Manual Treadmill - Are They Worth Investing in?

Manual Treadmill RRP: £169.99 Price:  £99.99 this item Delivered FREE in the UK. You Save: £70.00 (41%)    Five out of Five Stars! > More Info

York Treadmill Price:  £275.00 - FREE UK SHIPPING    Five out of Five Stars! > More Info

NordicTrack - Folding Treadmill Price:  £599.00    Five out of Five Stars! > More Info

Reebook Treadmill Sale:  £850    Five out of Five Stars! > More Info

Horizon Treadmill Machine RRP: £649.99 Price: £449.99 FREE SHIPPING You Save:  £200.00 (31%) In stock. Only 3 left in stock - order now!    Five out of Five Stars! > More Info

Carl Lewis Treadmill RRP: L549.00 Price:  L275.00 - FREE UK SHIPPING You Save: L274.00 (50%) In stock.    Five out of Five Stars! > More Info

These days it is a lot harder to find a manual treadmill as the electronic, motorized treadmills seem to have taken over the market. However, there are still several manufacturers that offer them and for many people they can be a good choice as a part of their regular exercise routine. These inexpensive units may be far more affordable to those who are on a limited budget, but still want to be able to get the benefits of being able to walk or run in the comfort of their own home.

The Good

There are several advantages to buying a manual treadmill instead of a motorized one, the first of which is obviously cost. Manual treadmills tend to cost significantly less than the ones that you have to plug into the wall as you are the one who is going to be supplying the power. While they may not be the ideal machine for running, they are generally fine for walking and some light jogging, depending on the model you buy.

Since you are the one who is going to be supplying all of the power to make the belt move, you are likely to get a more intense workout in a shorter period of time. Because they do not have a big bulky motor or fancy electronics panels the manual treadmill folds up into a much smaller package that can easily be stored out the way.

While most electric models fold up as well, by virtue of the motor and control panel they tend to take up a lot more space.  If space is an issue then the manual version might be a better option than not being able to exercise at all.

The Not so Good

While a manual treadmill might be the answer to your needs as far as getting a treadmill in your home to help with your exercise routine there are a few things that you should consider before spending your money. As long as you know what you are and are not going to be getting you can save yourself from any disappointment. Starting with the obvious, since there is no motor you are the one who will be supplying the motive force, if you slow down so does the treadmill. In order to get the most out of your workout you need to be able to keep a steady pace throughout.

Most people find that to get a good steady speed they need to raise the incline to a fairly steep angle; you will have to do this manually. If you wish to vary your workout, you may have to start and stop to make adjustments several times. Many manual treadmills have a weight limit so before you buy one make sure that it will hold your weight.  Also you will find that while a manual treadmill will work fine for walking and jogging most users find that they are not suitable for actual running.

If you are looking for a low cost way to get a little bit of exercise in the comfort of your home a manual treadmill is probably just the ticket, however if you are looking for a full scale workout then  you might be better off going with a motorized version.