Treadmill or Bike Recommendations? - Exercise & Fitness Message Board

aktick · 03-05-2003, 10:58 AM

My parents (both around 47 years old) want to start exercising in the winter months to stay in better shape. They don't exercise in the spring/summer/fall, but are quite active and stay in good shape, but in Wisconsin there isn't a whole lot to do outside in the winter. So my dad has been thinking about getting a treadmill and/or stationary bike. Treadmill is probably preferred. Which is recommended?

His budget is probably anything under about $600. I know nothing about treadmills, but can you jog/run on all of them, or are some only made for walking? They would definitely want to be able to run on it. So, recommendations?

And as for bikes, could you find them for not too much $? I wouldn't think they'd cost too much, but I may be wrong.

Thanks a lot for any help.

Strive to define · 03-05-2003, 11:04 AM

In my experience, I haven't found a good treadmill for that price. There is a ton of junk on the market, so watch out. Make sure the treadmill is not tipsy and has good belts. Sometimes people think that they can get good exercise equipment for cheap but don't realize that it could cost you a ton of $ in maintenance.

I would recommend leasing a good one. I have seen ads for like $18 per month and with a lease, they have to service the machine.

I don't know what kind of shape you parents are in nor how well their knees function, so I cannot comment on which would be better for them. I think anything that gets them moving is a good thing.

How about an elliptical?