Running Machines
Discussion
Right - I am living away during the week now, meaning Landlady isn't able to get out to do her run of an evening (due to babysitting). Therefore, she's thinking about getting a running machine (probably used "off of" eBay).
Now - does anyone know their stuff about running machines? What to look for to ensure quality. Brands? etc.
Any help greatly appreciated.
Cheers,
Phil.
Now - does anyone know their stuff about running machines? What to look for to ensure quality. Brands? etc.
Any help greatly appreciated.
Cheers,
Phil.
Landlord said:
Right - I am living away during the week now, meaning Landlady isn't able to get out to do her run of an evening (due to babysitting). Therefore, she's thinking about getting a running machine (probably used "off of" eBay).
Now - does anyone know their stuff about running machines? What to look for to ensure quality. Brands? etc.
Any help greatly appreciated.
Cheers,
Phil.
I bought a "cheapie" rebok one online. it may not be particularly advanced but looked nice and on paper did all i needed (i.e. spin the belt). urns out it is nigh on unusable since I am literally at it's max weight spec and it's not a problem because i too heavy for the frame or anything. But when my leading foot lands it carries teh opposite momentum to the belt and the mass behind it means the engine spinnign the belt does not cope therefore i atually stop the belt's motion for a fraction of a second. that in turn means I have to run in an unnatural way and make sure my leading foot lands in a more genteel manner. making proper fast running impossible because if i do that and i am not holding onto the handlebars and I forget myself for a second, i seriously risk falling over byt he brief but sudden stopping of the belt.Now - does anyone know their stuff about running machines? What to look for to ensure quality. Brands? etc.
Any help greatly appreciated.
Cheers,
Phil.
keep that in mind and if the landlady is close to the max designed range for the treadmill, get a heavier duty one or you will be wasting your money.
Tunturi T20 - should be able to get one from around £600 with warranty - heart monitors heavy duty build, auto-inclines, loads of programs, same as you get in many gyms.
Had mine for a few years and Mrs Pier uses it because she can't stand gyms and has kids to deal with etc. so has to be flexible about when she exercises.
Had mine for a few years and Mrs Pier uses it because she can't stand gyms and has kids to deal with etc. so has to be flexible about when she exercises.
I use indoor trainers for both running and cycling. I am more of a cyclist than a runner.
For cycling, it enables me to train in icy weather and whilst being homebound after the kids have gone to bed (wife often works late).
For running, it enables even pacing and is useful for very fast paced efforts with (I feel) a lower risk of injury. I have only used treadmills in gyms. I probably do one treadmill session in a week (plus 3 or 4 outdoor runs), typically short efforts (e.g. 5k at threshold + warm up/down). I can do 180bpm on a treadmill without straining anything, but find it difficult to sustain the same level of effort on the road.
If I wasn't a cyclist I would definitely consider buying a decent treadmill for the home.
This doesn't answer your question regarding product recommendations, I'm just supporting the contention that they can be useful for people who are home-bound with kids.
For cycling, it enables me to train in icy weather and whilst being homebound after the kids have gone to bed (wife often works late).
For running, it enables even pacing and is useful for very fast paced efforts with (I feel) a lower risk of injury. I have only used treadmills in gyms. I probably do one treadmill session in a week (plus 3 or 4 outdoor runs), typically short efforts (e.g. 5k at threshold + warm up/down). I can do 180bpm on a treadmill without straining anything, but find it difficult to sustain the same level of effort on the road.
If I wasn't a cyclist I would definitely consider buying a decent treadmill for the home.
This doesn't answer your question regarding product recommendations, I'm just supporting the contention that they can be useful for people who are home-bound with kids.
I have this one...
http://www.treadmill-running-machine-review.co.uk/...
Plenty good enough for what I need, I've had it a couple of years with no problems with it.
http://www.treadmill-running-machine-review.co.uk/...
Plenty good enough for what I need, I've had it a couple of years with no problems with it.
isee said:
Landlord said:
Right - I am living away during the week now, meaning Landlady isn't able to get out to do her run of an evening (due to babysitting). Therefore, she's thinking about getting a running machine (probably used "off of" eBay).
Now - does anyone know their stuff about running machines? What to look for to ensure quality. Brands? etc.
Any help greatly appreciated.
Cheers,
Phil.
I bought a "cheapie" rebok one online. it may not be particularly advanced but looked nice and on paper did all i needed (i.e. spin the belt). urns out it is nigh on unusable since I am literally at it's max weight spec and it's not a problem because i too heavy for the frame or anything. But when my leading foot lands it carries teh opposite momentum to the belt and the mass behind it means the engine spinnign the belt does not cope therefore i atually stop the belt's motion for a fraction of a second. that in turn means I have to run in an unnatural way and make sure my leading foot lands in a more genteel manner. making proper fast running impossible because if i do that and i am not holding onto the handlebars and I forget myself for a second, i seriously risk falling over byt he brief but sudden stopping of the belt.Now - does anyone know their stuff about running machines? What to look for to ensure quality. Brands? etc.
Any help greatly appreciated.
Cheers,
Phil.
keep that in mind and if the landlady is close to the max designed range for the treadmill, get a heavier duty one or you will be wasting your money.
has she considered a water rower instead?
i only ask because running machines are pretty awful and as others have said, no substitute for the real thing. I would imagine that you lose a vital part of the running action on a treadmill? (the bit where you push forwards) from expereince you will need to spend about £800 to get a useable, solid machine.
a good rower is a more thorough workout and a lot more peaceful!
i only ask because running machines are pretty awful and as others have said, no substitute for the real thing. I would imagine that you lose a vital part of the running action on a treadmill? (the bit where you push forwards) from expereince you will need to spend about £800 to get a useable, solid machine.
a good rower is a more thorough workout and a lot more peaceful!
pablo said:
running machines are pretty awful and as others have said, no substitute for the real thing.
This gets thrown around alot, and is quite frankly complete crap - ask any serious runner and they will tell you that treadmills are a necessary evil.A crap running machine is crap. A good running machine saves you knees and lets you train when it isn't possible to go outside - can fully understand why women won't want to run outside when it is dark. Also, i don't care who you are, but if the choice is between running in the snow or sitting on your arse, 9 times out of ten the TV will be going on - if you have a treadmill, its a non-issue.
Last year I put about 600km in on treadmills with about the same again on the road - had my most successful season ever - would put a lot of it down to the extra distance during winter and the relative lack of injury due to a lot of treadmill running.
Parsnip said:
pablo said:
running machines are pretty awful and as others have said, no substitute for the real thing.
This gets thrown around alot, and is quite frankly complete crap - ask any serious runner and they will tell you that treadmills are a necessary evil.A crap running machine is crap. A good running machine saves you knees and lets you train when it isn't possible to go outside - can fully understand why women won't want to run outside when it is dark. Also, i don't care who you are, but if the choice is between running in the snow or sitting on your arse, 9 times out of ten the TV will be going on - if you have a treadmill, its a non-issue.
Last year I put about 600km in on treadmills with about the same again on the road - had my most successful season ever - would put a lot of it down to the extra distance during winter and the relative lack of injury due to a lot of treadmill running.
yes i was referring to cheap tradmills in the main, and i do agree that they are a necessary evil, but they are mileage gaining tools and nothing more. they do not offer the same sensory experience throughout the body as running on a surface. much like a turbo trainer for cycling, you can use one to train and build up the mileage but you can not tell me its a valid substitute regardless of the software/technology.
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