A curved treadmill is a non-motorized, concave device that allows users to walk and run on it with each foot strike propelling the belt behind them. The system is designed to exploit the vertical and horizontal contours, pulling the belt down and back from the walking or running stride, thus removing the need for an electric motor—a benefit for those who want to pace themselves naturally. It promise a comfortable running experience that exploits a curvilinear leg stroke to hopefully improve the workout.

How Does a Curved Treadmill Work?

The mechanical secret of curved treadmills is a mix of gravity, friction, and exploration of the forces during running. During the downstroke backwards, the foot and weight of the body literally pull the tread down and back, and this happens because of the curved shape of the equipment. The point of contact is significantly ahead of the center of mass; thus, the experience of support is different than with other non-motorized treadmill options, or running on the ground.