I was jogging last night, when a neighbor called me over to him (I want to be a good neighbor, even though he was interupting my workout), so I stopped and talked (I have never met him before, but we have waived when passing when seeing each other like good neighbors).
Well, he told me he had seen me jogging by every night and noticed the difference in my weight (Ok, that may be a little weird... but, go on...). He then proceeded to tell me that his wife died a year ago, and she had purchased a treadmill about a month before she died, paid between 500 and 600 dollars for it. She used it a few times, but it has been sitting there ever since then. He said I could have it if I moved it, as it was not being used, taking up space, and he is getting ready to move into an ACLF.
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I have never liked to use these things. The most I have ever been able to tolerate was about 50 steps before I had to stop. They just didn't seem to be sturdy, or "safe" to me (I know lots of people use them... it's just the "feeling" I get when I try them). But, I wanted to help him out (again, good neighbor... he's old and widowed for goodness sake), so I agreed to move it for him.
He gave me the manuals, information and registration paper work, and I moved it into my garage until I can think of what to do with it.
I started reading the manual and found this one was rated for 275 lbs, has 5k and 10k training program, 300, 400, 500 and 600 calorie workouts, 1/4 mile track display, 10 mph speed, 10% incline, pulse monitor and a fan.
I decided that I would move it into the house and try it. Hey, I could make it through a 300 calorie workout, even if it "feels" unsafe.
Well, let me tell you... I was impressed with this machine! I felt safe on it. It felt sturdy (It's a big beast, but it does fold up). I did the 300 calorie workout (30 minutes, upto a 3 or 5% incline and max of 3.4 mph). When I finished I felt like I had just had a great warmup. Let's see what the 400, 500 and 600 profiles look like
400 calorie hit a 10% incline and max 4.7 mph - 30 minutes. I can do that if the the incline and max speed aren't at the same time (I hate the inclines!)
500 calorie hit a 8% incline and max 3.7 mph - 40 minutes. That's like a good brisk mountain road walk, I can do that.
600 calorie hit a 10% incline and max 4.8 mph - 40 minutes. Hmmm, That could be a nasty workout, I can probably do it, but think I will see what the others have to offer first.
Ok, I will try the 400 calorie program. Wow! It was a workout, but the max speed did not come at the same time as the max incline. I was sweating at the finish, but felt like it was a good 30 minute workout after the 300 calorie program warmup. But, I could go for more. Hey, this thing touts 22% decrease in impact over running on pavement.
Ok, I figured I would try the 500 calorie workout for 40 minutes. This one was a lower impact than the 400 calorie program, but it was walking up the side of a hill the whole time. It started at 3% incline and moved to 8% after the first minute. Then, it stayed there for the next 38 minutes, then back to the 3% at cool down.
Total just messing with this thing; 1200 calories burned in less than 2 hours of watching a TV program.
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I have decided to keep this machine. I searched it out on the Internet to see what the cost for one of these units would be if I were looking to purchase. I found the exact model at Walmart's web site:
Image 17.5 S Treadmill
Then, I figured I would check the store down the street. My local Walmart has the darned thing on sale for $300.00. Wow!
I would recommend this machine to anyone who can afford it. It works great!
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Just my 1200 calorie opinion
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Oh, stepped on the scale just a few minutes ago... down 3 lbs from yesterday (Yes, I know it's water... but... cool!)
I gave up after 15 minutes.
