Treadmill thoughts

[Stivkinh]

Hi guys, I’m thinking about getting a treadmill, anyone got any recommendations?

Thanks in advance.

[Shoshov]

Hi sticking I bought a treadmill just before my heart attack. It's been the best think I ever bought. I live in Scotland and HA was in February so found it very hard to get out for daily walk. The important thing is not to push yourself too hard. I only walk on mine but it gets the job done when weather is rotten

[Stivkinh in reply to Shoshov]

Hey Shoshov,

Thanks for the reply. I’m from Scotland and completely understand. I called my dad yesterday and he said the summer is done already! I’m luck I live in north London now and we’ve had an unbelievable summer so far. I’m thinking ahead, winter is still cold and wet anywhere in the UK.

Hope you are doing well.

[Zena166]

I will be interested in what you get in the end as whilst I don’t live as far north as Shosov I do live in Newcastle and had to stay indoors for the whole of February as we had 3-4 feet of snowdrifts that stayed for the whole month. So yes please keep us posted. Thanks zena

[Stivkinh in reply to Zena166]

Hey Zena,

Thanks for the reply. An ebayer from Sunderland is selling a brilliant treadmill right now, it’s a bit too far for me though.

I’m looking for a fairly good one that folds up. I’m going to be doing this for ever now so it has to last a while. I don’t know anything about them so it’s hard to get a starting point. I will keep looking and post my thoughts I guess.

Hope you are well.

[HarryBell]

Why not go to a gymn, I had a machine and it just became a dust gathering centre. I found going out to the gymn is quite fun, sociable etc and they have really good machines- they also take up a lot of room.

[Stivkinh in reply to HarryBell]

Hey Harry,

Thanks for the reply. I work 10 hours a day, 6 days a week and I have two boys under 6, 3 and 5. It’s a matter of time allocation at the moment. I have just completed my cardio rehab and do Intend to continue one day a week but that’s all I can do at the moment.

Having said all that, we have a gym in work and I will be joining at some point.

I’m quite committed to my lifestyle changes and I will definitely use the machine, hopefully the gym too.

I agree about the social side, I enjoyed meeting the other people in our boat at the rehab.

Thanks Harry, hope you are well.

[HarryBell in reply to Stivkinh]

another idea, the American Heart foundation has a brilliant "walk 3 miles in 45 minutes" programme on Utube- it is really good, u can start with 1 mile and build it up, all the best, waiting for AHV sometime

[bobrob]

I thought about it but eventually bought a professional quality exercise bike instead. Its just easier, you can read or watch tv while exercising and you dont risk falling off etc.

[Stivkinh in reply to bobrob]

Hi Bobrob,

Thanks for the reply. I have a road bike and I guess in time I will get it out the shed and fix the punctured tyres.

Hope you are well mate.

[Howardl]

Hi

I bought a treadmill by Confidence Fitness from Amazon. It cost about £160 and is good value. I use the pre-set programs for a 15 min workout otherwise it can get very boring just walking or running for a set time or distance.

It means instead of walking 5 miles a day, which takes time, I can achieve the same with a 15 minute workout on the treadmill. They are good but it’s like everything else you need to stick with it and as you know HF drains enthusiasm.

[Stivkinh in reply to Howardl]

Hi Howard,

Thanks for the reply. Some days I’m up for it and others I’m not. Historically I’d buy something like this and sell it a few weeks later. I think I’ve changed, I’ve been walking/jogging for around 7 weeks and along with the cardio rehab I’m still enjoying it.

I think you’re right though, I’d need to mix it up a bit.

I will check out that machine, what made you go for that one? I already like the price tag.

Hope you are well Howard.

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

You can get stands to convert road bikes for use as exercise/training versions. A friend has one. It records mileage and you can adjust load (Alpe d'Huez in your living room ). It takes less than five minutes to switch use

[Stivkinh in reply to MichaelJH]

Yeah I forgot about them! Thanks Michael, I will have a look today. 👍🏻

[Shoshov]

I bought mine on a local selling site for £70. It doesn't have an incline function but it does what it says on the tin. I was actually going to sell it just before I had HA. Really glad I didn't. I previously had it set up in kitchen but moved it into sitting room and I use it most days. I can watch tv or music and it's ok. Don't get me wrong it gets a bit boring and you need to be strong to stay on but I found as time went by I didn't notice the time as it was something I really needed to do. Previous to heart attack I have to be honest and say I didn't do too much exercise at all. I had the proverbially petrol feet. Now I wLk about 2 hours most days and find I get cabin fever if I can't get out. How things have changed. Good luck in your recovery

[Stivkinh in reply to Shoshov]

Hey shoshov,

Thanks for the reply, I’m not too fussed about the incline right now but I might be in the future. Sounds like you’re getting big to grips with things, 2 hour walks are no small task, great effort!

[Shoshov in reply to Stivkinh]

It's not easy and a break half way for a cuppa of course. I'm not worried too much about pace. I'm just glad to be able to do it. You'll get there too. Be patient

[Fattyboomboom16]

Hi I purchased a reebok zr10 from Argos a couple of years ago and it’s been ace. It’s a bit smaller than ones u find in the gym but still really good. I’m 6ft 3in and 16st and has been perfect

[Stivkinh in reply to Fattyboomboom16]

Hi, I was looking at that one, it looks excellent.

[Fattyboomboom16 in reply to Stivkinh]

Yes it’s really good, it’s on offer now and again on Argos I don’t I paid full price.

[not2worry]

We bought a treadmill and it has been a blessing. Just be sure to get a program from your doc as to how long, how fast and at what if any incline your routine should be. After having the treadmill for 3 months both my hubby and I feel better (physically and mentally , sleep better and are be better physical shape.

Heat and rain aren’t friends of the heart. We still do walk in fine weather but without the treadmill we would not get the exercise our heart needs.

There are lots of choices out in the marketplace available. Unless you’re training for a marathon you probably don’t need one with all the bells and whistles - I’d suggest looking for one with a good motor and a good tread belt that is easy on the feet, knees and hip joints.

My hubby built up his program over time with the input of our cardio nurse. At first he listened to music with his headphones as he did his workout - now he’s built up time and he steams tv shows to watch as he treads. For him it makes it more enjoyable and something he looks forward to doing every day.

Best investment we’ve made for our all round health.

[Stivkinh in reply to not2worry]

Hi not2worry,

Thanks for the reply, some great advice in there. My wife wants to use the machine too so that makes it easier to go out and get one. I’m hoping I will use it quite a lot so I want a half decent one but yes, I don’t need all my he bells and whistles. At the moment I’m just walking fast with about 3 30 second jogs mixed in.

Thanks again, hope you are well.

[not2worry in reply to Stivkinh]

Just make sure your wife doesn’t get hooked on Poldark......it motivated me to tread longer and of course raised my pulse rate!

Cheers

[Stivkinh in reply to not2worry]

Haha! I will have a look. We’re into the handmaid’s take right now. 😂😂

[Phil-52]

Hi Stivkinh

I have a tread mill in my spare room which i use only in the winter. In the better weather I usually run with a running club as I must admit running inside is incredibly boring. After my bypass i regulated my runs according to my heart rate. I would try to keep within 135bpm throughout the run. Then as i became fitter my times would drop but stay within the 135bpm. two years on I just run as I feel regardless to my heart rate, only avoiding maximum effort. (anything over 170 bpm). Like any increase in activity it would be worth talking what you have planned with your doctor just to be safe.

good luck

Phil

[Stivkinh in reply to Phil-52]

Hi Phil,

I have just completed my cardio rehab and I’m trying to apply the Borg scale to my exercises. I bought a polar strap on heart monitor and like you do, I watch my heart rate closely, I never get above 129 and try to aim for 109. I hope to increase that amount in the future but control is key I think.

Thanks for the reply, great advice.