While a fully-featured motorized treadmill is the most luxurious indoor walking and running experience one can have, it’s not the only option for those interested in putting in the miles indoors.
Manual treadmills offer a less expensive alternative to the infamous motorized treadmill and they provide an array of benefits from a higher calorie-burning potential and convenience. Is a manual treadmill worth adding to your home gym? That’s up to you and the workout experience you’re looking for. Keep reading to get the full scoop.
What is a Manual Treadmill?
A manual treadmill is a motorless treadmill. Manual treadmills require your effort to move the belt while walking or running. You control the pace and speed.
Often manual treadmills will involve a set incline so that gravity can help move the belt as you walk or run, but it won’t do all the work, it will be up to you to put in the hard work to keep the belt moving.
While a manual treadmill may not offer all the bells and whistles of a motorized treadmill, they offer convenience, an incredible workout, and a wide array of benefits to your workout routine. Keep reading to hear some of my favorite benefits of a manual treadmill.
8 Manual Treadmill Benefits
1. Less Expensive Than Motorized Treadmills
Motorized treadmills are more expensive than manual treadmills simply because of the technology involved. Not only will you pay more for a motorized treadmill upfront, but you’ll also need to plan for regular maintenance costs. With a manual treadmill, you’ll save money upfront and on maintenance costs that can build up over time.
2. No Electricity Required
Since you power a manual treadmill, no electricity is required. This can save you money on your electric bill and allow you to place your manual treadmill virtually anywhere in your home!
Sunny manual treadmills also include transportation wheels and fold up which makes it extremely easy to move them from room to room or store them away in a corner or closet.
3. Responds to the Work You Put In
Since you power a manual treadmill, no electricity is required. This can save you money on your electric bill and allow you to place your manual treadmill virtually anywhere in your home!
Sunny manual treadmills also include transportation wheels and fold which makes it extremely easy to move them from room to room or store
4. Promotes Proper Form
On a motorized treadmill, most people tend to overstride, kicking their foot out too far in front of them, which can lead to a heel foot strike. A manual treadmill naturally corrects this issue by demanding your foot to strike directly below your hips with the midfoot to produce the proper power to move the belt. Naturally, this shortens your stride and increases your cadence, which, when running is exactly where you want to be.
5. Engages Posterior Chain
Because a manual treadmill is on a set incline, it automatically fires up the muscles of the posterior chain. The posterior chain includes the muscles on the backside of your body, particularly the calves, hamstrings, and glutes in this case. So, if you’re looking to give your backside some extra attention, hop on the manual treadmill!
6. Great for Walking & Recovery
Manual treadmills are a great choice for regular walkers or those who are recovering from an injury and training to walk again. First, manual treadmills always include handlebars, which are nice and supportive if you do need help with balance.
Second, because you must put the effort in to move a manual treadmill belt, you put in a higher maximum effort when walking on a manual treadmill in comparison to walking on a motorized treadmill or outside. So, for those interested in increasing the intensity of their walking workouts, manual treadmills would be a great choice.
7. Ideal for HIIT Workouts
Because manual treadmills are based on the effort you put in, the harder you push, the harder and faster you go - which makes them perfect for high-intensity interval workouts (HIIT). HIIT workouts involve short bursts of speed separated by periods of rest and are great for increasing your overall fitness level and burning lots of calories in a short period. Due to the nature of manual treadmills, it can bring a new level of challenge to your HIIT workouts.
8. Can Burn More Calories
Finally, burning calories is related to the effort you put into your workouts. The harder you work, the more calories you burn. With a manual treadmill, you put more effort, energy, and muscle power into each stride which makes them the perfect candidate for helping you burn a high number of calories in a shorter amount of time if that is your goal.
How to Use a Manual Treadmill
Using a manual treadmill is simple! Use the side rails and handlebars to step onto the treadmill safely and securely. Once you’ve mounted the treadmill, and are safely holding the handlebars, place one foot on the tread and test the resistance and speed, before hopping on with both feet and getting started with your workout.
If the resistance is too light, it may result in the belt moving too quickly, and if you aren’t prepared for it, you could get injured. Just remember to be safe, and if your manual treadmill includes an adjustable resistance knob like most Sunny manual treadmills, feel free to adjust the resistance if needed to your comfort level or to match the goals of your workout for the day.
Finally, feel free to place your hands wherever feels most comfortable on the handlebars. Most manual treadmills have lots of options for hand placement. The front of the handlebars will likely be most comfortable during sprints and create a ‘sled push’ dynamic, whereas the side handlebars are better used for walking.
Closing Thoughts
Manual treadmills are a great option if you’re interested in running or walking indoors. They may be better suited to you if you’re hoping to get into a regular walking routine or enjoy doing high-intensity training regularly. A manual treadmill may be a more cost-effective and convenient way to work out at home if they fit your walking and running goals!
