The benefits of a curved treadmill are higher calorie burn, more intense cardio workouts, more natural pace control, and potentially lower impact on your joints. Because a slat treadmill is self-powered, it requires more effort from your body, which can make walking, running, and sprint training more effective. Many people also prefer the more natural feel compared to a traditional treadmill.
Key Takeaways
- Curved treadmills can create higher cardio intensity and calorie burn compared to traditional treadmills at the same speed.
- Many people prefer curved treadmills for sprint training and HIIT because they allow quick and natural pace changes.
- Curved treadmills may reduce certain impact forces during running, which may feel more comfortable for people with joint discomfort.
- Curved treadmills are not only for runners, but they can also be used for walking workouts, glute training, warmups, or mobility drills.
- Curved treadmills usually feel more demanding at first, but most people adapt after a few workouts and start feeling more comfortable using them.
What is a Curved Treadmill?
A curved treadmill, also called a slat treadmill, is a non-motorized treadmill with a curved running surface made from individual slats. Instead of being powered by a motor, the belt moves from your own movement. The faster you walk or run, the faster the belt moves.
Curved Treadmill Benefits
Curved treadmills can make walking, running, and sprint workouts more demanding and engaging compared to traditional treadmills. This results in higher calorie burn and cardio intensity, but it also allows better pace control.
Burns More Calories
According to this study, participants had 37% higher oxygen uptake and 22% higher heart rate on a curved treadmill compared to a traditional treadmill or running on a track.
- Higher oxygen uptake means your body needs more energy to keep moving.
- A higher heart rate also shows that your cardiovascular system is working harder during the workout.
Together, this usually translates to more calories burned during the same amount of exercise time.
So if you walk or run for the same amount of time, a curved treadmill can help you burn more calories. This can be a great option if you are short on time and want to make your workouts more efficient.
Higher Cardio Intensity
Curved treadmills can make your cardio workouts more effective in less time. Research found that participants reached higher heart rates and higher levels of exertion on curved treadmills compared to motorized treadmills.
This can be useful for interval training, conditioning workouts, and people who want to push their cardiovascular system harder.
Lower Impact Forces
This study found that curved treadmills may reduce certain impact forces during running. Researchers observed lower tibial acceleration and lower head acceleration compared to motorized treadmills.
So if running on a track or traditional treadmill feels uncomfortable because of joint pain, a curved treadmill may feel more comfortable during your workouts.
More Natural Pace Control
If traditional treadmills feel too unnatural or unresponsive, a curved treadmill may feel much better to run on.
With a slat treadmill, you can speed up or slow down without pressing buttons or waiting for the motor to catch up. Many people prefer this because the workout feels more natural, especially during sprints, intervals, and pace changes.
Great for Sprint and Conditioning Work
Curved treadmills are commonly used for sprint intervals and athletic conditioning because they allow quick speed transitions and require strong effort from the start.
Curved non-motorized treadmills are useful for sprint assessment because they allow athletes to sprint in a controlled environment while measuring speed, force, and power. This study found that performance during a 30-second curved treadmill sprint was closely related to overground 30 m sprint performance, suggesting that curved treadmill testing can help estimate short-distance sprint ability.
Downsides of Curved Treadmill
One downside of a curved treadmill is that it can feel more demanding than a traditional treadmill. In this study, participants reported that both walking and running felt harder on a curved treadmill.
That’s expected, because curved treadmills require you to power the belt yourself. This activates more muscles, increases effort, and can help you burn more calories compared to a motorized treadmill.
For some people, that extra intensity can feel challenging at first. But if you want a workout that pushes you, this may not be a dealbreaker.
Should Non-Runners Use the Curved Treadmill?
Here is how we like to use the curved treadmill at BFit.
Walking on a Curved Treadmill
Walking on a slat treadmill can be a simple way to improve your daily activity while making your workouts more engaging.
- Can help you burn more calories compared to walking on a traditional treadmill
- Requires more effort from your muscles because the belt is self-powered
- Many people find it feels smoother and easier on their joints than walking outside
- Easy to control your own pace naturally without pressing buttons
Using Higher Resistance for Glute Work
By increasing the resistance, the curved treadmill can become a challenging lower-body workout.
- Can be used as an additional workout at the end of a training session
- Great for targeting glutes, hamstrings, and calves
- Useful for short conditioning sessions when you want extra cardio and muscle engagement
- Works well as a glute warmup before lower-body strength training
Walking Backward on a Curved Treadmill
Walking backward on a curved treadmill is a simple drill that can improve movement quality and coordination.
- Helps improve mobility and body awareness
- Can challenge coordination and balance
- Often used as a warm-up before workouts or sports training
- Some people with knee discomfort find backward walking more comfortable
Curved Treadmill vs Traditional Treadmill
Here are the main differences between a curved treadmill and a traditional treadmill.
| Aspect | Curved Treadmill (Slat Treadmill) | Traditional Treadmill |
| Power Source | Self-powered by your movement | Powered by an electric motor |
| Running Surface | Curved slat belt | Flat moving belt |
| Workout Intensity | Usually feels more demanding | Easier to maintain steady pace |
| Calorie Burn | Typically higher at the same speed | Usually lower at the same speed |
| Sprint Training | Great for intervals and quick pace changes | Good for steady-state cardio |
| Walking Experience | More active and engaging | More relaxed and consistent |
| Muscle Engagement | Requires more effort from legs and core | Less muscle demand overall |
| Learning Curve | May take time to get used to | Familiar for most people |
| Joint Feel | Usually easier on joints | Depends on treadmill cushioning |
| Best For | Conditioning, intervals, athletic training, calorie burn | Walking, jogging, long steady cardio sessions |
How to Get Used to a Curved Treadmill
The best way to get comfortable on a curved treadmill is to start using it consistently. At first, it may feel different from a traditional treadmill, but after a few workouts, it usually starts to feel much more natural.
Here are a few tips that can help you:
- Start with walking before trying jogging or running
- Stay near the middle of the belt for better balance and control
- Hold the rails at first if you need extra stability
- Keep your first workouts shorter while you get used to the movement
FAQ
Do curved treadmills burn more calories?
Yes, studies show that curved treadmills can help you burn more calories compared to traditional treadmills at the same speed. Because the belt is self-powered, your body has to work harder to keep it moving.
Why is a curved treadmill harder?
A curved treadmill feels more challenging because there is no motor helping move the belt. Your legs and cardiovascular system have to generate the force needed to keep the treadmill moving, which increases overall effort.
Are curved treadmills better for weight loss?
Curved treadmills can be a good option for weight loss because they usually create a higher workout intensity and calorie burn. They can be especially useful for people who want more efficient cardio sessions in less time.
Can I do HIIT on a curved treadmill?
Yes, curved treadmills work very well for HIIT workouts. Since the belt responds instantly to your movement, it is easy to switch between sprinting, jogging, and walking without waiting for a motor to change speed.
