Best Manual Treadmill
The most common resolution made at New Year for most of us has always been to lead a healthier lifestyle.
What better way to finally stick to it than purchasing your own manual treadmill?
Manual treadmills are great because they allow you to decide what speed and incline you want to go for without the need for an electrical power source.
Lots of people have started to purchase their own treadmills for a variety of reasons.
Some people don’t like going to the gym whereas others lead very hectic lives that don’t give them time to sleep, never mind exercise.
Whatever reason you may have, owning your treadmill has never been easier and the choice is massive.
That is why I have created this article to help you decide which one is best for you.
The great thing about owning your own manual treadmill is that you don’t have to worry about going to the gym.
No more excuses!
In this article, I’ve rounded up the top 5 manual treadmills that you can buy.
Following that I give you my Buyers Guide which tells you everything you need to know when it comes to purchasing a manual treadmill.
The article then concludes with an FAQ, answering your most asked questions.
If you are in a rush and don’t have time to read ahead, here’s my top pick for the best manual treadmill:
The DESKFIT Treadmill is my favourite manual treadmill on the market, for several reasons.
Firstly, you can add it underneath a standing desk without any issues and therefore you can keep active whilst working.
Another reason why I like it is that you can control it with a remote control and the Bluetooth capabilities make it much easier for you to monitor your workout and progress.
Finally, I love how easily you can store it away and forget all about it until your next workout session.
Still, want more information? Keep reading for my complete review on my favourite treadmill.
Best Manual Treadmill Reviews
DESKFIT Treadmill
The first manual treadmill on my list comes from fitness brand DESKFIT. As the brand name suggests, they specialise in creating home gym machinery for those who look to exercise while they work.
It is also a very quiet machine meaning that you can attend meetings and concentrate on your work without the hassle of a noisy engine getting in the way.
The DESKFIT comes complete with a remote control and is equipped with Bluetooth connection meaning you can track your progress on the FitShow app.
This is great for those who are looking to incorporate slower but longer exercising into their daily routine and want to keep a note of it.
With an average of 4 stars from over 100 reviews, the DESKFIT is a reliable choice for those who want a treadmill that can easily fit under their desk and be stored away with ease.
An ideal choice for those who work from home and don’t want to be sat at a desk all day.
The DESKFIT can help with posture while also ensuring you are getting your daily exercise done.
Pros
- Fits under the desk with no problem.
- Can be stored away and used with ease.
- Bluetooth connection and remote control make it easier to monitor.
Cons
- The belt can become a bit loose after longer usage.
Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T1407M Manual Walking Treadmill
The second choice on my list is the SF-T1407M Manual Walking Treadmill by Sunny Health & Fitness.
The perfect beginner manual treadmill, the SF-T1407M has a brilliant price point so is fantastic for those on a budget.
After a quick background check into Sunny’s past and present products, it’s clear that the brand specialises in bringing a variety of home gym equipment for any kind of exercise.
The SF-T1407M is specifically designed for walking, making it a fantastic choice for beginners who are easing themselves into regular exercise without the pressures of going to the gym.
The treadmill also boasts a 3 level manual incline for those who like to challenge themselves during their workout.
The SF-T1407M has a 4 star average from over 1,500 reviews thanks to its great price point and ease of assembly and use.
The perfect treadmill for beginners who are wanting to see if setting up a home gym is for them, the SF-T1407M allows them that chance without breaking the bank.
Its compact size allows it to be stored away without taking up much room.
Pros
- Great for beginners.
- Ideal for those on a budget.
- Specifically designed for walking.
Cons
- The belt can shift after much use.
vidaXL Mini Treadmill Folding Black Running Machine
The vidaXL manual treadmill is a 100 x 53 x 105 cm machine that can be folded away for storage purposes.
The length is dramatically decreased while the height is a little larger, but this is still good for storing your machine compactly in a room or underneath furniture.
Included is a small display that shows you your speed, calories burned, distance, and time spent walking or running.
This is a rather small screen, but you’ll still be able to read the numbers quite easily during your workout.
Weighing only 14.8 kilograms, it doesn’t take a team to move this treadmill in between uses.
However, the wheels will further aid you in making moving and storing this machine even easier. As the machine is manual, feel free to make your machine go as fast or as slow as you’d like.
Pros
- Easily folded and stored away in between uses.
- Comes with an added display.
- Control the speed to your personal preference.
Cons
- No option to change the incline setting.
YP Folding Portable Multifunctional Manual Treadmill
Next up on my list is the YP Multifunctional Manual Treadmill, a 15.3-kilogram machine that is ideal for getting your cardio fitness level up in the comfort of your own home.
Measuring in at only 105 x 45 x 106 centimetres, this model is ideal for apartments, houses, dormitories, or offices.
Everyone of all ages and fitness levels can use this machine, making it a solid investment for a family home.
You’ll be fighting for your turn on the manual treadmill if you’re not careful! The machine also folds away to save space in your house.
The small display will show you your speed, distance, and how many calories you’ve burned.
The incline setting can be changed easily thanks to two sturdy clips at the bottom of the treadmill.
This machine is strong, sturdy, and reliable.
Pros
- Can be used anywhere.
- Perfect for people of all ages.
- Option to adjust the incline setting.
Cons
- The display is rather small and awkwardly placed so you might not be able to see it easily.
- Not the best customer service.
HomeLikeSport Folding Treadmill Portable Manual Walking Machine
The final entry to my list is the Manual Treadmill from HomeLikeSport.
The flywheel allows the running belt to move seamlessly without a hitch, over and over again.
Once you’ve finished your workout simply fold up the machine and use the wheels to move it carefully into its storage space.
The display lets you track your workouts with all of the vital information being shown throughout your walk or jog.
Pros
- Smooth and seamless usability.
- Maximum weight capacity of 150 kilograms.
- Work more than just your legs!
Cons
- Might not be the best for beginners.
- Doesn’t give an indication of whether you can alter the incline settings or not.
Best Manual Treadmill Buyer’s Guide
When buying your own manual treadmill, you need to consider the functionality of the product, the technological features and your budget.
These three components are all equally important as manual treadmills tend to differ from ones found in the gym due to the fact that they are designed to fit in smaller spaces and be used a lot less.
Functionality
The first thing to consider is what exercise options your treadmill has. As you have seen, some of the treadmills allow for walking and running whereas some only allow for walking and limited running.
This could be due to the materials used to make the treadmill.
Sometimes, in order to charge a lower price point, the company will have to sacrifice the quality of the basic materials used which in term means the function options can suffer.
However, if you are planning to use it for general walking use then those options would be perfect for you.
Make sure that you choose a model ideal for your personal preferences.
Even if you might not want to start off using your manual treadmill to run, you could regret choosing only a walking machine in the future.
As your fitness level increases, you’ll have to work harder to improve or maintain it.
Technological Features
Following on from the exercise options, the next thing to look at is the technological features that the treadmills come with.
Most, if not all, treadmills come with a screen that will tell you how many calories you’ve lost, how far you have walked/ran as well as your current level.
The higher-end treadmills can go either further with their technology by allowing you to connect your data from the treadmill onto your mobile phone, giving you in-depth information on how your fitness journey is going.
Manual treadmills tend to have smaller displays in comparison to motorized treadmills, so take this into account.
Some are so small that you would have difficulty reading the numbers while walking or running.
If you’re someone who wants to know how far they’ve travelled during their workouts, don’t forget to look for a screen large enough to read without any issue.
Ease of Use
The entire point of the manual treadmill is that you are the one to control it rather than a motor.
You need to push the belt with your feet to get it to move and you have to manually change the incline set to challenge yourself and push your body further.
However, some manual treadmills are easier to use than others.
I would recommend checking the customer reviews before purchasing a manual treadmill, as this is where you will find true testimonies from previous users.
Here you should be able to find whether the belt was stiff to get moving and how easy it is to alter the incline setting of that particular treadmill.
The last thing you want is a manual treadmill with incline pins too stiff to move and a belt that you can hardly pull on the easiest setting.
While not always the most accurate place in the world – as different machines can run differently, and a previous customer might have simply got a dud machine – you can usually tell a lot about the customer reviews.
Budget
The cost of the treadmill is something that you will need to think about.
My choices are not among the cheapest in the market, but that is because the machines that are selling at £200 and less tend to have poorer reviews and lots of complaints regarding the quality of the materials used to manufacture as well as the lack of longevity as the treadmills tend to break after a couple of months of use.
Of course, it completely depends on what kind of exercise you plan to do, whether it’s primarily running or walking and how often you intend to use it, but it may be worth upping your budget for a treadmill that is guaranteed to have a long life and benefit you in the long run.
Manual treadmills tend to be less expensive than motorized machines because they’re not as cumbersome, heavy, or full of technology.
However, that doesn’t mean that you should automatically opt for the cheapest manual treadmill on the market.
Inexpensive models are often so cheap for a reason. On the other hand, some of the most expensive machines have a higher price point for no real reason.
To avoid overspending or being left with a dud machine, I’d recommend choosing a manual treadmill somewhere in the middle of the typical price range.
Warranty
While you don’t need to spend the most on your manual treadmill, you’ll still be investing a good chunk of money.
If you don’t want to lose your money if your machine were to break prematurely or not work as well as you’d like, you should consider opting for a model with a warranty.
Any manufacturer that offers a warranty earns points in my eyes. It indicates that they care enough about their product and believe in the quality.
No warranty might be a tell-tale sign that the manufacturer doesn’t want to offer your money back because the likelihood of the product faltering is high.
While this might be a stretch and me overthinking, I still think choosing a manual treadmill with a warranty included is the best way to go.
You can walk and run to your heart’s content while enjoying the peace of mind that a warranty offers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a manual treadmill worth it?
A decent treadmill may come at a high price but in the long term, they are worth it.
You won’t have to fork out on a monthly gym membership and you get to enjoy the luxury of exercising in your own space.
The treadmills listed in this article are more on the high-end side but that is because they are the ones that have real lasting benefits.
The treadmills that come at under £200 tend to have poorer reviews and complaints due to lack of quality in the materials and durability.
