Our testers found the AssaultRunner Elite’s belt to be slightly heavier than the AssaultRunner Pro’s. This creates more inertia, which actually makes the tread faster and easier to ride on (especially at faster speeds). The easier you run, the better your form and foot position will be, allowing you to get the most out of the tread. The best part: With a lifetime warranty on the belt, you’ll probably stop running before you need to retire this manual machine.
The extra-large running belt makes the Grit Runner ideal for runners with longer strides, and six resistance levels let you challenge yourself more than you could on your own two feet.
What our testers think
Exercising on a manual treadmill is hard enough. Tru Grit Fitness’s Grit Runner is designed to make it more challenging by giving users six different resistance levels to choose from—a great feature, according to our testers. The machine is still fully self-propelled, but you can also choose any position from Level 1 to Level 6 with no resistance, which essentially simulates a sled push or uphill interval training.
Another big selling point is the extra-large rubber-coated slat strap: 79 inches long and 19 inches wide, it’s a really solid option for tall runners. It also has a weight capacity of 330 pounds. The downside to this is that it will be a difficult beast to move. Although there are transport wheels at the front, the tracks weigh more than 400 pounds. Once you decide where to install it, think of it as a major part of the room—moving the location can be an exercise in itself.
This very affordable Sunny Health and Fitness manual walking treadmill is designed for small spaces and easily folds up so you can hide it out of sight once you’re inside.
What our testers think
Manual treadmills are suitable for both walking and running, so the Sunny Health and Fitness Manual Walking Treadmill is your best choice. This simple, no-frills option is perfect for adding steps throughout the day, and consistent movement is one of the best ways to stay fit and healthy. Although there are no curves, the fixed 13.5% tilt design cleverly increases strength as you not only fight against the resistance provided by the twin flywheels, but also against gravity.
What our testers really liked about this machine was how compact and portable it is. The 42-inch x 13-inch running surface is a drawback for taller users, but it takes up much less space than more expensive machines and folds down to 20 x 23 x 50 inches, making it small enough to hide In a corner or closet (unfortunately, it’s a bit too tall to slide under the bed). It weighs less than 50 pounds and comes with two transport wheels for easy maneuverability. No matter where you mount it (and the assembly is nearly fake-proof), the floor stabilizer helps balance the machine on uneven floors, so you don’t have to worry about tilting or wobbling.
Let’s compare the cost of these manual treadmills
There’s no getting away from the fact that the best manual treadmills get worn out quickly. Here’s how much each model we tested cost.
How we test manual treadmills
The best way to test a manual treadmill is to start logging your miles—that’s what we did. First, we found testers who were able to stick around on these machines. We’re talking about certified fitness professionals, elite athletes, and running coaches who know a thing or two about what to look for. As they walk, jog, and run, we let them evaluate everything they need to know about the best manual treadmills.
In our fitness testing, we evaluate every aspect of a piece of equipment before adding it to our rankings. We compared all the most important features—size, weight, materials, technology, assembly, add-ons, price, warranty, and anything else you can imagine—to narrow down our top picks.
What is a manual treadmill?
You’re probably most familiar with electric or motorized treadmills, which use a motor to engage a belt. A manual treadmill is a treadmill that is powered by your own body weight and strength. Translation: The belt only moves if you move it. Non-motorized treadmills often have a slight incline or curve to help you move the belt, but this isn’t always the case. These machines don’t require any electricity, but most have battery-powered displays to track time, distance, calories burned and other metrics.
Benefits of manual treadmills
If you’re training for a specific activity, a treadmill will never replace outdoor running. But if you’re just trying to boost your aerobic capacity and run a few miles without braving the elements, running on a treadmill can be as physiologically taxing on your body as running outdoors, according to research published in the journal sports medicine Decide. Manual treadmills also have unique benefits, including higher cardiometabolic demands, increased muscle activation, and improved gait.
Higher cardiometabolic demands
On a traditional treadmill, the belt can Some Work done for you. But because you have to move the belt yourself when running manually, these machines are associated with higher cardiometabolic demands than running on surface treadmills and electric treadmills, according to a 2017 study published in the journal Nature. small study Frontiers in Physiology Decide.
The belt on a manual pedal doesn’t have any electrical power, your feet have to grip the ground to propel you forward. “The force required to push and propel the body forward engages muscle groups, especially the glutes and hamstrings, more effectively than on a motorized treadmill,” says Jay Silva, RRCA-certified running coach and certified strength and conditioning specialist. “Over time, this can improve strength and endurance in these areas.”
“I do think manual treadmills are a good choice for coaching mechanics because running belts don’t work for athletes,” Woodson said. “Self-driven belts may allow a person to be more in tune with their body and how they feel when they are trying to generate certain cues.” A 2018 study showed that running or jogging on a non-motorized curved treadmill did improve gait Mechanics.
How to run the right way on a manual treadmill
Running on a manual treadmill feels much different than running on a traditional treadmill or on an outdoor surface. This will affect your posture. But first, you have to get the belt moving. Like most treadmills, all of these machines come with handles and straps on the side where you can place your feet. To start the machine, step on the belt and hold the front handle, pushing your body and feet away from the belt to create momentum. (When you’re ready to reach the top, you can simply slow down until you can walk, or you can grab the handles and jump your feet to the sides.)
When you’re running, remember these form tips: “Keep your spine neutral, shoulders relaxed, and look forward instead of down,” says Silva. “This alignment helps with balance and supports proper mechanics.” You should also focus on taking shorter, faster strides to reduce touchdown time and increase efficiency and control, he adds. “Targeting midfoot strike minimizes impact and promotes a smoother transition to the next step.” Good news: According to a study published in 2018, runners on curved non-motorized treadmills strides tend to be shorter sporty.
What to look for in a manual treadmill
The best manual treadmill for you depends on your goals and many other factors. Here’s what to consider before buying so you can get the most from your investment.
Overall, manual treadmills have far fewer bells and whistles than electric treadmills. Most come with handles, transport wheels, and a very basic LCD display, but you should check to make sure the display is tracking all the metrics you care about (for example, the TrueForm Trainer Curved Manual Treadmill doesn’t track calories burned). Some have built-in training programs, storage space, phone or water bottle holders, but don’t expect these to come standard.
Treadmills are not small machines, so it is important to make sure there is enough space. Not only do you need available floor space to mount the machine, but you should also leave enough space behind, on the sides, and above the tread so you don’t compromise your running mechanics in any way. Also pay attention to the size of the running surface—the standard width is 17 inches, while the length can vary from 40 to 80 inches. The taller you are and the faster you plan to run, the more runway you’ll need.
Cardio machines don’t come cheap, and while most manual treadmills lack some of the more advanced features of electric treadmills, you should budget at least $2,000 for a high-quality machine that supports running.
If your number one priority is durability, look for a machine that uses commercial-grade materials or heavy-duty steel. Be wary of products that use a lot of plastic; it lowers the price tag at the expense of longevity.
FAQ
Are manual treadmills better than automatic treadmills?
It depends on your goals. “[Manual treadmills are] It works amazingly well for shorter distances, such as sprinting or middle-distance training, but may not be as suitable for longer distances or higher training loads due to the increased cardiovascular demands,” says Woodson.
Can you get a good workout on a manual treadmill?
Absolutely. On a non-motorized treadmill, you work approximately 30% harder on a curved non-motorized treadmill, according to a 2019 study published in the journal Journal of Exercise Science and Medicine.
Is a manual treadmill suitable for walking?
Non-electric treadmills are great for walking. Since they are manually powered, you can customize your workout no matter your fitness level. The longer your stride, the more the belt speed increases; if you slow down, it slows down.
Does a manual treadmill have an incline?
How much does a manual treadmill cost?
Be prepared to spend about $2,500 on a good non-electric treadmill. While you can find cheaper options, anything under $1,000 is probably more suitable for walking than running, and won’t be as durable.
About the experts
Ryan Wooderson, PT, DPT, OCS, is a physical therapist, strength coach, and co-founder of RevoPT Denver.
Jay Silva, CSCS, is an RRCA certified running coach and certified strength and conditioning specialist.
Edwards RB, Toffari PJ, Cormac SJ, White DG. Non-motorized treadmill running is associated with higher cardiometabolic demands compared to surface treadmill and motorized treadmill running. Pre-Physiology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5694659/
Hatchett A, Armstrong K, Parr B, Crews M, Tant C. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6162380/
Schoenmaker, Patrick PJM, et al. Physiological and perceptual demands of running on a curved nonmotorized treadmill: Implications for self-paced training. https://www.jsams.org/article/S1440-2440(18)30145-2/abstract
Van Hollen B, Fuller JT, Buckley JD, Miller JR, Sewell K, Rao G, Barton C, Bishop C, Wiley RW. Is electric treadmill running biomechanically equivalent to running on the ground? Systematic review and meta-analysis of cross-sectional studies. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31802395/
