Slat Treadmill vs. Regular Belt

While choosing the right treadmill for yourself or your gym, you must be better aware of its purposes and benefits. This means you must also know the different types of treadmill belts. So, between the two types, i.e., slat treadmill vs. regular belt treadmill, which one’s better fit for you, and what are the major differences between them?

This article will help you better understand what a slat and belt treadmill is and the key differences between the two types.

What Is a Slat Treadmill?

A slat treadmill has a belt made from individual slats that are joined together to form a belt. This belt is then reinforced by rubber, which makes it extra shock absorbent. As a result, such treadmills are great for athletes and individuals who want to avoid injuries to their tendons, muscles, and bones.

Treadmills with slat belts move by the foot strikes, due to which you get greater calorie burn and muscle workout. Motors don’t power them. Such treadmills have a curvy structure which allows the runners to maintain their posture and have better stability.

What Is a Belt Treadmill?

A regular belt treadmill, also known as the traditional treadmill, has a hard belt over a deck. Springs and rubber knobs are present in between to provide cushioning. The decks rotate due to the motion of the motors that are commonly present only in the front and rare part. Such treadmills are widely used in gyms or homes for everyday workouts.

You can adjust the speed of a regular belt treadmill according to your choice. You can even replace the belt of such treadmills if worn out.

Slat Treadmill vs. Belt

You must be wondering what the key differences between the two types are. Here’s a brief comparison of slat treadmills and regular ones based on a few essential features.

1. Structure

A slatted treadmill has a curved structure that aids in maintaining a good posture. Its surface feels more natural. In contrast, a regular belt treadmill has a straight but hard surface. Both can have LCD screens that improve your productivity by tracking. They might also have additional features such as bottle holders.

2. Motion

Running on a slatted treadmill is 30 percent harder than a regular belt treadmill because their motion results only from foot strikes.

On the other hand, the motion of a regular belt treadmill is provided by the motor and the speed can be changed manually.

3. Usage

If you are an athlete or you suffer from knee issues, arthritis, or similar problems, you should choose the slat treadmill as they have the least impact on your joints due to its curvy structure. A regular belt is a good option if you’re looking for a standard treadmill for your gym or commercial use.

4. Maintenance And Belt Replacement

If we talk about the maintenance of a slat vs belt treadmill, the regular one requires more care. You need to oil it regularly. Wear and tear is also very common in them, so you’ll eventually have to replace their belts. Different types of treadmills belts are available, so make sure you choose the right one. The belt of a slat treadmill is not replaceable.

5. Price

The slat treadmills are more expensive than the regular belt treadmills since they’re a more advanced form of the standard treadmill. A slat treadmill can cost thrice as much as its belated counterpart, but it’ll also last about ten times as long as the belt one.

Difference	Slat Treadmill	Belt Treadmill
Structure	Curved	Straight
Motion	Moves by footstrikes	Powered by motors
Usage	For athletes and runners Incline Percentage	For regular workout
Maintenance	Require less maintenance	Require regular maintenance
Price	More expensive	Less pricey

Slat Treadmill vs. Belt: Summary

Now that you know the differences between both types of treadmills, you can tell which one suits your requirements.

Let’s talk about the pros and cons of slat treadmills vs. regular belt treadmills so you know what exactly you will get and the drawbacks of both.

Pros/Cons Of Slat Treadmill

Pros/Cons Of Belt Treadmill

Recommendation Slat Treadmill: Rogue Woodway Curve LTG

Now that you know the pros and cons of both types of treadmills, you can choose the one that meets your requirements.

Still unsure which brand to choose, because of the tons of available options? We’ve got some recommendations for top-notch treadmills.

The Rogue Woodway Curve LTG is a non-motorized slat treadmill with an ergonomically curved structure designed to minimize the weight on your joints.

This treadmill weighs about 297 lbs and has a maximum weight capacity of 350 lbs. Its dimensions are 67 inches x 34 inches x 70 inches; You get a self-powered LCD display that shows details such as multiple metrics, including speed, calories, heart rate, and time via advanced tracking.

It’s definitely pricier, but consider it a solid investment if you want to level up your cardio routine and reduce pressure on your knees and back.

Overall, this treadmill gives a natural experience, good results, and has an aesthetic look.

Recommended Treadmill: Pro-Form City L6

The Pro-Form City L6 treadmill is a high-end treadmill with a compact structure and a reduced footprint design. It weighs about 125 lbs, and its maximum capacity is 250 lbs. Its dimensions are 29 inches x 70.25 inches x 40.5 inches.

I particularly like the size of this treadmill since it can easily fit in a small space. Plus, once you’re done, you can just as easily stow it away under your bed or couch.

Not only that, but you also get interactive training sessions, and you can stream global and studio workout sessions on it, making it a lot more personalized and productive.

FAQ

Are Slat Treadmills Better for Knees?

Yes! The slat treadmills are designed keeping in mind the knee and other joint problems that can be caused due to using treadmills for longer periods. The curve structure of the slat treadmill prevents knee problems.

Are Treadmills Just As Good As Walking?

Both walking and treadmills are great exercises, but if you want to burn calories, you should choose walking outside. This is because the uneven path has more resistance and burns more calories.

Conclusion

Both slat treadmills and regular belt treadmills are great for cardio. If you want to have regular workout sessions, then a regular belt treadmill is good and also budget-friendly. But if you want one for strenuous exercise without affecting your knees and other joints, go for the slated one.

Feel free to let us know your experience with these two types of treadmills and which one you think is a better fit for you.

Also read:

• Electric vs Manual Treadmill
• Treadmill vs Recumbent Bike
• Best Treadmill for Seniors
• Exercise Bike vs Treadmill
• Stairmaster vs Treadmill
• How Long Should You Run on the Treadmill
• Best Running Shoes for Treadmill

References:

1. Welcome to AdventHealth // Adventhealth: https://www.adventhealth.com /hospital/adventhealth-orlando/blog/tips-perfect-your-running-posture-and-stride
2. Acute aquatic treadmill exercise improves gait and pain in people with knee osteoarthritis // NCBI: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ 23131526/
3. Non-motorized Treadmill Running Is Associated with Higher Cardiometabolic Demands Compared with Overground and Motorized Treadmill Running // NCBI: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov /pmc/articles/ PMC5694659/