AssaultRunner Pro Treadmill Review 2023

In-depth Review of AssaultRunner Pro Treadmill

Preprogrammed Workouts and App Connectivity

Like other manual treadmills, the AssaultRunner Pro doesn’t require electricity to use and the console is battery-powered. When the belt starts moving the console will turn on and start tracking your running. The console is very similar to the AssaultRunner Elite, so we have a great idea of how it works and what it includes based on our experience using the Elite.

I will say that the AssaultRunner consoles include a good amount of workouts and metrics tracking. There are multiple workout modes for Tabatas, reverse Tabatas, custom intervals, and targeted training settings. When you’re doing interval training, a small light will turn on next to the words “rest” and “work” at the top of the console to indicate which portion of the interval you’re on.

The targeted programs let you set goals based on your time, distance, calories, and heart rate. The AssaultRunner Pro is Bluetooth-enabled to connect with a compatible heart rate tracker.

It can also connect to the Assault Fitness and Fiit Apps to offer even more guidance and workout options. These apps pair with the Pro to offer challenges, programs, and trainer-led content that you can take whenever you want. The Assault Fitness app has programs that are meant to be taken over the course of a couple of weeks to months to progress your fitness. The trainer-led classes on the Fiit App are engaging and fun to take.

Even though this is a simple console, it comes with more training options than other manual treadmills like the TrueForm Trainer.

Console

The console is easy to use and offers more functionality than most. The buttons on the left and bottom are clearly labeled. The LCD display doesn’t have a UV-resistant screen like the AssaultRunner Elite, but we assume it’s easy to see.

The console is fixed so it doesn’t adjust like the Bells Of Steel Blitz Manual Treadmill. You’ll also notice that there isn’t any storage on the console besides a ledge to place your phone. The Elite comes with 2 built-in cupholders, whereas the Pro doesn’t have any place to put your water. It’s nice to have a spot for a phone, especially if you plan to use the Assault Fitness App or Fiit App, but it would be nice to have a cupholder or two, too.

Construction Quality / Durability

As far as quality and price, the AssaultRunner Pro really appeals to the majority of people. It has a similar construction to the Elite but is less expensive. The Pro can be found in homes and gyms and is proven to be durable and capable of handling a lot of use.

It doesn’t have quite as high of a weight capacity as other treadmills like the TrueForms, the Elite, and the Blitz, but at 350 lbs it should handle most users.
Frame
The overall look of the Pro is similar to the previous discontinued model from Assault, the AirRunner. The Pro has an all-black design, however. The Pro is often referred to as the AirRunner because the machines are so similar.

The frame is made out of steel and the treadmill itself weighs 280 lbs. It’s similar in weight to the Elite. These treadmills are a little lighter than other manual treadmills like the TrueForm Runner and Bells Of Steel Blitz, which weigh over 300 lbs each. The lighter weight doesn’t affect the integrity of the Elite and it is definitely stable and feels really hearty, so the Pro should be the same.

The AssaultRunner Pro has front transporting wheels and a rear handle for when you need to move it. Due to its similar weight to the Elite, we assume it isn’t too hard to move around. Many manual treadmills have front wheels and a rear handle so we’re glad to see this on the Pro as well.

The uprights and handles remind me of the TrueForm Trainer. The side handles extend back to the midpoint of the deck near where you’ll be when running so they should be well within reach for balance when you need them. They should also be great for using the front handles for leverage when getting the belt up to speed if that’s how you like to start sprinting.

Motorless

The AirRunner doesn’t have a motor. Because it doesn’t have a motor, it requires much less maintenance than electric treadmills with motors. On motorized treadmills, the belts need to be lubricated and adjusted regularly, and the motors need maintenance and can even break. The motorless design of the Pro doesn’t have electrical components that can break down or need attending to.

The AssaultRunner Pro also doesn’t have a maximum speed. Instead, you control the pace with your legs. So, rather than a motorized treadmill that sets the pace of the belt for you to keep up with, you’re in control. This means that you can run as fast as you can on the Pro. You’ll also burn more calories and activate more muscles on the Pro than on a motorized treadmill.

The Pro is proven to be durable and commonly found in residential and commercial settings so if you want to run marathons on it, or do a lot of intervals, this one is a good pick.

Treadmill Deck

The deck is also unique to motorized treadmills because it is curved. The angle of the curve is the same as the AssaultRunner Elite. The belt should be pretty easy to get moving and get up to a fast pace. In comparison, the TrueForm Runner and Trainer have the shallowest curvature in the deck, which makes them harder to get the belt moving. When we compared the TrueForms to the Elite, we found that it requires less effort by the runner to get the belt moving on the Elite. The TrueForm Treadmills encourage proper form and a midfoot strike, so if your form could use a little work, you will probably fatigue faster on these models.

The AssaultRunners are widely favored for CrossFit and speed work because they don’t require your form to be as technical. That’s why we recommend the Elite and the AssaultRunner Pro to the majority of users looking for a manual treadmill.

For newbies to manual treadmills, keep in mind that they can take some getting used to. The Pro isn’t your average treadmill that you can hop on and zone out on. It might even feel a little weird at first because controlling the belt yourself rather than keeping up a set pace is an entirely different experience.

The width of the Pro’s belt is only 17”, which can take some getting used to, too. This width is comparable to TrueForms, the Elite, and the Bells Of Steel, as well as other popular manual models. It’s more narrow than your average electric treadmill, but it’s designed to keep you aligned and in a linear running pattern. The length is 62” which offers plenty of room for most running strides. Considering this belt is the same size as the Elite, all our reviewers can attest to this.

Warranty

One noticeable difference between the AssaultRunners is that the Pro has a less extensive warranty. When you purchase the Elite it comes with a 10-year frame and lifetime belt warranty, whereas the Pro comes with a 5-year frame and 150,000-mile belt warranty. The belt warranty is still very impressive on the AssaultRunner Pro and definitely instills confidence in the durability of the machine. Factoring in the lower price of the Pro, it’s understandable that the warranty isn’t as long. The warranty also includes 3 years for moving parts.