Best Manual Treadmill At A Glance
Best Premium Manual Treadmill
Assault Fitness AirRunner
This curved manual treadmill will you make you feel as if you’re running on air and has a lifespan of 150,000 miles.
Highly Rated Premium Manual Treadmill
IN10CT Health Runner Curved Manual Treadmill
The IN10CT (Intensity) Health Runner Curved Manual Treadmill is one of the most highly rated premium manual treadmills we’ve come across, with a rating of 4.6 stars on Amazon.
Premium Manual Treadmill With Unique Handlebar Design
SB Fitness Equipment CT400
The SB Fitness Equipment CT400 Manual Treadmill is one of a kind as it features a multi-functional handlebar design that can be used for activities like power walking, HIIT, and back-to-lateral shuffles.
Lightweight Premium Manual Treadmill
Signature Fitness SF-S2 Sprint Demon
Most premium manual treadmills are quite heavy. Thankfully, the Signature Fitness SF-S2 Sprint Demon has everything you need in a curved treadmill but only weighs 60 lbs
Manual Treadmill With Highest Weight Capacity
Sunny Health & Fitness Asuna Heavy Duty Manual Treadmill
“Heavy Duty” is definitely accurate for the Asuna Heavy Duty Manual Treadmill by Sunny Health and Fitness as it has a 400-lb weight capacity.
Editor’s note on 5/28/22: This product is currently sold out. We will update this review as soon as it becomes available.
Affordable And Has Many Options For Resistance
Sunny Health & Fitness Cardio Trainer Manual Treadmill 300 lb Capacity
The Cardio Trainer Manual Treadmill 300 lb Capacity from Sunny Health and Fitness has 16 levels of adjustable resistance as well as 3 levels of different manual incline positions (up to 11.3 degrees).
Under $300 And Has High Weight Capacity
Exerpeutic 100XL High Capacity Magnetic Resistance Manual Treadmill with Heart Pulse System
What makes this manual treadmill particularly unique is the heart pulse pads included on their extra long handles that allow users to keep track of their target heart rate.
Manual Treadmill With Arm Exercisers
EFITMENT Adjustable Incline Magnetic Manual Treadmill
Perhaps one of the most unique manual treadmills we’ve seen, the EFITMENT Adjustable Incline Magnetic Manual Treadmill comes with adjustable tension handlebars that allow you to incorporate your upper body while training.
Under $200 With All The Basics
Sunny Health & Fitness Manual Walking Treadmill
The Sunny Health and Fitness Manual Walking Treadmill is pretty darn affordable while still providing a number of great features such as dual flywheels, non-slip handlebars, and a digital performance monitor.
Most Affordable Manual Treadmill
Fitness Reality TR1000 Manual Treadmill
The Fitness Reality TR1000 Manual Treadmill is our top choice for affordability. Even with its incredibly low price, it still provides a number of good features, such as a 230-lb weight capacity, 2 incline levels (up to 10 degrees), LCD display, twin flywheels, and a foldable design
If you look around in most gyms today, you’ll see that the vast majority of the treadmills are motorized. However, when it comes to at-home workouts, more and more people are wanting to use manual treadmills.
After all, manual treadmills give users more control over their workouts and a more intense workout overall. That’s why it’s important to figure out which manual treadmills are actually worth buying so you can get the best workout possible.
Among the masses, the Assault Fitness AirRunner is the best overall manual treadmill due to its 150,000-mile lifespan, 350 lb weight capacity, 20 MPH max speed, and low-impact design.
Yet, this is not the only manual treadmill worth considering and there are several other options that may fit your specific health goals and price range better. To that end, we’ve included other manual treadmills in this review that are more affordable and have other special features so you can make the best possible decision on which manual treadmill to buy.
So, if you want to know all about manual treadmills and which ones to buy, continue reading this review!
How We Found The Best Manual Treadmill
Manual treadmills are fantastic pieces of equipment for those who want a more challenging and self-controlled cardio workout. To help you find the best manual treadmill, we only included products in our review that met the following criteria:
- Weight Capacity: All of the manual treadmills in our review have a minimum weight capacity of 220 lbs, with 70% supporting users 300 lbs or heavier.
- Compact Size: The manual treadmills in our review are quite compact and can fit in almost any home-gym setting. Additionally, many of these machines are foldable to help save space when not in use.
- Warranty: All of the following manual treadmills are covered by some form of warranty. While a few only have limited warranties, most have longer warranties such as 3-10 years for the frame or 3-5 years for parts.
- Cost: We wanted to include a variety of products in our review as each buyer has their own specific budget. To provide the best of both worlds, we included 5 premium products ($1,000+) and 5 more affordable ones ($999 or less).
- Special Features: Each of the manual treadmills on our list has one or more special features. Examples include 150,000-mile lifespans, Bluetooth capability, no max speed, and a 30% max incline.
Looking For The Best Manual Treadmill? Check Out This Comparison Of Our Top 10 Picks
| Product | Weight Capacity (lbs) | Dimensions (L x W x H) | Weight (lbs) | Warranty | Curved | Special Features |
| Assault Fitness AirRunner | 350 | 69.9″ x 32.8″ x 64″ | 280 | 5-year frame, 3-year parts, 1-year labor | Yes | 150,000-mile lifespan, Bluetooth capability, 20 MPH max speed, 30% max incline |
| IN10CT (Intensity) Health Runner Curved Manual Treadmill | 400 | 69” x 32” x 61.5” | 330.7 | 5-year frame, 3-year parts | Yes | No max speed, 30% max incline |
| SB Fitness Equipment CT400 Manual Treadmill | 375 | 72” x 31” x 62” | 145 | 10-year frame, 5-year parts, 2-year console, 1-year labor | Yes | 150,000-mile lifespan, unique handlebar for different hand placements, 3 resistance levels |
| Signature Fitness SF-S2 Sprint Demon | 300 | 66.5″ x 27.5″ x 57.7″ | 60 | 1-year | Yes | 25 MPH max speed, adjustable resistance |
| Sunny Health & Fitness Asuna Heavy Duty Manual Treadmill | 440 | 55” X 30.5” X 57” | 165.3 | 5-year frame, 180-day parts | No | 8 resistance levels, 4 incline levels |
| Sunny Health & Fitness Cardio Trainer Manual Treadmill | 300 | 56” X 26.5” X 55.5” | 102.2 | 3-year frame, 180-day parts | No | 16 resistance levels, 3 incline levels |
| Exerpeutic 100XL High Capacity Magnetic Resistance Manual Treadmill | 325 | 50” x 29” x 50” | 73 | 3-year limited | No | Extra-long handles, 3 incline levels, 8 resistance levels |
| EFITMENT Adjustable Incline Magnetic Manual Treadmill | 220 | 54” x 35.5” x 52” | 80 | 1-year | No | Arm exercisers, adjustable incline and resistance |
| Sunny Health & Fitness Manual Walking Treadmill | 220 | 49” X 23” X 50” | 46.7 | 3-year frame, 180-day parts | No | 13.5% fixed incline |
| Fitness Reality TR1000 Manual Treadmill | 230 | 47” x 23” x 51” | 54 | 1-year limited | No | 2 incline levels |
Read Our Manual Treadmill Reviews
Alright, so with all of this in mind, you’re probably wondering what manual treadmills stand apart from the rest. Below we’ll detail 10 different manual treadmills so you can determine which one is best for you. We’ve included 5 premium options at the top of our list followed by 5 more affordable options so that you can have the best selection possible.
Best Premium Manual Treadmill
Assault Fitness AirRunner
- Weight Capacity: 350 lbs
- Dimensions: 69.9″ L x 32.8″ W x 64″ H
- Product Weight: 280 lbs
- Warranty: 5-year frame, 3-year parts, 1-year labor
- Special Features: Made to last 150,000 miles. Bluetooth capability, LCD display, max speed of 20 MPH, max incline of 30%
If cost isn’t an issue and you truly want the best manual treadmill there is, then look no further than the Assault Fitness AirRunner.
This manual treadmill will you make you feel as if you’re running on air and is optimal for all types of training. It’s incredibly durable due to being constructed from steel and comes with corrosion-resistant hardware and a slat belt running surface that lasts up to 150,000 miles.
The Assault Fitness AirRunner also features a high contrast LCD console, rest and work LEDs, and Bluetooth capability. The display tracks parameters including time, calories burned, distance, speed, watts, and pace. Additionally, the max speed is 20 MPH and the max incline is 30%.
This manual treadmill supports users up to 350 lbs, weighs 280 lbs, and has dimensions of 69.9″ L x 32.8″ W x 64″ H. It’s covered by a 5-year warranty for the frame, a 3-year warranty for parts, and a 1-year warranty for labor.
Features
- Durable with a long lifespan
- High weight capacity
- Supports high max speed
But be aware of…
- Most expensive option on our list
- On the heavier side
- Less compact than other options
Highly Rated Premium Manual Treadmill
IN10CT Health Runner Curved Manual Treadmill
- Weight Capacity: 400 lbs
- Dimensions: 69” L x 32” W x 61.5” H
- Product Weight: 330.7 lbs
- Warranty: 5-year frame, 3-year parts and components
- Special Features: Max incline 30%, no max speed, LCD display
The IN10CT (Intensity) Health Runner Curved Manual Treadmill is one of the most highly rated premium manual treadmills we’ve come across, with a rating of 4.6 stars on Amazon.
It’s composed of alloy steel and has rubber slats and PU belt that reduce impact to joints, muscles and ligaments.
Special features include a max user weight of 400 lbs, no max speed, and a center console that displays time, speed, distance, calories burned, pace, and pulse.
The IN10CT (Intensity) Health Runner Curved Manual Treadmill weighs 330 lbs and has dimensions of 69” L x 32” W x 61.5” H. It’s covered by a 5-year warranty for the frame and a 3-year warranty for parts and components.
Features
- No max speed
- High weight capacity
- 30% incline
But be aware of…
- 2nd most expensive option
- Heaviest option on our list
- Less compact than other options
Premium Manual Treadmill With Unique Handlebar Design
SB Fitness Equipment CT400
- Weight Capacity: 375 lbs
- Dimensions: 72” L x 31” W x 62” H
- Product Weight: 145 lbs
- Warranty: 10-year frame, 5-year parts, 2-year console, 1-year labor
- Special Features: 3 resistance levels, digital display, multi-purpose handlebar
Most manual treadmills come with a standard set of handrails for basic support. The SB Fitness Equipment CT400 Manual Treadmill, however, is one of a kind as it features a multi-functional handlebar design that can be used for activities like power walking, HIIT, and back-to-lateral shuffles.
It’s composed of alloy steel and has ultra-thin flexible track slats that offer maximum shock absorption. Additionally, it has a lifespan of 150,000 miles and does not require regular maintenance.
Special features include a max weight capacity of 375 lbs, 3 options for resistance, and a digital display that tracks parameters including time, distance, pace, calories, speed, watts, and pulse.
The SB Fitness Equipment CT400 Manual Treadmill weighs 145 lbs and has dimensions of 72” L x 31” W x 62” H. It’s covered by a 10-year warranty for the frame, a 5-year warranty for parts, a 2-year warranty for the console, and a 1-year warranty for labor.
Features
- No max speed
- High weight capacity
- Lighter weight option
But be aware of…
- On the expensive side
- Heaviest option on our list
- The display sits somewhat low
Lightweight Premium Manual Treadmill
Signature Fitness SF-S2 Sprint Demon
- Weight Capacity: 300 lbs
- Dimensions: 66.5″ L x 27.5″ W x 57.7″ H
- Product Weight: 60 lbs
- Warranty: 1-year manufacturer
- Special Features: Max speed of 25 MPH, adjustable resistance, digital display
Despite all of their amazing features, most premium manual treadmills are quite heavy. Thankfully, the Signature Fitness SF-S2 Sprint Demon has everything you need in a curved treadmill but only weighs 60 lbs.
This treadmill is constructed from alloy steel and has ultra-thin and flexible slats that offer cloud-like absorption which reduces the impact on joints. It also comes with multiple hand grips which allow you to change hand positions when using the treadmill like a sled push.
Other features include a digital display that tracks calories, heart rate, and speed along with a device holder for phones or tablets.
Not only is the Signature Fitness SF-S2 Sprint Demon lightweight compared to other premium manual treadmills, but it’s also more compact as its dimensions are 66.5″ L x 27.5″ W x 57.7″ H. It’s covered by a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty.
Features
- Max speed of 25 MPH
- Lightweight
- Compact
But be aware of…
- On the expensive side
- Not the best warranty
- Only 3 resistance levels
Manual Treadmill With Highest Weight Capacity
Sunny Health & Fitness Asuna Heavy Duty Manual Treadmill
- Weight Capacity: 440 lbs
- Dimensions: 55” L X 30.5” W X 57” H
- Product Weight: 165.3 lbs
- Warranty: 5-year frame, 180-day parts and components
- Special Features: 8 levels of resistance, 4 incline levels, device holder, non-slip handlebars
“Heavy-duty” is definitely accurate for the Asuna Heavy Duty Manual Treadmill by Sunny Health and Fitness as it has a 400-lb weight capacity. It also includes 8 levels of adjustable resistance and 4 incline levels (up to 10 degrees).
Plus, it has a device holder, non-slip handlebars, dual flywheels for controlled performance, and a foldable design.
This treadmill weighs 165.3 lbs and has dimensions of 55” L X 30.5” W X 57” H. It’s covered by a 5-year warranty for the structural frame and a 180-day warrant for other parts and components.
Editor’s note on 5/28/22: This product is currently sold out. We will update this review as soon as it becomes available.
Features
- Highest weight capacity of all options
- Multiple levels for incline and resistance
- Compact
But be aware of…
- Somewhat expensive
- Doesn’t have a digital display
- Has fewer perks compared to other options
Affordable And Has Many Options For Resistance
Sunny Health & Fitness Cardio Trainer Manual Treadmill 300 lb Capacity
- Weight Capacity: 300 lbs
- Dimensions: 56” L X 26.5” W X 55.5” H
- Product Weight: 102.2 lbs
- Warranty: 3-year frame, 180-day parts and components
- Special Features: Digital monitor, device holder, 16 resistance levels, 3 incline levels
The Cardio Trainer Manual Treadmill 300 lb Capacity from Sunny Health and Fitness has 16 levels of adjustable resistance as well as 3 levels of different manual incline positions (up to 11.3 degrees).
Other features include a device holder, slip-resistant multi-grip handrails, dual flywheels, and a foldable design. Additionally, there is a digital monitor that tracks calories, distance, odometer, pulse, speed, and time.
This treadmill weighs 102.2 lbs and has dimensions of 56” L X 26.5” W X 55.5” H, which is very lightweight and compact for a manual treadmill. There is a 3-year structural frame warranty and a 180-day warranty for other parts and components.
Features
- High weight capacity
- Multiple resistance levels
- Lightweight and compact
But be aware of…
- Only 3 incline levels
- The device holder isn’t that large
- Only one parameter is shown on display at a time
Under $300 And Has High Weight Capacity
Exerpeutic 100XL High Capacity Magnetic Resistance Manual Treadmill with Heart Pulse System
- Weight Capacity: 325 lbs
- Dimensions: 50” L x 29” W x 50” H
- Product Weight: 73 lbs
- Warranty: 3-year limited
- Special Features: Extra-long safety handles with heart pulse pads, LCD display, 3 incline levels, 8 resistance levels
Another solid manual treadmill that’s affordable is the Exerpeutic 100XL High Capacity Magnetic Resistance Manual Treadmill with Heart Pulse System. It has a 325-lb weight capacity, twin flywheels, an LCD-display system, 3 levels of incline (up to 15 degrees) as well as 8 levels of resistance.
But what makes this particularly unique is the heart pulse pads included on their extra long handles that allow users to keep track of their target heart rate. Lastly, it has a foldable design and is easy to transport.
The Exerpeutic 100XL High Capacity Magnetic Resistance Manual Treadmill weighs 73 lbs and has dimensions of 50” L x 29” W x 50” H. There is a 3-year limited warranty.
Features
- High weight capacity
- Long handles with pulse monitors
- Adjustable resistance and incline
But be aware of…
- Fewer options for resistance than other manual treadmills
- Limited warranty
- Only one parameter is shown on display at a time
Manual Treadmill With Arm Exercisers
EFITMENT Adjustable Incline Magnetic Manual Treadmill
- Weight Capacity: 220 lbs
- Dimensions: 54” L x 35.5” W x 52” H
- Product Weight: 80 lbs
- Warranty: 1-year
- Special Features: Adjustable tension handlebars (arm exercisers), adjustable incline and resistance, digital monitor
Perhaps one of the most unique manual treadmills we’ve seen, the EFITMENT Adjustable Incline Magnetic Manual Treadmill comes with adjustable tension handlebars that allow you to incorporate your upper body while training.
Other key features of this manual treadmill include 3 incline settings, adjustable resistance, and a digital monitor that tracks your time, speed, distance, calories burned, pulse rate, and odometer.
This machine only weighs 80 lbs and has dimensions of 54” L x 35.5” W x 52” H. Additionally, it supports users up to 220 lbs and is covered by a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty.
Features
- Arm exercisers for upper-body training
- Lightweight and compact
- Has a digital monitor
But be aware of…
- Lower weight capacity
- Shorter warranty
- Fewer options for incline
Under $200 With All The Basics
Sunny Health & Fitness Manual Walking Treadmill
- Weight Capacity: 220 lbs
- Dimensions: 49” L X 23” W X 50” H
- Product Weight: 46.7 lbs
- Warranty: 3-year frame, 180-day parts and components
- Special Features: Digital monitor, non-slip handles, has floor stabilizers
The Sunny Health and Fitness Manual Walking Treadmill is pretty darn affordable while still providing a number of great features.
For example, it has dual flywheels, non-slip handlebars, a digital performance monitor, and a 220-lb weight capacity. One thing to note is that there is a fixed incline at 13.5%.
The machine weighs 46.7 lbs and has dimensions of 49” L X 23” W X 50” H. There is a 3-year structural frame warranty and a 180-day warranty for other parts and components.
Features
- Lightest weight opinion on our list
- Most compact option on our list
- Very affordable
But be aware of…
- Lower weight capacity
- Fixed incline
- Small digital monitor
Most Affordable Manual Treadmill
Fitness Reality TR1000 Manual Treadmill
- Weight Capacity: 230 lbs
- Dimensions: 47” L x 23” W x 51” H
- Product Weight: 54 lbs
- Warranty: 1-year limited
- Special Features: Adjustable incline, longer handles with foam grips, LCD display
The Fitness Reality TR1000 Manual Treadmill with 2 Level Incline & Twin Flywheels is our top choice for affordability.
Even with its incredibly low price, it still provides a number of good features, such as a 230-lb weight capacity, 2 incline levels (up to 10 degrees), LCD display, twin flywheels, and a foldable design.
This manual treadmill weighs 54 lbs and has dimensions of 47” L x 23” W x 51” H. The warranty is shorter than most, however, with a 1-year limited warranty.
Features
- Most affordable option on our list
- Very compact and lightweight
- Longer handles provide extra support
But be aware of…
- Only 2 options for incline
- Very small display
- Limited warranty
Benefits Of Manual Treadmills
All treadmills provide similar general benefits related to cardiorespiratory fitness and lower-body fitness. However, manual treadmills provide some of their own unique benefits too such as the following:
- One study found that walking and running on a manual treadmill lead to greater physiological intensity (e.g. oxygen consumption) and rate of perceived exertion compared to a motorized treadmill. This could carry over into more calories burned, too,
- Other research has found that running on a non-motorized treadmill leads to higher cardiometabolic demands (e.g. oxygen consumption, heart rate) compared to a motorized treadmill, again suggesting that manual treadmill users have to work harder.
- This study found that there was a reduction in impact accelerations, head acceleration rate, tibia peak, and tibia magnitude while running on a curved non-motorized treadmill compared to a motorized treadmill. Thus, curved non-motorized treadmills can be used to help reduce the risk of injuries sustained while running due to impact accelerations and overuse.
Manual Treadmill Exercise Resources
While most people know how to train on a standard treadmill, many have never trained on a manual treadmill before. If you happen to be someone who’s completely new to this type of training or if you want some additional tips on how to get the most out of your manual treadmill, then we encourage you to check out the following videos from Sunny Health & Fitness.
The first video discusses the benefits of using manual treadmills and explains exactly how to use them. The second video provides a 15-minute workout for beginners and the third video provides a 20-minute high-intensity interval walking workout.
Benefits And How To Use A Manual Treadmill
15 Min Manual Treadmill Interval Workout For Beginners
High-Intensity Manual Treadmill Interval Walking Workout
FAQs About Manual Treadmills
What Is A Manual Treadmill?
Manual treadmills do not rely on electricity, rather they’re powered by the user. The user sets the speed of the manual treadmill through the intensity of their running or walking instead of relying on pre-set modes or speeds.
Which Is Better: A Manual Treadmill Or Electric?
The answer to this question depends on a few factors.
Are you looking to have as much control over your training as possible? Or, do you want to train as intensely as you can within a short period of time? If you answered yes to either of these questions, then a manual treadmill is best.
However, if you want a more casual training experience or want to train for longer periods of time, then electric treadmills are typically better.
What Is The Best Manual Treadmill?
If price isn’t an issue, then we recommend the Assault Fitness AirRunner. However, if you’re looking for a manual treadmill that’s more affordable, then you should consider the Asuna Heavy Duty Manual Treadmill by Sunny Health & Fitness for a mid-tier option or the Manual Walking Treadmill by Sunny Health & Fitness for a low-cost option.
Editor’s note: we are regularly updating this review. If you see any problems, weird interpretations of the data, or just want to say hi, please reach out to hello@the-unwinder.com.
Photo by Anastasia Shuraeva from Pexels
