Manual Treadmill Vs Electric Treadmill

One of the most efficient machines for cardiovascular exercises is the treadmill. It is primarily used for indoor walking, running and jogging. It comes in two types; manually driven and electrical. Most people are often in doubt about the choice that they should go for. So in order to make a wise decision, proper information about each of these two types, always come in handy. What matters is, the machine which you bring home must be able to give you the workout you want. So here is an overview on manual treadmill vs electric treadmill, which will describe the major differences between the two machine types.

Manual vs Electric Treadmill - Which One To Go For?

Manual Treadmill Benefits
A manual treadmill, as the name suggests, works by using the effort of the user. Here are its benefits and some drawbacks.

• In the discussion of manual treadmill vs electric treadmill, the first advantage which the manual machine offers is the comfort of being lighter, smaller and easier to store.
• This machine is considerably cheaper than its electrical counterpart and requires low maintenance. A manual treadmill is also know to be more durable and lasts for years with minimal maintenance.
• Using a manual treadmill provides greater advantage in working out those extra pounds on the hips and love handles too. On this machine the lower portion of the body is worked out better as all the effort is coming from your legs and not from the machine.

Manual Treadmill Drawbacks
The advantages make very strong arguments in favor of manual treadmills, but they also have some fair drawbacks. Let us have a look at them.

• A manual treadmill vs electric treadmill analysis throws light in one major disadvantage of the manual appliance. As there is no motor to drive the machine, working out may get difficult initially and might be stressful on your joints.
• Adjusting the speed or the inclination may get quite annoying at times when you want to make it easy enough to get the belt moving.
• A manual treadmill is not efficient enough to burn off calories as the speed is determined by the user and not by the machine.
• A manual treadmill also lacks many of the added benefits and features which come with a motorized treadmill.

Motorized Treadmill Benefits
Let us now have a look at some of the advantages that a motorized electrical treadmill has over its manual counterpart.

• As this machine is driven by a motor, you will not have to strain to start it and get your muscles strained in the process.
• During your treadmill workouts, you have the comfort of adjusting between the speed and the inclination of the machine.
• As the speed is set by the machine, you can run faster and longer, thereby burning more calories. The best feature of a motorized treadmill is that it keeps running and keeps you motivated to carry on with the workout.

Motorized Treadmill Drawbacks
The motorized treadmill also has some drawbacks. Let us have a look at them.

• One of the main drawbacks that a motorized treadmill may have for some people is its high cost. It tends to be heavy and requires quite a good amount of space.
• Maintenance is also a concern for these electrical devices as there are many unforeseen things may go wrong with motorized devices.
• As this appliance would run on electricity, so the electric bills may get heavy on your pockets.

When it comes to the manual treadmill vs electric treadmill choice, the important factor to be kept in mind is the kind of requirement and expectation you have from the machine. Those who are already in a reasonable shape and simply want to maintain a daily schedule of walking, manual treadmills fit the bill. On the other hand, people who are looking towards some serious 'fat-burning' workouts, the best treadmills would obviously be the electric ones.

People also have options to go for refurbished treadmills. Common brands which offer such machines are Star trac, Lifefitness / Lifestride, Precor and Cybex. However, it is advisable to be aware of the different features of refurbished treadmills and their life expectancy from the manufacturer. Read more on cheap treadmills and how to find cheap treadmills.

So these were some of the major advantages and disadvantages which you can refer to, before buying a treadmill for yourself. The points which have been put forward to you in the overview of this 'manual treadmill vs electric treadmill' article, serve to you as a treadmill buying guide in your investment. Both of these types have their share of pros and cons, what matters most is your need to keep you in good health.