I agree. Having good solid form for lifting is so important.
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The trainer in for our class is really good about watching us when we lift and making sure our form is correct.
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Next time you get down that way, you should do it. It’s right near Roanoke. Though if I was honest, I would recommend Sharp Top over this one. Shorter and I think better views. Its the mountain on the right in the bottom picture. It’s near Bedford…
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One of the most popular classes at the fitness center where I work PT is “women on weights.” I assume classes are offered around the country, but they do teach proper lifting techniques.
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My journey started 2/7/24. At one year I hit the weight loss goal. Been working adding muscle. My wife are renewing our vows in Vegas on Saturday. That has kept me focused.
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My treadmill has died. Anyone have one they like? I got mine three years ago from Buy Nothing so it’s served me well.
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Running outside does not require a treadmill at all.
Clearly, you don’t live in Texas, where the high was 96 today!
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I’ve always purchased my treadmills used. The discount from sticker is often enormous. I bought my most recent treadmill at nearly 90% off list price. The treadmill appeared to be in near mint condition, as if it had been purchased new, then almost never used. My treadmill almost 10 years old now and still working very well, without any repairs beyond needing realign the belt with a hex bolt.
Regarding which model of treadmill you should get, I’d suggest thinking about what criteria is important to you and looking at which models have that criteria. Some of the criteria that I look for in a treadmill is below, which may or may not be notably different for you.
Criteria that is important to me
- Adequate deck size, can’t be smaller than what I am used to
- Adequate max speed, preferably >= 12mph
- Adequate max incline, preferably >= 12%
- Can easily and quickly change speed and incline, supporting HIIT
- Good cushioning / shock absorption, preferably as configurable feature
- Has good fan
- Deck can be folded
- Arms are comfortable height
- Has compartments with enough space to hold water bottle and TV remote (on opposite sides)
- Display can be set to constantly show distance and time
- Good reviews/reliability
- Passes my testing including belt does not slip or reduce force when running at max speed / incline, which is often well correlated with HP
Criteria that is nice to have, but not essential
- Supports running at decline
- Buttons to immediately change speed
- Easy to do basic maintenance myself, such as adjust belt tension or alignment
- Heart rate monitor that works well
- Integration with my Fitbit
- I am familiar with NordicTrack brand
Criteria I don’t care about that others may prioritize include
- Low noise
- Interactive Pelotron type virtual classes/workout with person on screen
- Pre-loaded workouts that automatically change speed/incline over duration
- Screen to make it look like you are virtually running somewhere
- Apps, streaming, “smart”…, speakers, … entertainment type features…
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If you can get on the treadmill at a showroom, even if you don’t buy it there, it might be helpful. I hate the width of my treadmill. Or maybe it’s the arm placement. I am constantly banging my hands against the end of the arms.
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I’ve mentioned them before, but I often use a curved manual treadmill (CMT). Both gyms where I workout have them.
They’re non-motorized and you propel them with your own two feet. They’re not fancy or high tech, but research shows that one will burn 20-30% more calories than a traditional plug-in flat treadmill. Although with a traditional plug-in treadmill, a user can raise and lower the treadmill.
Because of the curvature of the belt, CMT’s recruit more muscles and ease the strain on one’s joints.
Most runners will typically run in the AM. I don’t know where you live within TX, but at 8:00 AM, Austin’s temp was around 75.
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Temp of 75 would be a killer for me. 
I am going to throw in a non-treadmill recommendation - a contraption called ZR8. It is an elliptical that mimics running motion. No motor. Relatively small footprint, and not as heavy as a treadmill.
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Interesting sidenote about the CMT.
During Covid, when gyms were closed, one gym moved a couple of the CMT’s outside to their outdoor training area, where they still reside. They’re located under an overhang, so they’re not subjected to direct weather contact, but they can be kept outside and they continue to operate flawlessly.
We’re all built differently, but I enjoy warm weather workouts. I’ve certainly run in hotter weather, but we also don’t have very humid days here either. I despise cold weather workouts. A few years ago, I finally had to buy and use “meggings” for my winter outdoor runs and gym workouts (the gym w/o HVAC).
It depends on a variety of factors. For example, Accuweather lists a “RealFeel” temperature of 85F at 8AM in Austin. It feels notably hotter than the air temperature of ~75F because it was mostly sunny, with little wind, and > 90% humidity. On weekdays, the most popular running time in US is ~6pm (after work, but before sunset). At 6PM tomorrow, weather reports show an air temperature of 96F in Austin that feels like close to 100F.
One advantage of having a treadmill is a more controlled environment. It doesn’t matter if it feels like 100F or is raining outside, you’ll still be able to comfortably do your workout.
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Not to sidetrack the topic but wanted to note @gpo613’s muscle gains…sheesh! Was that all in about 18 months?
I’ve been lifting with progressive overload for almost two years and my arms are still like twigs & I’m only able to bench the bar still 
I guess gender makes a difference but feel like I will have to go years to bulk up even a fraction . Oh well…slow and steady, etc etc
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And I find the real feel temps to be deceiving as well. Any time the dew point gets over 70, and every degree above that feels exponentially worse… it’s just unbearable. It doesn’t take long for that slimy sweat blanket to encase your body with nowhere to go, and then you just overheat so quickly. My body never adapts. It just sucks the life out of me more and more as the days go on. And it looks like Austin’s DP are in the mid 70s, otherwise known as Satan’s bedroom
I used to hate treadmills, then they were a staple for my running for about 20 years, especially for pace runs. Now I’m back to struggling again. I find I just get dizzy on them now.
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What’s crazy is when I was training for marathons in my 30s I’d regularly run 5-7 miles in 10o+ heat with my running group. I loved running by the bank and seeing 106. Brutal. But when you are 35 you get used to it. I have nothing to prove now so pass on that kind of hell. I like the convenience of a treadmill and fans and watching TV while I run.
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Today while I did some fitness, (Tabata and a walk and a swim) more importantly I got to be in awe of mostly everyday people running a marathon . The Garmin marathon one of only two locations in the country in 2025 was in my town and mile 20 was in front of my house! It was not the easiest weather day. 62 at 7am start, humid and well into the 70s at 11am. We set up a table of our own with water, half bananas and peeled clementine halves and the runners were SO appreciative. Observed LOTS of leg cramping. Lead male had a 5+ minute lead at mile 20 Which seemed crazy to me.
It was so fun to be a part of and even not running (and these days only running occasionally) it was very very inspiring
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This report is the one that I was using, which states “Running Statistics 2025”:
Anecdotally, when I walk my dog in the morning and evenings, I see many more runners in the AM.
Speaking only for myself, one cannot control the environment when one competes, which I still often do. I’ve run in rain, hot and cold weather and on trails and obstacle courses.
Honestly, I don’t want to be comfortable. I prefer to adjust to the enviroment in which I run and/or lift. But I also run on treadmills too. There are times when I don’t have the time to run on a nearby trail or in the local mountains.
How fun abasket! I used to love watching the marathons on tv as a kid. Super inspiring!