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Best Manual Treadmill 2020

Best Manual Treadmill 2020

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Walk into a gym, and you’ll see that treadmills are one of the most popular pieces of fitness equipment. They’re one of the easiest to use as well! They mimic your body’s natural ease of movement when walking or jogging.

Since they’re so popular, we’ve rifled through all the options to bring you the best manual treadmill for 2020. Read through the features to see which one is best for you. That way, you can use this effective and efficient piece of exercise equipment to reach your personal fitness goals in no time.

Our List Of The Best Manual Treadmills

Manual Treadmill Reviews

Assault Fitness AirRunner Curved Manual Treadmill

If you are looking for a manual treadmill that you can run on, a curved manual treadmill is what you need. The Assault Fitness AirRunner Curved Manual Treadmill is one of the best curved treadmills on the market. On its curved surface, you can walk, jog, or sprint. This is a manual treadmill specifically built for running and HIIT workouts.

Curved treadmills are one of the latest developments in the world of treadmills. They neither feature a motor or a running deck – instead the self-powered belt is supported by end rollers and side bearings. The engineering science in their belt design and operation means you can safely run on these treadmills without a motor and the belt lasts forever due to the lack of friction. To speed up, you run further up the curve and to reduce the speed you cut the pace till you are moving on the back half of the belt. The fact the runner powers the belt makes these treadmills as close to real running as you can get on a treadmill!

The other obvious benefits from a treadmill without a motor or a deck is that they are very quiet, smooth in operation and are good for the environment!

It is not all good though. Price wise, these treadmills are top-end machines. The engineering and build quality is such that you are looking at a commercial-grade construction and a commercial-grade price! If that doesn’t deter you then also consider that these machines generally don’t fold, have incline functions or come with the program options that a standard motorized treadmill might have. Basically it is like running on the flat, although you control the pace. If you want to get as real as possible whilst being indoors this is the treadmill for you!

Pros

  • Great for running on.
  • Ideal for HIIT workouts.
  • Smooth and quiet.
  • Good for the environment.
  • Fantastic, durable construction.
  • 350 pound max user weight
  • Available on finance

Cons

  • Doesn’t fold away
  • Expensive compared to many treadmills
  • Lacks the programming flexibility that motorized treadmills with inclines might have.

Phoenix 98510 Easy-Up Manual Treadmill

For those who are looking for a compact, low-cost option the Phoenix 98510 Manual Treadmill is certainly the way to go. It’s a smaller manual treadmill that will be able to fit into tight spaces, and it folds up after use to keep the area from getting too cluttered. The belt is about 41 x 13 inches, and it’s designed with a flywheel that is heavy-duty.

Because it’s a manual option, you’ll be able to set the speed you want simply by walking. So whether you’re just trying to keep moving or want to get in a good sprint, this device will be able to handle it. As an added bonus, you’ll also get a free water bottle!

If you’re interested in this manual treadmill, then it is important to make sure you keep the 250lb weight capacity in mind, as it may not work as well or last as long above that limit. Aside from that, you can also expect a solid year warranty for the frame of the device as well as a 90-day warranty for parts.

If you want something to add a little versatility to your workouts, or just want an indoor option that is compact and inexpensive, this is a great way to go. It’s much less expensive than automatic models, which also means it’s going to leave a much smaller footprint overall.

Pros

  • Offers a great incline for those who want a serious workout
  • Extremely compact
  • Budget-friendly

Cons

  • The belt can sometimes stick
  • Assembly can be difficult
  • Some customers find it to be flimsy

EFITMENT Adjustable Incline Magnetic Manual Treadmill

With three levels of manual adjustable incline, an easy-to-read console, and an ample running surface, you’ll enjoy all the simple, but effective perks of walking on this EFITMENT Manual Treadmill. It gives you a great workout in your home.

Compact, affordable, and energy-saving, this EFITMENT T016 treadmill has key features to make it a solid investment in your health. You’ll notice the large and simple LCD display screen. It shows you the running speed, time, how many calories you’ve burned, and an odometer to measure the distance.

Every four seconds, it shows you the workout metrics. You can adjust this magnetic treadmill to be either 7, 8, or 9 degrees on the incline. There are also eight levels of magnetic tension, so you can increase your calories burned by increasing the resistance levels. The handlebars are comfortable to grip, although they could be longer. This is one of the better treadmills when it comes to running rather than walking. It is sturdy and supports your body weight.

While it’s smooth, quiet, and provides ample running surface, keep in mind this treadmill doesn’t ever sit flat on the floor. It also only fits a user up to 220 pounds in user weight. You’ll probably want to use a mat with it since it could leave an indentation on a wood floor. It doesn’t come with belt lubricating oil, either.

Pros

  • Folds up for storage
  • Has transportation wheels
  • Measures heart rate

Cons

  • Incline only
  • No lubricating oil included
  • Narrow running surface

Confidence Fitness Magnetic Manual Treadmill

For a workout on a budget price range, you can’t beat this Confidence Fitness Manual Treadmill. It’s ideal for small spaces like apartments and condos since it’s easily folded, small and makes for easy storage. A simple design makes it easy to use right out of the box.

You won’t need any tools and only require about ten minutes to set up this manual treadmill. It has a fixed incline set at 5 degrees that doesn’t adjust. The magnetic tension creates enough resistance to give you a great workout. One person can move this by themselves since it’s only 50 pounds. It’s not the best for running and is much better for a sturdy, fast walking pace. The small but effective handlebar computer can track your speed, walking distance, how many calories you burned, how long you’ve walked, and it can scan through the functions, too.

As a design, this is one of the simplest treadmills on the market. It has a curved handlebar, almost like a bike, which will cause you to lean forward while walking. That’s opposed to straight handlebars, which keep your arms and hands by your side. The belt is narrow and rather short, so taller users with a longer stride might find this too small to use. Also, and this is odd, but the console only measures your distance in kilometers, not miles. You’d have to convert it yourself.

YouTube review video:

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Plenty of resistance
  • Small, compact size

Cons

  • The belt needs continual adjusting
  • Only set for kilometers
  • Louder than other models

Fitness Reality TR1000 Manual Treadmill

You’ll burn plenty of calories, have a low-impact but still highly effective workout, and be able to keep more dollars in your pocket by investing in this Fitness Reality TR1000 Manual Treadmill.

You get plenty to enjoy and use with this simple and easy-to-set-up manual treadmill. It’s got a two-level incline that’s powered by your own manual walking motion. Choose either 6 or 10 degrees as incline settings. The frame is made from powder-coated steel, with handles wrapped in foam for comfort.

It has an easy startup and cast iron flywheels for a smooth belt. The handlebar computer shows you the time, distance walked, calories burned, and your speed. Fold it up and wheel it to store it away. You’ll appreciate how lightweight and compact this model is. It’s also easy to stop and start the motion; you just simply step off – there’s no motor powering the belt.

One improvement we’d like to see in this model is a change in magnetic tension. You can’t adjust the tension in the belt, which is a feature we’ve seen on other models.

YouTube review video:

Pros

  • Lightweight and compact
  • Simple to use
  • Weight limit up to 250 lbs.

Cons

  • Not as good for running
  • Doesn’t lay flat
  • No lubricating belt oil included

Exerpeutic 100XL Resistance Treadmill

This Exerpeutic 100xl High Capacity Magnetic Resistance Manual Treadmill is an excellent model that’s incredibly sturdy, built with a user weight of up to 325 pounds, and is much wider and longer than others. Due to its size and sturdiness, we’d put this manual treadmill as definitely one of the best.

This is called a heavy-duty manual treadmill, and it’s easy to see why. It also comes mostly assembled; you just need to attach the LCD display screen. You get both magnetic tension and incline settings. Choose from an 8%, 10%, or 12% steep incline. A pacer control adjustment is built into the computer to access it quickly. On the lcd display monitor, you can track elapsed time, distance walked, calories burned, speed, and a pulse heart rate monitor.

The Exerpeutic 100xl has also got a TV remote holder. The handles are 18” long, so nice and large for any sized user. The dual flywheels make it quiet while you’re walking on it. It is larger and bulkier than other treadmills, so you might need help moving or storing it. But if you’ve got the space, this is a great option.

YouTube review video:

Pros

  • Longer and wider belt
  • Longer handles
  • Simple assembly

Cons

  • Bulky
  • Hard to store
  • Not high quality

Our Favorite

If you have deep pockets and want a manual treadmill that you can run on then the only real choice is the Assault Fitness AirRunner. It is by far the most advanced manual treadmill on the market. But if space is a premium, you are operating on a reasonable budget and just need a treadmill that can give you a reasonable workout then we would recommend the Fitness Reality TR1000 Manual Treadmill as our No. 1 choice.

It’s not just because it’s highly rated by actual users, but because of the details. The powder-coated steel frame is sturdy. The adjustable inclines are perfect for literally stepping up your game to give your body a more intense workout. It comes with a computer as well, tracking your necessary functions. It’s also small, lightweight, and easy for one person to assemble or move around.

As an alternative, we’d also recommend the Exerpeutic 100XL Heavy Duty Manual Treadmill. It’s better for users who need a higher weight limit, prefer longer arm handles, and don’t mind that it’s bigger, bulkier, and takes up more space than most manual treadmills.

Although you probably prefer to take your workout outdoors, the weather doesn’t always cooperate to give you the best conditions. That’s what makes a treadmill a great investment for when you can’t get to the gym or outside. It still gives you a great workout.

Are Manual Treadmills Any Good?

Compared to electric models, manual treadmills are generally cheap, easy to store and lightweight (although the curved models are whole different ball game). Practically all these positive features come from the fact these models don’t have motors. You the user has to provide the traction to turn the belt. So are these cheap treadmills any good or are they a waste of cash?

Any Good For Walking?

Most of the traditional manual treadmills available on the market are really made for walking exercises. But before you consider buying one here are a few issues you should weigh up first.

The first issue to consider is that these treadmills require you the user to input the traction to turn the belt. The problem with this is that getting them moving is difficult. You end up putting a lot of effort into getting the belt moving. The consequence of this is that it is hard on your joints initially. You put extra stress through your ankles, knees, and hips to get the belt moving and then once in use you continue to experience more stress on these joints than you might with a motorized treadmill or normal walking. If you are young and healthy this might not present a problem, but if you have a history of joint trouble you may suffer.

The second issue to consider is posture. Normal walking allows you to be upright with arms swinging for balance. This puts minimal stress on your back and exercises your core muscles used for balance as well as your leg muscles. Because of the belt drive system on these treadmills manufacturers have to include handrails on the machine so the user can lean/get the balance as they start and keep the belt rolling. The effect of this is that the user is forever leaning over the machine bent double while exercising. You don’t get to work your core muscle and you can’t walk upright so you stress your lower back.

Of course, this does not apply to the curved manual treadmills that cost thousands of bucks. But then if you want to do walking activities and have more money to spend, a motorized treadmill can remove most of these posture and traction issues that the less expensive manual treadmills tend to have without spending as much as the curved treadmills cost!

Any Good For Running?

The curved manual treadmills are awesome for running – the experience is as close to real outdoor running as it is possible to get whilst on a treadmill. However, the cheaper, flat deck traditional manual treadmills with the associated posture and joint stress issues discussed previously, probably aren’t very good for running. But to emphasize the point just check out the length of the running deck on these treadmills.

Most of the flat deck manual models on the market have a running deck that is only 45 inches long. Whilst this is fine for walkers, for runners, it just is not long enough. As you run your stride pattern opens up which means you need a longer running deck. Most people of average height will find they need a running deck that is 52 inches long or more. If you try running on a 45-inch deck you will either fall off the machine or have to run with baby steps!

The other concern with running on these basic manual machines is stability. Most modern home treadmills or gym treadmills are seriously heavy to provide stability and durability from the pounding they get. Lightweight manual treadmills just don’t offer much stability. They are fine for a gentle walk but any tougher workout and you run the risk of falling or damaging the machine.

So are manual treadmills any good? We recommend that you should only consider the cheaper machines for walking exercises (we would recommend a confidence fitness magnetic manual treadmill as a good starter model) and even then if you are looking to use the treadmill every day you are probably better off getting a higher quality motorized model to both save your body from the extra stresses and to have a machine that will remain useful over time. If you are serious about your exercise routine you will be better advised to walk outdoors until you have saved the money for a motorized treadmill. If budget is not an issue, you want a machine that you can run on but want the simplicity of a motorless machine and the corresponding durability and reliability, then opt for one of the new curved manual treadmills.

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