ADVICE PLEASE: Shopping for Fitness Equipment

[hotrodsally]

I'm checking out Treadmills and Ellipticals for home use. I only have space and funds for one or the other.

I'd appreciate advice - pros and cons, products/vendors to use or avoid and what to expect to pay for a good value without getting taken to the cleaners.

Thanks in Advance.

HotRod

[Camaro_krazee]

I'm looking at the Performance 600 by Proform, here
I prefer TMs over ellip due to hip and knee pain when on the illiptical.
Plus, we hike alot and the quick incline capability on the treadmill is great for helping me train for a big hike. Also, you can shake things up on a TM and get some running time in as well.
just my 2 cents

hth
good luck with your decision

s

[SSmoothie]

I have had both didn't use them all the time, the elliptical didn't feel right because you have to go with what stride the machine has and the treadmill was ok but bad ankle and pounding on it while running. And now 51 I going with a stationary Bike, no wear on body parts and I think I might get a better work out.

[TOMS1SS]

Originally Posted by hotrodsally

I'm checking out Treadmills and Ellipticals for home use. I only have space and funds for one or the other.

I'd appreciate advice - pros and cons, products/vendors to use or avoid and what to expect to pay for a good value without getting taken to the cleaners.

Thanks in Advance.

HotRod

You're in Vegas, run outside and save some money. Elipticals don't have the same impact as normal running or a regular treadmill, hence you usually burn only half to two thirds of the calories per mile. A regular treadmill has to be maintained frequently and electric motors are prone to breaking down. Seriously, save yourself money and just run around the neighborhood.

[blgens]

I would recommend you add the idea of an indoor spin bike to your list of possibilities.
You can buy a new Lemond Revmaster bike for about $1000. You can enjoy all of the benefits of caloric burn, regulate your output and enjoy no impact to the joints. If you work your SOE in the 6-9 zones for an hour, you can burn 600-1000 calories in an hour.

http://www.lemondfitness.com/product...evmaster-sport

[TOMS1SS]

Originally Posted by blgens

I would recommend you add the idea of an indoor spin bike to your list of possibilities.
You can buy a new Lemond Revmaster bike for about $1000. You can enjoy all of the benefits of caloric burn, regulate your output and enjoy no impact to the joints. If you work your SOE in the 6-9 zones for an hour, you can burn 600-1000 calories in an hour.

http://www.lemondfitness.com/product...evmaster-sport

That's part of the problem with bikes is that they are low impact. In fact it takes 3.5 miles on bike to do what you can do 1 mile running (non-eliptical). Not saying a bike is a bad way to go, just better to have the FULL facts before hand.

[PoorMansCamaro]

eliptical does less damage to your joints.

[TOMS1SS]

Originally Posted by PoorMansCamaro

eliptical does less damage to your joints.

Yes, but like I said it doesn't burn off as many calories as normal running does. Like the bike, the eliptical puts less stress on your joints but have to workout longer to achieve the same caloric burn. I'm a marathon runner and overall I've done distance running for almost 15 years. There was a 4 year point where I ran 9 miles every single day (my new job doesn't allow time for this now). Never once have I had joint problems, shin splints or any of the other injuries often associated with distance running. Just my opinion but I think the injury risk is overblown, but that's just my two cents. It probably helps that I have an equally tough weight training program that ensures that I have muscle mass to support the amount of running I do. Most people you hear of with injuries from running don't do an adequate amount of strength training, the tell tale sign being super thin "chicken like" legs.

[gtohardtop]

sold my elliptical and have a total gym xls and love it.

[PoorMansCamaro]

i was just giving a pro for the eliptical. I know joints bother a lot of people, and something to consider. Some people can go twice as far, or more, on an eliptical because of less joint pain. Which would then equal to running around the neighborhood.

[hotrodsally]

Thanks everyone for your input.

HotRod

[Berean]

I would shop around this weekend at some yard sales. Exercise equipment ends up at yard sales for a reason.

[8cd03gro]

[TOMS1SS]

Originally Posted by 8cd03gro

That's some right there.