Manual (non-motorized) treadmills can be significantly cheaper than motor-driven units, with high-end models costing hundreds of dollars instead of thousands. Manual treadmills usually fold up smaller than motorized versions (if the motorized treadmills fold at all), making them ideal for home exercise use---if you're able to maintain a consistent, smooth stride throughout your workout. Once you start to slow down or push more with one leg than the other, a manual treadmill will immediately respond by slowing down, too, or jerking between steps.
Treadmill Basics
Step 1
Hold on to the treadmill handrail as you step onto the treadmill belt.
Step 2
Start walking "uphill" on the treadmill. All manual treadmills will be inclined to at least a slight angle to help facilitate the belt's movement. You might need to lean forwardly slightly to help get the belt moving when you first start walking.
Step 3
Rotate the treadmill's resistance knob to adjust how quickly the belt moves under your feet. You'll need to adjust the belt resistance every time you speed up or slow down. Once the resistance is properly adjusted, you'll be able to walk or run comfortably and smoothly without having to hold on to the treadmill's handrails.
Adjusting Incline
Step 1
Turn the treadmill carefully on to its side. You might need a friend to help you do this. Not every manual treadmill allows you to adjust its incline, but in most cases the treadmills that do allow this adjustment are too heavy to adjust while upright.
Step 2
Pull out the locking pins holding the treadmill deck at its current incline.
Step 3
Adjust the treadmill deck to the new incline, then reinsert the locking pins, making sure they are securely and fully seated in place.
Step 4
Return the treadmill to its normal right-side-up position.
Tips and Warnings
- Your manual treadmill might have a basic electronics console. In most cases, you can toggle through the various readings (time, speed, distance and calories burned) simply by pressing a button, or, if you're using a contemporary model, it might automatically display all of this information at once.
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