I used to love long walks, but am in no shape to go past my own mailbox right now - 5'1, 190 lbs.- and cold weather is coming. I'm considering a simple, manual, fold-up treadmill that I could use while listening to program CD's and even books on CD. But I hear all of these horror stories of exercise equipment being used as a place to hang clothes, and then virtually forgotten in dark corners. Do you think it's worth the $150 investment to give it a shot? I know I should be able to figure this out for myself, but I'm still a bit shaky on decisions that concern only me. Opinions, anyone?

Hi

I bought a tradmill nearly a year ago and I use it every day. I love it! It cost quite a lot and it's an electric one like you get at the gym. It's good because you can exercise in the comfort of your home without having to drive anywhere or spend the whole evening devoted to exercise. I watch the telly or listen to music. When I'm warming up I talk on the phone.

I think the best thing about it is that it doesn't feel like you are spending all your life exercising because you can multi task. I've stuck to exercise programmes before but not for as long and with so much enthusiasm as this. For me, it's the answer!

The only downside is finding somewhere to put the damn thing - even the fold up ones can be big. I've just given in and I've got it in my living room. It doesn't look great but who cares. My house isn't a show room!

Good luck

Stripey

I bought a Pro-Form treadmill a few years back (electrical) that I love. It was about $400/500 dollars about 4 or 5 years ago. I wouldn't recommend a treadmill that isn't electrical. It was definitley worth the money. Yours won't become a clothes rack if you don't let it Make an agreement with yourself to do 8 to 15 minutes for a few days a week, then gradually increase. I think you'll be happy about your investment. It's always there and there are no excuses for not using it (weather, dark, etc.) Go fot it ! Best wishes.

Exercise is a good treatment for your anxiety/depression! If you decide to purchase treadmill and you happen to not use it for several months like 6 months to 1 years then you can sell it... But like Hope4peace said, make agreement with yourself to use it at least 10 minutes everyday that way you feel you are investment into it. But again, remember exercise is very important for your health and as well for your anxiety/depression

Treadmills are awesome, but like folks are saying, it is up to you if you use it or if it becomes a closet.

My advice is to go to the store and try a manual and then try an electric. The manual ones are very hard to use and I think that the possiblity of you buying it and not using it in a few weeks is very high. An electric one still gives you a great workout, is easier on your body and will still give you good results.

Also, the electric models can be really expensive, but there are alot of good ones out there that folks are selling because they have gotten better ones or they bought them with good intentions and they aren't using them and need them gone. I'd look in the papers and on places like E-bay. You could get a really good deal that way.

Smiles,
DEBS