Difficulty with budget on new treadmill...

Aside from other considerations, you may want to be sure of how you can get it serviced if it's ever
necessary.

I bought a (lightly) used floor model from Fitness Resource a few years ago for about $1500 +
delivery. It came with a "new machine" warranty, and the company has a local service dept. A
treadmill is not something you can haul around to a fix-it shop! I've had one service call for a
belt problem, covered under warranty, but I could also call them for maintenance if I wanted to (not
free). (at least I hope they still have service, I know the stores are still open!)

Ask the stores if they will be having any sort of specials for New Year's or Presidents Day
holidays, or new-model-intro clearance of older models.

As for features -- I don't use the programming on mine, and it doesn't have a heart rate monitor --
which I don't feel I need anyway, but if I want to I can pause & take pulse; also you can buy a HRM
for about $100 that you can use anywhere that will record other info about your workout session for
later retrieval -- chest-strap & wristwatch style. (actually I did get a HRM but not for the 'mill,
& don't use it much, just as an occasional check & interesting gadget.)

What I do use a LOT is the automatic elevation feature & easy-to-reach speed adjustment button. Mine
is also a folding model, which was important to me; and it's one of the quieter models, also a big
plus I want to hear the TV without bothering the entire neighborhood. I'm on the ground floor so I
don't have to worry about downstairs neighbors, but this may be something else to consider in what
you buy & where you put it (I have a friend who's had to move hers, despite putting a pretty good
padding under it).

What some people have done with this sort of purchase is get a cheaper model that won't last a long
time but will give you the experience & show you whether or not you will really use it, & what
features you wish were there, which ones you don't ever use, & so on. Meanwhile saving up for the
one that you really want.

If you're considering a 'mill to avoid "weather problems" in walking outside, note that good
outdoor gear is a lot cheaper! GoreTex & good shoes for $200-$300 & you're set for the season! Best
wishes. bj

"Dan" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:NO8Ib.11251$xX.35600@attbi_s02...

Quoted message said:

Hello,

I'm wanting to get a decent quality treadmill for walking purposes. I've spent some time reading
usenet and various treadmill review sites. Today I went to the two local shops that carry
worthwhile (read: non-department-store) treadmills, and encountered a severe case of sticker
shock. Neither store carries used/remanufactured treadmills, and the cheapest treadmill that
either store carried with a 2.5 HP continuous duty motor was $2000 (True, Precor, Nautilus). Most
models on display were in the $3,000 to $4,500 range, with some going upwards of $8,000.

Due to my weight (6'2" - 340 lbs), a 2.5 or higher is a necessity (according to what I've read).

I'm a bit wary of purchasing online, but this may be my only option to stay within my budget
($1,500 or less). .... To me, it appears that any of these models would suit my needs. All have
heart rate monitors, extensive programming, welded frames. All have 10-2-1 warranties (plus
lifetime frame). The biggest differences appear to be (1) 4" length on belt, (2) .5hp on motor,
and (3) orthopedic belts on some models - I'm not sure how much of a necessity that feature is.

Are there any glaring differences/important features between these models that I'm missing?

I'm not finding a lot of information or reviews about Keys treadmills online.

Any advice/assistance would be welcome. My apologies if I seem a bit gunshy, but this is (to me) a
relatively large expenditure.

Thanks in advance,

-Dan

"Dan" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:NO8Ib.11251$xX.35600@attbi_s02...

Quoted message said:

Hello,

I'm wanting to get a decent quality treadmill for walking purposes. I've spent some time reading
usenet and various treadmill review sites. Today I went to the two local shops that carry
worthwhile (read: non-department-store) treadmills, and encountered a severe case of sticker
shock. Neither store carries used/remanufactured treadmills, and the cheapest treadmill that
either store carried with a 2.5 HP continuous duty motor was $2000 (True, Precor, Nautilus). Most
models on display were in the $3,000 to $4,500 range, with some going upwards of $8,000.

Due to my weight (6'2" - 340 lbs), a 2.5 or higher is a necessity (according to what I've read).

I'm a bit wary of purchasing online, but this may be my only option to stay within my budget
($1,500 or less).

Two brands that have piqued my curiosity:

1. SMOOTH.

Smooth 7.1HR. 2.5 horespower CD motor, 20"x54" belt. $1,499 Smooth 9.15HR. 2.75 horsepower CD
motor, 20"x54" belt, $1,799

Prices include shipping, so they get closer to my budget. One thing that really puts me off
though is that this brand seems overly hyped. Just about every review I can find online on the
Smooth treadmills seem to be on sites that end up being resellers for Smooth - not exactly
impartial. When I found a review in print (Running World - 2002) the Smooth was towards the
bottom to middle of the pack, nowhere NEAR the rave reviews I've found online. Also, the control
panel seems ticky-tack.

2. KEYS.

Best pricing seems to be on Ebay. A lot of potential fly-by-night outfits, but if you wade through
the auctions there do appear to be some reputable sellers. There's one in particular that is
selling a number of Keys models (all auctions below are from same seller):

Example (URL below): Keys 8800HR. 3.0 HP CD motor, 400lb limit, 20"x56" belt. 10-yr motor
warranty, 3-yr parts, 1-yr in-home labor, lifetime frame. $1629 including shipping. Seller has a
99.7% rating with over 1500 transactions, so I'm not worried about the legitimacy of the seller.

cgi.ebay.comeBayISAPI.dllOpen ↗

Quoted message said:

Another from same seller (same but with OB belt for $50 more):

cgi.ebay.comeBayISAPI.dllOpen ↗

Quoted message said:

Also, a model 9000 HR for $1449. Different design, longer deck (20"x60"😉

cgi.ebay.comeBayISAPI.dllOpen ↗

Quoted message said:

Keys Milestone 6200 for $1349. 2.5HP CD motor, 350lb weight limit.

cgi.ebay.comeBayISAPI.dllOpen ↗

Quoted message said:

6500HR for $1299. 2.5HP CD motor. 20"x56" belt

cgi.ebay.comeBayISAPI.dllOpen ↗

Quoted message said:

To me, it appears that any of these models would suit my needs. All have heart rate monitors,
extensive programming, welded frames. All have 10-2-1 warranties (plus lifetime frame). The
biggest differences appear to be (1) 4" length on belt, (2) .5hp on motor, and (3) orthopedic
belts on some models - I'm not sure how much of a necessity that feature is.

Are there any glaring differences/important features between these models that I'm missing?

I'm not finding a lot of information or reviews about Keys treadmills online.

Any advice/assistance would be welcome. My apologies if I seem a bit gunshy, but this is (to me) a
relatively large expenditure.

Thanks in advance,

-Dan

Consider joining a gym instead.

"Bob Garrison" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Dan" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:NO8Ib.11251$xX.35600@attbi_s02...

Quoted message said:

Hello,

I'm wanting to get a decent quality treadmill for walking purposes. I've spent some time reading
usenet and various treadmill review sites. Today I went to the two local shops that carry
worthwhile (read: non-department-store) treadmills, and encountered a severe case of sticker
shock. Neither store carries used/remanufactured treadmills, and the cheapest treadmill that
either store carried with a 2.5 HP continuous duty motor was $2000 (True, Precor, Nautilus).
Most models on display were in the $3,000 to $4,500 range, with some going upwards of $8,000.

Due to my weight (6'2" - 340 lbs), a 2.5 or higher is a necessity (according to what I've read).

I'm a bit wary of purchasing online, but this may be my only option to stay within my budget
($1,500 or less).

Two brands that have piqued my curiosity:

1. SMOOTH.

Smooth 7.1HR. 2.5 horespower CD motor, 20"x54" belt. $1,499 Smooth 9.15HR. 2.75 horsepower CD
motor, 20"x54" belt, $1,799

Prices include shipping, so they get closer to my budget. One thing that really puts me off
though is that this brand seems overly hyped. Just about every review I can find online on the
Smooth treadmills seem to be on sites that end up being resellers for Smooth - not exactly
impartial. When I found a review in print (Running World - 2002) the Smooth was towards the
bottom to middle of the pack, nowhere NEAR the rave reviews I've found online. Also, the control
panel seems ticky-tack.

2. KEYS.

Best pricing seems to be on Ebay. A lot of potential fly-by-night outfits, but if you wade
through the auctions there do appear to be some reputable sellers. There's one in particular
that is selling a number of Keys models (all auctions below are from same seller):

Example (URL below): Keys 8800HR. 3.0 HP CD motor, 400lb limit, 20"x56" belt. 10-yr motor
warranty, 3-yr parts, 1-yr in-home labor, lifetime frame. $1629 including shipping. Seller has a
99.7% rating with over 1500 transactions, so I'm not worried about the legitimacy of the

seller.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

cgi.ebay.comeBayISAPI.dllOpen ↗

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Another from same seller (same but with OB belt for $50 more):

cgi.ebay.comeBayISAPI.dllOpen ↗

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Also, a model 9000 HR for $1449. Different design, longer deck (20"x60"😉

cgi.ebay.comeBayISAPI.dllOpen ↗

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Keys Milestone 6200 for $1349. 2.5HP CD motor, 350lb weight limit.

cgi.ebay.comeBayISAPI.dllOpen ↗

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

6500HR for $1299. 2.5HP CD motor. 20"x56" belt

cgi.ebay.comeBayISAPI.dllOpen ↗

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

To me, it appears that any of these models would suit my needs. All have heart rate monitors,
extensive programming, welded frames. All have 10-2-1 warranties (plus lifetime frame). The
biggest differences appear to be (1) 4" length on belt, (2) .5hp on motor, and (3) orthopedic
belts on some models - I'm not sure how much of a necessity that feature is.

Are there any glaring differences/important features between these models that I'm missing?

I'm not finding a lot of information or reviews about Keys treadmills online.

Any advice/assistance would be welcome. My apologies if I seem a bit gunshy, but this is (to me)
a relatively large expenditure.

Thanks in advance,

-Dan

Consider joining a gym instead.

Why?

"Jason Quilliam" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Bob Garrison" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I'm not finding a lot of information or reviews about Keys treadmills online.

Any advice/assistance would be welcome. My apologies if I seem a bit gunshy, but this is (to
me) a relatively large expenditure.

Thanks in advance,

-Dan

Consider joining a gym instead.

Why?

Camaraderie, motivation, more choices of equipment including strength training equipment which is
very important because cardio fitness is only one half of the equation.

"Bob Garrison" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Jason Quilliam" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Bob Garrison" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> I'm not finding a lot of information or reviews about Keys

treadmills

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> online.
>
> Any advice/assistance would be welcome. My apologies if I seem a bit gunshy, but this is (to
> me) a relatively large expenditure.
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> -Dan

Consider joining a gym instead.

Why?

Camaraderie, motivation, more choices of equipment including strength training equipment which is
very important because cardio fitness is only one half of the equation.

Makes sense.

"Jason Quilliam" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Bob Garrison" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Jason Quilliam" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Bob Garrison" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

Quoted message said:

> > I'm not finding a lot of information or reviews about Keys

treadmills

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> > online.
> >
> > Any advice/assistance would be welcome. My apologies if I seem a

bit

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> > gunshy, but this is (to me) a relatively large expenditure.
> >
> > Thanks in advance,
> >
> > -Dan
>
> Consider joining a gym instead.
>
>

Why?

Camaraderie, motivation, more choices of equipment including strength training equipment which
is very important because cardio fitness is

only

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

one half of the equation.

Makes sense.

Additionally you won't need to bother maintaining a treadmill and the cost of the the 'mill will pay
for quite a few years of gym fees.

"Bob Garrison" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Additionally you won't need to bother maintaining a treadmill and the cost of the the 'mill will
pay for quite a few years of gym fees.

Depends on the gyms you have available. The ones near me aren't that cheap. There's a cheaper one
that's 1/2hr away by car (depending on traffic & weather), but I don't know what all it has to
offer. And if the gym isn't convenient, most people won't keep going. bj