treadmill recommendation?

[wung]

my dad's 56 and is taking drugs for high cholestorol and diabetes. I'm looking to buy him something to exercise with/on. any recommendation? i'm thinking of getting him a treadmill, but not sure which brand/type is good. thanks.

[ialsohaveadream]

If you're not willing to spend over $500, I wouldn't even consider getting him a treadmill. The ones that cost less than that tend to wear very easily, run incredibly loud, and break quickly.

Good thought on a gift, though. Also, since he's 56 you may consider an elliptical machine instead, for less stress on the knees.

[wung]

yeah, i don't mind paying a bit more than $500, and i'll consider getting him an elliptical machine, but i am afraid he might not know how to use it and . . fall off of it . . ha . . . well, not very funny if he really does.

[Jeffbx]

I'd say for a GOOD tradmill (that will last more than a few years), $1200-1500 is the low end for walking tradmills (meant more for walkers than runners).

You'll want to go to a specialized tradmill store to look at them, not to a sporting goods store. Brands to stay away from:

- Reebok
- ProForm
- Nordic Track

Fitness Experience (http://www.fitnessexperience.com/products/home/treads.htm) is a great place to look if you happen to live in the midwest, but any other specialized tradmill store will work. It's really worth your while to at least go there & look at some higher end machines before you make your decision. I have a Vision Fitness treadmill that my wife & I use heavily - at times we put 40-50 miles a week on it, and we've had it for about 6 or 7 years now. We initially had a ProForm that lasted us about a year and a half before the motor burned out on us.

Also, avoid the fold up ones if you can. They're less stable, louder, and don't last as long as fixed ones.

[DarkFury]

Honestly... a membership to the YMCA or gym.

Most home treadmill systems suck... the ones at the gym are MUCH more comfortable to run/walk on. :thumb:

[ialsohaveadream]

...and infinitely cheaper. All it takes is the dedication to go there and use it.

[wung]

yeah, my dad did go to a 24 hr. fitness when it was free, but now it's not, and it's close to $50 a month. unless there's something i don't know . . . but yeah, i'll see if there are other ones around, thanks for your input.

[wung]

i finally decided on an elliptical machine and got a Reebok RL525 (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000ATCS3/ref=no-sim/gotapex) from my local costco for $399. So far it seems alright. Hopefully it won't turn into a clothes rack. Thanks for all your help.

[ialsohaveadream]

Nice! Looks pretty good. Let us know how well it holds up.

[BrewMaster]

i finally decided on an elliptical machine and got a Reebok RL525 (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000ATCS3/ref=no-sim/gotapex) from my local costco for $399. So far it seems alright. Hopefully it won't turn into a clothes rack. Thanks for all your help.
eliptical trainers rule. i've been using them since my gym got them a while back and it is so much better on my knees. not to mention it is really comfortable to move with the machine rather than just running in the air like I do on a treadmill. i hope your dad likes it.