The 7 Best Manual Treadmills for Home

If asked to imagine a treadmill, chances are you’d think about the motorized kind that’s found in most gyms.

However, several brands also offer manual treadmills, which are driven by your effort rather than electricity.

As they require extra power, or “oomph,” manual treadmills can help build strength, improve your balance, and may even lead you to burn more calories than you would on their motorized counterparts (1).

To help you select a manual treadmill that best fits your fitness needs, we considered the following features:

• Value. While the cost of manual treadmills varies widely, all of the products included offer value for a range of budgets.
• Customer satisfaction. To ensure the products we included are well liked and highly rated, we read countless specification sheets, roundups, and reviews.
• Company reputation. A trusted brand name goes a long way, particularly in the fitness industry. All of the brands included have been vetted to ensure that they meet Healthline’s business standards.

Here are the 7 best manual treadmills for 2022.

Best overall

SpeedFit Speedboard Pro XL

• Price: $$$$
• Size: 67 × 33 × 72 inches (170.2 × 83.8 × 182.9 cm)
• Weight limit: 400 pounds (181.4 kg) running, 800 pounds (363.6 kg) walking
• Running deck: 66 × 17 inches (167.6 × 43.2 cm)
• Warranty: 10-year frame, 5-year belt
• Special features: 5,000 workouts, curved running deck, LED display

The SpeedFit Speedboard Pro XL is something of a hidden gem in the world of manual treadmills.

While it’s not as well known as others on our list, it scores the top spot thanks to its spacious curved belt, which can handle up to 400 pounds (181.4 kg) running and 800 pounds (363.6 kg) walking, making it suitable for all sizes and fitness levels.

The tread is also shock-absorbing, which helps protect your joints.

What’s more, the machine comes with 5,000 built-in workouts, so you’ll never get bored.

Reviewers rave that the SpeedFit Speedboard Pro XL is smooth, quiet, and stable.

These factors, combined with a 10-year warranty on the frame, make it a truly reliable piece of home gym equipment.

However, keep in mind that in addition to being one of the most expensive options on our list, at 265 pounds (120.5 kg), the SpeedFit Speedboard Pro XL is heavy and difficult to move.

Best for interval training

Assault Fitness AssaultRunner Pro

• Price: $$$
• Size: 69.9 × 31.7 × 64.4 inches (177.5 × 80.5 × 163.6 cm)
• Weight limit: 350 pounds (159 kg)
• Running deck: 62.2 × 17.1 inches (158 × 43.5 cm)
• Warranty: 1-year labor, 3-year parts, 5-year frame
• Special features: ANT+ and Bluetooth-enabled, battery operated LCD

Arguably one of the most popular nonmotorized treadmill trainers on the market, the Assault AirRunner Pro is beloved by many — and for good reason.

Thanks to its reinforced solid steel construction, the treadmill is known for being secure, stable, and reliable. It’s also fully manual and requires no electricity.

The AirRuner Pro is designed with a shock-absorbing, curved deck, as well as a wide base, which allows it to respond nicely to your foot’s cadence.

At the center of the machine is an LCD console for displaying performance metrics and selecting from four workout modes, including Quick Start, Competition Mode, Intervals, and Targets (time, distance, heart rate, and calorie burn).

According to the company’s website, the AirRunner Pro’s belt should last up to 150,000 miles (241,401.6 km), making it a great investment piece.

Best for serious athletes

TrueForm Runner

• Price: $$$$
• Size: 64 × 36 × 63 inches (162.6 × 91.4 × 160 cm)
• Weight limit: 500 pounds (227 kg)
• Running deck: not disclosed on manufacture’s website
• Warranty: 2-year
• Special features: made from 7-gauge, formed and welded steel; battery-powered LCD

If you’re looking for an added challenge, the Trueform Runner is your best bet thanks to its curved design.

With a wide belt, LED display, responsive surface, quiet system, and several customizable options — including paint colors and “turf” treads — the TrueForm is truly something special.

In fact, TrueForm claims the Runner is the most responsive, nonmotorized treadmill on the market. The company also claims it burns up to 44% more calories than standard treadmills thanks to its comfortable curve.

That said, it’s important to note that some runners don’t love the feel of curved treadmills, as curved treads require greater balance and core support.

Still, if you’re in the market for a curved treadmill, the TruForm trainer is a well-built option that’s great for both long runs and sprints.

Best for walking

Sunny Health & Fitness Force Fitmill Manual Treadmill

• Price: $$
• Size: 59 × 27 × 55 inches (150 × 68.6 × 139.7 cm)
• Weight limit: 300 pounds (136 kg)
• Running deck: 53 × 16 inches (134.6 × 40.6 cm)
• Warranty: 90-day
• Special features: multi-grip handlebars, 16 resistance levels, incline fixed at 13.5 degrees

With a fixed 13.5% incline and 16 levels of magnetic resistance, the Sunny Health & Fitness Force Fitmill Manual Treadmill is a great fit if you’re looking to make your walking routine more challenging.

It also includes multi-grip handrails that are designed to be sweat-resistant to keep your hands from slipping.

With a relatively large deck and maximum user weight of 300 pounds (136 kg), customers note that it’s a stable, sturdy machine, especially for the price.

However, as the machine’s dual flywheel system takes quite a bit of effort to get going, many reviews don’t recommend it for long runs or sprints.

Best hybrid

NordicTrack x32i Treadmill

• Price: $$$$
• Size: 76 × 40 × 73 inches (193 × 101.6 × 185.4 cm)
• Weight limit: 300 pounds (136 kg)
• Running deck: 65 × 22 inches (165 × 55.9 cm)
• Warranty: 1-year labor, 2-year parts, 10-year frame
• Special features: 4.25 HP motor, built-in fans, 1-year iFit subscription, 50 built-in workouts, 32-inch (81.3-cm) touchscreen, incline up to 40 degrees

Unlike the other treadmills on this list, the NordicTrack x32i has a motor. Yes, the NordicTrack x32i is where the manual treadmill meets the motored treadmill.

Hybrid options are particularly ideal for households with multiple runners, or if you prefer the option of either a motorized or manual workout.

In manual mode, the x32i’s belt disengages from the motor, relying instead on your lower body strength to get it moving.

According to NordicTrack, manual mode isn’t designed for long-distance runs or sprints. Instead, it’s intended for low-speed resistance work.

For motorized runs, the treadmill provides speeds up to 12 miles per hour (19 km per hour) and up to 40 degrees of incline.

In addition to offering you a more versatile workout, the NordicTrack x32i includes a cushioned running deck, solid steel construction, and 32-inch (81.3-cm) touchscreen for streaming workout classes on iFit.

Best affordable

Fitness Reality TR1000 Manual Treadmill

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly manual treadmill that’s quiet and easy to use, the Fitness Reality TR1000 Space Saver is a great choice.

With two incline positions, twin cast-iron flywheels, and space-saving technology, it’s also a good option if you’re tight on space.

However, with a max weight of just 230 pounds (104.3 kg), it’s not the sturdiest or most heavy duty machine on our list.

Best basic

Exerpeutic 100XL High Capacity Manual Treadmill

• Price: $
• Size: 50 × 29 × 50 inches (127 × 73.7 × 127 cm)
• Weight limit: 325 pounds (147.4 kg)
• Running deck: 45 × 16 inches (114.3 × 40.5 cm)
• Warranty: 3-year
• Special features: foldable, LCD, extra-long handles, 8 resistance levels, incline up to 15 degrees

If you’re looking for a compact treadmill without the bells and whistles of more expensive models, the Exerpeutic 100XL High Capacity Manual Treadmill is worth considering.

With a weight capacity of up to 325 pounds (147.4 kg), 8 levels of resistance, and up to 15 degrees of incline, the treadmill is ideal for walkers and casual exercisers alike.

Plus, the treadmill is foldable and comes preassembled.