Asking for help choosing a conditioning option.

[wiigelec]

If there are no power circuits to the motor, how does it get electricity to run? The electricity you produce will go through the same circuit, in reverse, eventually to a physical switch or outlet, hopefully grounded.

Are you saying that if I unplug the treadmill and grab on to the end of the power cord while running it backwards that I will get shocked?

[Adam Levine]

Are you saying that if I unplug the treadmill and grab on to the end of the power cord while running it backwards that I will get shocked?

Depending on how the tradmill is built (which, of course, I would have no clue), yes. If the circuit isn't broken or diverted somewhere in there. That would certainly happen if you hooked two wires directly to the motor.

A multimeter might be a smarter option if you want to try.

One-handed deadmills. Hmmm - sounds like CrossFit to me. Gotta be part of a WOD somewhere.

-->Adam

[wiigelec]

Does the treadmill star running as soon as it is plugged in?

[Oso Rojo]

Depending on how the tradmill is built (which, of course, I would have no clue), yes. If the circuit isn't broken or diverted somewhere in there. That would certainly happen if you hooked two wires directly to the motor.
-->Adam

Absolutely not! UL listing would never allow that to happen. I won't guarrantee that it won't damage the treadmill, but I will bet there is a diode bridge between the sensitive circuits an any of the AC current, so it's protected.

If it were mine, I would do it. It was the gym's, I would ask permission. If they say yes, then you have clearance.

[Adam Levine]

Again, it depends on the treadmill's design. It could be perfectly OK, or it might blow out something like a speed controller (which would stop the motor from spinning with power). It sounds like you've been doing this awhile, so it's probably OK. I'm not up on UL rules - my knowledge comes from helping my son with his robot competitions (and he's better at the electronics than I am....), so UL isn't a factor.

There's also the extra wear and tear on the physical parts - when you do deadmills, you are usually slamming that belt WAY harder than when you are running (unless you are intentionally doing it slow and controlled, rather than sprints).

-->Adam

[Frankie]

I like air bikes. The Rogue Echo Bike is probably the best for the dollar. Lower cost than the Assault or the Schwinn AirDyne and I like it better than both.

Been eyeing the Echo for a couple years but it's so $$$. I have been doing Steady State for 30-60 mins after training most days while watching TV on a $50 POS Crosstrainer, is it worth it?