Types of Treadmills

Treadmills come in different shapes and sizes, depending on the manufacturer. All treadmills, however, are divided into three basic types--manual, motorized and foldable. The market determines what types of treadmills are available. In 2009, all the treadmills on the market fit into one of these three categories.

  1. Manual Treadmills

    • The manual treadmill operates without electricity or battery. This kind of treadmill comes with rollers and a belt, but there is no power cord or plug that can be extended from the treadmill to bring power to it. If you seek to use this type of treadmill, you will simply have to step onto the treadmill and run at your desired pace. Treadmill vendors sell these treadmills at prices ranging between $200 to $600 in 2009. Manual treadmills, like other types of treadmills, can also come with handrails for ease of use and safety. Some manual treadmills possess the ability to change their incline levels. To do this, however, the treadmill cannot be in use when the incline level is being changed.

    Motorized Treadmills

    • The motorized treadmill, unlike the manual treadmill, operates with electricity. This type of treadmill comes with a power cord and plug that can be extended from the treadmill to bring power to it. It may also come with a battery. If you want to use this type of treadmill, you do not need to use your own effort to move the belt because the rollers can be set to move the belt at your pace. Motorized treadmills come with controls that permit you not only to set the pace but also to set the time when you want the workout to end. Like the manual treadmill, some motorized treadmills possess the ability to change the incline. However, unlike the manual treadmills, the incline on the motorized treadmills can be changed while you are using the treadmill.

    Foldable Treadmills

    • Foldable treadmills permit you to store them in places where other types of treadmills cannot be stored. These treadmills can be folded into a smaller shape so that they can be stored in smaller areas such as drawers or in closets.