Our testers found the AssaultRunner Elite to have a slightly heavier belt than the AssaultRunner Pro. That creates more inertia, which actually makes the tread quicker—and a little bit easier to run on (especially at faster speeds). With easier running comes better form and foot placement, which allows you to get the most out of the tread. The best part: With a lifetime warranty on the belt, you’ll likely retire from running before you need to retire this manual machine.
An oversized running belt makes the Grit Runner ideal for runners with a bigger stride—and six resistance levels allow you to challenge yourself even more than you could with your own two feet.
Our Tester’s Take
Doing a workout on a manual treadmill is tough enough. The Grit Runner by Tru Grit Fitness aims to make it more challenging by offering users six different resistance levels to choose from—a standout feature, according to our testers. The machine is still entirely self-propelled, but you can also opt for anywhere for anywhere between no resistance at level one to level 6, which essentially simulates a sled push or uphill interval training.
Another big selling point was the oversized rubber-coated slat belt: It’s 79 inches long and 19 inches wide, making this a really solid option for tall runners. It also has a 330-pound weight capacity. The downside of that is this would be a beast to move; while there are transport wheels on the front, the tread weighs a whopping 400-plus pounds. Once you decide where to set it up, consider it the pièce de résistance of that room—shifting locations would be a workout in its own right.
Designed for small spaces, the very budget-friendly Sunny Health and Fitness Manual Walking Treadmill easily folds up so it can be stashed out of sight once you’ve gotten your steps in.
Our Tester’s Take
Manual treadmills are just as good for walking as they are for running, and for that purpose you can’t beat the Sunny Health and Fitness Manual Walking Treadmill. This simple, no-frills option is perfect for racking up steps throughout the day—and consistent movement is one of the best ways to maintain fitness and health. Although there’s no curve, the fixed 13.5% incline design subtly boosts intensity as you work against not only the resistance provided by dual flywheels, but gravity.
What our testers really loved about this machine is how compact and portable it is. The 42-inch by 13-inch running surface is a downside for taller users, but it takes up significantly less space than more expensive machines and folds up to 20 by 23 x 50 inches—small enough to stash in a corner or closet (unfortunately, it’s a little too tall to slide under a bed). It weighs under 50 pounds, and comes with two transport wheels, making it easy to maneuver. Wherever you set it up—and assembly is pretty much dummy-proof—floor stabilizers help balance the machine on uneven floors, so you don’t have to worry about tilting or rocking.
Let’s Compare the Costs of These Manual Treadmills
No getting around it, the best manual treadmills get spendy—fast. Here’s a look at the cost of each model we tested.
How We Tested Manual Treadmills
The best way to test manual treadmills is to just start logging miles—and that’s what we did. Well, first, we found testers who could go the distance on these machines. We’re talking certified fitness pros, elite athletes, and running coaches who know a thing or two about what to look for. As they walked, jogged, and ran, we had them assess all the need-to-know about the best manual treadmills.
In our fitness testing, we assess every aspect of a piece of equipment before we add it to our rankings. We compared all the most important features—size, weight capacity, materials, technology, assembly, add-ons, price, warranty, and anything else you could imagine—in order to narrow down our top picks.
What is a Manual Treadmill?
You’re likely most familiar with an electric or motorized treadmill, which uses a motor to engage the belt. A manual treadmill is one powered by your own bodyweight and effort. Translation: The belt only moves if you move it. Non-electric treadmills usually have a slight incline or curve that will help you get the belt moving, but that’s not always the case. These machines don’t require any electric power, but most have a battery-powered display to track time, distance, calories burned, and other metrics.
Benefits of a Manual Treadmill
A treadmill is never going to replace running outside if you’re training for a specific event. But if you’re just looking to boost your cardio fitness and log some miles without having to brave the elements, running on a treadmill physiologically taxes your body in the same way as running outside, research published in the journal Sports Medicine determined. Manual treadmills have their own specific benefits, too, including higher cardiometabolic demands, more muscle activation, and improved gait.
Higher Cardiometabolic Demands
On a traditional treadmill, the belt does some of the work for you. But because you have to move the belt yourself on a manual tread, these machines are associated with higher cardiometabolic demands compared with overground and motorized treadmill running, a small 2017 study published in Frontiers in Physiology determined.
Without any electricity powering the belt of a manual tread, your feet have to grab the ground to propel you forward. “The effort required to push off and propel the body forward engages muscle groups—particularly in the glutes and hamstrings—more effectively than in motorized treadmills,” says Jay Silva, an RRCA-certified run coach and certified strength and conditioning specialist. “This can lead to improved strength and endurance in these areas over time.”
“I do think a manual treadmill can be a great option to coach mechanics since the belt isn’t doing work for the athlete,” says Wooderson. “The self-driven belt may put a person more in tune with their body and how it feels when they’re trying to produce certain cues.” Running or jogging on a non-motorized, curved-deck treadmill did improve gait mechanics in one 2018 study.
How to Run with Proper Form on a Manual Treadmill
Running on a manual treadmill feels a lot different than running on a traditional tread or on the ground outside. And that’s going to affect your form. But first, you’ve got to get the belt moving. Like most treadmills, all of these machines come with handles and strips on the side where you can place your feet. To start the machine, step onto the belt and hold on to the front handle, pushing your body and feet away from it to generate momentum. (When you’re ready to top, you just slow your pace until you’re walking, or you can grab onto the handle and jump your feet out to the sides.)
When you’re running, keep these form cues in mind: “Keeping your spine neutral and your shoulders relaxed, look forward rather than down,” says Silva. “This alignment helps with balance and supports proper mechanics.” You should also focus on taking shorter, quicker strides to reduce ground contact time, enhancing efficiency and control, he adds. “And aiming for a midfoot landing minimizes impact and promotes a smoother transition into the next stride.” The good news: Runners tend to have shorter stride length on a curved non-motorized treadmill, according to a 2018 study published in Sports.
What to Look for in a Manual Treadmill
The best manual treadmill for you will depend on your goals—and a number of other factors. Here’s what to consider before purchasing one so you can get the most out of your investment.
Manual treadmills, on a whole, come with a lot less bells and whistles than motorized machines. Most come with handles, transport wheels, and a very basic LCD screen, but you should check to make sure that monitor tracks all the metrics you’re concerned with (the TrueForm Trainer Curved Manual Treadmill doesn’t track calories burned, for example). Some have built-in training programs, storage space, or phone or water bottle holders, but don’t expect those to come standard.
Treadmills are not small machines, so it’s important to make sure you have the space for one. Not only do you need the available floor space to fit the machine, but you should leave ample room behind, to the sides, and above the tread so you don’t compromise your running mechanics in any way. Pay attention to the amount of running surface, too—a 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 are not cheap, and even though most manual treadmills lack some of the more premium features of a motorized treadmill, you should budget at least $2,000 for a high-quality machine that supports running.
If your number one priority is durability, look for machines that use commercial-grade materials or heavy-duty steel. Be wary of those that use lots of plastic; it lowers the price tag, but at the cost of longevity.
FAQ
Is a manual treadmill better than an automatic one?
It depends on your goals. “[Manual treadmills are] amazing for shorter distances—such as sprints or middle-distance efforts—but due to the increased cardiovascular demands, may not be as suitable for longer distances or higher training loads,” says Wooderson.
Can you get a good workout on a manual treadmill?
Absolutely. On a non-motorized treadmill, you work about 30 percent harder on curved, non-motorized treadmills, according to a 2019 study published in the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport.
Is a manual treadmill good for walking?
Non-electric treadmills are great for walking. Because they’re manually powered, you can customize your workout no matter your fitness level. The longer your strides, the more the belt speed increases; if you slow down, it slows down.
Do manual treadmills have incline levels?
How much does a manual treadmill cost?
Be prepared to spend around $2,500 on a good non-electric treadmill. While you can find cheaper options, anything under $1,000 will likely be built more 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 run coach and certified strength and conditioning specialist.
Edwards RB, Tofari PJ, Cormack SJ, Whyte DG. Non-motorized Treadmill Running Is Associated with Higher Cardiometabolic Demands Compared with Overground and Motorized Treadmill Running. Front Physiol. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5694659/
Hatchett A, Armstrong K, Parr B, Crews M, Tant C. The Effect of a Curved Non-Motorized Treadmill on Running Gait Length, Imbalance and Stride Angle. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6162380/
Schoenmakers, Patrick P.J.M. et al. The physiological and perceptual demands of running on a curved non-motorised treadmill: Implications for self-paced training. https://www.jsams.org/article/S1440-2440(18)30145-2/abstract
Van Hooren B, Fuller JT, Buckley JD, Miller JR, Sewell K, Rao G, Barton C, Bishop C, Willy RW. Is motorized treadmill running biomechanically comparable to overground running? A systematic review and meta-analysis of cross-over studies. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31802395/
