Which budget treadmill?

I want to get a treadmill but I have a small (very small) budget. 

I have been looking for a used treadmill but not much has come up in my area that I can afford.  Those that have come up that I can afford are usually the same models I can afford to buy new. 

So I decided to buy a new treadmill but I want to be sure I am buying the best one I can.  Especially because anything I can afford to buy would be considered "junk" by most people  lol  (may as well get the warranty)

I am looking at 3 models.

One is a Proform Crosswalk 380 sold by sears.

Also Golds Gym 450 (walmart)

and Weslo Cadence G40 (walmart).

My son and I are not big people.  I am 140 (max and losing) and my son is 120.  My husband has no interest in using the treadmill,

But I want to be able to run on the treadmill and some of the reviews say "dont run on this".  It seems to me some of this bias might be based on larger people who will place more stress on the machine.

Any one have any thoughts on this?  Do you own one of these machines?

Please don't suggest I "save" for something else.  The fact is on my budget anything "saved" will end up being used for something else.

I have a proform, but I don't remember what the model is.  I purchased it used from a lady off Craigslist for $200. 

I've had it for about 3 months and it's been GREAT, no issues no problems.  She had it for 4 years and got it maintenanced every year, so she took good care of it when she had it. 

So...in my experience, the proform is great, but again, she took care of it and I plan to do the same.  IF you could find anything on Craigslist..obviously, that would be good for you since you're on a budget.  When we went to pick it up, she left it plugged in and unfolded so I could get on it and try it before we left with it, I was grateful for that.

So, hopefully you can find a used one, maybe put a "wanted" in Craigslist?  But if not, I'm having success with the proform (and I run every day).

sidewalks > dreadmills

Dreadmills  lol
Actually a treadmill is kind of a must in my area.  Snow and below freezing weather pretty much puts the kibosh on outdoor runs for a lot of our winter.

Thanks for answering tatjanaturtle.  I did have an ad out on craigslist.  but I got no responses.  So I decided on the Golds Gym. 

i dont know if it is better than the proform - but it was closet to our house and getting my husband over to Walmart was easier than getting him to drive to sears!

Any way, I put the treadmill together yesterday and have been using it today.  In fact I did 3.5 miles of intervals of running and walking before breakfast!  I love it.  It beats trying to figure out how to get in exercise with the cold weather.  A big change over jogging in place! 

My son has been using the treadmill too and put in a mile this morning.  Thats pretty good for him because he hates to walk any where.  He really liked doing the intervals.  I can see us getting a little friendly competition going on. 

"dreadmills"

Thats the kind of attitude that makes people not want to work out

Original Post by smartinpink:

"dreadmills"

Thats the kind of attitude that makes people not want to work out

i rather think the opposite.  t(d)readmills and "working out" make me want to go back to bed and stay there; fresh air and muddy/snowy trails make me want to exercise.

Original Post by madamq:

Actually a treadmill is kind of a must in my area.  Snow and below freezing weather pretty much puts the kibosh on outdoor runs for a lot of our winter.

this, on the other hand...seriously?  where do you live - the arctic circle?  i could count on my fingers the number of days i didn't get out this winter, and i guarantee i'm further north than 95% of the people here.  winter is good, and machines are never "a must."

Running in 20 degree weather with a wind chill in the low teens just might not be right for everyone pgeorgian.  I congratulate your fortitude.  But I see no reason to take to the road just because someone else believes they like to do so.

Quite frankly the attitude that there is only one path to fitness, with comments like "dreadmills" or "machines are never a must", is partly why North America has such an obesity problem. 

Every person has to find the method and way that makes the most sense to them given their health and physical abilities. 

madamq, i'm not the one who was generalizing.  you want a treadmill, by all means buy a treadmill, but don't pretend it's impossible to get by without one.

the distinction between need and want says a lot more to me about obesity in north america than the question of whether or not to buy a treadmill.  fitness is free.

"but don't pretend it's impossible to get by without one."  

Oh for the love of pete!  Somehow, by asking for recomendation on a treadmill brand, I said something horribly offensive. 

You got problems lady

whatever. you said "a treadmill is kind of a must in my area."  i don't think a treadmill is ever "a must."  it's a luxury.  i hope you enjoy yours.