Wahoo KICKR Run Treadmill Review 2024

Dimensions/Storability

The Wahoo KICKR Run is a large treadmill. While its dimensions are similar to other home treadmills both manual and electric, what makes us consider this treadmill to be large, is that it doesn’t fold up. Non-folding treadmills, like this one, require a designated space in your home to use them. They don’t store easily like treadmills with folding decks. The Wahoo’s dimensions are said to be 70” L x 37” W x 55” H.

The Wahoo KICKR Run is 275 lbs. It has 2 front transport wheels, so you’ll need to lift the back end of the deck to move it. It is most likely at least a little challenging to move. It will probably be best to keep it in the spot where you plan to use it and not move it very often.

For floor space, you’ll need to factor in the dimensions above, as well as a couple of extra feet surrounding the treadmill. With any treadmill, you don’t want to shove it right against a wall, and you don’t want to place anything directly behind the deck. It’s best to keep clearance behind the deck to use any treadmill safely.

Ceiling height is also important to consider. The step-up height of the deck is said to be about a foot high when the deck is flat. We don’t have the deck height when it’s fully inclined, but once we get it in for testing, we’ll update this review with our ceiling height recommendations for various user heights.

Onboard Workouts & Apps

Alright, let’s get into the content that’s available to use with the Wahoo KICKR Run Treadmill. The console is very simple (more on this in a moment) without a touch screen or much of a display. There aren’t any onboard workout programs. These are workouts to follow along with, often that the treadmill will adjust to as you go. These are often pretty straightforward and standard, similar to the charted workouts you’d find on a commercial treadmill at your local gym.

Instead, the Wahoo KICKR Run has a manual mode to adjust the treadmill yourself (again standard on pretty much all treadmills) and a RunFree Mode. This is what sets the Wahoo apart from other treadmills, both residential and commercial.

RunFree Mode

RunFree Mode is a really cool and innovative feature that allows you to control the pace of the belt as you run. It provides a hands-free running experience, so there’s no need to press any adjustment buttons or even the stop button when you’re in the RunFree Mode. The Wahoo KICKR Run senses your movements on the belt to adjust the speed of the treadmill.

It does this with a sensor that’s built into the console. The “time of flight” sensor works to detect your positioning on the belt. The speed increases when you run towards the front of the deck, up by the console. When you move toward the rear of the treadmill, the speed decreases.

When seeing others run on the Wahoo and test this feature, it appears to happen pretty instantaneously. This means the Wahoo can simulate running outside where you set the pace.

This feature is similar to how manual treadmills, like the AssaultRunner Elite and TrueForm Runner, function. The curved, slat belts are motorless. Instead, your legs move the belt. Flat, slat-belt treadmills, like the Sole ST90, also feature a disengaging motor that allows you to propel the belt yourself.

The Wahoo is a little more similar to the ST90 because it’s also an electric treadmill that requires being plugged in. It has a motor, but the belt doesn’t consist of slats (I’ll get into this below).

The motor, however, doesn’t seem to disengage in RunFree Mode. You need to turn the treadmill on and start to use this feature. This is unlike a manual treadmill that you can just hop on and start running.

App Connectivity

Another cool feature is the app connectivity. The Wahoo KICKR Run connects with 3rd party apps including Zwift, Wahoo SYSTM, and TrainingPeaks. If you prefer structured workouts and guidance, these apps come in handy.

Currently, the Wahoo has great integration with Zwift to feature auto-adjusting incline. This means that when connected, the KICKR Run will adjust the grade of the deck to follow your workout in Zwift. If you run up a hill in the app, the deck will automatically adjust. This is really cool connectivity. It’s also said to have full connectivity with Wahoo SYSTM to take the running workouts on Wahoo’s app.

Wahoo is also working with other apps to allow for connectivity to even more training platforms.

Console

The console is very simple and straightforward. I think this has pros and cons. Starting with the pros, the Wahoo KICKR Run appears to be really easy to use. It has minimal buttons and a digital display.

The digital display only reads the treadmill deck’s grade and pace in mph or kph. In order to track other workout metrics, you have to use your phone, tablet, or laptop and connect it to the Run.

While you can just hop on and go, some people (arguably most) will probably want to track their time elapsed, as well as other metrics, especially if you prefer structuring your training. This means you’ll need to use your own device.

I’m conflicted about this. On one hand, you don’t have to worry about an integrated tablet or touch screen that’s built into the treadmill breaking or becoming outdated. On the other hand, this is an added component that doesn’t come with the treadmill. I’ve also seen videos of the Run with a tablet on the tray displaying the treadmill’s metrics and a large TV in front of the treadmill displaying Zwift. Although you can see your metrics in Zwift, you might need to use 2 devices if you want more options for tracking your workouts on the Run while using a 3rd-party app.

The Wahoo KICKR Run is fully equipped with a tray to use your phone, tablet, or even a laptop up to 17”. The tray features a strap to place over your laptop to keep it in place. A pocket inside of the tray reveals a holder for your tablet or phone to keep it in place, too. The tray also has a grippy texture to keep your device from sliding. A USB-C charging port is built into the tray to charge your device, too.

For adjustment buttons, the Run has 3 buttons for connecting to apps, a stop button, and a button for the RunFree Mode. There is also a safety key to clip to your clothing while running. Don’t forget this is a motorized treadmill.

On the handles are adjustment button levers. Just like most treadmills, the right lever adjusts the speed and the left the incline and decline. There are 3 different modes. When you hold the lever, it adjusts the pace by one-second increments. If you press and immediately release the levers, it adjusts in slightly longer increments, and then when you press and hold it for a moment before releasing, it adjusts in larger increments. These levers are there for when you don’t want to use the RunFree Mode.

Along with the device tray, there are two cupholders that appear to hold standard water bottles.

Overall, the console is simple and straightforward. More adjustment buttons, like numbered quick-adjusting buttons for the speed and incline might be nice, but I like the levers to adjust the speed and incline to different levels. It seems like they have good functionality.

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Build Quality

Considering that the Wahoo KICKR Run is said to cost $5000, we expect it to be well-built. Currently, it only has a 250 lb weight limit which is low for treadmills in this price range. I would like it to handle at least 300 lbs.

Potentially with more testing, Wahoo might increase this limit. The Run also appears to be designed for home use rather than commercial use.

Frame

The frame appears to be made out of welded steel. The current models we’ve seen are said to be prototypes. I’m assuming once it’s released, the frame and welding will be a little sleeker. The Wahoo KICKR Bike is sleek and well-constructed, so I’m sure the Run will be, too.

The frame supports the deck with two steel uprights that extend up to hold the console and handles. The build under the deck is unique to other treadmills. The two front steel stabilizers that support the front of the deck, are independent from one another. This means that if your floor is a little uneven, these legs are designed to level the treadmill.

They also work to tilt the deck from side to side. This helps to simulate running on uneven ground outdoors. This is a cool feature that should make the Wahoo feel even more like running outside.

I really like the Chevron belt design and Wahoo branding. This looks like a treadmill you’d expect from Wahoo.

The handles are pretty standard. They extend on both sides of the deck for balance. There isn’t a front handle though.

Motor

There’s no question that this treadmill is targeted towards runners and those who like to run. Because of this, we expect the motor to handle a lot of miles. It is a 3.0 HP motor, which is on the smaller side of what we recommend for running. Considering its price point and features though, the motor should handle distance training. The Peloton Tread has a 3.0 HP motor in comparison, and it has held up just fine with regular use for years.

The Wahoo KICKR Run also has a 15 mph max speed. Most home treadmills max out at 12 mph. I assume with this max speed, along with its features, that this motor should perform really well. From what I’ve seen about it so far, I assume that it will exceed my expectations. At least, I hope it will.

When watching runners use the FreeRun Mode, the KICKR Run adjusts seamlessly and extremely quickly between speeds. Rather than taking 15+ seconds to adjust from high and low speeds, the Wahoo appears to only take a few seconds. If this is the case, this would make this the fastest adjusting treadmill (by a long shot) that we’ve seen. We’ll be sure to time how responsive it is, once we have it.

The Run features a 15% incline and -3% decline. The NordicTrack 2450 and NordicTrack 1750 have this incline and decline range. The Run should be plenty challenging to run on. Plus, the -3% decline might not seem like much, but it can certainly help add more variety to your running and simulate running outside – which this treadmill is all about.

From what we’ve seen and heard, the Run also seems to be quiet. Once we get it into our studio for testing though, we’ll test its output with our decibel reader to determine how loud it really is.

Deck

The deck is large at 22” wide and 69” long. It should offer plenty of room to run on for pretty much all stride lengths. I like that it doesn’t have a motor hood at the top. This way, when you want to increase the speed, you’ll have plenty of room to do so by running at the top of the deck. You also don’t have to worry about hitting your feet on the motor hood, like you do on other treadmills.

I’m curious what the texture of the belt is like. Since it has this Chevron design, it is hard to tell what it is like.

I also wonder how forgiving the shock absorption is. I’m glad Wahoo decided to go with a belt design rather than a flat slat-belt, like the Sole ST90. The rubber slats on the ST90 are very absorbent, but this treadmill feels more like running in sand rather than bouncy. I hope the KICKR Run feels fairly firm, yet comfortable enough to help prevent joint discomfort.

Again, we hope to get it once it is released, so we’ll update this review to let you know what to expect from the cushioning, as well as all of the other aspects of the build quality and tech features.

Warranty

Unfortunately, the warranty is said to be just 1 year for the KICKR Run, currently. I hope Wahoo includes a more extensive warranty. Other treadmills in its class come with 10-year and even lifetime warranties, in comparison.

Should You Buy The Wahoo KICKR Run Treadmill

From everything we’ve seen and heard about the Wahoo KICKR Run Treadmill, we’re impressed. This treadmill has unique features that we’ve been wanting to see on treadmills. The FreeRun Mode allows you to control the pace of the belt for hands-free training. This feature will most likely make it feel like you’re running outside and completely in control of your own pace. It also has a 15 mph max speed – higher than most treadmills – so many will be able to sprint on the deck.

The connectivity to Zwift is also impressive. Once connected, the deck will adjust the grade to match the terrain you’re running in the Zwift App. This makes the Run completely hands-free. The deck also tilts, in addition to inclining up to 15% and declining to -3%. This should simulate the experience of running outside on uneven ground.

If you’re an outdoor runner or if you’re just looking to get the most out of your running on a very interactive treadmill, then the Wahoo KICKR Run appears to be it. We’re really excited for it to come out and it looks like it has the making to be one of the best out there.

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Wahoo KICKR Run Treadmill Review FAQs / Q&As

Does the Wahoo KICKR Run Treadmill connect to Zwift?

The Wahoo KICKR Run connects to Zwift to show all of your metrics in the app. The Run will even automatically adjust the incline and decline with Zwift to match the grade you’re running at in the app. This makes for hands-free training with Zwift.

Do You need an app to use the Wahoo KICKR Run Treadmill?

You do not need to use 3rd party apps or even your device to use the Wahoo KICKR Run Treadmill. It connects to 3rd party apps with great integration, but these aren’t required. You will want to use your phone, tablet, or laptop for tracking more metrics than the treadmill’s incline and pace though.

Is our Wahoo KICKR Run Treadmill review a paid review?

This Wahoo KICKR Run review is not paid for by Wahoo. This review reflects our unbiased opinion. We review all kinds of treadmills from various brands so we can recommend the best treadmills on the market. Our recommendations are based on our experience using a variety of treadmills. We do earn a commission from our affiliate links. If you purchase through our links, we earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This helps us to be able to create reviews.

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About the Author

Sydney Kaiser, ISSA-CPT, ISSA Nutritionist Certification
Sydney is a certified fitness instructor, personal trainer, and sports nutritionist who combines her passion for fitness, health, and wellness with her passion for writing. After graduating from UC Riverside with a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing, she began teaching indoor cycling and Lagree Fitness group fitness classes to people of all ages and abilities. Raised in Central Michigan, Sydney grew up training and competing on the Arabian Horse Association circuit through both Regional and National levels in Dressage and Sport Horse classes. In college, Sydney went on to compete at the collegiate level as a Division 1 equestrian athlete. Here at TRG, Sydney relies on her extensive background in fitness when reviewing and recommending all kinds of fitness, recovery, and health-related products.

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