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The treadmill is such a gym staple that it’s hard to imagine major innovations on its core design. There are, however, alternatives for those in search of a treadmill that can better replicate the benefits of running or walking outdoors. As its name implies, a curved treadmill has a concave shape — like a smile — that engages...
The post The 7 Best Curved Treadmills of 2023 appeared first on BarBend.
The treadmill is such a gym staple that it’s hard to imagine major innovations on its core design. There are, however, alternatives for those in search of a treadmill that can better replicate the benefits of running or walking outdoors. As its name implies, a curved treadmill has a concave shape — like a smile — that engages the glutes and hamstrings in ways flat belts don’t. It’s also non-motorized, relying on the force of your stride to propel the belt.
To find the right curved treadmill for you, consider your fitness goals. Sprinters will want a different tread than those who prefer walking or light jogs. You’ll also want to consider the amount of space available in your home. Most curved treadmills don’t fold up like many traditional treadmills. Are you looking for a top-of-the-line model or something more budget-friendly? We’ve been asking these very questions in our search for the best curved treadmills on the market. Here’s what we’ve found.
Best Curved Treadmills of 2023
How We Tested the Best Curved Treadmills
Our team at BarBend has beaten its sneakers on belts both flat and curved in search of the best treadmills. The experts in our testing center, a team that includes ex-athletes and certified trainers, utilize a 12-point methodology that touches on a number of factors, from design elements like durability and adjustability to practical considerations like delivery and setup.
Best Overall Curved Treadmill: Assault Fitness AssaultRunner Elite
Assault Runner Elite Treadmill
Assault Runner Elite Treadmill
The Assault Runner Elite is a top-tier motorless treadmill thanks to its heavy shock-absorbent belt that utilizes inertia to reach and maintain optimal speeds in training. We also appreciate the added conveniences of built-in water bottle holders and a center storage compartment.
Shop Assault Fitness
Specs
Pros
Cons
Our top pick is a luxury edition of Assault’s Pro model, a non-motorized treadmill with a concave belt that provides a power-based walk, run, or sprint that’s easier on the joints than traditional treadmills, not to mention quieter. The Elite not only supports up to 400 pounds of weight, 50 pounds more than the Pro, but it’s also just as compact as the Pro model, making it a non-intrusive addition to your home gym.
It’s also built to last. Overbuilt with solid steel, tough oval tubing, and a rust-resistant top layer, the Elite was designed with longevity in mind. That extends to its lack of motorized elements, which ensures the tread will never seize up due to misfiring gadgetry. The tread is one of our favorite parts of the Elite, as its ultra-thin slats provide the comfort and friction you want from a self-powered treadmill. Its tread is also on the heavier side, meaning it provides more of a challenge than other treads on this list. And when the belt itself needs a refresh, you can rest assured that it comes with a lifetime warranty. The built-in monitor is also resistant to UV light, so the screen won’t degrade after long spells in the sun.
Speaking of the monitor, we were impressed by its functionality, which enables you to connect heart rate monitors and other devices via Bluetooth and ANT+. The Elite also markets several built-in training options, though many customer reviews note how refreshing it is to simply step onto the tread and begin your workout without the need to fiddle with settings or cycle through programs.
The Elite is costly at $3,999, which makes it one of the higher-priced curved treadmills on this list, but its solid construction and various warranties — lifetime for the belt, as well as one year and 10 years for labor and the frame, respectively — should serve as assurances that this machine will be with you for the long haul. There’s also financing available, should you want to pay off the treadmill over time.
Like the best curved treadmills, the Elite works as hard as you do. Since you control the tread, the speeds you can reach on it are limitless. You’ll also enjoy plenty of comfort on your runs — unlike the Pro, the Elite comes with beefed-up side panels, two drink holders, and a central storage compartment for phones, towels, and other gear.
Best Curved Treadmill For Runners: TrueForm Runner Curved Treadmill
TrueForm Runner Curved Treadmill
TrueForm Runner Curved Treadmill
The top-of-the-line TrueForm Runner is a non-motorized treadmill that works to instill proper running form with a curved tread designed to better mimic outdoor terrain. It's the most expensive of its kind, but its powder coated steel frame is designed to last well into the foreseeable future.
Shop Rogue
Specs
Pros
Cons
Curved treadmills were specifically designed to help improve your running form, but we’d argue that the TrueForm Runner is uniquely committed to instilling good habits that will improve your overall fitness. Take, for example, its Responsive Belt Technology, which instantly alerts the user to poor form by slowing its belt down. It’s only after you’ve properly readjusted your steps and posture that the belt will smooth out beneath your feet and your workout can continue. It’s features like this that can impact your performance off the tread. One five-star review notes that they saw “noticeable improvement when I’m on the pavement.”
The Runner’s commitment to quality is reflected in its design. Not only is it more compact than many other non-motorized treadmills, but it was forged in the U.S. from sturdy powder coated steel with high-end bearings, welded seams, and rubber casters. “Best of the best,” says our tester, who describes the Runner as, “incredibly durable and overbuilt.” If that weren’t enough, the Runner also offers a 20-year warranty on its frame. It’s also customizable in ways the other curved treadmills on this list aren’t, allowing users to swap out belts of different colors and styles.
That craftsmanship is reflected not only in the price — a whopping $6,149 — but also in its weight. Despite its smaller footprint, the Runner clocks in at 350 pounds, making it the heaviest curved treadmill on this list. A built-in handle, pair of wheels, and casters help with transport, but our tester recommends you not try moving it yourself.
We struggled, too, with the monitor. Considering the price, it provides few metrics — only pace, speed, distance, and time — and lacks the technical capabilities of other, less pricey curved treadmills. Also, while we appreciate the steel handrails, it would be nice to have somewhere to set our phones and water bottles.
What the Runner lacks in convenience, however, it makes up for in its construction and commitment to improving form. It’s also suited for all manner of users, given that it can support up to 700 pounds while walking and up to 450 pounds running at full speed, which is a great deal more than most traditional and curved treadmills.
Read our full TrueForm Runner Curved Treadmill Review.
Best Cheap Curved Treadmill: SB Fitness Equipment CT400
SB Fitness Equipment CT400
SB Fitness Equipment CT400
The SB Fitness CT400 provides the core benefits of a curved treadmill — non-motorized, shock-absorbent tread, digital display — and costs significantly less than luxury models. It's one of the lighter curved treadmills on the market at 165 pounds and has a built-in handle and wheels so you can roll it from one room to the next.
Shop Amazon
Specs
Pros
Cons
If you’re feeling thrifty, let us direct you to the SB Fitness Equipment CT400. It will cost you less than half of the other machines on this list while still delivering many of the features you’ll want in a curved treadmill.
The CT400 provides the benefits of any good curved treadmill — it’s a concave, shock-absorbent tread providing a self-powered, challenging workout that replicates the experience of running outdoors more than traditional treadmills. It might not have all the bells and whistles of more expensive models, but the price is right at $1,795, which is more than three times less than the TrueForm Runner’s $6,149 price tag. You also have the option to finance the cost for as low as $82 per month, pending credit approval.
Several five-star reviews laud the low-impact workout provided by the belt’s thin, flexible slats. “The impact is so minimal that my watch step counter has trouble counting my steps. That’s great news for my knees!” reads one review. Better yet, the slats are rated for 150,000 miles and you get a 10-year warranty on the frame (five years on the parts). The slats have also been tested up to 450 pounds.
The CT400 is also equipped with a digital display showing your distance, speed, time, and the number of calories burned. You can also use it to set time and distance goals. The CT400 has a larger footprint than other curved treadmills on this list, but it’s one of the lighter models at 165 pounds. Its lighter build and handle/wheels combo make it easier to move around your home or gym.
Cost is a common roadblock for those interested in curved treadmills, what with their hefty price tags. The CT400 is the rare model that provides the essential features at an affordable price.
Best Compact Curved Treadmill: TrueForm Trainer
TrueForm Trainer
TrueForm Trainer
The TrueForm Trainer is a more compact version of its big brother, the TrueForm Runner. Suited specifically for curved treadmill newbies, its lighter tread and shallow curve work to simulate road running so users can practice proper form while running indoors.
Shop Rogue
Specs
Pros
Cons
Great things often come in small packages. The TrueForm Trainer isn’t overbuilt like its big brother, the TrueForm Runner, but it is more compact. In fact, the Trainer has the smallest footprint of any curved treadmill on this list, measuring just 64 inches long and 31 inches wide. That’s five inches slimmer than the Runner. It also assembles easily, according to our tester.
The Trainer’s lighter tread makes it suitable for beginners making the transition from a flat treadmill to a curved one. Another plus is the shallow curve of the tread, which our tester loves for how it simulates road running.
What the Trainer lacks is the heavy-duty construction of the Runner. While the Runner is made in the U.S., the Trainer is imported from South Korea. You’ll find more plastic on the shell and smaller casters. However, our tester did point out that the Trainer’s frame is still formed and welded from steel, and it utilizes the same steel ball bearings as its big brother. “The parts of the treadmill that are most vital are still very durable,” he says.
Like the Runner, the Trainer’s monitor leaves much to be desired. There’s also no place to put your phone or bottles during workouts. But if size and price are a concern in your search for a curved treadmill, the Trainer remains a solid option.
Best Designed Curved Treadmill: Assault Fitness AssaultRunner Elite
Assault Runner Elite Treadmill
Assault Runner Elite Treadmill
The Assault Runner Elite is a top-tier motorless treadmill thanks to its heavy shock-absorbent belt that utilizes inertia to reach and maintain optimal speeds in training. We also appreciate the added conveniences of built-in water bottle holders and a center storage compartment.
...
Click here to view the article.
The post The 7 Best Curved Treadmills of 2023 appeared first on BarBend.
The treadmill is such a gym staple that it’s hard to imagine major innovations on its core design. There are, however, alternatives for those in search of a treadmill that can better replicate the benefits of running or walking outdoors. As its name implies, a curved treadmill has a concave shape — like a smile — that engages the glutes and hamstrings in ways flat belts don’t. It’s also non-motorized, relying on the force of your stride to propel the belt.
To find the right curved treadmill for you, consider your fitness goals. Sprinters will want a different tread than those who prefer walking or light jogs. You’ll also want to consider the amount of space available in your home. Most curved treadmills don’t fold up like many traditional treadmills. Are you looking for a top-of-the-line model or something more budget-friendly? We’ve been asking these very questions in our search for the best curved treadmills on the market. Here’s what we’ve found.
Best Curved Treadmills of 2023
- Best Overall Curved Treadmill: Assault Fitness AssaultRunner Elite
- Best Curved Treadmill For Runners: TrueForm Runner Curved Treadmill
- Best Cheap Curved Treadmill: SB Fitness Equipment CT400
- Best Compact Curved Treadmill: TrueForm Trainer
- Best Designed Curved Treadmill: Assault Fitness AssaultRunner Elite
- Best Curved Treadmill For Sprinting: TrueForm Runner Curved Treadmill
- Best Curved Treadmill For Small Spaces: IN10CT Curved Manual Treadmill
How We Tested the Best Curved Treadmills
Our team at BarBend has beaten its sneakers on belts both flat and curved in search of the best treadmills. The experts in our testing center, a team that includes ex-athletes and certified trainers, utilize a 12-point methodology that touches on a number of factors, from design elements like durability and adjustability to practical considerations like delivery and setup.
Best Overall Curved Treadmill: Assault Fitness AssaultRunner Elite
Assault Runner Elite Treadmill
Assault Runner Elite Treadmill
The Assault Runner Elite is a top-tier motorless treadmill thanks to its heavy shock-absorbent belt that utilizes inertia to reach and maintain optimal speeds in training. We also appreciate the added conveniences of built-in water bottle holders and a center storage compartment.
Shop Assault Fitness
Specs
- Machine Dimensions: 64’’ H x 69.9’’ L x 31.7’’ W
- Max Speed: Limitless
- Max User Capacity: 400lbs
Pros
- Transports with ease thanks to built-in handle, transport wheels, and non-motorized design
- Features a UV-resistant monitor compatible with Bluetooth and ANT+
- Keep drinks, phones, and towels close thanks to a pair of removable cup holders and multi-purpose central storage compartment
Cons
- No incline or color options
- Assembly can be difficult with only one person
Our top pick is a luxury edition of Assault’s Pro model, a non-motorized treadmill with a concave belt that provides a power-based walk, run, or sprint that’s easier on the joints than traditional treadmills, not to mention quieter. The Elite not only supports up to 400 pounds of weight, 50 pounds more than the Pro, but it’s also just as compact as the Pro model, making it a non-intrusive addition to your home gym.
It’s also built to last. Overbuilt with solid steel, tough oval tubing, and a rust-resistant top layer, the Elite was designed with longevity in mind. That extends to its lack of motorized elements, which ensures the tread will never seize up due to misfiring gadgetry. The tread is one of our favorite parts of the Elite, as its ultra-thin slats provide the comfort and friction you want from a self-powered treadmill. Its tread is also on the heavier side, meaning it provides more of a challenge than other treads on this list. And when the belt itself needs a refresh, you can rest assured that it comes with a lifetime warranty. The built-in monitor is also resistant to UV light, so the screen won’t degrade after long spells in the sun.
Speaking of the monitor, we were impressed by its functionality, which enables you to connect heart rate monitors and other devices via Bluetooth and ANT+. The Elite also markets several built-in training options, though many customer reviews note how refreshing it is to simply step onto the tread and begin your workout without the need to fiddle with settings or cycle through programs.
The Elite is costly at $3,999, which makes it one of the higher-priced curved treadmills on this list, but its solid construction and various warranties — lifetime for the belt, as well as one year and 10 years for labor and the frame, respectively — should serve as assurances that this machine will be with you for the long haul. There’s also financing available, should you want to pay off the treadmill over time.
Like the best curved treadmills, the Elite works as hard as you do. Since you control the tread, the speeds you can reach on it are limitless. You’ll also enjoy plenty of comfort on your runs — unlike the Pro, the Elite comes with beefed-up side panels, two drink holders, and a central storage compartment for phones, towels, and other gear.
Best Curved Treadmill For Runners: TrueForm Runner Curved Treadmill
TrueForm Runner Curved Treadmill
TrueForm Runner Curved Treadmill
The top-of-the-line TrueForm Runner is a non-motorized treadmill that works to instill proper running form with a curved tread designed to better mimic outdoor terrain. It's the most expensive of its kind, but its powder coated steel frame is designed to last well into the foreseeable future.
Shop Rogue
Specs
- Machine Dimensions: 63” H x 64” L x 36” W
- Max Speed: Limitless
- Max User Capacity: 700lbs
Pros
- Works to instill proper running form with its Responsive Belt Technology
- Supports up to 700 pounds while walking, 450 pounds when running at full speed
- Made in the U.S. from heavy-duty powder coated, seven-gauge steel with welded seams
- Choose from multiple customizable belts
Cons
- Monitor provides few metrics, has no technological capabilities
- Costs roughly $2,000 to $4,000 more than the other curved treadmills on this list
- Lacks storage for set phones, water bottles
Curved treadmills were specifically designed to help improve your running form, but we’d argue that the TrueForm Runner is uniquely committed to instilling good habits that will improve your overall fitness. Take, for example, its Responsive Belt Technology, which instantly alerts the user to poor form by slowing its belt down. It’s only after you’ve properly readjusted your steps and posture that the belt will smooth out beneath your feet and your workout can continue. It’s features like this that can impact your performance off the tread. One five-star review notes that they saw “noticeable improvement when I’m on the pavement.”
The Runner’s commitment to quality is reflected in its design. Not only is it more compact than many other non-motorized treadmills, but it was forged in the U.S. from sturdy powder coated steel with high-end bearings, welded seams, and rubber casters. “Best of the best,” says our tester, who describes the Runner as, “incredibly durable and overbuilt.” If that weren’t enough, the Runner also offers a 20-year warranty on its frame. It’s also customizable in ways the other curved treadmills on this list aren’t, allowing users to swap out belts of different colors and styles.
That craftsmanship is reflected not only in the price — a whopping $6,149 — but also in its weight. Despite its smaller footprint, the Runner clocks in at 350 pounds, making it the heaviest curved treadmill on this list. A built-in handle, pair of wheels, and casters help with transport, but our tester recommends you not try moving it yourself.
We struggled, too, with the monitor. Considering the price, it provides few metrics — only pace, speed, distance, and time — and lacks the technical capabilities of other, less pricey curved treadmills. Also, while we appreciate the steel handrails, it would be nice to have somewhere to set our phones and water bottles.
What the Runner lacks in convenience, however, it makes up for in its construction and commitment to improving form. It’s also suited for all manner of users, given that it can support up to 700 pounds while walking and up to 450 pounds running at full speed, which is a great deal more than most traditional and curved treadmills.
Read our full TrueForm Runner Curved Treadmill Review.
Best Cheap Curved Treadmill: SB Fitness Equipment CT400
SB Fitness Equipment CT400
SB Fitness Equipment CT400
The SB Fitness CT400 provides the core benefits of a curved treadmill — non-motorized, shock-absorbent tread, digital display — and costs significantly less than luxury models. It's one of the lighter curved treadmills on the market at 165 pounds and has a built-in handle and wheels so you can roll it from one room to the next.
Shop Amazon
Specs
- Machine Dimensions: 61.6” H x 73” L x 30.5” W
- Max Speed: Limitless
- Max User Capacity: 450lbs
Pros
- Costs roughly three times less than the most expensive curved treadmill on this list while still providing key features
- Rated for 150,000 miles with a 10-year warranty on the frame, five years on the parts
- Weighs less than many of its counterparts and equipped with built-in handle and wheels for easy transport
Cons
- Lacks storage for water bottles, phones
- Has a larger footprint than luxury curved treadmills
If you’re feeling thrifty, let us direct you to the SB Fitness Equipment CT400. It will cost you less than half of the other machines on this list while still delivering many of the features you’ll want in a curved treadmill.
The CT400 provides the benefits of any good curved treadmill — it’s a concave, shock-absorbent tread providing a self-powered, challenging workout that replicates the experience of running outdoors more than traditional treadmills. It might not have all the bells and whistles of more expensive models, but the price is right at $1,795, which is more than three times less than the TrueForm Runner’s $6,149 price tag. You also have the option to finance the cost for as low as $82 per month, pending credit approval.
Several five-star reviews laud the low-impact workout provided by the belt’s thin, flexible slats. “The impact is so minimal that my watch step counter has trouble counting my steps. That’s great news for my knees!” reads one review. Better yet, the slats are rated for 150,000 miles and you get a 10-year warranty on the frame (five years on the parts). The slats have also been tested up to 450 pounds.
The CT400 is also equipped with a digital display showing your distance, speed, time, and the number of calories burned. You can also use it to set time and distance goals. The CT400 has a larger footprint than other curved treadmills on this list, but it’s one of the lighter models at 165 pounds. Its lighter build and handle/wheels combo make it easier to move around your home or gym.
Cost is a common roadblock for those interested in curved treadmills, what with their hefty price tags. The CT400 is the rare model that provides the essential features at an affordable price.
Best Compact Curved Treadmill: TrueForm Trainer
TrueForm Trainer
TrueForm Trainer
The TrueForm Trainer is a more compact version of its big brother, the TrueForm Runner. Suited specifically for curved treadmill newbies, its lighter tread and shallow curve work to simulate road running so users can practice proper form while running indoors.
Shop Rogue
Specs
- Machine Dimensions: 63’’ H x 64’’ L x 31’’ W
- Max Speed: Limitless
- Max User Capacity: 400lbs
Pros
- Measures up to nine inches shorter lengthwise and five inches shorter in terms of width than the larger models on this list
- Has a lighter tread makes it suitable for beginners
- Sports a shallow curve that simulates road running
Cons
- Lacks the heavy-duty construction of its big brother, the TrueForm Runner
- Monitor provides few metrics, has no technological capabilities
- Has no storage for bottles, phones
Great things often come in small packages. The TrueForm Trainer isn’t overbuilt like its big brother, the TrueForm Runner, but it is more compact. In fact, the Trainer has the smallest footprint of any curved treadmill on this list, measuring just 64 inches long and 31 inches wide. That’s five inches slimmer than the Runner. It also assembles easily, according to our tester.
The Trainer’s lighter tread makes it suitable for beginners making the transition from a flat treadmill to a curved one. Another plus is the shallow curve of the tread, which our tester loves for how it simulates road running.
What the Trainer lacks is the heavy-duty construction of the Runner. While the Runner is made in the U.S., the Trainer is imported from South Korea. You’ll find more plastic on the shell and smaller casters. However, our tester did point out that the Trainer’s frame is still formed and welded from steel, and it utilizes the same steel ball bearings as its big brother. “The parts of the treadmill that are most vital are still very durable,” he says.
Like the Runner, the Trainer’s monitor leaves much to be desired. There’s also no place to put your phone or bottles during workouts. But if size and price are a concern in your search for a curved treadmill, the Trainer remains a solid option.
Best Designed Curved Treadmill: Assault Fitness AssaultRunner Elite
Assault Runner Elite Treadmill
Assault Runner Elite Treadmill
The Assault Runner Elite is a top-tier motorless treadmill thanks to its heavy shock-absorbent belt that utilizes inertia to reach and maintain optimal speeds in training. We also appreciate the added conveniences of built-in water bottle holders and a center storage compartment.
...
Click here to view the article.
