Best Running Machine

[julian64]

My old running machine has finally had enough and died. Twas an Old Horizon Quantum II. The cost of replacement circuit board and running deck £260.

Considering I'm likely to puff up like a balloon if I don't run a minimum of 12miles a week has anyone got any recommendations for a decent machine.

Not sure what my price range is, but within 1K would be nice.

Edited to say the anilty to fold up is quite important

[pacman1]

Have you considered the pavement? You can use it anywhere, and it's free.

[Davey S2]

Lifefitness?

[CypherP]

pacman1 said:

Have you considered the pavement? It's free.

Very good point. Why run on a machine, when there is the lovely outdoors to use?

[UncleRic]

Phweeeepppppp.. this train is about to depart, next stop.. Health Matters. All aboard!

[freecar]

PH where answering the question matters... or not!

[julian64]

Okay, obviously I'm not going to get anywhere till the keyboard warriors have been answered.

I prefer the treadmill because I hate the start stop of running outside, and I usually run at 9mph. That means I don't wnat to be concentrating where the next pothole, or grass to pavement transition is going to be.

I also run all year round rather than the two months after new year and have been doing so for the last three or four years.

Finally where I live are country roads with people who drive far too fast down them, and have no pavements, so you are effectively running down the road hoping that the car drivers have seen you.

None of that makes for a relaxing run, so if I can stick to the running machine recommendations

And of course now I'm sidelined to the health forum by the powers that be, I think this thread its going to improve

Edited by julian64 on Wednesday 29th February 14:02

[Podie]

Might be worth looking at ex-gym treadmills?

[ScoobyDood]

I have a Trimaster T320 which I bought off eBay last October for £180 (retails at c£1200). Due to a gammy knee am unable to do running stuff anymore so will be putting it on eBay shortly unless............

[BenM77]

fitness superstore is always good for this sort of kit, i have just bought a Nordic track exercise bike which is very well put together. My friend has a Nordic track treadmill and he is very happy with it, auto incline etc.

http://www.fitness-superstore.co.uk/24-nordictrack...

Edited by BenM77 on Wednesday 29th February 14:23

[UncleRic]

I can answer properly now we're in the right place.

If you want a treadmill that breaks every month and then needs a replacement MCB @ £475 and a Run Mat @ £325 (both plus VAT and fitting) then I suggest you get a Bodyguard T360... sure, it's old now (the first 5 or so repairs were under warranty) but it's got more replacement parts than Trigger's brush.

[GBDG]

They use these at my gym. Presume they're good given they're in use 14 hrs a day, 7 days a week

http://www.technogym.com/gb/products/treadmills/10...

[CypherP]

GBDG said:

They use these at my gym. Presume they're good given they're in use 14 hrs a day, 7 days a week

http://www.technogym.com/gb/products/treadmills/10...

Yes they're good, and they come at a price. The Excite model alone is around £6k depending on where you look.

My advice OP would be to visit a sports equipment store to trial them and get some advice on what would work for you. If you're using it on a regular basis then you want something robust that is going to last. At least by going along and having a demo on different types, you can see what would work for you and then try and find one online if it is a little over-budget in the store.

[julian64]

http://www.fitness-superstore.co.uk/folding_treadm...

Great link, this ones looks like a technology overload.......soooo tempting

[Frenchda]

ScoobyDood said:

I have a Trimaster T320 which I bought off eBay last October for £180 (retails at c£1200). Due to a gammy knee am unable to do running stuff anymore so will be putting it on eBay shortly unless............

YHM.

[aero93]

A little over your suggested price but a Life Fitness 9500 is a good machine. I have got one myself and very happy..

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Life-Fitness-9500-Next-G...

[ScoobyDood]

Frenchda said:

YHM.

Replied

[Smitters]

Might also be worth ringing round the local gyms and seeing if they're upgrading stock at any point soon? I sympathise with the country roads situation and at 9mph, you don't want to be distracted!

Is there a local playing field you could run around in the mean time? Vary the direction to protect the knees on cornering and dodge the odd doggie pressie but otherwise wannabe rally driver free and relatively obstacle-less.

[BenM77]

julian64 said:

http://www.fitness-superstore.co.uk/folding_treadm...

Great link, this ones looks like a technology overload.......soooo tempting

They are very well put together, my Nordic track exercise bike is the latest c7zl which is £499 in john lewis but in fitness-superstore it was £299 delivered.

It is worth checking if they have a store near you, most of their kit is set up for trial

[s3fella]

aero93 said:

A little over your suggested price but a Life Fitness 9500 is a good machine. I have got one myself and very happy..

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Life-Fitness-9500-Next-G...

They're ace people to deal with IME, go to a store, very nice bunch.