On the 25th, it's our 4th wedding anniversary and instead of spending the money on a restaurant and the usual stuff/gifts, I want to ask DH that we buy either a (around $500) or a gazelle (around $200).
While I don't have any experience with the Gazelle, it appears similar in motion to an Elliptical, and I get quite a workout from one of those. My only concern, personally, would be about how sturdily it's constructed and what kind of guarantees/repair proceedures it has. If that checks out okay, it looks like it could be a good buy. Treadmills are nice too, but I find them a bit boring after a while (again, personal opinion).
Why don't you go to the Exercise forum, and use the Search to find out info about both the Gazelle and treadmills - Suzanne posted a review from Consumer Reports on both Ellipticals and treadmills in the Stickies area -
In your price range, you may be better off with the Gazelle - maybe check HSN.com - sometimes they have deals on shipping.
In my humble opinion, I'd suggest a recumbent bike. I love mine and have NO regrets for spending money on it. But given the two choices you listed, I'd go with the treadmill. Mine only cost $99.00 and it has NO MOTOR. I got it at K-Mart. It may be tough to get used to and sometimes it really kicks my turtle butt, but it was cheaper and smaller, and quieter. Again, just a Turtle's opinion. I hope I've helped.
I vote the treadmill. Not only is it great for easing into exercise, but it will accommodate your fitness increases as you add intervals and get up to running. Also it is especially good for women to do weight bearing exercise because you're increasing your bone density. I think it's better over the long term -- especially since I've heard really mixed reports on the Gazelle's sturdiness. I love my treadmill! You can lift dumbbells over your head while walking, walk backwards to work different muscles, hold dumbbells and use it as a step to work your quads stepping up forwards or work your glutes stepping up backwards, use the base in front of you to do push-ups and behind you to do body lifts -- and a lot more!
Does that treadmill have a motor? It doesn't look like it in the picture. I've heard that the ones without the motor are not very good and to be honest the Gazelle looks like it wouldn't last very long, it doesn't look very sturdy. I've bought gym equipment from stores like WalMart and they never lasted very long. I bought a gym quality recumbent bike from a store that specializes in exercise equipment and I've had no problems with it. It wasn't that expensive either, probably not more than what you are planning on spending. I would check out a store that specializes in this kind of equipment before buying something from WalMart. It might be more money that what you have at present but maybe you could use the money you have now as a downpayment and pay regular instalments until it is paid off. Personally if it were me buying something I would buy a treadmill as it is more versitile, like Sarah said you can do handweights while you are walking. Anyway just my 2 cents.
try both, if possible....gazelle can feel akward at first...takes a little time to adjust to slowly over the first few days so you dont get a bit dizzy... i have a gazelle, and loathe treadmills...they just..bore me. and beyond that, my body is stressed at this weight, making it painful on my ankles and knees to walk/run, so a treamill would be illogical. though i think a treamill could provide a bit more of a challange. i have the model of gazelle that can support up to 350 pounds and has resistence settings. i find it to be pretty sturdy, so long as youre not trying to see how fast you can go....then it kinda gets a bit wobbley. and agian it takes a bit to adjust to the machine....the feet things will wabble when you stand on it..but once you get used to keeping your balance its not really an issue. at least for me.....if you get the model of gazelle without the resistence, youll out grow it much faster than you would a treadmill...mine cost around 300 dollars...and with it im able to experience a workout with minimal strain and pain put on my joints.
ive never liked treadmills, plus the impact of it was a put off. i hated exercise bikes. never tried a eliptical and couldnt afford one anyways. kinda feel in love with the gazelle years ago and finally took the gamble and bought one months ago without ever being on one...gambled worked out, think its the only kind of exercise ive actually ever could put up with and like.
just my opinion and experience ...sorry for being so rambley and disjointed in my thoughts.. ^^;
I agree 100% to see if you can get a treadmill WITH a motor. It may make a little more noise and will be more expensive, but the manual ones are just plain HARD. When I was in high school, I wanted a treadmill so badly--my parents bought me a manual one for Christmas one year, and I used it maybe 3 times because it was just too awkward--unless you're always running (getting that constant momentum), you really have to push the belt around with your legs instead of just walk like a normal person Plus you can't set your speed on a manual one--it might tell you how fast/far you're going, but then to make sure you keep the same pace, you have to just stare at the little speed screen, whereas on a motorized one, you set the belt to go what pace you want, and then you have no choice but to keep up
I'm another who's never tried a Gazelle. Whenever I see them in stores, they look so rickety that I'm afraid to even try it for fear it will shatter beneth me
I don't know if this is a possibility or option for you, but you might want to look into finding a used or consignment sporting-goods store. We have a store here called "Play it Again Sports" that deals in used equipment. They let you try everything before you buy, and while there is never a guarantee that they will have exactly what you are looking for in stock at any one time, the stuff they do have (in my experience) is in great condition and available at great prices. Just think of how many people buy a stationary bike or treadmill, use them once or twice (or for a month or so), give up or get bored, and then never use it again.
I'm just mentioning this because I'm sure that you could get quite a nice piece of equipment at a similar place for your price range. In either case, I hope you have a great anniversary!
I was already thinking more of buying the treadmill and you have confirmed my choice...you especialy gave me tons of tips to use it at it's fullest.
I wanted something that I can do while watching TV, since I follow so many different shows, without getting motion sickness and the treadmill sounded like the best choice.
I also hate to exercise, so doing it while watching TV will keep me distracted enough not to notice much and it will also keep me from getting bored.
I can't wait to give DH my choice for a gift, he will have to agree, especialy since he had completly forgot that it was coming soon...LOL
Again, thank you for your help in making a wise choice.
Need your opinion/ help...
(around $500) or a gazelle (around $200).
).
Just A Turtle's Opinion
Plus you can't set your speed on a manual one--it might tell you how fast/far you're going, but then to make sure you keep the same pace, you have to just stare at the little speed screen, whereas on a motorized one, you set the belt to go what pace you want, and then you have no choice but to keep up 
