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Comments
#1Treadmill Buying Guide Part 1 —
Doug Hoskins2009-10-26 23:59
Hello all, My name is Doug and I run a small family operated fitness equipment repair business. I carry out preventative maintenance across some small independent gyms in greater Adelaide as well as do installations and repairs of fitness equipment for a number of retail stores.
In my years of experience I have dealt with some very very cheap treadmills and some beauties such as Precor and Life Fitness. I have found that the number 1 reason why people get disappointed with treadmills is because they buy based on price rather than quality.
I can honestly say that about 90% of the treadmills that require regular servicing due to breakdowns are machines in the $999 - $1899 price point. This is because these machines are built exactly to that price point, therefore are not able to be made with quality durable components. If you are buying a treadmill on eBay for $700, dont expect it to perform to anyones fitness goals. Another problem with buying cheap fitness equipment is that it usually is not supported by a genuine Australian warranty. I have attended service callouts to treadmill owners that have used their machines for 3 weeks and they had to be scrapped doe to spare part unavailability. My tip is, if youre buying a treadmill, buy it from a respectable retailer and not an online " Fly By" seller.
Motor size and quality.
The Motor is the heart of the machine. If this component is cheap, your machine will fail on a regular basis. Dont be afraid to ask your retailer to show you the size of the motor (dont just go by what the brochures state)I have seen 2Hp motors that are massive and some motors that claim to be 2.5 Hp but are the size of a softdrink can. The smaller motors tend to be the ones that will burn out time and time again. I have ageneral rule of thumb that if you are either, over 80 Kg in weight and/or plan to run (not just walk) on your treadmill and/or will have more than one user, then dont buy anything under 2Hp.
I hope to continue this thread a little later in the week.
#2What else should you be looking for in a treadmill before you purchase one. —
Grant2010-06-26 20:47
I am at the moment not sure which way to go with the purchase of a treadmill. I have looked at a couple of treadmills and was really impressed with the Precor 9.33. I guess this is above the average price in the 3.0hp range, but it was very impressive. In your opinion, would you spend the extra $$$ and get a model purchased in the USA or some other brand manufactured in Taiwan?
#3Horsepower means anothing on cheap machines —
Steve2010-07-02 02:39
In response to Grants question, Please don't shop for treadmills based on the horsepower output of the motor. This is where people get sucked into believing that they are getting a good treadmill. Horsepower of the motor is in no way an indication of the quality. Precor, is an above average treadmill because it's built to the highest quality standard. Same as Life Fitness, Cybex, etc. But you can still get a 3Hp treadmill, that is heap of rubbish. Look at eBay.. some are claiming to have 6.5 horsepower for $599 ! Do you think that treadmill is going to be as good as Precor? after all.. it has a Motor 3.5 Horsepower more powerfull ! (yea right LOL)
Quality of the motor matters 10 times more than its (apparent)power output and size. Ive seen a York heap of crap machine that claimed to be 3HP, it was weaker and noisier than a 1.5HP good quality walker.
I just wish I found this website before we spent $700 on a treadmill from ebay. To keep the story short, after 3 days of arriving, the heap of junk snapped a weld on the main part of the frame. The motor always sounded like it was a jet engine taking off. Really poor quality cheap rubbish made to appear decent by clever online sellers. I have just spent another $180 freighting it back to the seller to obtain a refund. Will be going out on the weekend to look for a "Proper" treadmill. BEWARE OF CHEAP ONLINE TREADMILL SELLERS !!! Save your money, time and stress.
This site is good but I am thinking of buying a Landice - but they are not reviewed here. Do you have any review comment on them. I am after a treadmill that accounts for my hip surgeries (I have been given the all clear to resume gentle jogging)- I am happy to spend whatever the best costs - simply because it is a vital part of my rehabilitation after years of hip pain.
I had not come across the Precor before and would consider the 9.35.
Comments
In my years of experience I have dealt with some very very cheap treadmills and some beauties such as Precor and Life Fitness. I have found that the number 1 reason why people get disappointed with treadmills is because they buy based on price rather than quality.
I can honestly say that about 90% of the treadmills that require regular servicing due to breakdowns are machines in the $999 - $1899 price point. This is because these machines are built exactly to that price point, therefore are not able to be made with quality durable components. If you are buying a treadmill on eBay for $700, dont expect it to perform to anyones fitness goals. Another problem with buying cheap fitness equipment is that it usually is not supported by a genuine Australian warranty. I have attended service callouts to treadmill owners that have used their machines for 3 weeks and they had to be scrapped doe to spare part unavailability. My tip is, if youre buying a treadmill, buy it from a respectable retailer and not an online " Fly By" seller.
Motor size and quality.
The Motor is the heart of the machine. If this component is cheap, your machine will fail on a regular basis. Dont be afraid to ask your retailer to show you the size of the motor (dont just go by what the brochures state)I have seen 2Hp motors that are massive and some motors that claim to be 2.5 Hp but are the size of a softdrink can. The smaller motors tend to be the ones that will burn out time and time again.
I have ageneral rule of thumb that if you are either, over 80 Kg in weight and/or plan to run (not just walk) on your treadmill and/or will have more than one user, then dont buy anything under 2Hp.
I hope to continue this thread a little later in the week.
Doug :-)
http://enterprisefitness.com.au
Quality of the motor matters 10 times more than its (apparent)power output and size. Ive seen a York heap of crap machine that claimed to be 3HP, it was weaker and noisier than a 1.5HP good quality walker.
Peace !
Bill Monza
I had not come across the Precor before and would consider the 9.35.
Any other suggestions warmly received?
Thanks Regards
Andrew