5 Best Manual Treadmills in 2025

The Grit Runner by Tru Grit Fitness is one of the most affordable curved manual treadmills on the market, which is why we put it as our favorite overall. This treadmill is right at $2,500 and includes free delivery, which is good considering it is 415 pounds (shipping would be expensive), earning it a 4 out of 5 for value. 

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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 don’t have that guarantee, so that’s nice to see on a budget-friendly option. It feels great to use, and earns 3 out of 5 stars for ergonomics.

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.

One thing to be aware of is the slats on the belt. They’re a little wider than I’d typically like, and multiple times, my kids have played with this treadmill and had their fingers get stuck. From a safety perspective, I wouldn’t want to run on this very much without shoes on, and I wish the slats were closer together to avoid pinching small fingers.

Something else 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. For portability, this only earns 2 out of 5 stars, and 3 out of 5 for durability.

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.

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 rates the noise level (or lack thereof) a 4 out of 5 and says, “The treadmill isn’t excessively loud. There’s no mechanical noise, so it’s definitely bearable.” Our testers at GGR headquarters tested out the noise level with a decibel reader, which read 62.9 decibels from a distance of 4 feet; that’s even quieter than some of the best quiet treadmills we’ve tested.

Costing around $120 at the time of writing, this is also one of the best budget manual treadmills, as long as you don’t mind something that’s not quite as durable as the more expensive option.

“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.” 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 of 5 stars for durability.

Our tester also found that it’s easy to go much faster than you want to and gives it 3 out of 5 for the workout experience.

“It’s really hard to not go WAY too fast by accident, because there’s very little resistance to your feet,” says our tester. “It’s almost like using an extremely sensitive mouse pad where you want it to be just a little less responsive.

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 our testing process. If you can splurge for a more durable machine, we suggest the B.o.S. Manual Treadmill.

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, and gave the technology 3 out of 5.

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. The durability score is an easy 4 out of 5.

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, earning it a 3.5 out of 5 for its workout performance. 

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

Athletes who are serious about improving their running game—or just getting solid cardio exercise in their schedule—will want to consider the Rogue Woodway Curve LTG, a collaboration between two titans in the fitness industry. This Rogue-branded model of the Woodway Curve LTG is a lighter-duty version of the original Woodway Curve, ideal for use in your home gym.

Don’t let the “lighter-duty” term fool you, though. I haven’t had my hands on this manual treadmill yet, but the specs are impressive, rivalling that of the AssaultRunner Elite. The heavy belt makes for a stable 297-pound frame that holds a weight capacity of 160 kilograms (just over 350 pounds) while in a full run. The treadmill has the typical durable build of other Rogue equipment, earning it a 4 out of 5 for its durability.

Woodway has also added their patented slat belt of TPE-covered (thermoplastic elastomer) slats, designed to reduce shock and improve your comfort while running. With its curved design and ergonomic slats, it’s sure to help your running stride without shocking your joints too much.

Along with the slat belt, Woodway uses curved uprights and non-slip side covers to make a stable machine that reduces your chance of falls. It gets a 4 out of 5 for ergonomics.

I’ll admit that customer reviews are pretty low, but most of the complaints lie in the older software of the LCD monitor. Rogue has since released a new software update which is already installed into new machines; still, older users might have some trouble updating the software. The improved LCD monitor tracks speed, time, calories, burned, and your heart rate with a Bluetooth connection.

At $3,495, this is a pricier manual treadmill than most, but it still falls in line with most higher-end curved manual treadmills. That said, athletes looking to step up their running workouts might want to consider this treadmill.

For a cheaper investment check out the Grit Runner by Tru Grit, priced at $1,000 cheaper—albeit with a bit less stability.

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 run effectively. The curve and high weight capacity works for a multitude of people, which earns it a 4.25 out of 5 for ergonomics. Be warned tough: 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.

Overall, the TrueForm Trainer earns a 3.5 out of 5 for footprint and portability.

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, and I give this a 3.5 out of 5 for durability.

For more, 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.