Treadmill for Mom.

[Shann]

My Mom is 70. She walks every day. She is thinking about a treadmill for the winter. Walking outside is not always an option (she lives on a dirt road, no sidewalks, etc). Nearest place she can go for indoor walking is 25 miles away, not practical.

The only thing it would be used for is walking by a 150 pound woman, at probably a 15-20 minute mile pace for 2 or 3 miles. No kids or other users to consider.

Two main issues:

1. Safety. She is in great shape for 70, but she is not particularly agile and a fall could break a hip. She's also nervous about anything with complicated controls. She would prefer something without a motor, but I understand those are not very good.

2. Cost. As a practical matter, we are looking for a used one locally, so what features are available would be good, rather than a specific current model

Thanks everybody.

 

[silenthunterstudios]

If safety is an issue, and she isn't that agile, then a treadmill might not be the best thing IMHO. Both of my grandmothers were walkers, my grandmother that passed away usually walked around inside her house in bad or hot weather. Believe it or not, up until the last year she passed on, that was great for her, she beat type I diabetes, and was in pretty good shape for her age. She had had many bad falls through out her life, mainly due to my grandfathers and fathers and uncles dogs through the years, but she was okay in her early 80's puttering around her house. Depending on the size of your mothers house, it might or might not be an option. Even with the emergency shutoff on a treadmill, that might not be a viable option for a senior. She's used to keeping her own pace when shes walking, and if she gets tired, she doesn't have to jump, which can be very strenuous for anyone, especially a senior, but theres that problem with a treadmill.

Good on her for walking.

 

[gbaker]

You might consider an elliptical. They seem to be inherently safer to me than a treadmill and easier on the joints. Unfortunately I believe they’re more expensive.

Regardless of what you get I’d be surprised if it gets used if you don’t set it up in front of a TV. An indoor machine is just boring compared with walking outdoors.

 

[donovan]

My Mom has a treadmill that has a safety shut off. I can't remember exactly how it works, but it clips on to your clothes and if you get too far away from the control panel it shuts down.

Jack

 

[gbaker]

My Mom has a treadmill that has a safety shut off. I can't remember exactly how it works, but it clips on to your clothes and if you get too far away from the control panel it shuts down.

Jack

I thought they all did because of our wonderful legal profession, but I don't know for sure. As a practical matter I find the side rails to be more useful for preventing a fall in the first place, but I argee it would be wise to use the shut off device, which of course I don't.

 

[Spydiefan04]

I'll second the elliptical suggestion, just be careful some of them have very excellent motion and some are pure crap. Precors are the best but expensive, Schwinn makes the only decent one I've seen for around 1000 bucks. They provide all of the benefits of walking but without the impact. Treadmills can be very hard on the knees, especially for the elderly. Another suggestion would be a good bicycle, either recumbant or a Schwinn Airdyne type upright. An exercise bike is cheaper than a good quality treadmill and better on the joints.

Also, one thing you may have not considered is upkeep on the machine. Good Flywheel or Airdyne bikes are essentially service free, a treadmill, recumbant, or elliptical will all have various higher amounts of upkeep, still cost no object nothing else touches a Precor elliptical, check around and good luck.

 

[Walking Man]

Sears has an EXCELLENT service contract for excersize equipment for not too much money. We are getting annual routine maintance and guarantee for 10 years! . The only kicker is that you have to call for the service maintenance, and I think they count on the fact that most people won't, and that's probably where they make their money, BUT if you do call, it's totally worth it!

 

[gbaker]

Sears has an EXCELLENT service contract for excersize equipment for not too much money. We are getting annual routine maintance and guarantee for 10 years! . The only kicker is that you have to call for the service maintenance, and I think they count on the fact that most people won't, and that's probably where they make their money, BUT if you do call, it's totally worth it!

I agree with you on this. My wife has had SEARS work on ours twice. One time for a problem they knew about in the program, but also knew most people would never see the problem.

 

[Shann]

Sears has an EXCELLENT service contract for excersize equipment for not too much money. We are getting annual routine maintance and guarantee for 10 years! . The only kicker is that you have to call for the service maintenance, and I think they count on the fact that most people won't, and that's probably where they make their money, BUT if you do call, it's totally worth it!

If you buy anything from Sears, one thing is for sure; you will have the opportunity to call upon their service warranty department. You will get to know these people well.