Our home treadmill stopped working about a year ago and I've been meaning to replace it. I started looking at new treadmills and reading reviews, but I can't seem to find a reliable treadmill. They all seem to be poorly made, braking down often and require constant maintenance.

Does anyone here own a home treadmill that they can recommend? If so, what brand/model is it? How long have you had it? Do you walk, run or jog?

My budget is between $1,500-$2,000. Here is a commercial treadmill that I am currently looking at:
http://shop.bjs.com/Endurance-Commercial...6VVviewprod.htm

Treadmill, never come across one; I choose to neither walk, run or jog.

Oh man, LOL

Zero, I would recommend you consider an eliptical versus another treadmill. We had a nice Cadence treadmill for many years, once it died my wife did tons of research. We now have a Schwinn adjustable stride eliptical, rated very good. Don't know why I ever had a treadmill now.

Eliptical trainers are supposed to give you a much better workout than a treadmill, burning more calories, as well as being easier on your joints(knees). Btw, I had a look around for the same Schwinn you recommended to me Randy, but only found some of the 'lesser' models with no adjustment although I saw a few competitors adjustable models. Here's to hoping winter is short so I can get my bike out!!

Unless you want the treadmill to supplement road/trail running for when you can’t get out then I concur with Randy you should get an elliptical. They are usually less expensive up front for the same quality level, more robust overall, more versatile (you can run backwards safely), easier on your body and also less expensive in the long run since you still wear out shoes on a treadmill.

Again I would only use a treadmill as a training aid for running when you simply can’t get somewhere safe to run.

AFAIK independent tests (not manufacturers) show no significant difference in the effects of treadmills and normal elliptical use. Going backward on an elliptical targets different muscles but that’s all. They are easier on your body as you point out. However, treadmills are usually easier on your body then running on such things as pavement. OTOH some treadmills do have belts that take some of the weight off your feet to there’s not as much impact stress.

What about running barefoot on the grassy plains?

I get all my exercise by fidgeting.

I get all my exercise by charging my kinetic watch, which I have been doing for the last 45 minutes, and my arm feels like it's about to fall off.