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Incline treadmill walk. Decline treadmill walk. Farmer’s carry. Sled push. Single-arm row. Shrugs. All these exercises and more are made possible with this all-in-one manual treadmill from Bells of Steel.
While the best treadmills and cardio machines allow you to incorporate more than one style of training, this is one of the most feature-packed manual treadmills we’ve seen yet. It’s got all the bells and whistles, but are these features useful or extras that you’ll never really use?
In this Bells of Steel Dreadmill review, we’ll share our thoughts after extensive hands-on testing. We’ll share the good and the bad, who we think this is a good fit for, and help you decide whether this treadmill is worthy of a spot in your home gym.
Tested by Treadmill Experts
Here at GGR, we know home gym equipment, and our team has carefully tested more than 50 treadmills so far. Our testers include gym owners and fitness enthusiasts, certified personal trainers, CrossFit coaches, and even an Olympian.
For this treadmill review, we have detailed testing notes from Garage Gym Reviews founder Cooper “Coop” Mitchell and an independent tester who spent plenty of time trying out every feature. We know opinions can vary, and while Coop certainly knows treadmills—as his frequent gym tours can attest—getting a second opinion allows us to provide an even more honest review.
Our testers used our equipment testing methodology to calculate an unbiased review score, paying careful attention to the most important aspects of a treadmill. These include categories like footprint, durability, construction, ergonomics, technology, and more.
Bells of Steel Dreadmill
Bells of Steel Dreadmill
Product Highlights
- Manual treadmill that simulates sled pushes, farmer's carries, and more
- Features two plated-loaded lever arms
- Treadmill deck folds to use the arms for other exercises
- Can simulate sled pushing, though resistance isn't very heavy
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Multi-functional manual treadmill
- Lever arms are great for single-arm rows, shrugs, and more
- Works well for incline walking and sled drags
Cons
- Not enough resistance for sled pushes
- Farmer's carries feel awkward
- Incline-only, with no flat setting
Bottom Line
The Bells of Steel Dreadmill is a manual treadmill that allows users to simulate sled pushes, sled drags, farmer's carries, and a variety of exercises with the plate-loaded lever arm. The treadmill resistance isn't very heavy, but it's a great tool for sled drags and various strength training movements with the lever arms.
A Quick Look at the Bells of Steel Dreadmill
Bells of Steel (BOS) is known for making high-quality fitness equipment that fits most budgets, including squat racks, barbells, cable towers, kettlebells, functional trainers, and more. The company also offers the Bells of Steel Blitz magnetic resistance manual treadmill, which features a curved design, and a wooden manual resistance treadmill, but the Dreadmill is something entirely new.
While there are countless treadmills on the market, most have very similar functions. You can adjust the speed, incline, perhaps the decline, and that’s about it. The BOS Dreadmill takes the classic treadmill design and kits it out to improve its functionality. It includes shoulder pads for sled pushes or drags, plate-loaded lever arms for a variety of exercises, and the incline settings you’d expect to see with most treadmills.
The Dreadmill is a manual treadmill, which Coop points out is often preferred for home gym owners, as they generally require less maintenance, and you don’t have to worry about a motor failing. Manual treadmills can accommodate those who enjoy sprinting or HIIT workouts, as the resistance and speed increase with your effort, similar to an air bike. You also don’t need to change a speed setting and wait for the treadmill to catch up; you can simply move your legs faster.
RELATED: 7 Best Manual Treadmills
Bells of Steel claims that this treadmill is meant for athletic training, allowing those with limited space to perform weighted carries, sled pushes, and sled drags or utilize the lever arms. Let’s examine each feature to determine how it feels and whether or not this treadmill is worth the cost.
Before You Buy
- With a list price of $2,199.99, this isn’t what most would consider cheap, but it’s still a more budget-friendly alternative to a few similar treadmills that cost significantly more.
- While the treadmill itself works fine, the angle of the lever arms is a bit awkward for farmer’s carries, and sled pushes feel easy, even on the highest resistance setting.
- At the time of writing, the treadmill is on pre-order, and orders are expected to ship by October 31, 2024.
Bells of Steel Dreadmill Video Review
Watch the full video review for Coop’s honest take.
Is the Bells of Steel Dreadmill Worth It?
While this treadmill certainly includes plenty of features, it’s not the best fit for everyone, especially at this price point. Here’s who we think would be the best fit for the Bells of Steel Dreadmill.
Great for:
- Those looking for versatility on a budget
- Anyone with limited space in their home gym
- People looking to perform sled drags and lever arm exercises
- Strongman enthusiasts who need to get in their cardio
Not recommended for:
- People looking to replace heavy sled pushes
- Anyone used to farmer’s carries with free weights
- Beginners looking for an easy-to-use digital treadmill
Bells of Steel Dreadmill Specs
| Price | $2,199.99 |
| Footprint | 61.7” L x 58” W x 52.1” H |
| Running Deck | 36.5” L x 28.4” W |
| Weight | 200.62 lbs |
| Weight Capacity | 287 lbs user weight, 165 lbs weight horn capacity |
| Resistance | Magnetic |
| Warranty | 1-year parts warranty, limited lifetime frame warranty |
Workout Experience with the Bells of Steel Dreadmill
Let’s get into the most important part of this review and talk about how it feels to actually use the various features on the Bells of Steel Dreadmill.
This is a fine treadmill for those who enjoy incline walks. You can set the incline and walk for as long as you want, and while the resistance isn’t all that high, it gets the job done nicely for low-impact walks.
However, one of the main features is the ability to replicate a sled push, a feature specifically mentioned on the product sales page, and unfortunately, it just doesn’t work well. The resistance can be adjusted from one to eight, but Coop felt it was way too easy to replace a real sled push, even on the highest difficulty setting.
He did mention that if you walk backward, there’s probably enough resistance to replicate a sled drag, but walking forward and using it as a sled push wasn’t cutting it.
RELATED: Is Walking Backwards Good for You?
However, take this with a grain of salt, as Bells of Steel claims to have increased the resistance by about 30% for its next batch of treadmills.
The next feature to consider is the built-in plate-loaded lever arms to help perform farmer’s carries. Coop loves the included j-cups, and in theory, it should be much quicker to pick up the arms and start walking. However, the handles don’t move, so your hands are fixed in place as you walk. Coop found this awkward compared to performing farmer’s walks with dumbbells that allow your arms to move naturally as you walk.
If you still want to use the lever arms for other exercises, the treadmill deck can be lifted and folded out of the way, allowing you to freely use the level arms for shrugs, single-arm rows, or a bench press.
Footprint and Portability
For footprint and portability, the Bells of Steel Dreadmill earns a 4-out-of-5-star rating. Its footprint is 61.7” L x 58” W x 52.1” H, and it’s fairly portable, as you can fold the deck, allowing the treadmill to be tilted and rolled on two casters.
However, we docked a point because the casters don’t roll smoothly on carpet. You’ll have an easier time moving this around on solid flooring.
Durability and Construction
For durability and construction, we look at how sturdy the equipment is, and how long we expect it to last. The Dreadmill earns a strong 5 out of 5 in this category.
Our tester noted that this felt like a heavy-duty treadmill, with no wobbling during use. They were also impressed by the weight capacity of the level arms, saying, “They’re rated for 165 pounds each, but I put 180 pounds on each side, and it handled it no problem. Honestly, I would say the arms could handle even more than that, but I don’t know if the tread plate would depending on how much more you added.”
Coop was also impressed by the powder coat on the handles, adding it was a very nice touch he wasn’t expecting to see at this price point.
Customizations and Ergonomics
The Bells of Steel Dreadmill earns a 3 out of 5 for ergonomics. The treadmill works fine, but some of the added features aren’t executed well.
The main feature is the ability to replicate a sled push, but Coop felt the resistance was far too light. He also noted that the lever arms are fixed in place, so while you can do farmer’s walks, it doesn’t feel natural, as your arms can’t freely move.
Our tester also noted that the farmer’s walks felt awkward, especially for their height.
“Being 6’ 4”, when I went to pick up the handles from their highest resting brackets (there are three positions), I had to travel almost 12 inches of distance before I reached standing position,” he said. “By that time the arms are at almost a 45-degree angle, which is unnecessary and makes walking awkward, since the weight is pulling you backward, not downward.”
The machine is also set on a fixed incline, and can’t be lowered to be used on a flat surface.
Technology and Conveniences
As this is a manual treadmill, there isn’t much to mention for technology and deluxe features. We give this category a final rating of 3 out of 5.
Our tester said, “The unit uses a very basic battery-operated digital display. No touch screen. There are instructions on how to calculate body fat in your workouts if that’s something you want to do, as well as a heart rate monitor.”
RELATED: The Best Smart Treadmills
Most people who are looking for this sort of treadmill probably don’t need all the bells and whistles, like large screens, streaming classes, and more, but it’s worth mentioning that the technology is quite basic.
Bells of Steel Dreadmill vs Xebex ST-6000 Treadmill
Xebex ST-6000 Treadmill
XEBEX SLEDTRAC 6000
Product Highlights
- Treadmill with sled drag options
- 6 different training modes
- Incline and decline training
- Basic display
- Bluetooth connectivity
Pros & Cons
Pros
- 6 ways to train
- Belt runs backwards and forwards
- Safety key included
- Pulse sensors for heart rate
- Bluetooth connectivity to chest straps or apps
Cons
- Hefty price tag
- Large footprint
- No built-in touchscreen
Bottom Line
The XEBEX SLEDTRAC 6000 is a home gym dream. Within one footprint you can walk, jog, run, and sled drag. Plus, this treadmill has 15 levels of incline training and the ability to use the machine forwards or backwards. That also means you can sled drag forwards and backwards.
If you’re looking for a multi-purpose piece of cardio equipment that does a better job of simulating a sled push, the Xebex SledTrac 6000 is a great choice. The Xebex allows you to walk, run, or push a sled on both incline and decline settings, and you can do all of these things both forward and backward.
RELATED: 6 HIIT Treadmill Workouts
It doesn’t have the lever arms for farmer’s walks, shrugs, and rows, but it does a much better job at being a regular treadmill and an alternative to sled pushes. The Xebex also has a larger footprint and heavier weight capacity.
The only downside? It’s significantly more expensive. While the Xebex is better for those who want to do all the usual treadmill things, including sled pushes, the Bells of Steel Dreadmill is still a great option, especially for those shopping on a tighter budget.
For more, check out our in-depth Xebex ST-6000 review.
| Bells of Steel Dreadmill | Xebex ST-6000 Treadmill | |
| Price | $2,199 | $3,799 |
| Footprint | 61.7” L x 58” W x 52.1” H | 77.8” L x 34.2” W x 60.9” H |
| Running Deck | 36.5” L x 28.4” W | 61.4” L x 22” W |
| Weight | 200.62 lbs | 343.5 lbs |
| Weight Capacity | 287 lbs user weight, 165 lbs weight horn capacity | 352 lbs |
| Resistance | Magnetic | 3.0 HP Motor, up to 1,500 watts of drag resistance |
| Warranty | 1-year parts, limited lifetime frame warranty | 5-year frame, 2-year parts |
Customer Experience
For customer support, Bells of Steel earns a 3 out of 5. You can contact them via phone or by submitting a contact form on www.bellsofsteel.com, and a customer support representative should respond within 48 hours.
You can return your order within 30 days, but you’ll need to cover your own return shipping and drop off the return yourself at a shipping location or pay a $20 pickup fee. If your return isn’t sent back in its original packaging or is missing anything, you’ll also be charged a 15% restocking fee.
Ordering and Assembling the Bells of Steel Dreadmill
At the time of writing, the Dreadmill is only available for pre-order. Orders should arrive by October 31, 2024, and you can finance your order through Affirm. Shipping is free for the contiguous USA, though charges may apply if you live in other locations.
Assembling the Dreadmill was fairly easy. While our tester said one person could do most of the work, you’ll likely want a second pair of hands for certain parts of the assembly.
The instructions are clear and easy to follow, and our tester rated the ordering and assembly process 4 out of 5.
Customer Reviews
There are no customer reviews yet at the time of writing. We’ll update this section once customers start receiving their pre-orders and leave reviews and feedback.
Final Verdict of Our Bells of Steel Dreadmill Review
Overall, the Bells of Steel Dreadmill is a budget-friendly alternative to some of the higher-end options with similar features. We love the lever arms for movements like single-arm rows, shrugs, and bench presses, and using the treadmill to simulate backward sled drags works quite well.
However, there isn’t enough resistance for forward sled positions, and the fixed position of the arms makes farmer’s walks feel a bit uncomfortable, especially for tall users.
- The Bells of Steel Dreadmill is a great choice for incline walking, backward sled drags, and certain movements on the lever arms, but most people won’t be able to replace sled pushes with this.
- Although it’s far more affordable than many similar treadmills at $2,199.99, it’s still a significant investment for many home gym owners.
- The Dreadmill is very durable, and the powder-coated finish is a nice touch, especially at this price point.
Full Rating
Bells of Steel Dreadmill
The Bells of Steel Dreadmill is a manual treadmill that allows users to simulate sled pushes, sled drags, farmer's carries, and a variety of exercises with the plate-loaded lever arm. The treadmill resistance isn't very heavy, but it's a great tool for sled drags and various strength training movements with the lever arms.
Product Currency: $
Product Price: 2199.99
Product In-Stock: InStock
3.79
Bells of Steel Dreadmill: FAQs
Do deadmills damage treadmills?
Deadmills refer to turning off a treadmill, leaning on the handrails, and forcing the belt to move with your feet, like pushing a sled. Depending on the manufacturer, this may cause excessive wear and tear on the various components, and it’s best to save manual effort for manual treadmills.
Can you walk backward on a manual treadmill?
Yes, as long as the treadmill can be used safely with handrails, you can walk backward or forward on manual treadmills. You’ll want to pay attention to the shape of the treadmill as well, as walking backward on a curved treadmill may feel uncomfortable.
Is it harder to run on a manual treadmill?
Yes, there’s no motor, so you’ll generate your own power to move. This 2017 study1 found that manual treadmills require users to exert more effort and, therefore, burn more calories.
References
- Edwards, R. B., Tofari, P. J., Cormack, S. J., & Whyte, D. G. (2017). Non-motorized Treadmill Running Is Associated with Higher Cardiometabolic Demands Compared with Overground and Motorized Treadmill Running. Frontiers in physiology, 8, 914. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2017.00914
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