Bells of Steel Wooden Manual Review: Compact & Challenging?

Dimensions/Storability

I can move the Wooden Residential treadmill and find a place for it more easily due to its compact size.

The Bells of Steel Manual Treadmill is currently the smallest curved, non-motorized treadmill we have. Its dimensions are 55.75” long, 31.5” wide, and 61” tall. While it’s more compact, the Bells of Steel Wooden Manual Treadmill does not fold. You will need to accommodate its full dimensions.

The step-up height is 13” to 14”, depending on exactly where you step up a the back of the deck. Walkers and runners under 6 feet can train on this treadmill with a ceiling height of at least 8 feet. The highest point of the deck you could stand on is about 16” tall, so account for an extra two feet above your height when calculating the minimum ceiling needed. That compensates for vertical movement while running.

It’s not too difficult to move this wooden treadmill around. It has two front transport wheels that allow you to lift the treadmill by the back of the deck and roll it wherever you wish. It weighs 230 lbs.

Lift the treadmill by its rear handle to engage these wheels at the front of the deck.

The handle provides a convenient place to lift the treadmill.

Onboard Workouts & Apps

You don’t need electricity or a Wi-Fi connection for the Bells of Steel Wooden Manual Treadmill. It’s a rather simple machine, and that’s part of its beauty. You can place it anywhere in your home—no need to find a suitable outlet.

Onboard Workouts

It’s easy to set up a target or interval program on the Bells of Steel Wooden Residential Treadmill.

The Bells of Steel Wooden Manual treadmill has onboard programs on its console. You can hop right on and get straight into a workout without pushing any buttons, or you can set up a target or interval program. There’s even an option to program a custom interval program. The target options include time, distance, calories, and heart rate.

Console

The simple display provides everything you need to train on this treadmill.

No touchscreens here—the console is a simple digital display that shows your interval time, total time, distance, speed, calories, watts, pace, and heart rate (if applicable). It has buttons for each program option, as well as ‘start,’ ‘stop,’ ‘enter,’ and up/down arrows.

A helpful tip for anyone who wants to switch the console from kilometers/kilometers per hour to miles/miles per hour: hold down ‘start’ and ‘enter’ at the same time. It will let you toggle through km or m with the arrow keys. Press ‘enter’ to confirm your choice.

The console is pretty straightforward. Its only limitation is that it is a little hard to see in dim spaces.

Because the console has a heart rate training option, I knew it must be compatible with a heart rate monitor of some kind. Unfortunately, I was unable to connect my Garmin watch. It is only 5 kHz compatible, not Bluetooth.

You can store your phone on the console, but it covers up the screen completely.

A small ledge on the console provides a place to set your phone. However, it will cover the screen, so beware.

There’s really not much in the way of features on this treadmill. It doesn’t have a fan, Bluetooth, or additional storage. There are no speakers because there is no audio to hear. Yet, I don’t think it needs anything other than what it has. Maybe a water bottle holder, if I’m being picky.

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Build Quality

I have mixed feelings about the build quality of the Bells of Steel Wooden Manual treadmill. On one hand, it looks nice and feels sturdy. On the other, it’s smaller and a little noisier than most manual treadmills. It’s unique because it fills a niche that most curved manual treadmills don’t. It’s not for sprinting or long-distance running. It’s a walk-and-jog treadmill with a nice aesthetic.

I can’t fault it for knowing its place and filling a market gap.

Frame

The name “Bells of Steel Wooden Manual Treadmill” is a bit on the nose. Because even though there are no “bells of steel” (though there are steel ball bearings), the frame is wooden. Of course, it also has additional steel components. The 396-lb (180 kg) weight capacity is also a big plus for this design!

The powder coating on the steel components prevents corrosion from sweat. However, I recommend wiping the treadmill down after each use to keep the wooden and steel components looking nice.

Motorless

As I’ve mentioned, this treadmill is not ideal for high-intensity running or sprinting. It’s best as a walking and jogging treadmill. And let me tell you, my normal daily mileage falls between 6 to 15 miles, with an average of 11 miles per day. I barely got through 1 mile on this treadmill, and it was far slower than I typically run outside or on other manual treadmills.

Even though there is no speed limit, you have to be mindful of your stride lengths so you don’t run out of room.

Now, there is no speed limit on the Wooden Manual Treadmill, so you can, technically, sprint if you are cautious with your footing. I was able to sprint, but I’m only 5’4”, so keep that in mind when deciding if this treadmill is for you. A more traditional treadmill, like the Bells of Steel Blitz Treadmill, is a better option.

This treadmill does not have resistance levels like some manual treadmills have, including the Blitz Treadmill. In my experience, it is difficult enough without it, but consider adding a weight vest for an extra challenge!

Deck

The slat belt is textured and provides a decent amount of cushioning.

The slat belt is Nylon, which makes it shock-absorbing enough even for barefoot running. The slats roll smoothly over 112 ball bearings. It has an 8.4° curvature, so it will feel a little like you are running or walking uphill.

The only downside is the size of the walking/running area. It’s 17.3” wide, which isn’t a bad width for a manual treadmill, but the 47” length is the most concerning part of it. That’s the length of a typical under-desk treadmill, while a fitness running treadmill is usually 60” long.

When sprinting and running, I remained very conscious of my stride length and positioning on the belt to ensure I didn’t accidentally step off. While the lack of a motor hood makes the belt feel a little roomier than it otherwise would, I still don’t love it for running.

The deck is open, so make sure to keep children and pets away from the treadmill while it’s in use.

Warranty

The Bells of Steel Wooden Treadmill has a two-year parts warranty and a 5-year frame warranty. We typically like to see at least ten years on the frame, so it comes up a little short. Additionally, I expect a belt-specific warranty for a manual treadmill, and it does not appear to have one.

Still, I think this treadmill is pretty well-made for its intended use and should hold up well if maintained.

The open sides of the deck provide easy access for any adjustments or lubrication that the treadmill may require.

Should You Buy the Bells of Steel Wooden Manual Treadmill?

If you want to sprint or run long distance, try a different treadmill. If you are looking for a manual treadmill with a nice-looking frame that supports intense walks and short jogs, this is the one! Do you want to ruck? This treadmill’s 396-lb weight capacity also makes it a contender.

The Bells of Steel Wooden Manual Treadmill is simple. It has a few select features and a sturdy construction. It really doesn’t need anything else! I’m a marathon and ultra-marathon runner, but a single mile on this beast had me huffing, puffing, and begging for mercy.

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Bells of Steel Wooden Manual Treadmill Q&A / FAQ

What are the disadvantages of a manual treadmill?

Manual treadmills can be discouraging because they are more challenging than their motorized counterparts. It takes time to learn how to use a manual treadmill and build up your endurance on one. Manual treadmills also have fewer tech features.

While most manual treadmills are quite bulky and cumbersome, the compact size of the Bells of Steel Wooden Manual Treadmill makes it a better option for smaller spaces, even though it doesn’t fold.

Are manual treadmills worth it?

Manual treadmills are worth it for anyone who wants a durable machine with a high weight capacity and no speed limit. They are also great for better shock absorption and barefoot training.

Can you lose weight with a manual treadmill?

Losing weight on a manual treadmill may be easier than motorized treadmills because they are about 40% more difficult, with a corresponding increase in calorie burn. Manual treadmills are great for maintaining a higher intensity.

Do curved manual treadmills work?

Curved manual treadmills work by using a slat belt design that enables the walker or runner to pull the belt around the curved deck with the help of gravity. Since the belt is curved at the back, the belt will slow down if you move back, allowing the walker or runner to effectively control the treadmill speed.

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