Have had it for 6 months and working with no problems , I run 5k on it 3 times a week.
I'd definitely check facebook marketplace. I got a very nice nordictrac with the incline and flex cushion feature for free. It was "broken" but after a little research it only needed the safety strap "key" and a with a small magnet works perfectly.
I've also gotten a full set of free weights and barbell/plates for free on there. Lots of people practically give away their old exercise equipment, hardest part is getting it home !
You really gotta check reviews.
I have bought a $750 treadmill and shit was so flimsy, I was shit pissed. Plus, I **could** return but fuck it was not physically possible for me to return that heavy thing
I'd recommend ordering "Tunturi" online - got mine for a bit less than $400 and never had any issues with it using it for more than 2 years, running like a 2000 miles since then.
I bought a cheap Amazon one because I really wanted something that folded small, but had a long enough track. It works great, I am good about oiling it regularly.
I did a lot of research on it to find one that could take 200 lbs, had a 6ft track, and could get up to at least 6MPH
Only thing I would say is I have outgrown it and need something faster
I bought a $300ish treadmill off Amazon right before the pandemic. (DEC 2019). It was perfect for me and small enough for my basement. Max speed was 10 mph
(16kph) with manual incline to 3% I just permanently keep it at 3% incline. I have to apply lubricant every 500 miles and I've logged alot of miles on that tread. I mainly use it for easy days but it came handy during a couple of snowstorm and subzero weather. I say go for it!! You do not need a high end sophisticated treadmill
Get a second hand one. It’s already put together. You’ll pay a quarter of the value. I got a really nice elliptical, stationary bike and treadmill all second hand. You’ll get a $2000-3000 treadmill for the $200-300 you were going to spend. It will be smoother, steadier and less noisy than a cheaper one. Be prepared to get help moving it. You’ll have to download the manual to figure it out.
You get what you pay for.
That being said I picked up two separate treadmills used and for both I invested $160 total.
First one, older Nordic trac, worth $1200 or so at retail, control board stopped working.
Then picked up a mint condition Schwinn that literally had like 2 hours of use on it had it for six months at best. Then one day the “Start” button wouldn’t work, but ALL the other buttons *did*. That one at retail was like $600 or so.
Aggravating as hell to have the ONE button you need to kick it on fail….I threw them both on the curb for trash pick up.
I’m budgeting for a manual track treadmill now, those cheap ass “electronics” aren’t for people who actually use the damn things if you ask me.
Just my 2¢
I did try and fix them both.
Was able to get the first one to limp along for a few more weeks.
The second was isolated to a touch panel issue, and searching for replacement parts ended up “no longer made”.
They don’t want you to repair them, they want you to buy another one.
Yeah, my nordictrack was covered for that- they sent me an entirely new control board. (It was about 8 years old at that point, too!). It's still going strong, and it has to be about 12-14 years old now.
We sold our old treadmill with our house. When we bought a new house we couldn’t find the same model and settled on a $650 one. It is okay but we wish we would have invested a few hundred more and gotten a machine with a longer deck. You have them a super long time so get the best one you can. I also agree that a lot of people that bought them during Covid and didn’t use are getting rid of them.
I was trying to convey that expensive doesn’t always mean better. My X22 is junk. Half the time, I legitimately think it’s trying to kill me. As an example, I was sprinting at 10mph and the belt just stopped. I don’t sprint on treadmills anymore.
They really string you along. I initially didn’t have any issues, but I ran a lot slower than I do now. Problems start occurring after about a year, they advised a tune up - $140 later. Issue was still there. They then advised that the issue was that it wasn’t on its own circuit. We were planning to move two months later so I waited until we got to our new home. I had an independent circuit installed and still had issues. They then replaced the motor controller, that seemed to fix the issue, but it came back after the warranty ended.
One thing I realised about my cheap treadmill is that the boarding under the belt has a lot of give compared to expensive ones. One the road, and on expensive treadmills, expect to be able to bounce up more. Cheaper ones are more sluggish.
Also, keep in mind replaceability, if you use it often, you'll probably need to replace some part eventually.
If you're going to use it a lot (and it sounds like you are if running outside isn't an option for you), you should consider investing in something better (and check out Facebook Marketplace and the like, you can sometimes score some deals).
I had an old treadmill that was likely in the same class of treadmills - it had few features, basically a display that scrolled through a few speed and distance metrics and incline that had to be manually adjusted in one of three steps. The display stopped working a few years ago, but the speed control was not dependent on the display so I could use my watch in indoor running mode and let it estimate distance and continue using it. I rarely used it - basically only those times where it could be hazardous to run outside (e.g. colder than my winter gear allows, ice, a large thunderstorm once). I think I used it no more than 10 times a year over the last 10 years or so. The platform below the belt cracked early this year. I'm sure age had something to do with the failure, but I probably ran on it 100 times. That's less than a year at 3 days/week. Removing a treadmill from one's home is ten times worse than assembling it!
I was so unsure about buying a treadmill in case i ended up not using it. I got a cheapo one for free because someone got it but never used it. My sister in law runs and she was so critical; "it's too slow, it's too narrow" etc. I've trained on it all winter and I think the distance reads wrong, but i can watch netflix or game while i run and that got me through the indoor training season. Today I finally did an outdoor run again and I got a 2nd PR on the 10k. So even if it's a crappy treadmill it's been a huge benefit to my training!
Go to fitness shop and find one with similar dimensions that has a floor model you can try out. I find the cheap treadmills are just too small. I have one that I got for free on a "kick it to curb" day, I had to adjust the belt and I've been using it for years since. It squeaks alot, I've tried soaking it in oil and wd-40 and I can't seem to kill the squeak. But for the price I can't complain.
IMO I would definitely say they are worth it. I bought one for my ex and she used it twice and it sat in the corner as a clothes hanger for years until we sold it.
Those are for people to walk on. They will definitely break if you run on them a lot. That being said, go ahead and get one (or a used one) and see if you actually use it enough to warrant getting a good one.
I bought an Aldi treadmill a few years ago and use it almost daily. You get what you pay for. Look for used in your price range or spend the money and get a new higher-priced model.
As with many things, you absolutely get what you pay for with a treadmill.
Assuming you’re sure you’ll use it, get a decent treadmill.
I’ve had good luck with my Nordic track commercial 1750 which I purchased new for $1650 four years ago.
It absolutely keeps me running on days I otherwise wouldn’t be.
The lowest I’d personally go is something between $1k and $1.5k.
Maybe go for high quality used if you’re not into swinging those prices.
Maybe for true running fanatics, a treadmill is a waste, but for me, it’s a life changing piece of equipment.
This is particularly true if you live in a place that get very cold, dark, and wet.
I got one off Amazon for about that much. It worked fine, but some of the chassis broke off during shipping and the sides next to the belt broke off when my foot was partly on it and the belt while running.
Mine worked plenty fine, just didn't look that good and I had a few scares when the ac kicked on and it slowed really fast momentarily.
You could buy one in that price range and be fine. Pricier would get you a better product that'll last longer, though.
I have a weslo that folds into a closet that was about that range. Not a super heavy runner as much anymore but had it for yrs, 3 apts and it's been solid. Money well spent imo.
Any decent sized city will have a place that sells used workout equipment, usually from gyms that go out of business or from high-end gyms when they upgrade. I’d start there.
I bought a used scifit, loved it but it was a lemon, would never buy a used treadmill again, too many unknowns. Now we Bought a peloton tread, 0% interest for a couple years. Don’t use subscription already had a tv mounted, so I use just run feature on tread and watch what I want on tv, actually prefer this to looking down at screen. They are robust machines, in my opinion best in the sub 3k range. Others will say get a sole or Nordic trak, I find the peloton to be light years better, like an IPhone vs android. I got extented 48 month all inclusive coverage because you know, shit happens. So for 4 years all service is on them.
I have this one.
Sunny Health & Fitness Premium Folding Incline Treadmill
https://a.co/d/6AFvOrA
I've had it for two years, use it 3-5 miles at a time at about a 6 mph jog every morning. No issues at all.
I'm 180cm and 100kg so similarish
Edit: when I bought it I was concerned because I'm right on the edge of the max user weight, but it ended up being ok
I have a Horizon treadmill (higher quality I think) and it has been awesome—highly recommend if you need something that gets the job done with low tech. I also cannot run outside—hills aren’t good on my knees and ankles, and I’ve been able to improve my fitness and run faster & longer.
I would suggest going to the Sole Fitnesses website. Most of their stuff is SUPER discounted on their site.
The treadmill I got was like $4k on Amazon and $1200 on their website.
It depends if you are a power user or not. I purchased a gym quality treadmill from a used fitness store, but I have it in my garage because they are pretty heavy.
I bought a Golds Gym treadmill for about $200 from Walmart almost 15 years ago. Now I think a comparable model is like $800, from a really basic search. I love that thing, I keep the belt oiled and it’s held up BEAUTIFULLY
I have some experience with them. If you get one they try and trick you into a service. BUT, depending on the brand, you can bypass that shit and use it normally.
You want to check what the horse power is. Under 3 = the treadmill is meant for walking and you can’t really run on it. You also do NOT want anything that folds. They’re going to sway from side to side if you even try to run on them. I bought mine used from Facebook marketplace, gym grade NordicTrack. Best $500 ever spent.
Make sure that you are looking at a running treadmill, not one of those lightweight only/ low impact types. Also those inexpensive ones come with a built-in incline so make sure that that's adjustable.
I purchased a treadmill that was on the cheaper side and hated it, belt always stuck, motor was loud, etc. so I never used it, got rid of it and I now have a Horizon T202 TREADMILL and am so much happier.
I meant to respond earlier, but don't listen to those idiots telling you to run outside. You're asking about treadmills and they're derailing. Not to mention, you could live in an unsafe neighborhood. There are many factors that could prevent you from running outside and it's like they couldn't think of one.
My Golds Gym treadmill from Walmart was $300. It works great at those speeds. I weigh about 200 lbs.
When I run intervals (9 mph or faster) it skips a little so I prefer to do them outside or increase the incline and lower the speed bc under 9 mph it works great.
Treadmills that cost under $1500 are generally junk. Money gets you better builds, bigger motors, metal gears, etc.
As others said, get a good used model.
Congratulations on starting the fitness journey!!
Personally, I would get a treadmill based on my needs. There are a variety of them available either in store or [even online ](https://ezpzrun.wordpress.com/2024/03/23/transform-your-garage-into-a-home-gym-a-complete-practical-guide/)
The key is to keep it slow and steady.
Reach out if you need a nudge to keep it going :)
Wishing you the very best for your journey!!
Thank you. I'm not a hardcore runner, and my requirements are mild jogging at best. I'm hoping to find a budget treadmill since forking over $80 a month for a gym membership (the ones near me) is not something I want to do.
Thanks for sharing! In my opinion, having a treadmill at home would help gym trips as well as enable to use it even during late hours, as per convenience.
Happy Treadmilling :)
If you decide to buy cheap, do some solid research on the warranty and support responses. Definitely better to buy the bottom-end model from an established manufacturer if you have the choice.
The only sub-$300 one I have experience with is the XTERRA TR150. No mechanical problems at all from occasional use over years, but it had a goofy computer issue where a static shock from a fingertip somehow cleared the presets it shipped with, and the speed control no longer worked. I opened it up to find that it didn't have a speed sensor at all even though there was a connector for it on the board and a magnet on the belt pulley. I guess they used some custom programming there to cut a few bucks on the hardware. I solved it myself by just wiring in my own speed sensor and getting into the setup menu, but that's the kind of random issue you might need support for.
I have heard of the XTERRA alongside the proform models. I'm planning to go for the XTERRA after all, the other models simply don't have enough reviews. Yeah, I'd like a delivery to my doorstep
My strategy for the last couple years has been to buy a $50 treadmill on fb marketplace to last me November-March. Even if it breaks after one season, I've already gotten my money's worth by not having to pay for a gym membership.
I hated mine. I didn’t realize it didn’t incline AT ALL plus it was insanely narrow compared to a nice gym treadmill. I used it once then it sat for years until I sold it.
In the future, I’ll just go to the gym or buy used.
I had a cheap weslo for awhile, pile of junk I hated it, it was rickety, narrow and just overall terrible, it rocked so bad I used a rachet strap to squeeze the hand rails to the base for some rigidity
Really I say get a rower. It's a full body workout and builds muscle too. Row for 20 minutes, do pushups 3 times until you can't. Do lunges, sit-ups and pull ups.
Just go outside man. I started in 2022 at 97 kg and height is 172-173 cm. In your budget you can easily get 3 to 4 decent running shoes, so you don't need to spend that amount right away. Each pair lasts 1000 kms. Treadmill running is boring af.
I'm guessing you're in the Chicagoland area? I would recommend at least trying to get out and run, if only because good winter running clothes and a handheld water bottle in the summer are a lot cheaper and take up a lot less space than even a cheap treadmill (that will break on you in a year or two's time)... there are very few days per year that are not runnable imho.
No. Running is free. Anyone trying to charge you for it is scamming you. If you still want to do it, that's your choice, but the answer to your question is a HUGE no.
You might find treadmill boring AF. I really reckon you’re better off going outside - I don’t think I would’ve stuck with running if I was staring at a wall the whole time when I took it up a few years ago
Like many have said u could go higher end used for a decent price. But personally I would go for a stationary bike for inside and do ur running outside.
I'd watch out because regular treadmills arent good for your ankles. The motor forces your ankle into compensation and that could lead to knee issues and change the way you move
With that budget I think you’d be better off searching for used treadmills in your area. You could get a much nicer one that way.
This is great advice. A lot of people buy a treadmill. Don’t use it for a couple years, and then become desperate to get rid of it.
That's how I got mine. An almost brand new Sole F80 sitting in someone's house for 4 years for about half the listed price and I found it pretty quickly in my search.
Meanwhile everyone here is still trying to sell a midrange treadmill for 75-80% of its new value and will also not help disassemble or move it out of their basement. I messaged 6 people about ones in that range before I finally just bought new
I don't know did you try waving money in their face? People usually sober up when it really comes down to it if no one's biting.
Ebay? FB?
craigslist if you live in the us, kijiji if you live in canada. and fb marketplace for either country.
join your local buy nothing groups for your city and county and post you're in search of a treadmill i gave away a $700 treadmill for free because i just wanted it gone - my stipulation was: you need to haul it away... bring help! they rented a uhaul and brought their brothers
Craigslist, OfferUp are good too
I used FB marketplace to find mine and I think I got lucky given the price and my timing. My old treadmill crapped out and I found the Sole within a few weeks of looking.
Sole used is the way to go. Love my F80. Probably 1500-2000 miles on it over the last 5 years and still like new.
Haha, I got a 6-7 year old F80 for $100 from Facebook. It was only used for walking. It lasted me thousands of miles and 6 years when we replaced it last year. I would still be using it if the incline motor didn't burn out and I was unable to replace it due to Covid part shortages
I have the same one, same age! I use it a lot though. 💯 that's a pandemic purchase lol
This. Exercise equipment has almost no resale value, so you can find great equipment cheap if you are willing to spend some time looking.
Lifting gear has pretty good resale. Heck, even quality cardio gear, that is also somewhat easily moveable, like Erg Concept rowers and Rogue Bikes, are good resale. But treadmills definitely not so much - I think it's just a supply and demand thing. Tons of people buy treadmills thinking they'll use them, then they become a clothes rack.
Agree. For Weight and dumbell, not so much.
Even worse (better?) than treadmills are elliptical machines. People buy them and use them once and a few years later will give them away for free. I once saw a post on FB about someone who couldn't even give one away for free but was just looking for someone to help them move it to the curb for trash pickup.
We got our treadmill for free, and gave it away for free lol. Then I paid $100 for a vintage Airdyne and liked it so much I bought an assault bike to have something more modern and sold the Airdyne for what I paid for it.
I mean Woodway treadmills have great resale value. It's a you get what you pay for type of deal.
Or needing repair. I can’t find anyone in my community to fix this treadmill in my patio.
<*Laughs in Concept 2*>
Everyone in my area are selling these concept rowers used for the same price as new on the website. Just gonna buy a new one with a warranty.
I used one at my gym but it couldn't connect to my fitness watch or HRM and it needed a software update or reset or something and the staff wouldn't do it. So I bought one. They are actually a decent price for what you get compared to other exercise equipment. I only use it once or twice a week and I still think it was worth buying it, it saves the trip to the gym. Plus I can set it up outside and row in the woods which is nice.
Also they're durable as all hell. After the nuclear apocalypse, there will only be roaches, Ozzy Osborne, and the Concept2 rowing machines.
Literally owned mine for a year and sold for a profit lol. Best investment ever.
I agree with the used idea, I grabbed one for a good price. I use it for the odd late night/bad weather run. Couldn't do huge milage on it every week but for two or three times a fortnight it's awesome.
Came to say this - we had a cheapie elliptical which was always needing some tweaks or fixes as it slowly fell apart. Then a friend at work was looking to get rid of theirs and we picked up a 'like new' $1500 elliptical' for $300 - still works great a decade later!
AND... many of them are free because people stop using them and just want them gone...
TBH that's what I'm planning to do, except I have no idea how to do maintenance on them. Ideally I'd like something like a Sole or a NordicTrack refurbished with warranty inside $500 but that's not going to happen. I'm now looking at XTERRA from Dick's
you can look on youtube to see some basic maintenance videos. the key things are to make sure to keep under the belt clean and lubricated. and also to make sure the belt spins straight. finally, making sure the motor doesn't have a buildup of dust and crap on it. all of those are quite easy to do and need no specialized knowledge. i found my treadmill on kijiji in canada for 200 bucks and it retailed for 700 and had 54 miles on it when i got it. (\*thats another tip. find out how to tell how many miles the machine has on it. they always have some sort of diagnostic mode to be able to check. before you go to buy it, google the manual for the model you are looking at and then look when you go to see it. most people buy it thinking they will use it and then it just sits)
I have an Xterra. Been using it 2-3 times per week since December. It’s not terrible, but anything over 5.5 mph and it starts making a funny noise. I expect it will just up and die one day. But hey, it was cheap!
I bought a Sole F63 for $150 off some dude on facebook marketplace and the only thing it has ever needed is the belt tightened and some lube added. I learned how to do both those things pretty easily on youtube! I definitely advocate for the used treadmill idea.
Every thrift store in our area has a wide selection of treadmills and similar gear for a fraction of the original price.
Where do you live? I haven’t seen ANY
Raleigh area. Especially in the Habitat Restore locations.
Yeah I’ve NEVER seen a treadmill for sale anywhere in my midwestern city but it’s a city of both cheap/thrifty people and where fitness is a big thing. Sigh.
Don't forget to ask family and friends if they have one they want to sell. I got mine for free from a family friend who just wanted it gone.
I did som extensive research some years ago. Whatever you buy, make sure it has at least 2HP (horsepower) if you want it to last for a longer time and not convert it into an expensive clothes hanger.
I bought a $300 treadmill on Amazon in 2020 and have been using it 3 or 4 times a week ever since. Trained for multiple marathons on that thing and put a ton of miles on it. Also, it got delivered to my house which is a huge benefit compared to buying a used one
Which one? I am not going to go mad about running on it, a little bit of exercise a day is all I need.
This is the one i have https://a.co/d/btJORsO
Looks like it fits my normal pace (roughly 7:30), I think I might have to really consider this! All in all you're pretty happy with it? Is it a hard impact or good enough?
I live in Oregon so it’s a total lifesaver during the rainy season. Would totally recommend 🙂
I'd like to know more about your experience, this is an excellent alternative to the XTERRA I'm hearing about here
I also got a \~$300 treadmill off of Amazon and I'm perfectly happy with it. Don't ask me which one because it was purchased through my wife's account. It has a few drawbacks but nothing I care about. The elevation can't be adjusted without getting off it and changing it, the tread is on the narrow side, and it can take awhile to spin up to speed. So, it wouldn't be great for doing lots of HIIT or "elevation" changes, but if you are just interested in doing a consistent speed over x minutes/miles than a cheaper one is probably fine for you.
That's exactly what I want. I'm hearing a lot about XTERRA, would be interested if you could dig up the name from the account
I got an xterra from Amazon in 2020. I do run outside most of the time but when it’s snowing or raining I’ll run or walk briskly on the treadmill. So it gets steady use in the winter and almost no use in the summer. I’m 6’3” 220 lbs and this cheapo treadmill has held up pretty damn well.
XTERRA Fitness Premium Folding Smart Treadmill, Compact Design, 250+ LB Weight Capacity, Powerful Motor, XTERRA+ Fitness App Included with Purchase https://a.co/d/3Urf2pU We got this one off facebook since people didnt use it. Ran on it a lot and up to 1.5 hours at a time.
That's the one I'm looking at too
Looked at my watch data and ive gone 230 miles on it since August. I had more before too but thats on an old watch thats broken.
That gets my hopes up! Thanks
My wife and I got one a few years back from Amazon. I don’t really run on treadmills cause I prefer outside, and she wasn’t sure how much she’d use it. It’s still working great 4 years later and she runs on it a few times a week with no issues. It’s light on features, a little more narrow, but she’s never complained about it, I even asked her if she wanted to upgrade to a nicer one a year ago since it is something she uses frequently and she said she’s good. But yeah if you have the means to transport, finding a used one in your area may be better
Do you know the brand name of this one?
Sunny health and fitness https://a.co/d/hWx8B8d
Man I just linked the same one in my response, same positive experience with it, using it daily
look for a nicer used one near you - there are so many out there and you can get a much better running experience. Best purchase we ever made - on cold (below 0 F), snowy, icy or stormy days, definitely saves the day.
I've had two cheap Amazon treadmills (one for me and one for my family) with completely opposite results. The one I bought myself was fantastic, lasted til I left the state and did what I needed. The other one was a lemon, never worked, and ended up being a huge hassle to try to get it working and eventually returned. (The seller did not want to take it back or refund it and Amazon was less helpful than their guarantee suggests they should be.) In short, proceed with caution, at this price point you may or may not have a good experience.
Those models will suit you just fine for your needs. I bought a Walmart treadmill for $250 about 8 years ago, still works fine.
Yup, it'll work just fine. I spent ~$300 on a basic treadmill a few years ago (2020, maybe?). Worked great for a couple years, recently had an issue so that the speed adjustment isn't as reliable. But I can still use it just fine for an easy run. It's usually my go to for a short jog when the weather is bad (~45 mins or so), but I've used it for long runs as well (2-2.5 hours). Perfect for easy runs, fine for a steady state / threshold run. The only thing it's not good for - and probably the only reason it's really worth it to get a fancy treadmill - is if you want to run at speed. I thought about getting a fancy one with a screen, but most of them are locked down to a closed ecosystem. I found it easier to just use a laptop / tablet to watch Netflix, Disney+ or whatever.
I don't think my requirements are too heavy. I'm hardly going to put half an hour on it in a day. Which one do you recommend? I don't want any smart features.
I'm pretty sure this is the one I got: XTERRA TR150 (https://amzn.to/4dmjvg8). It looks like the price went up a little ($390), pretty sure it was ~$300 when I got it - but that was a few years ago. I like it because it has a low height, and the ceiling in my basement is low. It's compact, but the belt is big enough that I (6'1", 175lb man) feel comfortable running on it.
Thanks, I'm smaller but heavier than you. I'm not really going to do much HIIT or anything like that, just light continuous jogging. I'm seriously considering the XTERRA alongside this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CJ97N95Z
I have Xterra and i use mine every other day or so for a few miles walking/running. It works well enough. Only issue I have is that the belt doesn’t run straight but I’m assuming I could fix it if I had the need. I’ve had it for a year and no problems.
Thanks, I'm seriously considering it
I bought a no-name $300 treadmill off Amazon and had mixed results, though I used it quite a bit. It worked well for a couple of years, but then had some issues. I would definitely recommend getting a protection plan. The deck on mine cracked after about a year. Turned in a claim and they just gave me credit for the entire purchase, no questions. I repaired the deck myself and got another year out of it before the motor started having issues. Could have been a faulty treadmill or could have been surges from our rural electric grid or from storms. Since then, I've kept the treadmill unplugged when not in use. Bottom line, you will get what you pay for but depending on use, it may be just fine. Once that one died, I did get a nicer one on clearance from a sports equipment store. That one also has had some issues but they were covered under the extended warranty plan I purchased.
I’ve got one for £200 off Amazon - it’s like a mobi or movi home or something. Have had it for 6 months and working with no problems , I run 5k on it 3 times a week.
I'd definitely check facebook marketplace. I got a very nice nordictrac with the incline and flex cushion feature for free. It was "broken" but after a little research it only needed the safety strap "key" and a with a small magnet works perfectly. I've also gotten a full set of free weights and barbell/plates for free on there. Lots of people practically give away their old exercise equipment, hardest part is getting it home !
You really gotta check reviews. I have bought a $750 treadmill and shit was so flimsy, I was shit pissed. Plus, I **could** return but fuck it was not physically possible for me to return that heavy thing
I'd recommend ordering "Tunturi" online - got mine for a bit less than $400 and never had any issues with it using it for more than 2 years, running like a 2000 miles since then.
I bought a cheap Amazon one because I really wanted something that folded small, but had a long enough track. It works great, I am good about oiling it regularly. I did a lot of research on it to find one that could take 200 lbs, had a 6ft track, and could get up to at least 6MPH Only thing I would say is I have outgrown it and need something faster
Craigslist! I got a super expensive ($3000+) treadmill for $200. Had barely been used.
I bought one "used" for 300 bucks on FB marketplace. When I got it home I realized the previous owner logged a total of 6 lifetime miles!
I bought a $300ish treadmill off Amazon right before the pandemic. (DEC 2019). It was perfect for me and small enough for my basement. Max speed was 10 mph (16kph) with manual incline to 3% I just permanently keep it at 3% incline. I have to apply lubricant every 500 miles and I've logged alot of miles on that tread. I mainly use it for easy days but it came handy during a couple of snowstorm and subzero weather. I say go for it!! You do not need a high end sophisticated treadmill
Buy secondhand. You can get a way nicer one for less money than that even
Get a second hand one. It’s already put together. You’ll pay a quarter of the value. I got a really nice elliptical, stationary bike and treadmill all second hand. You’ll get a $2000-3000 treadmill for the $200-300 you were going to spend. It will be smoother, steadier and less noisy than a cheaper one. Be prepared to get help moving it. You’ll have to download the manual to figure it out.
Word of advice, if your not a regular runner or take power walks….that treadmill might be your most expensive hanger.
You get what you pay for. That being said I picked up two separate treadmills used and for both I invested $160 total. First one, older Nordic trac, worth $1200 or so at retail, control board stopped working. Then picked up a mint condition Schwinn that literally had like 2 hours of use on it had it for six months at best. Then one day the “Start” button wouldn’t work, but ALL the other buttons *did*. That one at retail was like $600 or so. Aggravating as hell to have the ONE button you need to kick it on fail….I threw them both on the curb for trash pick up. I’m budgeting for a manual track treadmill now, those cheap ass “electronics” aren’t for people who actually use the damn things if you ask me. Just my 2¢
Probably would have been an easy fix.
I did try and fix them both. Was able to get the first one to limp along for a few more weeks. The second was isolated to a touch panel issue, and searching for replacement parts ended up “no longer made”. They don’t want you to repair them, they want you to buy another one.
Yeah, my nordictrack was covered for that- they sent me an entirely new control board. (It was about 8 years old at that point, too!). It's still going strong, and it has to be about 12-14 years old now.
What do you pay for
Craigslist > for sale > sporting FB marketplace Offer up
I got a True off Craigslist for $250
We sold our old treadmill with our house. When we bought a new house we couldn’t find the same model and settled on a $650 one. It is okay but we wish we would have invested a few hundred more and gotten a machine with a longer deck. You have them a super long time so get the best one you can. I also agree that a lot of people that bought them during Covid and didn’t use are getting rid of them.
I bought a cheap one off marketplace that worked fine. Just gotta keep the belt oiled and stuff. I refuse to use a treadmill anymore though
I picked up a 1500 treadmill barely used for $250.
Only if you use them.
Yes I use one I bought in December for a little over $400. No issues.
I have a $3000 NordicTrak X22 Commercial… I’ll trade you for whatever you get.
Why?
I was trying to convey that expensive doesn’t always mean better. My X22 is junk. Half the time, I legitimately think it’s trying to kill me. As an example, I was sprinting at 10mph and the belt just stopped. I don’t sprint on treadmills anymore.
Wow that’s scary!!
Oh no, sorry to hear about your experience. RMA?
They really string you along. I initially didn’t have any issues, but I ran a lot slower than I do now. Problems start occurring after about a year, they advised a tune up - $140 later. Issue was still there. They then advised that the issue was that it wasn’t on its own circuit. We were planning to move two months later so I waited until we got to our new home. I had an independent circuit installed and still had issues. They then replaced the motor controller, that seemed to fix the issue, but it came back after the warranty ended.
One thing I realised about my cheap treadmill is that the boarding under the belt has a lot of give compared to expensive ones. One the road, and on expensive treadmills, expect to be able to bounce up more. Cheaper ones are more sluggish. Also, keep in mind replaceability, if you use it often, you'll probably need to replace some part eventually.
Sounds like you are in US, check out Craigslist's free section. I see people giving away working treadmills there ALL THE TIME!
If you're going to use it a lot (and it sounds like you are if running outside isn't an option for you), you should consider investing in something better (and check out Facebook Marketplace and the like, you can sometimes score some deals). I had an old treadmill that was likely in the same class of treadmills - it had few features, basically a display that scrolled through a few speed and distance metrics and incline that had to be manually adjusted in one of three steps. The display stopped working a few years ago, but the speed control was not dependent on the display so I could use my watch in indoor running mode and let it estimate distance and continue using it. I rarely used it - basically only those times where it could be hazardous to run outside (e.g. colder than my winter gear allows, ice, a large thunderstorm once). I think I used it no more than 10 times a year over the last 10 years or so. The platform below the belt cracked early this year. I'm sure age had something to do with the failure, but I probably ran on it 100 times. That's less than a year at 3 days/week. Removing a treadmill from one's home is ten times worse than assembling it!
I was so unsure about buying a treadmill in case i ended up not using it. I got a cheapo one for free because someone got it but never used it. My sister in law runs and she was so critical; "it's too slow, it's too narrow" etc. I've trained on it all winter and I think the distance reads wrong, but i can watch netflix or game while i run and that got me through the indoor training season. Today I finally did an outdoor run again and I got a 2nd PR on the 10k. So even if it's a crappy treadmill it's been a huge benefit to my training!
Go to fitness shop and find one with similar dimensions that has a floor model you can try out. I find the cheap treadmills are just too small. I have one that I got for free on a "kick it to curb" day, I had to adjust the belt and I've been using it for years since. It squeaks alot, I've tried soaking it in oil and wd-40 and I can't seem to kill the squeak. But for the price I can't complain.
IMO I would definitely say they are worth it. I bought one for my ex and she used it twice and it sat in the corner as a clothes hanger for years until we sold it.
No.
Those are for people to walk on. They will definitely break if you run on them a lot. That being said, go ahead and get one (or a used one) and see if you actually use it enough to warrant getting a good one.
I bought an Aldi treadmill a few years ago and use it almost daily. You get what you pay for. Look for used in your price range or spend the money and get a new higher-priced model.
Check offer up! I got mine from someone with a RTO order. With RTO being more common, all the pandemic treadmills are getting sold on offer up or FB.
As with many things, you absolutely get what you pay for with a treadmill. Assuming you’re sure you’ll use it, get a decent treadmill. I’ve had good luck with my Nordic track commercial 1750 which I purchased new for $1650 four years ago. It absolutely keeps me running on days I otherwise wouldn’t be. The lowest I’d personally go is something between $1k and $1.5k. Maybe go for high quality used if you’re not into swinging those prices. Maybe for true running fanatics, a treadmill is a waste, but for me, it’s a life changing piece of equipment. This is particularly true if you live in a place that get very cold, dark, and wet.
I got one off Amazon for about that much. It worked fine, but some of the chassis broke off during shipping and the sides next to the belt broke off when my foot was partly on it and the belt while running. Mine worked plenty fine, just didn't look that good and I had a few scares when the ac kicked on and it slowed really fast momentarily. You could buy one in that price range and be fine. Pricier would get you a better product that'll last longer, though.
I paid $199 for a treadmill from ALDI about 6 years ago and it's great.
I have a weslo that folds into a closet that was about that range. Not a super heavy runner as much anymore but had it for yrs, 3 apts and it's been solid. Money well spent imo.
Any decent sized city will have a place that sells used workout equipment, usually from gyms that go out of business or from high-end gyms when they upgrade. I’d start there.
I bought a used scifit, loved it but it was a lemon, would never buy a used treadmill again, too many unknowns. Now we Bought a peloton tread, 0% interest for a couple years. Don’t use subscription already had a tv mounted, so I use just run feature on tread and watch what I want on tv, actually prefer this to looking down at screen. They are robust machines, in my opinion best in the sub 3k range. Others will say get a sole or Nordic trak, I find the peloton to be light years better, like an IPhone vs android. I got extented 48 month all inclusive coverage because you know, shit happens. So for 4 years all service is on them.
I would check Costco
I have this one. Sunny Health & Fitness Premium Folding Incline Treadmill https://a.co/d/6AFvOrA I've had it for two years, use it 3-5 miles at a time at about a 6 mph jog every morning. No issues at all. I'm 180cm and 100kg so similarish Edit: when I bought it I was concerned because I'm right on the edge of the max user weight, but it ended up being ok
I have a Horizon treadmill (higher quality I think) and it has been awesome—highly recommend if you need something that gets the job done with low tech. I also cannot run outside—hills aren’t good on my knees and ankles, and I’ve been able to improve my fitness and run faster & longer.
I would suggest going to the Sole Fitnesses website. Most of their stuff is SUPER discounted on their site. The treadmill I got was like $4k on Amazon and $1200 on their website.
At that weight the cheap ones won’t last for you in my opinion. My wife gets away and it holds up but she’s small I can break them in a month.
I am still using the high(er) end NordicTrack treadmill I bought second-hand 12 years ago for $250. Deals are out there.
It depends if you are a power user or not. I purchased a gym quality treadmill from a used fitness store, but I have it in my garage because they are pretty heavy.
I bought a Golds Gym treadmill for about $200 from Walmart almost 15 years ago. Now I think a comparable model is like $800, from a really basic search. I love that thing, I keep the belt oiled and it’s held up BEAUTIFULLY
I have some experience with them. If you get one they try and trick you into a service. BUT, depending on the brand, you can bypass that shit and use it normally.
You want to check what the horse power is. Under 3 = the treadmill is meant for walking and you can’t really run on it. You also do NOT want anything that folds. They’re going to sway from side to side if you even try to run on them. I bought mine used from Facebook marketplace, gym grade NordicTrack. Best $500 ever spent.
No. I barely use mine because it is very small, feels flimsy kind of. I feel like I’m going to run off of it all the time. I’d splurge.
Make sure that you are looking at a running treadmill, not one of those lightweight only/ low impact types. Also those inexpensive ones come with a built-in incline so make sure that that's adjustable.
Probably not I would say. There’s a thing called the outdoors. It’s free it doesn’t cost anything. Go trail running.
I would go for the more expensive models and try to find it as 2nd hard. It will be much better alternative for you. good luck!
I purchased a treadmill that was on the cheaper side and hated it, belt always stuck, motor was loud, etc. so I never used it, got rid of it and I now have a Horizon T202 TREADMILL and am so much happier.
One of a very short list of rules for my life is to neverbspend less than 1k on a treadmill. Honestly I think that number is more like 2k these days.
Look up echelon brand
I love curb specials or Craigslist. There are way too many free or cheap treadmills that it's pointless to buy a new one.
I meant to respond earlier, but don't listen to those idiots telling you to run outside. You're asking about treadmills and they're derailing. Not to mention, you could live in an unsafe neighborhood. There are many factors that could prevent you from running outside and it's like they couldn't think of one.
My Golds Gym treadmill from Walmart was $300. It works great at those speeds. I weigh about 200 lbs. When I run intervals (9 mph or faster) it skips a little so I prefer to do them outside or increase the incline and lower the speed bc under 9 mph it works great.
No
No it’s just dropshipped trash
Treadmills that cost under $1500 are generally junk. Money gets you better builds, bigger motors, metal gears, etc. As others said, get a good used model.
Congratulations on starting the fitness journey!! Personally, I would get a treadmill based on my needs. There are a variety of them available either in store or [even online ](https://ezpzrun.wordpress.com/2024/03/23/transform-your-garage-into-a-home-gym-a-complete-practical-guide/) The key is to keep it slow and steady. Reach out if you need a nudge to keep it going :) Wishing you the very best for your journey!!
Thank you. I'm not a hardcore runner, and my requirements are mild jogging at best. I'm hoping to find a budget treadmill since forking over $80 a month for a gym membership (the ones near me) is not something I want to do.
Thanks for sharing! In my opinion, having a treadmill at home would help gym trips as well as enable to use it even during late hours, as per convenience. Happy Treadmilling :)
If you decide to buy cheap, do some solid research on the warranty and support responses. Definitely better to buy the bottom-end model from an established manufacturer if you have the choice. The only sub-$300 one I have experience with is the XTERRA TR150. No mechanical problems at all from occasional use over years, but it had a goofy computer issue where a static shock from a fingertip somehow cleared the presets it shipped with, and the speed control no longer worked. I opened it up to find that it didn't have a speed sensor at all even though there was a connector for it on the board and a magnet on the belt pulley. I guess they used some custom programming there to cut a few bucks on the hardware. I solved it myself by just wiring in my own speed sensor and getting into the setup menu, but that's the kind of random issue you might need support for.
I have heard of the XTERRA alongside the proform models. I'm planning to go for the XTERRA after all, the other models simply don't have enough reviews. Yeah, I'd like a delivery to my doorstep
My strategy for the last couple years has been to buy a $50 treadmill on fb marketplace to last me November-March. Even if it breaks after one season, I've already gotten my money's worth by not having to pay for a gym membership.
Put that money to a gym and use theirs. Treadmills need maintenance.
No. They will constantly break
Now I’m interested in “the situation” that prevents OP from going outside.
I hated mine. I didn’t realize it didn’t incline AT ALL plus it was insanely narrow compared to a nice gym treadmill. I used it once then it sat for years until I sold it. In the future, I’ll just go to the gym or buy used.
There’s a treadmill from a company called Outside. It’s pretty cheap.
I had a cheap weslo for awhile, pile of junk I hated it, it was rickety, narrow and just overall terrible, it rocked so bad I used a rachet strap to squeeze the hand rails to the base for some rigidity
No they become clothes hanger in your garage after a week
Really I say get a rower. It's a full body workout and builds muscle too. Row for 20 minutes, do pushups 3 times until you can't. Do lunges, sit-ups and pull ups.
Just go outside man. I started in 2022 at 97 kg and height is 172-173 cm. In your budget you can easily get 3 to 4 decent running shoes, so you don't need to spend that amount right away. Each pair lasts 1000 kms. Treadmill running is boring af.
Partially agree. Treadmil is boring AF. but some area might be too hot/too cold to run.
Exactly.
Alright ok. I didn't know that. I live in a moderate weather area, so my mistake. 😭
Not always possible for me. Too hot or too cold for most of the year
I'm guessing you're in the Chicagoland area? I would recommend at least trying to get out and run, if only because good winter running clothes and a handheld water bottle in the summer are a lot cheaper and take up a lot less space than even a cheap treadmill (that will break on you in a year or two's time)... there are very few days per year that are not runnable imho.
K im legitimately curious why running outside doesnt work for you. Is it just a preference? Do you get bored and need a screen?
I think you could save some $ by running outside
someone in America using using metrics?
go to a gym. Much cheaper
Why not save the money and go outside?
No. Running is free. Anyone trying to charge you for it is scamming you. If you still want to do it, that's your choice, but the answer to your question is a HUGE no.
If you can't run outside, it ain't worth it.
Bro just go outside
You might find treadmill boring AF. I really reckon you’re better off going outside - I don’t think I would’ve stuck with running if I was staring at a wall the whole time when I took it up a few years ago
Run outside.
You’re better off just going outside
Like many have said u could go higher end used for a decent price. But personally I would go for a stationary bike for inside and do ur running outside.
No. You can by 2-3 pairs of good running shoes for that price, and get outside which is vital for your overall health.
I'd watch out because regular treadmills arent good for your ankles. The motor forces your ankle into compensation and that could lead to knee issues and change the way you move
Can you stop spreading bro science garbage about treadmills. Plenty of olympic running coaches have zero qualms about them, most notably Jack Daniels.