Anybody run on a cheap MANUAL (nonmotorized) treadmill (and NOT the Woodway curve)?

Triathlon Forum
1

This post might seem ridiculous to some at first, but I assure you I am NOT trolling!

I come from a running background of 25+ years, last 10k was sub 39. I also own a very good Sole F80 treadmill that’s in my garage and gets frequent use. Lately I’ve taken the jump to minimalist/barefoot run style which is hard, but going well.

I noticed that Amazon has quite a few cheap manual treadmills in the $100-$150 range. Like this one (LINK). Cheap, looks flimsy, but weighs only 45 pounds (same weight as a Kickr) meaning I could move it from room to room (more helpful than you think if you have a puppy and a child), apparently is very quiet per reviews.

I know, I know, WTF would I waste my money on this when I have a SoleF80? Main reason is that I often have time with my 7yr old and a fairly high-maintenance 6 month old golden retriever that both hate going in the garage with me when I workout (barking to no end or destroying the whole room) but whom do ok with me if I ride my Kickr in the living room with them. So if I could run in the living room, even for 30 mins at a time, that would be helpful for me, as my wife works weekends now so it’s gotten really challenging to do any sort of weekend running while she works (which is basically a whole day, as she’s exhausted after work and can’t do anything.) I also cannot put a piece of large exercise equipment in that living area - not gonna happen (else I’d stick my Vasa in there!)

The main reason I even am considering this is that during this past week, in an effort to run a little while at home with them while they’re doing their own thing, I actually ran in place barefooted for 30-45 mins at a time - and it was shockingly decently legit! You’re off your heels the entire time so it’s like you’re running up a hill on your toes for the whole time and with high knees, I could actually work decently hard. I wouldn’t go so far as to say I cold run fast doing nothing but this (def not!) but I was surprised at how closely it mimics minimalist running.

I could obviously do this instead of the manual treadmill and save the money/space (which is likely what will happen) but given that these manual treadmills are so easy to store, lightweight (45 lbs), and apparently very quiet per the reviews, figured I’d ask if anyone has run on one recently. The cost isn’t an issue - at $150, I wouldn’t even blink if it totally failed and was useless to me in terms of cost - it’s just getting rid of it would be a pain in the rear.

Just curious from any STers who have actually run on this. Keep in mind - I pretty much expect it to suck, but in the offchance that there is anything redeeming about it (and better than just running in place), I’d give it a shot. And I obviously would be doing only easy jog-type efforts on it, not hard stuff!

This video is NOT of the link above, but similar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6ng9jJ2zwc

2

While I have never used a manual treadmill, at first glance it looks tempting. However, I would be cautious of the constant steep incline (achilles/calf strain) and the necessity of holding the side handles (compromising running form).

3

Some fitness is better than zero, and I think both of us are intellectually aligned on this philosophy, so I support giving this a try. To my best understanding these work best jogging at low speed, but you can’t run fast because the belt does not have enough inertia to keep at the same speed between strides when you are in the air (which the Woodway curve largely has once you wind it up). I would get this and jog and alternate jogging and skipping rope alternating on one foot at a time for a useful workout stationary workout that transfers to outdoor running.

4

I have only used one for a few minutes and found it pretty aggravating.
On the other hand, I have often thought that as a supplemental exercise, jogging on one of those old school mini trampolines might be pretty ok.