A female athlete training on the Xpeed Velocity Runner - Sprint Treadmill

Running Without Limits

Sprint Treadmill vs. Traditional Treadmill

Unlimited potential, power & Freedom

Velocity Runner Sprint Treadmill vs. Traditional Treadmill

Why are more athletes and weekend warriors switching to a Velocity Runner Sprint Treadmill style? They may look intense—and they are—but for all the right reasons! At Xpeed we like to think of it as “Running Without Limits”. The Velocity Runner offers the unlimited potential, power and freedom of self-powered running. Unlike traditional treadmills with motors, it lets you be the engine, turning every step into a full-body effort. Let’s break down what makes this treadmill such a game-changer.

Here’s how they stack up!

Encourages a Natural Running Form

One of the main benefits of a curved treadmill is that it promotes a more natural running gait. Since there’s no motor to drive the belt, you control the pace by propelling it yourself, allowing your body to move naturally—much like running outdoors—without being locked into a set speed or stride length.

In contrast, on a traditional treadmill, you often end up adjusting your stride to the machine’s pace. Over time, this can lead to form imbalances or repetitive strain, particularly if you’re logging a lot of miles at a fixed speed.

2 Xpeed Velocity Runner Sprint Treadmills prepped and ready for a HIIT classs

Burns More Calories

Studies indicate that running on a curved treadmill can burn up to 30% more calories compared to a traditional motorised treadmill. Because you’re the one driving the belt, it requires more effort and activates more muscle groups, especially in your posterior chain (glutes, hamstrings, and calves). This can turn even a short session into an effective, calorie-burning workout.


On a traditional treadmill, the belt does some of the work, particularly when you’re not using an incline. You’ll still get a good sweat, but you may not be working as hard as you think.

woman walking on a horizon treadmill

Self-Powered, No Electricity Needed

Curved treadmills are completely self-powered, making them both eco-friendly and versatile in terms of placement—no need to worry about plugging it in or adding to your power bill. Plus, the speed adjusts instantly to your effort, putting you in full control of your workout.

A traditional treadmill, however, relies on electricity, limiting placement options and potentially leading to higher maintenance costs with motor wear over time.

Higher Intensity with Lower Impact

Curved treadmills offer a surprisingly low-impact workout. The curved design distributes weight more efficiently across the running surface, which absorbs shock that would typically strain your joints. This makes curved treadmills a great option for athletes or anyone rehabbing an injury who wants to train hard while protecting their knees and ankles.

While traditional treadmills can offer lower-impact workouts (especially those with cushioned decks), they don’t engage your muscles in the same way, and many users still experience joint stress over prolonged use.

Perfect for Interval Training

If you’re a fan of HIIT (high-intensity interval training) or sprint workouts, the Velocity Runner Sprint Treadmill is ideal. With no buttons to press, you can quickly transition from a walk to a sprint simply by speeding up your steps. This makes it more intuitive and effective for interval training, where the goal is to shift between high and low intensities swiftly.

Traditional treadmills, however, require manual speed adjustments, which can slow down your transitions and make it harder to hit those intensity spikes quickly.

Conclusion

In short, the Velocity Runner Sprint Treadmill offers an unmatched running experience that combines intensity, freedom and limitless potential. It’s ideal for athletes and fitness enthusiasts looking to push beyond the boundaries of traditional treadmills. While steady-state cardio and incline walking on a motorised treadmill still have their place, the Xpeed Velocity Runner demands more from you—empowering you to run without limits.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Get the answers to our most frequently asked questions.
The treadmill features a 56-slat structure with 96 precision ball bearings and 14 guide rollers, ensuring a quiet and smooth running experience, even during intense sprints. Loudness will depend on the intensity that the user is running at. During top speed efforts, you can expect a slight increase in noise from the interaction between the slats and your footfalls, but overall the treadmill is designed to minimize sound. Its durable construction ensures that any noise remains low, even when pushing your limits, making it suitable for home or gym environments without causing disruptions.
No, the Xpeed Velocity Runner is self-powered, meaning it doesn’t require electricity for operation. However, the console requires AA batteries to power the LCD display.
The treadmill is compatible with Polar chest straps, allowing you to monitor your heart rate in real-time on the LCD performance monitor. This helps you train more effectively by keeping your heart rate within specific zones.
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A picture of Simon Mitchell, the brand manager of Xpeed and a Personal Trainer.

Author

Simon Mitchell

Written by Xpeed Brand ManagerSimon MitchellSimon has a Bachelor of Human Movement, is a certified FMS trainer and has worked in the fitness industry since 2003. Simon started his fitness journey as a trainer with iNform Health and Fitness before moving into commercial radio and then back into fitness with Bodyism in the United Kingdom and Australia. A career highlight was being one of Daisy Ridley's personal trainers on Star Wars IX - The Rise Of Skywalker.

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