Treadmill help.

I finally convinced the husband we need to get a treadmill. But I'm having a bit of a problem finding the "one". Primarly my husband, Ivan and I will be using it, with hopefully the daughter occasionally. My husband is 6' 230ish pounds, I am, 4'10' and about 130, Ivan is a 50 pound dog, the daughter is 5'2" and about 150 pounds. So I need one that will fit a wide variety of sizes and stride lengths. Here is what I've found. In order of no importance.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Gold-s-Gym-Trainer-410-Treadmill/17164498

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Pro-Form-415-LT-Treadmill/21564921

http://www.walmart.com/ip/ProForm-505-CST-2.25-CHP-Treadmill-w-iFit-Powered-by-Google-Maps/15540243

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Pro-Form-520-ZN-Treadmill/21564923

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Proform-590T-Treadmill/20595723

I want to make sure I get something that hopefully we will all use, but yet not spend an arm and a leg for it.

I'd go with one of the last 3 because they have the longer (55") belt, but other than that I'm not a ton of help. Have you checked Craigslist? That's where I got mine and you can get some nice machines that way for a great price.

Don't buy one from Wal-Mart. Gold's Gym are okay at a stretch, Pro-form are throwaway machines. If you REALLY want a throwaway machine, you could probably find one for a fraction of the new price on craigslist from somebody who bought it, used it twice, then started to use it as a clothes rack.

But if you guys are going to use it with any regularity I would seek out a higher quality machine. It will be better on your body in the long run and your health is always an investment. The Livestrong brand sold at Dick's Sporting Goods is a middle ground; not super high end but not super expensive either. Nordictrack also makes some fair machines for a relatively low price. If you can find a Spirit on craigslist, buy it. They are good machines.

I hated the livestrong when I tried them out. Just felt old and stiff but hard to explain.

I ended up with a Nordic trac. Love it. I have a bad knee and I can still run on it and it feels fine. Cushiony. My old one was a cheapo from dicks maybe years ago. It slipped.

I wrote what model I got on another thread recently. I love it. It's under a grand. Very nice.

http://m.nordictrack.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/mProduct_-1_10301_12401_59002_217875

C900

Apparently it's on sale right now.

I figure I will probably stalk craigslist for one for now. The husband isn't entirely convinced that we need one. So sadly the less I spend the better to increase my chances of getting one. During the summer/warmer months I don't see it getting used with much regularity. During the winter months is when I'm looking to be using it. I just needed an idea on where to start and what to look for.

Thanks Beanie for the tips. Now back to shopping/pricing. lol

If I go looking on Craigslist for one. What are some of the things I should watch out for and ask about?

I just picked up a free one off of a "tag sale site" on Facebook. Type in "(your town/county name) Tag Sale/Garage Sale" on Facebook and usually you can find one in the area. It's by no means a super high quality one, but the dogs and I really enjoy it, it works, and it was free!

There were about four Livestrong treadmills at Dick's when I was shopping years ago. One had a super short belt and a huge motor cover in the front, another felt flimsy, but the other two were pretty decent. I was considering buying one of the two before we got my Spirit super cheap off craigslist. Historically they would usually have one model that got rated really well and the other models got kind of a "meh" from people.

Definitely check out reviews on any specific model before you buy one.

Ask about maintenance. Treadmills need the belt oiled every couple of months, every six months at most. Ask how often they used it, how much, and when the last time they used it was - you really don't want a treadmill that has been sitting around gathering dust for a year+, especially if you're buying an expensive one. If you can turn it on and test it out before buying it, do so, and listen to the motor and how smoothly it sounds like the belt is running.
But most importantly you will want to try it out if you can. See how you fit on it, see how comfortable you feel. See if it feels flimsy or if it's too firm under your feet (more expensive treadmills have some spring to them to help cut down on impact a bit.)

I might see if Steven is up to a trip to the "big" city and try out the treadmills at dicks. Just to get an idea of what we are looking for. LOL

Thanks for the help guys. I will let you know what we end up with.