Forums >General Running>Decline treadmill recommendations?
Does anyone have a recommendation for a treadmill that does decline? Most of the one's I've seen either don't do more than 3% decline, or like the NordicTrack x7, won't do the steep decline at a faster pace. Ideally I'd like at least 5% decline with a 9 MPH speed. Raising the back of the treadmill might work, but I'd be concerned that it would burn the motor out.
Feeling the growl again
I have not seen that combination of features offered during my treadmill shopping. Personally I would recommend against anything in a NordicTrack price point if you would run on it as much as I think you would, it won't hold up long. Mine (Commercial 1500) is 10 months old and I am on the 4th console and just found out my deck is cracked almost in half lengthwise.
I know some elites have indeed propped up the back of treadmills for downhill training (ie Boston). I don't know about the motor but I would be careful to work your way up in decline as the belt tension that works running flat may not be enough to keep from slipping on a decline.
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I am spaniel - Crusher of Treadmills
Why do you think raising the back would burn the motor out?
When I was training for Boston, and everyone had me freaked about the downhills, I propped up the back to about 5%, and then adjusted the incline accordingly for downhills, flat, and uphill segments. It worked quite well.... on my crappy Sole treadmill.
There aren't too many TMs these days that don't go 12MPH. Those that cap out at 10 aren't meant for much running.
Imminent Catastrophe
A 4x4 under the back works well. But not at the local gym.
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Right on Hereford...
I would be careful to work your way up in decline as the belt tension that works running flat may not be enough to keep from slipping on a decline.
Why would that make a difference?
I would be careful to work your way up in decline as the belt tension that works running flat may not be enough to keep from slipping on a decline. Why would that make a difference?
Downhill = potential for some braking action.
If you have decent form, on flat ground you will land under your center of mass and press backward along the direction of the belt's motion. If you are running downhill there is a tendency to apply a braking force in the opposite direction of the belt's travel. If the tension on your belt is borderline, this could cause it to slip and potentially cause you to fall.
Why do you think raising the back would burn the motor out? When I was training for Boston, and everyone had me freaked about the downhills, I propped up the back to about 5%, and then adjusted the incline accordingly for downhills, flat, and uphill segments. It worked quite well.... on my crappy Sole treadmill. There aren't too many TMs these days that don't go 12MPH. Those that cap out at 10 aren't meant for much running.
I tried it on a cheap treadmill and it ground to a halt as it didn't have the power to lift my weight up.
The low speed cap is only on decline. The X7 will do 12 MPH on the flat or uphill, but on the 6% decent I think it only goes 4MPH or 15:00 min/mile.
Resident Historian
This one got stuck on a steep incline. Fixed with the wood block - then realized I could over-fix it for downhill as well. It worked fine on ~4%. No problem with burn out. I don't think I've seen any with really steep declines.
Neil
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------“Some people will tell you that slow is good – but I'm here to tell you that fast is better. I've always believed this, in spite of the trouble it's caused me. - Hunter S. Thompson
Tessa
I tried it on a cheap treadmill and it ground to a halt as it didn't have the power to lift my weight up. The low speed cap is only on decline. The X7 will do 12 MPH on the flat or uphill, but on the 6% decent I think it only goes 4MPH or 15:00 min/mile.
Who the heck runs uphill at up to 12 mph (5 mpm) and then WALKS downhill at a speed not exceeding 4 mph? I think most of us mortals would go the other way. Walk uphill, run down.