curious about the assault runner elite, worth the hype for curved belts?

[Thomas Martinez]

The Assault Runner Elite has a unique curved deck design compared to traditional motorized treadmills, as seen in this review footage. A major difference here is that it is manual. You have to keep the belt moving by using your own momentum instead of having a pre-set speed. That could help improve running form while allowing for mimicking varied outdoor terrain. It's appealing to those looking to change up their workout routine. The design features are innovative. There are no speed controls: The console shows distance and pace but it's up to you to control how hard the workout is. It takes some getting used to for beginners: How do you stand on the curved surface? You need to adjust the machine first in order to work out properly. Since there is no large motor system, the machines contain fewer electronics, according to the review. That means the mechanics are simpler, which generally leads to less downtime and longer-lasting maintenance than other standard gym gear. From what I’ve seen, people who like it think it’s got a solid belt system that holds up. The only struggle is getting used to the resistance curve. They don't have issues with the electronics. If you’re curious, you can also see how they fare long-term in terms of any belt tensioning/maintenance issues. It is also good to see whether the console will sync with popular fitness apps, as not all do at this point.

 

[Alert Ant]

My last gym had one of these, they are called the Woodway Curve. They are very similar to the Assault Runner Elite in terms of how they work. The first couple of weeks, your calves will hate you. But once you get over that hump, you’ll be happy to switch it up from running on a normal treadmill.

 

[Planet of the]

And you're right: There's a lot less opportunity to fail from a repair perspective. There is no motor, no incline motor, and no complex control board pushing power to a giant DC motor. It is just slats, a belt, and some bearings. Failures tend to come in the form of cracked individual slats or worn bearings on roller bearings. Both are cheap fixes compared to buying a new motor control board like you would of had to do with your typical treadmill.