Electric or Manual Treadmill – the debate is not about choosing the one between these contemporaries as both have some amazing features, and both help you achieve the maximum fitness level. Choosing one between the two can be complicated, considering the excellent features and benefits of both. You should be clear about your preferences before investing in a motorized or non-motorized treadmill. Whether you are a sprinter or want to incorporate HIIT workout sessions, a home gym runner, or a beginner, there is always the best option to consider with respect to the pros and cons for both.
While a manual treadmill requires more energy exertion, the electric treadmill, on the other hand, is integrated with a built-in motor to move the treadmill’s running surface automatically. Whatever type you choose between the two, you should be thoroughly enjoying your workout time on the treadmill. In this blog post, we have enlisted the pros and cons of motorized and non-motorized treadmills to help you find out which one is the right option for you.
What is a Manual Treadmill?
The first thing that crosses the mind while thinking about the ‘manual treadmill’ is the high energy input that is required to keep the running belt moving. This is exactly what the manual or non-motorized treadmill brings with it, i.e., a treadmill that operates by the energy and efforts exerted by the user on the tread belt. Running on a non-electric treadmill is similar to running or jogging outside as you move your legs on the running surface at the desired speed. A manual treadmill has either a flat surface or a slightly curved belt, and both encourage muscle-building and easy-to-follow HIIT workout programs. However, most manual treadmill users prefer curved surfaces over flat ones due to the ease of keeping up with the workout pace.
Manual Treadmill Advantages
The manual treadmill has several benefits, especially the feature of being energy-free is preferred by those concerned about electricity bills.
No Electrical Source is Needed
The user does not have to worry about raising electricity bills when they can still enjoy their workout on a treadmill without connecting it to an electrical plug. This impressive and distinctive feature of a manual or non-motorized treadmill makes it possible to place this cardio equipment anywhere you want without concern for a nearby power source.
A Safer Option
Those users with balance issues might find it harder to work out on an electrical treadmill as its belt moves automatically and require a safety key to stop in case something falls or the user faces any injury. But with a non-motorized flat-belt treadmill, it is safer as the belt stops when the user stops. It significantly reduces the chances of the user sliding off the moving belt and gives more control over the belt and running speed.
Budget-friendly Cardio Equipment at Home
Having a home gym comes with the concept of a hefty price tag, but with the flat-bed, non-motorized treadmills, it is pretty much easier to have a piece of huge cardio equipment at home that does not higher at all. The price of a non-motorized treadmill with flat surfaces is estimated to be around $100 to $300, much less than a high-end electrical treadmill.
More Energy Input
If the user runs on a manual treadmill with a fast pace and greater body force, there are chances of burning 30% more calories than on an electrical treadmill. Since the entire workout depends upon the energy exerted by the user on the treadmill, the calorie burn per hour is higher, making it an effective cardiovascular workout.
Great for Muscle Strengthening
Since a manual treadmill requires more leg work, this is an effective workout to strengthen the muscles in the lower body, especially the legs, quads, and glutes. Walking or running on a manual treadmill gives more boost to cardiovascular health as the user has to exert extra force with his entire body, and the potential of working out with maximum efficiency is increased.
Space-friendly, Compact Design
Manual treadmills have a sleek and slim design with space-friendly ergonomics, making them easy to place anywhere at home. These are not bulky like the motorized treadmills and take up lesser space. With some lighter, space-friendly designs, a manual or non-motorized treadmill can be folded back to slide under the desk or placed anywhere at home, even in a low-ceiling space.
Easy-to-follow HIIT Programs
The curve-surfaced manual treadmills are great for easily carrying out high-intensity interval workouts as these treadmills are adjustable according to the workout intensity. The athletes can increase or decrease their intensity by varying their workout pace and force exertion.
Manual Treadmill Disadvantages
Although a manual treadmill brings a lot of fitness and health benefits and keeps a person in pace with his steady workout routine, it does not keep it away from some potential drawbacks. If you are not habitual of a conventional non-motorized treadmill, you may think of a few areas which need improvement according to your requirements.
You may get bored easily
In a manual treadmill, not only is an electrical motor missing, but there is also a lack of built-in programs that keep the user engaged during his time on the treadmill. Since there are no media options and pre-installed programs, you must look for other ways to keep yourself engaged while burning those stubborn calories.
Not a sturdy build quality
Most manual treadmills, especially flat-belt surface treadmills, do not provide much capacity to withstand the weight of heavier users, and after some time, the belt starts shaking. Although the gym equipment manufacturing giants are working to introduce premium quality construction of a non-electrical treadmill, there is still enough space for improvement in terms of heavy usage.
Poor incline adjustment
Most of the manual treadmills come with poor incline settings and do not allow the user to change his incline angle. In flat-belt treadmills, the user does not have the freedom to add some incline speed into his workout; all he does is walk or run on the level of the treadmill. However, the curved, surfaced treadmill might allow a few levels of inclination. To keep moving at the same inclined level for a long, the user has to take the support of handrails to prevent him from having a bad gait.
Increased chances of joint injury
Since a manual treadmill does not offer enough padding and the user has to exert some extra pressure to keep the belt moving, there are more chances of stressing joints. Walking on a non-motorized treadmill requires more of a user’s force, so if the person has any joint or muscle issue, this power exertion can lead to severe muscle, knee, or joint injury.
What is a Motorized Treadmill?
An electrical treadmill sets the tone of exercise with the help of a built-in motor that moves the tread belt according to the user’s desired speed. From choosing a basic electric treadmill with a horsepower of 1.5 CHP to a more sophisticated treadmill that is suited for heavy users, you may choose the one that ticks the right boxes for you. The workout consistency on a motorized treadmill, coupled with some of the lucrative preset programs, makes an electric treadmill a perfect choice for those who want to add some versatility to their workout training programs.
Motorized Treadmill Advantages
A motorized treadmill has many benefits, especially for those who struggle to work out on a manual treadmill.
Lesser joint strain
Since the electric motor let the tread belt move in the motorized treadmill, the user does not have to put extra strain on his joint to keep moving. You can adjust the motor speed according to your preference and allow the automatically rotating belt to do strenuous work for you.
Incline adjustment
The electrical treadmill offers multiple incline settings only with the click of a button. You can also make incline adjustments while still running on the motorized belt. To add another level of difficulty to your walking, some electrical treadmills also offer decline features for a more enhanced outdoor walking and running experience.
Entertains all types of users
Due to the electric treadmill being manufactured with a sturdy build quality, it can withstand all types of users. Whether you want to shed extra pounds, strengthen your muscles, or train for a marathon, a motorized treadmill encapsulates the needs of all types of users. The endurance capacity of an electric motor is many times higher than the conventional non-motorized treadmill, making it an ideal choice for longer workout sessions.
Top-notch features
It’s not just the motorized automatic belt that sets the electric treadmill apart from its non-motorized counterpart, but a lot of other interesting features as well have made it a viable option. Some high-quality electrical treadmills have advanced functionality and features such as speakers, iFit programs, Bluetooth accessibility, built-in fans, LCD screens, heart rate monitor, impulse rate sensors, and much more.
Motorized Treadmill Disadvantages
If you think choosing a motorized treadmill will satisfy all your requirements, you need to consider the following drawbacks of a non-electrical treadmill.
Need to plug in the power
The first and foremost thing that makes the user question the purchase of an electric treadmill is its requirement of plugging it into an electric outlet. So before placing your treadmill at any spot, you must consider the nearby placement of an electric outlet. Due to this reason, you may end up placing a treadmill at an awkward spot in the house.
Increased electricity bills
If you have purchased an electric treadmill, get ready for the increased electricity bills as it functions on a higher voltage that increases bills. So, if you are ready to pay for that extra amount, a motorized treadmill might be your considerable choice.
Higher chances of injury
As the electrical treadmill has an automatically moving tread belt, there are more chances of a user falling off the belt easily if he gets distracted. Some users with balance issues might need to wear a safety cord to keep themselves safe after a fall. In case of any accidental fall from the electrical treadmill, the user gets propelled backward, increasing the chances of severe injuries.
Expensive
Since an electric treadmill offers advanced functionalities and top-notch features, all of these come with a hefty price tag. The price of a high-quality treadmill that offers lucrative features starts at $1000. Any electrical motor that comes at a price lower than that is usually underpowered due to its poor frame quality and lesser power support. Also, to keep the treadmill working properly for longer, you must also put on some extra maintenance expenses.
Differences Between Electric and Manual Treadmills
| Specification | Manual Treadmill | Electric Treadmill |
| Build quality | The curved-belt non-motorized treadmills allow hard training and are generally considered better than flat-belt treadmills. The manual treadmills start shaking after continuously being used by heavy users. | The frame construction of motorized treadmills is outstanding and can hold any type of user or any amount of time. The premium electrical treadmills have solid construction quality that works longer. |
| Cost | A manual treadmill comes with very limited features and has no support for the electrical belt. This is why a non-motorized treadmill costs lower between $100 to $500. | Since an electrical treadmill has many high-tech features, it comes with a high price tag, usually starting from $1000. |
| Safety | A manual treadmill is generally safer for users with body balance issues. As the belt moves when the user moves, it suddenly stops if the user immediately falls. | You will need to take the help of a safety cord if you suddenly fall from the running belt. There are more chances of getting injuries when running on the electrical treadmill. |
| Impact on body | Manual treadmills requires more effort from the user, putting more stress on the joints and muscles. | In the electric treadmill, the motor does the hard work, not the user, so less stress is put on the muscles and joints. |
| Effectiveness | Since a motorized treadmill requires the entire effort of the user, it comes up as a great cardiovascular workout followed by higher energy expenditure and more sweating. | Since the tread belt moves with the help of a motor, the energy exertion by the user is quite low, so for anyone who wants to put more pressure and energy into his workout, an electrical treadmill might not tick that box. |
| Storage | Since no motor is associated with a manual treadmill, it is lighter in weight than its electric counterpart. Due to its small weight, a manual treadmill can be taken or stored anywhere. | Due to the availability of advanced features and motor connectivity, the motorized treadmill is heavier in size and weight. Its bulky size makes it harder to store or move at home. |
Which is better – a manual or an electric treadmill, for you?
There are obvious differences between a manual and a motorized treadmill, and after sorting out all of your requirements, you will better understand which one will suit you the most. Both treadmills are great for achieving your fitness goals by providing cardiovascular sessions.
A manual treadmill is a deal to bet on if you are not much into advanced and tech-friendly features and want to keep things within your budget. Since a non-motorized treadmill is portable, lightweight, and saves lots of electricity bills, it is the perfect choice for those who are looking for a space-friendly and power-saving design. On the other hand, the electric treadmill comes with state-of-the-art features coupled with an electrical motor. It is an optimum choice for those who are looking for a more advanced and tech-friendly option without bothering with the hefty price tag.
The pros and cons of both treadmills are made clear for you to reach a conclusive buying decision. Always analyze your requirements before making a purchase of such a pivotal investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it good to use a manual treadmill?
A manual treadmill is a great option to consider if you want to gain strength in the muscles of your lower body. A manual treadmill is a great investment for more intense HIIT workout sessions.
Is a manual treadmill good for weight loss?
Since on a manual treadmill, the user has to put in some extra effort and energy, the more calories are burned, which makes it a great option for weight loss.
Is it hard to walk on a manual treadmill?
A motorized treadmill is powered by the user’s efforts and movements. The harder you walk on the tread belt, the faster it moves. The more power exertion the user requires makes walking on a manual treadmill harder.
Are manual treadmills more effective?
Since manual treadmills require more power exertion by the user, it tends to produce more visible and effective results in less time than a non-motorized treadmill.
Can you lose weight on a manual treadmill?
Many calories are lost when working out on a manual treadmill because it requires more effort and energy to move a non-motorized tread belt. Hence, a manual treadmill helps effectively in weight loss.
Is it hard to use a manual treadmill?
The functionality of a manual treadmill is based on the user’s movement and not on the electric motor. The more energy and effort a user puts on the tread belt, the faster it moves. The manual treadmills, which come with curved surfaces, put more pressure on the muscles and are great for overall muscle strengthening.
How long should I walk on a manual treadmill to lose weight?
If you have just started working out on a manual treadmill, you may start working out for 20 minutes a day. Once you have established your pace, you may increase your time by 40 to 45 minutes per day to lose weight.
Why are manual treadmills better?
The improved muscle strengthening, more calorie burn-out, no electricity requirement, and compact and foldable design are some of the specifications that make a manual treadmill a better choice than a motorized treadmill.