The Differences Between Electric Treadmills and Manual Treadmills A treadmill in the most general terms is an indoor fitness machine that allows one to walk, run or jog in place. This is done by providing a moving running belt over a deck. There are two types of treadmills which are manual treadmills and electric treadmills. Manual treadmills are a type of treadmill that are powered solely by the exerciser, since the exerciser is pushing the belt along with their own two feet. Electric treadmills on the other hand, are treadmills that are powered by motors. In this case, the motor moves the belt for you, and you can electronically program the treadmill to go at whatever pace you're comfortable with. They can be folding too. Next, let's discuss some of the possible pros and cons of using a treadmill as your main form of exercise. One huge pro would be that treadmills are very convenient, as they can be used any time of day, right from the comfort of your own home. Also, for those of you who are into trying to be "green" and eco-friendly, a manual treadmill would be great for you since it doesn't utilize any electricity. One possible disadvantage is that many people often find using a treadmill to be very monotonous and boring. However, there are ways to make using a treadmill much more entertaining. For example, you can listen to your favorite music, read a book or magazine or watch TV while you use it. Another possible disadvantage is that they tend to take up a lot of space. Therefore, you'll want to be sure to measure your treadmill before bringing it home from the store. This will help to ensure that you'll end up with one that's not too terribly big and overpowering for your home. Another nice thing about electric treadmills is that most models have a feature which allows you to track your speed, distance and how many calories you burned during your workout. You may be wondering about what are some of the major differences between electric treadmill and manual treadmills. Besides the obvious of how they are powered differently, there are some other differences between them. For starters, manual treadmills tend to be much more lightweight than electric treadmills. Manual treadmills also tend to cost significantly less than their electric counterparts, mainly because with a manual treadmill, you're not having to pay for an expensive motor. As far as similarities goes, despite their differences, manual and electric treadmills really are similar in at least a few ways. For one thing, either one of these fitness machines can give you a great workout. Also, they both take up a fair amount of space, although manual treadmills tend to weigh less making them easier to move when necessary. However, which one you ultimately choose is really just a matter of personal preference, and also of course your budget. Most manual treadmills are quite affordable. You can also find electric treadmills at reasonable prices. However, among the electric treadmills, you will often find a wide range in prices. Basically, the more bells and whistles or added features a treadmill has, the more expensive it's going to be. If you're wondering which treadmill is the best to one purchase, here are the best of the best. Three of the top brands that make manual treadmills are Weslo, TrimWalk and Edge. As far as electric treadmills go, Bowflex, Smooth Fitness and NordicTrack are all highly rated. There are a wide variety of quality treadmills from all different price ranges that are currently on the market. Although there are many websites online that you can purchase a treadmill from, it's often best to purchase a treadmill at a local store such as Dick's Sporting Goods. This way you can try it out before you buy it. Best of luck to you, and I hope you enjoy your new treadmill!