On The Mill Again -- Lower-Cost Treadmills Can Offer Good Workouts - Sometimes Along With A Few Headaches

I'VE WEIGHED IN on treadmills a couple of times in this space. Once I examined the issue of motorized vs. nonmotorized (the motorized won). Later I offered shopping guidelines, which discounted most models under $1,500 early on because they failed my simple test runs to check for "give" (cushioning) and "wobble" (stability).

About a year ago, though, reports began to trickle in from satisfied owners of less-expensive treadmills. Then at the Super Show trade fair in Atlanta in February, I noticed a more solid feel in some newer models, most with that enticing flip-up storage feature. Given that treadmills tend to be the most expensive yet most used of fitness equipment, I figured it was time to give lower-cost ones another chance. So I asked readers for their experiences and recently took a lap around the Eastside to check out the selection.

The bottom line, somewhat to my surprise:

They're better.

Not perfect, to be sure. It's probably still true that in most cases, by paying more you get a treadmill better in design, performance and reliability. But how much better need it be? Some of today's less-expensive treadmills may be good enough to offer safe, consistent, indoor walking, jogging or running.

That's what most responding readers apparently thought. Fourteen of the 18 were generally pleased with their lower-cost treadmills, which spanned at least 11 models (two nonmotorized) and six brands (ProForm, Vitamaster, Roadmaster, Weslo, HealthRider,

Precor, NordicTrack), with no clear winner. Few folks evaluated their treadmills in terms of bells and whistles (pre-set or customized programs, built-in heart-rate monitors) but simply on whether they worked.

The four decidedly unhappy correspondents had two things in common: 1) ProForm brands (most discontinued models, a common occurrence in lower-cost treadmills), 2) purchased at Sears. They seemed annoyed as much with the service (trouble getting through by phone, parts not on hand, slow re-ordering, wrong parts) as the machine itself (broken parts). One women saw a Sears repairman so often she calls him "my buddy Phil." Three others, though, were happy with their Sears ProForms, one despite having to repair three broken roller bars in six months of limited use.

I planned to start my local test runs at the Big 5 in Factoria - until I found all three treadmills on display not plugged in, with no outlets or extension cords nearby to do so. Next!

The GI Joe in Issaquah had two ProForms and two Keys Pro models (one with a sale sign that mislabeled it a ProForm). The Pro 900 ($799) was a little wobbly in the console but reasonably solid below and the 2000 ($999) was steady throughout, with a big 5.0-horsepower motor. Though both ProForms felt fairly sturdy, I ruled out both the 385 ($379 on sale) and Crosswalk LS ($599 on sale) because of a very sensitive "sliding pod" speed control that could cause dangerously quick shifts in belt speed.

At Gart Sports on Bellevue Way I favored the solid though wide Reebok ($1,199) and the Pro-Form 725 EX ($799), despite increased noise at higher speeds (which I rarely reach, in any case).

Up the street at the new NordicTrack Super Store I took note of the popular HealthRider S400 ($1,099), which has a maple-finished deck and uses a pulse-width modulated power board that cuts motor noise considerably. The neoprene, terry cloth-covered belt is almost shockingly cushy, perhaps instantly appealing to walkers or novices but which might take some getting used to among sidewalk runners.

The Overlake Sears offered a rag-tag group of discounted and what looked like discontinued treadmills. The Crossroads Sports Authority featured five ProForms; I preferred (of course) the most expensive, the 785 EX ($899): nice cushioning, not much wobble, four programs.

If I were to buy a lower-cost treadmill today, I'd strongly consider sticking with a sports-equipment store, negotiating the best warranty possible, having it assembled by experienced hands and buying an extended-service contract. From this one day of driving around, I'd already have a handful to check out more closely - which I would do, comparing horsepower (including continuous-duty), belt size, speed, incline, noise, give and wobble again (with a longer test run). And, I'll admit, those bells and whistles.

Molly Martin is assistant editor of Pacific Northwest magazine. ------------------------------- NOTEBOOK

More treadmill info

-- Links to earlier On Fitness columns on nonmotorized treadmills and shopping for treadmills can be found with the online version of today's column at www.seattletimes.com (click on Lifestyles).

-- Web sources for information on these treadmills can be found at www.iconfitness.com (for NordicTrack, Pro-Form, Reebok, HealthRider and Weslo) and www.keysfitness.com

-- In its February 1999 issue, Consumer Reports also concluded that lower-cost treadmills had improved. They tested 10 ranging from $360 to $2,400. Tops was the Image 10.6 Q ($1,600); second was the HealthRider SoftStrider EX ($1,000) and sixth was the ProForm 785 ($1,000).

Taste of Health

EarthSave's annual healthful-food festival is Oct. 16-17 at Seattle Center's Northwest Rooms. It features vegetarian-oriented speakers, cooking demonstrations, food displays and samples, and $1 and $2 tastes and full meals from local restaurants. Kids activities include a life-size maze, potato-face decorating and veggie bingo; child care for ages 4-8 is free for up to two hours. It's 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day; admission is $5 for adults and free to kids 12. Details: 206-781-6602 or www.tasteofhealth.org/seattle

Ask Molly

Questions on workouts, equipment or nutrition? Send them to Ask Molly, Pacific Northwest magazine, The Seattle Times, P.O. Box 70, Seattle, WA 98111, or e-mail mmartin@seattletimes.com