Treadmills come two basic varieties, manual and motorized. Manual treadmills are most basic model. They have no fancy training programs or features built in, no motor or incline, all you get is a frame with a belt that you need to move it so you can exercise on it. The treadmill is outfitted with a heavy-duty weighted flywheel and a sturdy 41.5-by-13.5-inch belt that respond to your walking or running speed.
If you are on a budget or you just want a smaller treadmill because you lack the space in your house or apartment, then a manual treadmill may be a good option for you.
Manual treadmills are treadmills that you power with your walking speed, so you can set your own pace. Did you notice we said walking and not running. This is because manual treadmills are really made for walking and not running. That being said, manual treadmills can still give you a good workout.
Manual treadmills are also smaller than motorized treadmills because they do not have a motor. This may be good news for some because they are usually lighter and therefore easier to move.
There are some drawbacks with these treadmills though. They can be difficult to get a good or faster speed on. With some models the only way to get to a fast speed is to increase the incline, but after you increase the incline you can’t lower it back down unless you get off the treadmill. On the other hand, manual treadmills are the cheapest option for many home exercisers, and you still burn a great number of calories.
When considering purchasing a manual treadmill or any piece of fitness equipment, you should really weigh the pros and cons and decide if this piece of equipment is the best option for you.
If you are considering a cheap manual treadmill, please check out these models with owner reviews.