I have a NordicTrack. I would recommend it. You will see a big difference from your Mom's.

Better IS better. Get the highest quality, the highest level machine that you can afford.

The Horizon Fitness machines are reliable and affordable. Our original purchased in 1999 lasted 11 years before the console board failed. A good walking treadmill and includes an incline for calorie burning. It was quiet while walking, a bit more noise when running.

I LOVE my treadmill. It's got the heart rate monitor(a headband), programs & incline you can enter your own or use ones it comes with. It's 110volt. Has a large roller for the belt. Mines 25 years old! I paid $1350 on sale + a 3 year maintenance agreement, $150. Over the next 10 years the digital read out was replaced, the rear roller bearings went out & the belt got off center, shredded the edge of the belt...all replaced for free. At that point I discontinue the extended warranty. It's been fine ever since. I've read the reviews for new ones by Image....not good. I have a dedicated workout room(see photo), if I didn't....I might want one that folds up. Mine isn't noisy as I have a 55" flat screen in front of it and nice speakers/stereo system for watching movies. I also have cordless/remote headphones I can wear, so others can sleep and hear "nothing"(back when I used to work strange hours & got up @ 3am to work out).

Since I only use the treadmill at the gym, I'll check the brand but am guessing it's not sold to the public. I'd need one with incline, various programs, and a port which allows you to plug into a TV . One gym we go has built-in TVs on the equipment. I could not do the treadmill unless I have a TV to watch. Too darn boring.

Precor is another one to check out. We had one a few years ago (great unit) but DH ended up preferring the Lemond reclining bike.

Precor is the brand that the "Y's" use in this area.

About a year ago I replaced my Precor EFX machine with a treadmill. I did a bit of online search for reviews and chose LifeFitness. I've been happy with it.

An elliptical is far easier on your hips and knees and will improve core strength as well.

Thanks anglophilia, but I worry about my knees on anything that doesn't keep my knees above my ankles.

Back in the day, I used to do the nordictrak x country ski machine and I found that my hips were just getting bigger because the legs were just going back and forth not side to side. With walking, one foot in front of the other, you get all 4 major muscles of the legs working including the abductors and adductors. Since I've been walking/hiking, my hips have slimmed down quite a bit and my knees and ankles have been fine.

DH, who uses all kinds of machines at the gym, and I talked about it and we decided the treadmill is what would work best for us at home.

I like the treadmill, I walk on it (3.5MPH), raising and lowering the ramp for HIIT for 28 minutes. For me the pounding on the treadmill is good for my bones, I don't get that on the TRX.

Good point, cmarlin...I suffer from osteopenia so the pounding is good for my bones.

I have an elliptical, not a treadmill, but it is a Horizon, and very solid -- seems like a good brand (I bought it used over 5 years ago, not sure how old it is!).

I seem to think the brand typically sold at Walmart (Weslo?) aren't that good, and I seem to remember that any made by Icon -- which includes a large number of brands -- may be of lesser quality. However, I also remember that there are exceptions to the Icon quality issue.

I would definitely look for incline (not manual), a wide variety of pre-programmed workouts, and a good range of speed (even though you don't plan to jog, it is good to up the speed of your walk intermittently)

I like this website for reviews: treadmillreviewguru.com