Anyone have experience with a manual treadmill?

I've been wanting a treadmill for a long time now but just saw an ad for a
manual one being sold for $99 (regularly $150) at a sporting goods store. Does
anyone have any experience using one and would you recommend it? I'm not very
athletic so I don't really need something that I can run on or anything.
Thanks in advance!

I don't think they are very good, but never tried one myself. If you keep
you eye out in the paper or some local type paper, you will find one use
cheap. People are always selling them because they don't use them. Not
saying everyone doesn't use them...I do, but many don't.

Curt

"Erika RollerGirl" wrote in message
...
I've been wanting a treadmill for a long time now but just saw an ad for a
manual one being sold for $99 (regularly $150) at a sporting goods store.
Does
anyone have any experience using one and would you recommend it? I'm not
very
athletic so I don't really need something that I can run on or anything.
Thanks in advance!

On 17 May 2004 20:37:25 GMT, ie (Erika RollerGirl)
wrote:

I've been wanting a treadmill for a long time now but just saw an ad for a
manual one being sold for $99 (regularly $150) at a sporting goods store. Does
anyone have any experience using one and would you recommend it? I'm not very
athletic so I don't really need something that I can run on or anything.

Hi Erika,

I haven't used them (couldn't afford one), but the manual version is
what both my physician and my chiropractor recommended to me. I'd
say, go for it!

Let us know what you decide.

Carol

Damsel in dis Dress wrote in message
...
On 17 May 2004 20:37:25 GMT, ie (Erika RollerGirl)
wrote:

I've been wanting a treadmill for a long time now but just saw an ad for
a
manual one being sold for $99 (regularly $150) at a sporting goods store.
Does
anyone have any experience using one and would you recommend it? I'm not
very
athletic so I don't really need something that I can run on or anything.

Hi Erika,

I haven't used them (couldn't afford one), but the manual version is
what both my physician and my chiropractor recommended to me. I'd
say, go for it!

Let us know what you decide.

Carol


Don't Do It!!!!!! my mom bought one once and it wasn't a very smooth walk,
and she paid like $400 for it. She thought she'd get a better workout with
it but it was too hard and not adjustable. Get a motorized one. I have one.
I use it. My son uses it.

--
Lori
220/150 Maintaining for 5 months. 10 lbs to go!!
LC since 1/17/03
Devoted wife of Curtis, Stage 4 Prostate cancer at age 40
http://community.webshots.com/user/lorismiller-date

I don't know anyone that bought a manual that still uses it.

On the other hand, I still use my electric most every day.

The best way to get exercise equipment is used... the road to hell is
paved with the exercise equipment graveyard.

Here's some info I found after Googling "treadmills motorized vs manual".

MOTORISED VS MANUAL

Treadmills can be divided into motorised and human-powered varieties.
Manual treadmills
are significantly less expensive than motorised ones, and for good
reason. Companies do
not have to spend money on developing and manufacturing motors, drive
belts and electronics,
and they pass their savings along to the consumer.

The benefits of manual treadmills are heavily outweighed by their
disadvantages, however.
For starters, they generally have a much smaller belt than their
motorised siblings, making
it virtually impossible for users to run, job or even break into a
brisk walk. Because you have
to alter your stride to make the belt move, walking becomes awkward
too. This, in turn,
increases your chances of straining a muscle and makes it extremely
difficult to maintain
a consistent pace and keep your heart rate elevated. Many beginning
exercisers also have
difficulty moving the manual belt and walking at the preset incline.
For these reasons, we
recommend only motorised models, their higher price notwithstanding.

Manual Treadmill
by Shannon Kirk

There has been much debate over the manual treadmill. This type of
exercise treadmill is powered by the user. The pace you run or walk at
dictates the speed of the belt.

Most people are drawn to the Manual Treadmill due to the fact that it is
significantly cheaper than the motorized treadmill. So what sparks the
controversy? Why do some enthusiasts say the manual treadmill is
ineffective as an exercise tool?

Motorized vs. Manual Treadmill
The main issue lies with how the manual treadmill is powered. When you
run on a motorized treadmill the machine dictates the speed you set to
keep your heart at the target rate you need. The constant turning of the
belt motivates and pushes you to keep up the pace. With the manual
treadmill as you tire your place slows down, it is up to you to push
yourself to keep your heart up.

If you are looking for an efficient and effective way to meet your
goals and properly gauge your workouts the motorized treadmill is the
smarter choice. You can set your speeds and the rise in inclinations.
Not to mention the ability to monitor your heart, and measure how many
calories you have burned. With all this said the choice is yours. If you
really have your heart set on a manual treadmill just make sure to
review and compare all the models to find the one the will be the most
effective and user friendly.

http://www.thewalkingsite.com/treadmill.html



Erika RollerGirl wrote:

I've been wanting a treadmill for a long time now but just saw an ad for a
manual one being sold for $99 (regularly $150) at a sporting goods store. Does
anyone have any experience using one and would you recommend it? I'm not very
athletic so I don't really need something that I can run on or anything.
Thanks in advance!

I had one a few years back and I didn't like it. I found the belt slipped
slightly so it would be rubbing against the sides. Also, I found it was
tough to keep a continuous pace. Maybe I wasn't motivated enough, but when I
do cardio, I like to set the machine to the right speed and/or time and just
go. When I started getting tired I would start to slow down, and there was
no motor to keep me going at the right speed.
It wasn't a bad machine for the price, but now I'm holding out for a nice
motorized treadmill. Until then the pavement outside will have to do.
Michelle in Gander

"Erika RollerGirl" wrote in message
...
I've been wanting a treadmill for a long time now but just saw an ad for a
manual one being sold for $99 (regularly $150) at a sporting goods store.
Does
anyone have any experience using one and would you recommend it? I'm not
very
athletic so I don't really need something that I can run on or anything.
Thanks in advance!

On 17 May 2004 20:37:25 GMT, ie (Erika RollerGirl)
wrote:

Does
anyone have any experience using one and would you recommend it? I'm not very
athletic so I don't really need something that I can run on or anything.

Yes...don't do it. I could barely budge it - even once I got it
going, it would come to a sudden stop - ech, phooey. I ended up
buying a 2nd hand electric treadmill for $250 and it was well worth
it. Try to find a used electric for a few hundred. At the very
least, make sure you try the non-electric kind before buying it - I
think they're miserable. Kalish

I have a manual treadmill.

It works for me...the only complaint I have is regular static discharges
from the friction. It's liveable.

Regards,

Deb
260/213/135

curt wrote:
I don't think they are very good, but never tried one myself. If you keep
you eye out in the paper or some local type paper, you will find one use
cheap. People are always selling them because they don't use them. Not
saying everyone doesn't use them...I do, but many don't.

Curt

"Erika RollerGirl" wrote in message
...

I've been wanting a treadmill for a long time now but just saw an ad for a
manual one being sold for $99 (regularly $150) at a sporting goods store.

Does

anyone have any experience using one and would you recommend it? I'm not

very

athletic so I don't really need something that I can run on or anything.
Thanks in advance!

Thanks everyone for all of your helpful replies. I think I will save my $ and
save up for a used electronic treadmill.

"Erika RollerGirl" wrote in message
...
Thanks everyone for all of your helpful replies. I think I will save my $
and
save up for a used electronic treadmill.
I bought a new one at Wal-Mart's, electric, for $180.00 and am very
pleased with it.