7 Best Manual Treadmills in 2024

In terms of manual treadmills, the AssaultRunner Pro hits the mark for being a great value. It’s no secret that these pieces of cardio equipment can be really pricey, and the AssaultRunner Pro is about $3,000. However, this is on the affordable side of manual treadmills and has a lot to offer.

I’m an especially big fan of the monitor that takes inspiration from the Assault AirBike and includes nine built-in programs the AssaultRunner Pro features. These include quick-start, competition mode, target heart rate, target time, target distance, target calories, custom intervals, 20/10, and 10/20 intervals. 

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This manual treadmill is a big hit with me especially because it’s versatile – running, walking, and sprinting are all a breeze on the AssaultRunner Pro. If you’re someone who likes doing sprinting intervals, you’ll probably find that the belt spins quite fast on this treadmill, which makes it ideal for this kind of activity.  

The AssaultRunner Pro is a fairly portable motorless treadmill at only 280 pounds. It also has wheels and a handle attached to help you easily move the machine around your garage gym. I was able to move it by myself fairly easily, but you could always grab a friend or family member to help, too. 

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One of the major draws of this machine is the large, 60-inch running surface. This means you can feel confident if you’re someone with a bigger stride. Some of the manual treadmills have very short decks, which only make sense for walking because you can’t take a full stride. This is a big advantage for anyone interested in improving their jogging, running, or sprinting.

The warranty provided is average – 5 years frame, 3 years parts, and 150,000 miles belt. It isn’t the worst, but I think it could be better. However, the more expensive AssaultRunner Elite does have a longer warranty but it comes with an increased price tag. 

Learn more on my AssaultRunner Pro review.

If you’re looking for a heavier belt to help propel into running speeds (plus a lifetime belt warranty) check out the AssaultRunner Elite.

Despite costing less than the other manual treadmills on this list, the $2,000 Bells of Steel Wooden Residential Manual Treadmill still delivers many of the same benefits and is built to last. It should be noted that this is a new product, and some orders may not ship until May 31st.

Certified personal trainer Lindsay Scheele, lead reviewer of Garage Gym Reviews Everything, got a sneak peek of the curved treadmill and said it “kicked her butt.”

She’s also a fan of the aesthetics, saying the wooden frame could fit in some people’s living rooms. She also notes that, as with similar human-powered treadmills, it’s much easier to maintain. Bells of Steel recommends regular dusting, though you won’t have to tighten bolts or lube the treadmill deck like with traditional models.

Lindsay, however, adds this treadmill might not be for everyone. She points out that the 47-inch running deck is shorter than other manual treadmills — the AssaultRunner Pro is 62 inches long — which makes it difficult for people who want to do sprints or interval training.

For a solid sprinting machine I suggest the AssaultRunner Pro or AssaultRunner Elite.

If you’re someone who struggles to run with proper mechanics in mind, the TrueForm Trainer might be a good option for you. Due to the structure of the slightly curved deck, you’re forced to engage all parts of your body to effectively run. Be warned: if you heel strike, you won’t last long on the TrueForm, as it’s much more difficult to run this way.

I’ve included the TrueForm Trainer on this list because it is the more affordable counterpart to the TrueForm Runner. For a commercial setting, the all-metal, made-in-America TrueForm Runner is my suggestion, but most home gyms would be better off with the lower-priced Trainer. There are a few differences between a commercial treadmill and home treadmill, mainly having to do with the construction and warranty. 

Speaking in terms of manual treadmills, the TrueForm Trainer is on the lighter side at 270 pounds. This means you can more easily maneuver it around your home gym. I also like that there is a user weight capacity of 400 pounds because it makes the machine a more inclusive choice for different people.

The TrueForm Trainer is made of thick, black plastic. Although I’m not a huge fan of equipment constructed out of plastic, the steel frame is very solid. It uses a welded frame with hundreds of bearings for the belt to ride. I think the plastic will crack over time, but the actual treadmill itself should hold up fine to regular cardio workouts. 

Check out my TrueForm Trainer review. 

If you have the cash to splurge on a similar treadmill built with a lot less plastic, check out the TrueForm Runner.

Some people just prefer walking over running, or can’t do the latter due to an injury. No matter, that’s what the Sunny Health and Fitness Manual Walking Treadmill is for. Like the other options on our list, this treadmill will go as fast as you go, which may not be too fast due to the 13.5 percent incline.

The incline is a huge plus for us because it provides an extra challenge for users while still allowing them to go at lower speeds than they would on a running treadmill. Incline walking has been shown to increase your metabolism and tone your lower-body muscles.

The GGR expert tester who ordered, assembled, and tested this manual walking treadmill says the treadmill isn’t excessively loud, but it was wobbly. When a treadmill wobbles it can put unnecessary wear and tear on the machine limit its longevity, which is why this treadmill earns a 2 out 5 stars for durability.

“This treadmill got pretty shaky,” says our GGR tester. “And there is a fair amount of back and forth shifting from the handles, which is unfortunate because you need to hold on to the handrails to propel the manual tread belt forward.”

For those who are tight on space, this walking treadmill comes with a compact footprint and can be folded. The shorter size means people with longer strides may not be able to use this, but for the average person, it should be just fine.

Our other callout about this treadmill is that it has a maximum user weight of 220 pounds and that it only comes with a short three-year warranty (not that you should expect much more from a product that costs under $200, but it’s still a little annoying.)

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The Sunny Health & Fitness Manual Walking Treadmill wasn’t stable during out testing process. If you can splurge for a more durable machine, we suggest the B.o.S. Manual Treadmill.

For athletes who are serious about improving their running game, the AssaultRunner Elite is your best pick because of the heavier belt. In my years of using this and other manual treadmills, I’ve found that the Elite is better at correcting your form, foot placement, and mimicking the real-life feeling of pounding your feet on the pavement.

As I point out in my AssaultRunner Elite review, this is an expensive piece of equipment. Is it worth it? I think so. For one, it comes with a lifetime warranty (the less expensive AssaultRunner Pro is only covered up to 150,000 miles) that will ensure it stays in good conditioning during your entire athletic career and into your eventual retirement.

In addition to my thoughts, I’ve had many of our expert product testers on the GGR team test the AssaultRunner Elite over the years and everyone is super impressed with how much control you have over your own speed and foot placement. One of our experts says, “Once you learn how to pace your stride, running on the AssaultRunner Elite is a very controlled ride. It’s also ultra quiet and super stable.”

It also comes with two water bottle holders (some manual treadmills have none) so you can stay hydrated during training sessions and a UV-resistant console that allows it to be used outside without worrying about damaging the machine. Lastly, the 400-pound weight capacity is one of the highest on this list.

The durability also allows you to do weighted farmer’s walks, overhead carries, and other resistance training-based movements while you work on your cardiovascular fitness. Another factor to the durability is the heavy belt, which makes it easier to get the belt started for beginners and it’s easier to reach sprinting speeds. That said, because this machine has a heavy belt, it doesn’t come to an immediate stop, so I suggest using the side rails to prevent any accidents.

While the AssaultRunner Elite doesn’t have a touchscreen display for Peloton or iFIT programming, it does have Bluetooth and ANT+ connectivity and a high-contrast screen with handful of built-in programs like custom intervals, target training options, and competition mode.

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The AssaultRunner Elite is a major investment. If you want top-notch Assault Fitness quality for less, check out the AssaultRunner Pro.

The Grit Runner by Tru Grit Fitness is one of the most affordable curved manual treadmills on the market. This treadmill is right at $2,500 and includes free delivery, which is good considering it is 415 pounds (shipping would be expensive). 

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My favorite thing about the Grit Runner is the thick rubber tread. You also get a lifetime belt warranty on this treadmill, which is a huge plus. Plenty of higher-end manual treadmills doesn’t have that guarantee so that’s nice to see on a budget-friendly option.

I like the Grit Runner for walking and running, but be warned: it is super loud if you try to sprint on it. In fact, it might be the loudest manual treadmill I’ve ever come across, so keep that in mind. It is also not designed to help you improve your running form like the TrueForm Trainer and Runner.

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The Grit Runner does include resistance options, which can be seen on higher end treadmills like the TechnoGym SkillMill, although I wish they offered more resistance than what’s currently available.

Something I’m not crazy about (but is unsurprising for the price) is the heavy use of plastic everywhere. The machine feels very wide and the shrouds wrap around the transportation wheels, which causes it to hit the ground when moving. I feel like they could have been a little more conservative with their use of plastic.

To learn more, read my TruGrit Runner review.

The Grit Runner tread belt runs fast and loud. The AssaultRunner Elite has a heavy belt that can help you get to top speeds without going too fast and stays reasonably quiet.

If you’re someone who likes the idea of owning a manual treadmill but still wants to be able to utilize programming and apps, the Xebex Runner Smart Connect might be for you. The just under $4,000 machine is Bluetooth-compatible with apps like Kinomap, Zwift, PerfPRO Studio, Selfloops Group Training, and GymTrakr. 

The console attached to the Xebex is one of the better ones I’ve personally seen with a manual treadmill. You can set event mode to use the treadmill for timed competitions or even view one of eight different performance metrics after a workout. I was actually pretty impressed with the functionality.

I’ve had this manual treadmill for a few years, and it has required very little in the way of maintenance. The warranty for the treadmill is also pretty decent, so I feel pretty confident about the overall durability and longevity. 

Something I’m not crazy about – the spin of the belt is really quick and doesn’t exactly make me feel like I’m simulating real running conditions. This is fine if you’re into overspeed training, but if you’re not, the belt may move too quickly for your taste. The quick spin of the belt combined with light resistance makes this manual treadmill move really fast really quickly. 

The five-year warranty on the Xebex Runner could be better. If you’re looking for longer warranty policy, I suggest the TrueForm Trainer.