The first thing you have to decide before you buy an electronic treadmill is power. Buying a treadmill with a small motor will not get you the workout you need and, since it will not hold up as well as a machine with a larger motor, you will have to replace it much sooner. Your motor should be at least 2 hp for it to last. Electronic treadmills also take a great deal of the strain off of your knees and hips, a problem that is common to runners and anyone who uses a manual treadmill. The few dollars you can save by purchasing a manual treadmill is not worth the potential problems that will start cropping up later.

Another aspect to consider is the space needed to accommodate one of these devices. Not all electronic treadmills can be folded neatly for storage and, when opened they need at least three feet clearance between the running surface and the nearest wall. Electronic treadmills have a running surface that is generally much wider and the display consol is always wider than manual treadmills and this should be considered before buying.

Electronic treadmills are also great because of the size and range of the display which isn’t going to be available on a manual machine. Displays include data on how far you have run, how many steps it has taken to get there, your heart and respiration while running and calories burned. Many treadmills also come with a small television screen and cable hookups and DVD players, mp3 ports and even a magazine/book holder allowing you to read while you run. The range of programs available to make your exercise routine more interesting is also amazing. Some have as many as 50 exercise programs, although it is unlikely that you will ever need more 3 or 4 of these as you will quickly find your favorites. Many of them are designed to target specific needs which won’t be of any use to you personally.

First let’s take a look at price. This is usually the main reason that people consider buying a manual treadmill. They can often be purchased for as little as $100 or $200. For a really top quality machine you may pay upwards of $400 or so.

The reason that manual treadmills are so much cheaper than their motorized cousins is because they run on your own walking and running power. Yes, like a hamster wheel you are the one powering these things. One drawback of this is that it may be tough to get the belt going initially. You will really have to dig in depending on the amount of friction present in your treadmill.

Of course, this can be a good way to get some initial leg stretching and warming up going on. Once the belt is going it will not be an issue for you to keep it going. But if you slow up or stop, the belt will follow you. Then you will have to exert more force to get it moving once again. But then again, isn’t the purpose of this all to get some exercise? Beware that this kind of stress does not do damage to your legs. If you already have major problems in this part of your body you may want to consider a motorized treadmill.

Once again, it can’t be overemphasized that the main crux of manual treadmills is that they are powered by their human user. Once you become initially interested in possibly purchasing one, you should really consider this aspect of them. If you think that manually powering your own treadmill might actually be something you would like then the low price could even just be an added benefit.

As you can see, a manual treadmill offers a couple benefits that many people don’t know about. More than anything, it offers a low price that simply can’t be beat. That is the number one reason to buy one. They will be sure to give you a good workout too. And all from the comfort of your own home! I applaud anyone who wants to take advantage of today’s great home exercise technology. The machines can really do a lot of good for those of us who don’t have the time or inclination to go to a gym on a regular basis.