Not all treadmills are created equal. According to Dick's Sporting Goods Treadmill Buyers Guide, you can get away with a 2-horsepower motor for a running treadmill. If you're an avid runner, err on the side of purchasing a heavier duty treadmill; you'll appreciate the extra durability and reliable performance as you put it to heavy use.
Motorized Treadmills
The treadmills you see in the gym, and many home treadmills as well, are motorized models. A motor powers the belt; you use push-button controls to adjust the belt's speed, and sometimes the machine's incline as well. The downside of motorized treadmills is that they tend to be heavier, take up more space, and cost more than manual treadmills. On the other hand, being able to set the belt's speed, independent of your pace, lets you focus only on your stride, as opposed to actually moving the treadmill belt on a manual treadmill.
Manual Treadmills
Most manual treadmills offer all the features of a motorized treadmill, including adjustable incline and resistance. The only difference is that you, not a motor, make the belt move by pushing on it with your feet. While manual treadmills may provide a good workout for well conditioned individuals, if your running stride is anything less than perfectly smooth you may experience uneven belt motion, since you're not moving the belt evenly with each stride. You'll also find that, as you tire, the belt moves more slowly, making keeping up speed difficult if not impossible. Getting off the treadmill, and sometimes even tipping it over on its side, to adjust incline is an added inconvenience.
On the other hand, manual treadmills tend to be lighter, smaller, and less expensive than motorized treadmills.
Incline Treadmills
Incline trainers are motorized treadmills that offer an incline of up to 40 percent, far beyond the typical treadmill incline limit of about 10 percent. While many incline trainers offer maximum belt speeds comparable to a normal treadmill's maximum speed, Run Reviews warns that the machine's maximum belt speed reduces as the incline is elevated. So don't expect to run at 12 miles per hour at a 40 percent incline.
TreadClimbers
TreadClimbers, produced by Nautilus and its subsidiary Bowflex, are a combination stepper machine and treadmill. Two independent treadles, each with a motorized belt like a mini-treadmill, move up and down like stair stepper pedals as you walk. TreadClimbers have a maximum belt speed of 4 mph or less. This makes them less than ideal for running workouts, although you might enjoy the variety and simulated hill climb on rest days. The TreadClimber's main claim to fame is burning twice as many calories as walking on a treadmill at the same speed.
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