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Treadmills are one of the most popular pieces of equipment when it comes to cardiovascular exercise, and they’re not just for commercial gyms and hotels—many home gym owners are adding treadmills to their workout space.
The best treadmills for a home gym come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and functions, and one of the more interesting options is the manual treadmill. Rather than using a motor to power your conditioning, manual treadmills typically have a curved shape and a belt that moves beneath your feet with each step.
In this Bells of Steel Manual Treadmill review, I’ll be explaining everything you need to know about this treadmill that will be released at the end of May 2024.
Put to the Test by a Treadmill Expert
Every review we write is based on hands-on testing from our team of GGR expert testers, which includes certified personal trainers, gym owners, strength and conditioning professionals, and treadmill experts.
For this review, we received a Bells of Steel manual treadmill for early testing, and Lindsay Scheele, CPT, the face of our Garage Gym Reviews Everything YouTube channel, put this treadmill to the test in a full video review. We’ve tested over 40 treadmills, and we know the most important factors to consider when rating a product, including:
- Footprint and portability
- Durability
- Ergonomics
- Tech Capabilities
Bells of Steel Wooden Residential Manual Treadmill
Bells of Steel Wooden Residential Manual Treadmill
Product Highlights
- Self-propelled treadmill
- No electricity required
- Nearly 400-pound weight capacity
- 8.4-degree curve angle
Pros & Cons
Pros
- May help improve running form
- No electricity needed
- Smooth belt
- Sleek design
Cons
- Pricey
- Assembly required
Bottom Line
The Bells of Steel Wooden Residential Manual Treadmill allows users to run, jog, or walk at their own pace thanks to the self-propelled belt. This item is available for pre-order and ships by May 31st.
A Quick Look at the Bells of Steel Wooden Residential Manual Treadmill
Bells of Steels (BOS) is known for manufacturing durable, high-quality home gym equipment that won’t break the bank. They carry a large line of equipment, including dumbbells, cable towers and functional trainers, lat pulldown machines, barbells, and the affordable Hydra series of squat racks.
The BOS Wooden Residential Manual Treadmill, which hasn’t yet been released at the time of writing, is an upcoming release that’s scheduled to begin shipping by the end of May. The treadmill features a sleek, modern design with wood paneling on the sides and a black powder coat finish on the handrails.
The company is also releasing the BOS Blitz Magnetic Resistance Manual Treadmill around the same time, a higher-end option that does allow users to sprint at max efforts, though the cost is more than double at $4,999, a hefty price tag for a single piece of fitness equipment.
RELATED: Best Manual Treadmills
This treadmill is definitely on the smaller end, with a shorter running deck and lightweight design for portability, so it does have a few limitations and questionable features, as pointed out by Lindsay.
At $1,999, it’s cheaper than many other curved manual treadmills, and less than half the cost of the Bells of Steel Blitz manual treadmill, but as you’ll see in this review, that doesn’t mean we encourage everyone to rush out and order one right away.
Before You Buy
- This treadmill is primarily designed for walking and jogging, not running, which is even stated on the product sale page.
- While the small, lightweight design means this treadmill is very easy to use, the short deck means taller users may have challenges using this treadmill.
- Bells of Steel ships this treadmill unassembled, so you’ll need to build it yourself before using it.
Bells of Steel Wooden Residential Manual Treadmill Video Review
Is the Bells of Steel Wooden Residential Manual Treadmill Worth It?
At $2,000, the Bells of Steel treadmill is more affordable than many other cardio machines on the market, but it’s still more than many motorized treadmills, and our tester had a few concerns you should be aware of before purchasing.
Great for:
- Those looking for a light, portable manual treadmill
- Anyone who primarily walks and jogs
- Shorter individuals
Not recommended for:
- Those who want to perform HIIT workouts on their treadmill
- People who are tall or have longer legs
- Anyone who prefers a stable, smooth belt when using a treadmill
Bells of Steel Wooden Residential Manual Treadmill Specs
| Footprint | 55.75” L x 31.5” W x 61” H |
| Weight | 209.44 lbs |
| Max user weight | 396.8 lbs |
| Running Surface | 47” x 17.3” |
| Curvature | 8.4 degrees |
| Phone Holder | Yes |
| Monitor | Yes |
| Warranty | 5-year frame warranty, 2-year parts warranty |
Workout Experience With the Bells of Steel Wooden Residential Manual Treadmill
Lindsay Scheele, CPT, tested this treadmill in a video review, trying a variety of workouts on the machine. As someone who’s tested dozens of treadmills for us, Lindsay knows the ins and outs of treadmills, and while she loved the design, she did have a few callouts.
Overall, Lindsay felt that this treadmill is good for a very specific person, but certainly not for everyone, mainly because you can’t do intervals or sprints on this treadmill, and the short design means tall users may feel very unstable.
Even though the monitor has built-in programs, they are interval programs meant for sprinting, which you strangely can’t do on this treadmill (more on this later), so if you’re looking for a walking or jogging program, you may need to use one of the best treadmill apps instead.
Lindsay also noted that every fourth step had a bit of a hitch in it and it wasn’t a very smooth run compared to other manual treadmills. It’ll work just fine for walking and light jogging, and for those slower activities the unstable belt may not be a huge issue, but it’s not ideal for running.
The Bells of Steel manual treadmill is not for anyone who wants to do a lot of interval training or any kind of fast running, and the product website even says as much. This is meant for walking and light jogging, rather than intense training, so if you’re looking for a manual, curved treadmill for sprinting, this isn’t the one for you.
Ergonomics
Let’s look at how it feels to use this treadmill, particularly the curve, belt, and deck size. The deck uses an 8.4-degree curve, which is designed to improve running technique and increase energy expenditure during your run. However, Lindsay noticed that the belt, which is made of slats rather than one connected belt, felt looser than other competitors and caused a hitch in her step.
RELATED: Best Home Treadmill for Running
Because the treadmill only has a 47-inch running deck, which is on the shorter side, Lindsay felt like she was going to fall off the back of the treadmill once she started running, and had to use the handrails to feel stable. The treadmill is designed for walking or jogging, so this may not be an issue for all users, but it’s worth calling out.
Overall, the treadmill earns a rating of 3 out of 5 for ergonomics.
Tech Capabilities
While the screen is basic, it’s very user-friendly, and Lindsay navigated her way through the programs without any instructions. However, the built-in interval programming was confusing, as the treadmill isn’t well-suited for HIIT treadmill workouts.
The intervals use 20/10 splits or 10/20 splits, typically meant for running as hard as you can for 10-20 seconds, followed by 10-20 seconds of rest. However, this treadmill isn’t designed for sprinting, which Bells of Steel admits on the website, so the interval program isn’t very useful.
So, while the treadmill technically had dynamic programming, it’s not really usable, earning a score of 2 out of 5.
Bells of Steel also includes a small phone holder on the monitor, but if you use it your phone will hide the monitor screen and there are no other tech features included. For tech capabilities, we give this treadmill a 3-out-of-5 score.
Durability and Construction
One nice thing about the treadmill is that it doesn’t require any maintenance or lubrication. Aside from a little bit of dusting, you don’t need to set maintenance reminders for yourself.
One nice feature of manual treadmills is they typically have a higher weight capacity than motorized treadmills, and this one is no different with a 400-pound user weight capacity.
However, the treadmill is on the lighter side with wooden parts, so while it feels fine initially, it’s hard to say how long the parts will last. Lindsay also noticed a hitch in the belt every few steps, so the construction has some issues ahead of its release.
Overall, we give the durability and construction a 3-out-of-5 rating.
Footprint and Portability
Even though the machine weighs just over 200 pounds, Lindsay found it easy to move around, saying that if you can do a basic deadlift, you shouldn’t have any problems moving the treadmill. As it’s a manual treadmill, you don’t have to worry about a power supply, so you can use this anywhere, similar to a portable rower.
This means the treadmill can easily be moved anywhere you want before you start your training session, earning a 5-out-of-5 rating for portability.
Bells of Steel Wooden Residential Manual Treadmill vs AssaultRunner Pro
AssaultRunner Pro
AssaultRunner Pro
Product Highlights
- Low-impact shock absorbing belt
- Incredibly sturdy and durable
- Built-in wheels for portability
- 100% athlete-powered
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Extremely popular
- Durable machine
- No motor means fewer maintenance issues
- Easy-to-read monitor
- Thick rubber belt provides great traction
- Bearings under belt provide smooth run
- Sturdy
- Rear handle makes moving easier
- Powder-coating withstands the elements
- Affordable curved treadmill
- Staple for CrossFitters
Cons
- Extremely heavy
- Curved shape takes getting used to
- Plastic shell may crack
- High spin rate on belt
- No fancy monitor, water bottle holder, or other conveniences
Bottom Line
The AssaultRunner Pro is one of the best value non-motorized treadmills for home gyms on the market.
One of the most popular manual treadmills is the AssaultRunner Pro, which features a similar curved design, and while it costs $2,999, it’s still more affordable than many commercial-grade curved treadmills.
The AssaultRunner Pro is heavier, more durable, and can certainly handle sprinting and running, but you’ll be paying $1,000 more for these features.
If you’re on a tight budget and don’t plan on doing more than walking or jogging, the Bells of Steel manual treadmill is a good option. However, if you have a little more cash to spare, I think the AssaultRunner Pro is well worth the upgrade, as you’ll be receiving a more durable treadmill that can handle nearly any kind of workout.
To read more, check out our full AssaultRunner Pro review.
| Bells of Steel Manual Treadmill | AssaultRunner Pro | |
| Price | $1,999 | $2,999 |
| Footprint | 55.75” L x 31.5” W x 61” H | 69.9” L X 31.7” W X 64.4” H |
| Weight | 209.44 lbs | 289.2 lbs |
| Max user weight | 396.8 lbs | 350 lbs |
| Running Surface | 47” x 17.3” | 62” x 17” |
| Monitor | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | 5-year frame warranty, 2-year parts warranty | 5-year frame, 3-year moving parts |
Customer Experience
The treadmill includes a 5-year warranty on the frame and a 2-year warranty on parts. If you’re not satisfied with your purchase, you can return the treadmill within 30 days, and the cost of shipping will be deducted from your refund.
You can reach customer support via phone at 1-888-718-7997, email at support@bellsofsteel.us, or submit a contact form on the Bells of Steel website. Overall, we rate the customer experience a 3 out of 5. The warranty isn’t bad, and customer support is easy to reach, but the return process isn’t great, especially if you have to cover your own return freight shipping.
Ordering and Assembling the Bells of Steel Wooden Residential Manual Treadmill
The treadmill costs $1,999, including free shipping in the USA, and your purchase can be financed using Affirm if you purchase directly from Bells of Steel. It can only be shipped via freight, so you may need an extra person to help you unbox the treadmill.
While many motorized treadmills arrive fully assembled, the Bells of Steel manual treadmill requires assembly, but Bells of Steel has assembly instructions and videos for many products on its website, so I wouldn’t be surprised if this one also gets a video walkthrough.
RELATED: Treadmill vs Rowing Machine
Customer Reviews
The treadmill won’t be shipping until the end of May, so there are no customer reviews available at the time of writing.
Final Verdict of Our Bells of Steel Wooden Residential Manual Treadmill Review
Overall, the Bells of Steel treadmill is beautifully designed, portable, and very easy to move around. However, the belt didn’t feel very sturdy, the deck was short, and while the monitor is a nice feature, the built-in interval programming isn’t really compatible with the treadmill itself, which is designed for walking or jogging.
This may be a fine option for those who simply want to walk or jog on a curved treadmill to reach their fitness goals, but for anyone who needs more than that from their treadmill, we suggest looking elsewhere.
Full Rating
Bells of Steel Manual Treadmill
The Bells of Steel Wooden Residential Manual Treadmill allows users to run, jog, or walk at their own pace thanks to the self-propelled belt. This item is available for pre-order and ships by May 31st.
Product Brand: Bells of Steel
Product Currency: $
Product Price: 1999.99
Product In-Stock: InStock
3.13
Bells of Steel Manual Treadmill: FAQs
Are manual treadmills worth it?
Manual treadmills are often more expensive, but they don’t require a power supply and provide a more challenging workout. Depending on your training goals, manual treadmills may be well worth the extra cost.
Can you walk on a non-motorized treadmill?
Yes, all you need to do is stand on the treadmill and start walking, and the belt will automatically move with each step. Walking may feel more challenging compared to walking on a motorized treadmill, but it will work well.
Why are manual treadmills harder?
Manual treadmills are harder because there is no motor moving the belt for you. Your own legs provide the push that moves the belt, so you’ll need to expend more energy as you train.
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