Question

Pace Master Gold Elite Folding - this is mentioned in one answer.  Where can I get one? Is this the best value or did you get the top end model? I recently picked up a Bowflex Xtreme and now want to workout at home instead of gold's gym. 

I can save gas, time and a monthly fee. Thanks to your comments about bowflex and resistance training in general. thanks….

Answer

Congratulations on your purchase the Bowflex Extreme, I like the Bowflex personally, even if some people aren't convinced. And thank you for the compliment about the blog and website, now on to answering your question.

I do in fact own the Pace Master Gold Elite Folding treadmill that I purchased locally here in Minneapolis off season on a deal I couldn't refuse. The only way to get a PaceMaster is to buy locally, as they have protected territories and DO NOT sell them online (new at least).

The Gold Elite is a very highly thought of treadmill by a number of respected sources, but as far as I'm concerned I'm not in love with my decision. The PaceMaster has been nothing but problems for me and my wife. The treadmill has only seen regular use since April 2007 and we've had the repair guy out here 3 times - once for a new for a new motor, once for a blown cord and control chip, and once for a broken folding hinge pin and piston that sheared off. By the way,  he's on his way here again today (9/12/07) because the treadmill keeps making noise and has additional issues!…

One more problem, and this thing is going back for a refund. In retrospect I should have bought the Sole F85 or Smooth 9.17 that I recommend - the only reason I bought the PaceMaster Elite is because of the Polar Heart Rate Control, that, as it turns out we don't use anyway because we both have Polar heart rate monitors (my wife has the Polar RS200 and I have the Polar F11).

Either of the treadmills above come with a teleletry heart rate monitor strap to control the machine, or you can do interval or heart rate training in manual setting by using your Polar watch as a guide.

Bottom line, skip the PaceMaster Gold and get the Sole F85 or Smooth 9.17 instead, you'll be better of in the long run and you'll save money too.