SOLE Fitness has published a guide examining backwards walking as a knee rehabilitation method, explaining how the movement reduces joint stress while strengthening the vastus medialis oblique (VMO), the quad muscle responsible for kneecap stabilization. The resource also identifies three of the brand's treadmill models — the TT8, F85, and F89 — as equipment suited to this type of therapeutic training, citing specific design features that allow for safe, progressive recovery.
More information is available at https://www.soletreadmills.com/blogs/news/3-best-treadmills-for-backwards-walking-in-2026
The brand notes that backwards walking safely requires treadmill design elements that standard home equipment often lacks. A step-up height of eight inches or less allows users to mount the deck while facing away from controls without losing their footing, while commercial-grade handrails that extend the full length of the running surface provide support during the learning phase, when balance and proprioception are still developing.
Incline and decline capabilities support progressive training, with greater incline linked to increased quadriceps activation as strength builds. SOLE Fitness also points to cushioned deck technology as a key factor for joint protection, noting that it absorbs impact forces that outdoor surfaces would otherwise transmit directly to recovering knees.
The guide highlights three models — the TT8, F85, and F89 — that share the core specifications SOLE Fitness identifies as essential for this type of training. Each offers an eight-inch step-up height, full-length commercial-grade handrails, a 0 to 15% incline range with -6% decline capability, and the Cushion Flex Whisper Deck, which SOLE says reduces impact by up to 40% compared to asphalt.
According to SOLE Fitness, combining the Cushion Flex Whisper Deck with the biomechanical advantages of backwards walking creates a compounding protective effect. The movement pattern itself reduces knee joint loading through altered foot-strike mechanics, and the deck's cushioning further minimizes stress on cartilage and connective tissue — a combination the company says directly addresses the needs of people managing joint sensitivity during cardiovascular training.
The guide also outlines a structured progression protocol, walking readers through how to advance from flat backwards walking to incline-based sessions and, eventually, decline variations. SOLE Fitness notes that starting on level surfaces allows users to develop balance and coordination before introducing the greater quadriceps demand that incline training requires.
Interested parties can browse the full SOLE Fitness range at https://www.soletreadmills.com/