Best Manual Treadmills

Manual treadmills have several advantages over their eclectic counterparts that make them a worthy choice for your home gym.

Since there’s no motor, you’re doing all the hard work to keep the belt moving. Maintenance is more straightforward without worrying about electric components, and you can set it up anywhere you have space—no need for proximity to a power outlet.

We put in the research to present the five best manual treadmills and why they made the list. Discover essential considerations to factor in before you invest in your new training companion.

Things to Consider When Choosing a Manual Treadmill

Before you jump into the reviews, there are essential features to think about:

Size and Weight Limit

You want to have enough deck space to comfortably walk or run without feeling like you’ll overstep. If you’re on the heavier side, make sure the manual treadmill can support your weight.

Console

Yes, manual treadmills can come with tech too: a console to track your progress and activity. This feature will typically add to the cost, though.

Incline

If you’re keen on doubling your effort, check for manual treadmills that allow you to change the incline.

Speed

Manual treadmills are proven to up the ante where it concerns workout intensity—but not all models have the same speed limits. Some aren’t built for extreme sprinting, so keep in mind how fast you want to go.

Extras

Are there fun extras that can add to your workouts, such as movable handlebars, or useful add-ons like wheels for easy transport?

Materials

Treadmills take a lot of abuse, and you don’t want yours to fall apart after a particularly vigorous session. Look for frames made of tough stuff such as stainless steel and non-slip, grippy deck surfaces to avoid nasty accidents.

Storage

Without the added weight and bulk of a motor, a manual treadmill is usually easier to store. Still, that doesn’t guarantee it’ll be foldable: think about where you’ll put it and how much room you have.

Price

Manual treadmills are cheaper than their electric counterparts, but the cost can vary dramatically depending on the materials and features.

5 Best Manual Treadmills

Here are the five best manual treadmills to suit all demands and budgets:

MaxCare Manual Treadmill

This affordable treadmill comes with various features that make it customizable to your fitness level and goals. You can adjust the incline from six to 10 degrees, and the band tension has eight levels of resistance to play with to meet your edge.

You can measure your pulse rate as you exercise, as well as calories burned, time, speed, and distance. It has a non-slip running surface for safety, and it’s simple to fold and store.

Pros:

• Lightweight and compact with wheels
• Two incline levels
• Large LCD monitor
• Adjustable resistance
• Budget-friendly

Cons:

• Only supports 220 pounds

Sunny Health & Fitness 7700 Asuna

The 7700 Asuna is a versatile manual treadmill that’s built to last. It’s ideal for moderately experienced to seasoned fitness enthusiasts. Multiple incline levels and ergonomic handlebars allow you to get creative with your workouts.

It boasts a large deck (51 by 17.5 inches) and can handle up to 440 pounds, making it appropriate for users of almost any size. The Asuna can support everything from a slow walk to speedy sprinting,

Pros:

• Suits high and low-intensity workouts
• Four incline levels
• Sturdy steel build
• Handlebars allow for multiple grip options
• Includes wheels for transport

Cons:

• Belt tension might be challenging for fitness newbies
• Large size might pose a problem for smaller homes

Fitness Reality TR1000 Manual Treadmill

The TR1000 should appeal to those of you who are tight on space: it has wheels for portability and folded dimensions of 21 by 23 by 51 inches. Two flywheels that help get the belt rolling fast also make it an ideal choice if you’re not ready for ultra-punishing workouts.

This manual treadmill delivers a touch of technology with a battery-powered console. You can monitor distance, calories burned, and the speed you’re going at.

Pros:

• LCD console
• Foldable with wheels
• Compact design
• Two incline levels
• Beginner-friendly

Cons:

• Might get wobbly if you start to run
• Not as durable as other options

Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T7723 Force Fitmill

The SF-T7723 is bound to take your exercise sessions to the next level, with 16 levels of magnetic tension. This treadmill is for intense workouts: weighted flywheels mean you need to expend a lot of effort to get the belt moving.

A fixed incline of 13.5 degrees ups the challenge regardless of your speed. Rubber stabilizers work to keep it still while you push yourself.

Pros:

• Easy to store and set up
• Sturdy construction
• Handles up to 300 pounds
• 16 levels of tension
• Soft-drop open to avoid damage

Cons:

• Fixed incline
• Extremely challenging—not for the faint of heart

EFITMENT Magnetic Manual Treadmill

This manual treadmill by EFITMENT is a great option for those who want to mix up your workouts. Aside from traditional handlebars, it has arm exercisers to allow you to sculpt your upper body too. You have options for how hard you want to go with three incline levels, and you can adjust the band’s resistance to suit your fitness level or workout of the day.

Pros:

• Adjustable resistance
• Foldable with wheels
• Option for upper body workout
• Three incline levels
• Digital console to track distance, calories, pulse rate, and time

Cons:

• Lower weight limit of 220 pounds
• Handles are short, which might bother taller users

Rounding Up

Manual treadmills are an excellent alternative to an electric treadmill you may not have money or space for. If you’re building up your home gym like many of us these days, one of these devices can take your workout to the next level.

Remember to consider your own unique needs before bringing one home and what you expect where it concerns speed, incline size, handlebars, and extras like a console. You can rest assured that the best manual treadmills we reviewed make the cut in terms of quality and suit budgets of all types.