What is the best treadmill I can buy for $8,000 or less?

Question

I like to run, but there has been a lot of crime in our neighborhood. There have been several muggings, a couple of murders, and a rape in the last 2 years alone. I would like to run during the day but the heat index is over 100 degrees most of the time. I can't move out until my lease is done. There are no gyms or tracks nearby. I just need a good treadmill, so I can run in the safety of my own apartment. Thank you so much.

Answer 1

Check out treadmilldoctor.com.  This guy reviews all treadmills and has a nice tool for deciding which treadmill will work best for your needs. see

http://www.treadmilldoctor.com/

Answer 2

oh my, I'd buy a treadmill too!  Here is report on treadmills and this should help you with your decisions.  

http://www.runnersworld.com/topic/0,7122...

Keep running :)

Answer 3

The really nice ones run about $1500 tops....you can get 4 of them for $8000!!! Check Sears or any sporting stores

Answer 4

First of all, you could get a commercial treadmill for that amount. Personally I would look for one that has a top speed of 12 mph.  This is great for interval work.  Here is one from costco:  http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.asp...  It has a built in TV which I don't like because your cervical spine is not going to be neutral i.e. looking straight ahead.  Plus the lady that is modeling it is not running correctly, but IRONMAN is a pretty good brand and it is $1000 shipping included.

There is also a NordicTrack (http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.asp... for 899.  They say it is a commercial machine.  You may even be able to get away with something cheaper, but either one of these should be more than capable.  Plus Shipping and Handling is included.  If you don't already belong to them, you could get a membership for a year or price it somewhere local.

Now if you are interested in something high tech, you can get the treadmill and a Power Plate.  They run about $4k and there is quite a bit of exciting research around them.  This would help with strength, flexibility, etc, but not so much around cardio.  That is not to say that you could not create a program around it.

Good luck!