<p>Hi everybody,
We are thinking about to purchase a Bowflex Treadclimber
We both have very bad knees and thought this might be a good fit for us</p>
<p>There are many many pro and con reveiws
But we really want to have comments from CC.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>TC5 or TC10? Big price difference, but so many people talked about the problems about TC5 without motor.</p></li>
<li><p>This company does offer 6 weeks trial. Does anyone know how much actually they will charge for the return shipping & handling? I read one review said more than $495…?</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>I guess it depends what your fitness goals are. I’ve never used one, but in general, stepping up tends to aggravate knee pain. I personally wouldn’t spend a couple grand on a machine for walking indoors. I’m a big fan of walking for fitness, but it sure is a lot more fun to get out for some fresh air along the way!</p>
<p>When I’m stuck inside, I get my conditioning kicks on a Schwinn Airdyne bike, but never for more than 20 minutes at a time. Amazon has them for $553 delivered right now, which is a heck of a deal.</p>
<p>[Amazon.com:</a> Schwinn Airdyne AD4 Upright Exercise Bike: Sports & Outdoors](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Schwinn-Airdyne-Upright-Exercise-Bike/dp/B000E158CK]Amazon.com:”>http://www.amazon.com/Schwinn-Airdyne-Upright-Exercise-Bike/dp/B000E158CK)</p>
<p>Best thing you can do for knees would be a long term commitment to improving hip flexibilty and strength. The tight, weak hips most of us acquire from years of sitting put tremendous stress on the knees.</p>
<p>I had one. Bought it used. Hated it. Motor went out after 3 weeks. Luckily it was still under warranty so original owner got a new motor but then we had to pay $150 to have it installed. Major issues. Less than 20 miles on it and resold it for what I paid for it. Bought a nice treadmill in its place, and use it far more than the Treadclimber. Have to say when it was in ‘climber’ mode it was pretty difficult. I really didn’t like it at all.</p>
<p>I haven’t tried one but I have bad knees and looking at it I think it would hurt me. I have tried elliptical and recumbent bike and I found the bike to be unpleasant unless the seat was adjusted JUST right, something my new less expensive bike can’t achieve. The nicer bike I had was most comfortable, followed by the elliptical. I did like my treadmill too, but it made my bunions hurt so I could only use it to warm up.</p>
<p>If knee pain is an issue, it’s tough to beat a good high quality stationary bike. There are a load to choose from starting at about $800 up to $2500 depending on how sophisticated you want to get with the resistance system, computerization and other bells and whistles. The key to avoiding knee pain is to make sure that both the seat and handlebars are adjustable both vertically and horizontally. Just the seat is not enough because if the reach to the bars is not adjustable, you are forced to compensate by fore and aft adjustment of the seat which can often throw you lower body positioning out of whack. On any bike, seat and bar adjustments work in tandem to assure proper body positioning and alignment. If set up correctly, a bike offers the least amount of knee stresses of any piece of indoor aerobic equipment.</p>