With the combination of today’s economy and the desire to be healthy and physically fit colliding, a manual treadmill machine can be just the answer for the average consumer and is one of the most popular fitness equipment for at home use today.

Here is a way to exercise at home when you want with no additional cost other than the original purchase of the treadmill. Are you wondering what exactly is a manual treadmill? Basically it is a treadmill that has no electric motor but does have a rubberized walking surface and handles.
Many have a heart monitor and distance counter to evaluate your workout progress. When used properly, a manual treadmill can give you an excellent cardiovascular and lower body workout. Walking is also good for the abdominal and gluts. We have all seen those huge treadmills with the console that looks like you have to be an electronic genius just to find the power button. Why not a treadmill that will fit under your bed with simple operation at a reasonable cost?

There are pros and cons to all aspects of the manual treadmill machine. The biggest pro is the cost being within the $75 to $200 range. This is affordable for most consumers looking to invest in a piece of exercise equipment and is often less than the cost of the fee for a fitness center. Second, it is powered by you meaning there is no motor moving the belt that you are walking or running on. This makes it a quieter machine when in use, lighter in weight and smaller in overall size than an electric treadmill. Third, many manual treadmills will fold in half allowing easy storage under a bed or in a closet. This is great for apartment dwellers with limited space. The portability of the treadmill makes it ideal for the vacation cabin or exercising on a patio or deck.

The cons of the manual treadmill include that the belt has to be started and stopped by the user and any change in incline has to be manually adjusted during the workout period. This can be a minor inconvenience but does add to the lower body workout. An interior flywheel keeps the gears running smoothly allowing you to vary the intensity of your workout. There has been some reports of the belt slipping to one side and having to be manually adjusted.

Second, most will have a weight limit of 250 pounds as they are smaller in construction and lighter in material than the heavier electronic treadmills. Third, manual treadmills are more suitable for walking and light jogging.
Many of the major fitness equipment manufacturers such as Stamina, Lifegear, Phoenix, and Nordic Track, offer manual treadmills at varying prices with different options. Many even offer financing and product guarantees. Information is available online for virtually every brand of manual treadmill complete with option information, pricing, reviews and availability.
A popular model of manual treadmill is the Stamina Inmotion II treadmill available at fitness equipment stores or even Amazon.com. This is a portable treadmill for under $180.00 with incline options and some models include a pulse rate monitor. It is perfect for a good aerobic workout in your home at any time you choose to exercise. There are many models of manual treadmills listed as Stamina Inmotion treadmills and can be found at virtually every major department store ranging from Sears to Target.
So if you are contemplating the purchase of a manual treadmill, keep in mind what you hope to accomplish with the equipment and what your limitations are including cost and the size of the area you have available to exercise. Do your homework and whenever possible, take a test walk on a manual treadmill and get the feel for it. Happy treading to you!

[ReviewAZON asin="B000W09O96" display="inlinepost"]  [ReviewAZON asin="B000NPXWMU" display="inlinepost"]