Advice on getting a treadmill: recommendations on what and where to buy

[Stevie G]

I have an alert on hotukdeals to alert me. I got the alert and bought within minutes. You have to be quick. Mine was directly from amazon as well not a reseller.

Good work then! It really seems like a bad time to be buying gym equipment. We've decided to get a treadmill and a compact multigym, but with Covid and it being new year there's little around so I think we might just wait a bit for things to settle down and see what we can find. Unless of course a rare bargain does pop up somewhere!

 

[KyleS1]

Good work then! It really seems like a bad time to be buying gym equipment. We've decided to get a treadmill and a compact multigym, but with Covid and it being new year there's little around so I think we might just wait a bit for things to settle down and see what we can find. Unless of course a rare bargain does pop up somewhere!

I've been waiting since about July. In the end just gave up waiting and ordered the first semi decent one that came into stock.

 

[Ruperts slippers]

NordicTrack make good gear.
Bargains can be found on eBay or gumtree.

 

[Stevie G]

What are the different treadmill apps worth looking at? I heard Eddie Izzard on the radio this evening and he was running on a treadmill using Zwift and I quite like the sound of it. How do they work? Is basically like playing a running video game where you're running along streets, through the country, etc virtually? I've seen some treadmills mention Kinomap and NordicTrack have ifit - are they all a similar sort of thing?

And do you need a treadmill that's supports them, or do can you use them with something like a Fitbit?

 

[finbaar]

I think you'll find running can be terrible for your joints.

I'll think you'll find running is good for your joints.
I've no idea where you are getting your information but it's well known that running protects your joints and prevents osteoarthritis.

 

[KyleS1]

I'll think you'll find running is good for your joints.
I've no idea where you are getting your information but it's well known that running protects your joints and prevents osteoarthritis.

Like with most things, do it right and it’s fine, do it badly, which is easy, and it can be terrible. Cycling, gym, running can all have detrimental effects if you don’t do it right and I would assume most are never taught how to do it properly.

 

[KeirW]

I know plenty of people who moved to cycling from running as their knees are shot to pieces. It's much easier on the joints, I do both. There is no impact from cycling, but anything done to excess or with bad form will cause damage.

@Stevie G - I already put info on this post about Zwift and how to get it to work



I use this with my treadmill, it's super accurate as it's measuring the belt speed with optical sensors several times a second and sends the data to zwift.

https://www.zwift.com/uk/shop/product/runn

 

[finbaar]

Like with most things, do it right and it’s fine, do it badly, which is easy, and it can be terrible. Cycling, gym, running can all have detrimental effects if you don’t do it right and I would assume most are never taught how to do it properly.

That's the point. Running while injured or playing impact sports which can damage the knees and other joints will have detrimental effects.

What people should do is go to Google Scholar and do a search for "running causing osteoarthritis". Have a read of the articles. If you find something which shows there's a link that running CAUSES the problem then please come back and let me know as I want to be informed. However an anecdote that "fat Bob from the pub doesn't run because his knees are knackered" isn't evidence. Sitting on your fat arse thinking you are protecting yourself is just plain wrong. The body is a bio-mechanical system which improves with use.

 

[Stevie G]

Thanks. Looking at using either Zwift or Kinomap. I've decided against the DKN as they state on their website that it should not be stored somewhere is not heated such as a garage and ours will be going into our garage; even if it is massive, insulated and dry it is against their warranty T&Cs so I don't want to risk it. Looking at the JTX treadmills; they're a local company and look good quality. Theirs works with Kinomap, not sure about Zwift (although can easily add one of those Zwift Run things). Also considered Nordic Track but not so sure iFit is what I want.
A couple of online shops seem to have Reebok's due in too, just trying to narrow down a couple of options to compare with the JTX.

 

[KyleS1]

I’ve just bought a zwift run pod to use with my Reebok. Should be turning up tomorrow.

 

[bencummins1983]

I just took delivery of the peloton tread, I've got the bike and I'm a peloton fan for ease of use and content, and from my first couple of runs its really good. Pretty expensive compared to the others however its super response to get to speed and incline, it uses swivel knobs as opposed to ups and down arrows. I wish they had released the tread+ here with the slats but apparently there isn't the market for larger machines.

 

[Stevie G]

Blimey! Two and a half grand! That's commercial treadmill prices!