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What can I say? I’m a simple man. When I see a new non-motorized treadmill come out, I want to test it. I previously tested and enjoyed the AssaultRunner Pro and was intrigued by the concept of the AssaultRunner Elite – the supposedly upgraded version.
In this AssaultRunner Elite review, expect to see my honest opinion on the warranty, assembly, usage, and if I think it is worth the extra cash over the Pro. There are a lot of options on the market and it can be overwhelming knowing what to choose. I aim to make the buying process easier by giving you the honest feedback you can trust.
Why You Should Trust Us
I’ve tried an insane amount of home gym equipment including my fair share of non-motorized treadmills including the Reactive Runner Manual Curved Treadmill, HiTrainer ATP+ Treadmill, the TrueForm Trainer, and the TrueForm Runner. I’m always looking for the best of the best in fitness equipment and want to share my extensive product knowledge with you.
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AssaultRunner Elite
Introducing the most powerful and personalized manual treadmill ever created. The brand new AssaultRunner Elite is expertly crafted to meet the specific needs of professional athletes, home gym users, and commercial owners alike.
A Quick Look at the AssaultRunner Elite
Assault Fitness is a mainstay in the fitness industry, particularly in the CrossFit world. From 2015-2020, the AssaultBike from Assault Fitness was the official bike of The CrossFit Games (The Rogue Echo Bike is the new replacement in the Games). Assault Fitness makes high quality products that a variety of gyms and athletes stand by so I was eager to give the AssaultRunner Elite a try.
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Coop’s Tips:
- I recommend tightening the bolts where the arms are attached to reduce shaking.
- You might want the help of a second person when assembling the arms/cable to the treadmill.
- Since this is a durable treadmill, you can do things like farmer’s carries or overhead weighted walks with dumbbells in addition to traditional cardio.
My Favorite Things:
- User friendly LCD console
- Lifetime warranty on the belt
- Easy assembly
- Self-leveling feet stabilize the treadmill on different surfaces
My Callouts:
- Expensive piece of equipment at almost $4,000 without a ton of additional features over the Pro Model
- Arms shake slightly when pressed on
- Plastic shims on the handrails don’t fit tightly together
Video Review
Is the AssaultRunner Elite Worth It?
Great for:
- Someone who wants solid warranties
- Individuals who don’t mind the price tag
- People who want a non-motorized treadmill
- Those who want a faster spinning belt to produce an increased run rate
Not recommended for:
- People who are on a tight budget
- Those who would prefer a motorized treadmill in their home gym with incline
- Individuals who already own and enjoy the AssaultRunner Pro
Running on the AssaultRunner Elite
I was excited to get started using the Assault AirRunner Elite. I have had the treadmill for over a month at this point and have used it for everything you can think of – sprinting, interval training, running, walking, farmer’s carries, and overhead weighted walks.
I love opening the garage door and using the transport wheels to move the Elite into the driveway to enjoy the nice weather. This discovery was made thanks in part to the handle and built-in plaster casters for portability. I think these are average and could be slightly more durable. I wouldn’t recommend wheeling the treadmill into a rocky trail but then again, why would you do that anyway? The axles are made of metal and securely attached so that is a positive in my book.
The self-leveling feet are great because they keep the treadmill from rocking side to side. This is a great feature if you happen to wheel your Elite onto uneven terrain without knowing it.
My favorite feature on the AssaultRunner Elite? Definitely the high-contrast console screen. If you’ve used Assault Fitness products in the past (like the Assault Air Bike), you’ll be familiar with the format of this monitor. You won’t find interactive programming on this screen but what you will find is readability and a clearly laid out interface.
Here are the stats you can expect to view:
- Time elapsed
- Calories burned
- Distance traveled
- Speed
- Watts
- Pace
- Programs (interval and target)
- Functions
- Start and stop
- Enter
- Up and down arrows
- Ability to connect to your own heart rate monitor via Bluetooth and ANT+ Connectivity
Although I would say this treadmill mimics road running more so than a motorized treadmill, it still doesn’t replace actually pounding the pavement. This is just something to be aware of if you are preparing for a marathon or something similar. It would be a good tool to incorporate into your training but probably shouldn’t be the entirety of it.
I prefer the Elite for sprinting over the TrueForm treadmills simply because of the weight of the belt. The belt on the Elite is heavier and makes it easier to run on even if you don’t have the traditional foot placement or running form.
Non-motorized treadmills are great because you are able to control the speed with which you go. You don’t have to worry about frantically changing the speed if you’re doing HIIT and going from a run to a sprint. This also makes it a viable option for a variety of skill levels since your maximum speed is controlled entirely by you.
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AssaultRunner Elite vs. the AssaultRunner Pro
We can’t talk about the AssaultRunner Elite without mentioning its little sister, the Assault Runner Pro. Both are extremely similar to one another, with only a few minor differences. However, the Elite is almost $1,000 more at $3,999, as opposed to the $2,999 of the Pro.
Depending on how much you plan to use and abuse your treadmill, it may make more sense for you to purchase the Elite. This is due to the lifetime belt warranty and general extended warranty for the frame, non-wear parts, and labor. I must say, the 150,000 mile belt warranty on the Pro is certainly not lacking, and I’m not mad about the five-year frame and three-year moving parts warranty, either.
The Elite boasts sleeker lines and a red logo compared to the basic black and grey of the Pro. This doesn’t sell me personally, but hey, if you’re into making your home gym look aesthetically pleasing, go for it.
Both the Elite and the Pro have a solid max user capacity, but the Elite does take the cake with 400 pounds versus the 350 of the Pro.
Only other differences? The Elite has two added water bottle holders and a console that is UV resistant. These are pretty minor and come down to personal preference.
| AssaultRunner Elite: | AssaultRunner Pro: | |
| Belt warranty: | Lifetime | 150,000 miles |
| Max user capacity: | 400 lbs | 350 lbs |
| Price tag: | $3,999 | $2,999 |
| Added extras: | Two water bottle holders and a console that is UV resistant | N/A |
| Colors: | Black and grey with red logo | Black and grey |
Ordering and Assembling the AssaultRunner Elite
The AssaultRunner Elite was simple to order from the website and it came within a few weeks. At almost $4,000, it isn’t exactly a budget add to your home gym. However, you are able to finance through affirm starting at $112 per month. There are options to finance from 6, 12 or 36 months.
I received a massive cardboard box containing my AssaultRunner Elite. I won’t lie to you, the box was pretty beat up. I don’t know if my mailman is tired of delivering a ton of heavy gym equipment or if it just took a beating along the journey to the Ozarks. Either way, the contents were all safely inside the box minus a foot sticking out. Luckily, the Assault Fitness customer service quickly sent me a replacement. No harm, no foul.
I would recommend having a second person on hand (if possible) to help with moving the box inside and general assembly. The treadmill is 373 pounds boxed and although I am Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson in all ways except physically, I’d still appreciate some help.
The best part of this running machine is the basic assembly since there isn’t a motor to attach or electricity needed to power it. I do have to say, when snaking the cord of the monitor throughout the treadmill, it can be helpful to have someone there logistically to hold the pieces as someone else puts the cord through them. Just my two cents.
Footprint and Construction
With a footprint of 69.9” L x 31.7” W x 64.4” H, this curved, non-motorized treadmill will definitely take up some solid space in your home or garage gym. Although the outside is made of plastic, the internal powder coated steel frame is very stable. I also really enjoy details like the corrosion resistant hardware.
The arms themselves are made of metal. With a 100 ball bearings drive train system, this treadmill meets the industry standard for a smooth roll when running or walking. I personally am a big fan of the heavy belt on the Elite because it creates more inertia to make the tread quicker. Some people appreciate non-motorized treadmills that have heavy belts because it can make it easier to get started running. On the downside, it can be slightly harder to stop once it gets going and is different from running on the road.
One of the few differences between the AssaultRunner Elite and Pro is the curvature and aesthetics of the Elite. Although I appreciate the look of the Elite, I’m not sure it is a defining factor to spend an extra $1,000 (at least not to me).
AssaultRunner Elite Specs
| Max User Weight | 400 pounds |
| Color | Black w/ Elite Grey Accents |
| DriveTrain System | 100 Precision Ball Bearings with 12 Roller Guides |
| Warranty | Lifetime belt, 10-year frame, 3-year non-wear parts, 1-year labor |
| Weight Boxed | 373 pounds |
| Weight Assembled | 289.2 pounds |
| Dimensions | 69.9 in (L) x 31.7 in (W) x 64.4 in (H) |
| Training Programs | 4; Quick start, Intervals, Targets, Competition Mode |
| Extras | Two water bottle holders |
Customer Experience
One of the big draws of the Elite versus the Pro is the increased warranty protection. For the Pro, the belt gets a warranty for up to 150,000 miles. The Elite gets a lifetime warranty, which is a huge plus in my opinion. The Pro doesn’t even have a warranty for the labor and the Elite is covered for a year in that category.
The Elite has a 10-year frame warranty versus the 5-year warranty provided by the Pro. This is one of the biggest differences between the two, so it is up to you to decide how important the warranty is to you. I think if you plan to really use this treadmill hard and don’t mind the extra cost, go for the Elite.
Customer service was super easy to deal with when one of the feet of my treadmill was damaged in shipping. They quickly sent a replacement part. You can contact them in a variety of ways – through the live chat feature in the bottom right hand corner of the website, through email at info@assaultfitness.com, or via phone at 1(888)815-5559 ext. 4252. They are consistent about responding to customers during regular business hours Monday-Friday.
Customer Reviews
Since the AssaultRunner Elite is fairly new, there are not a ton of customer reviews on the website. However, the ones on the website are pretty positive and even out to a 4.6 out of 5. Buyers seemed to love the quick and easy assembly plus how surprisingly quiet it was while in use.
There were very few negative critics of the Elite, but someone did mention the belt was squeaky when they first used the treadmill. They then went on to say the noise improved once it was lubed.
Final Verdict
All in all, I enjoyed using the AssaultRunner Elite. Do I think it is the best overall choice for most people? No, I would say the AssaultRunner Pro is the better, more budget-conscious choice for the average consumer looking for a non-motorized treadmill. You are paying an extra $1,000 for the extended warranty and updated look. If these are important features to you, I would say go for it, because the Elite is a high-quality piece of equipment that you’ll probably enjoy using.
Full Rating
AssaultRunner Elite
What can I say? I’m a simple man. When I see a new non-motorized treadmill come out, I want to test it. I previously tested and enjoyed the AssaultRunner Pro and was intrigued by the concept of the AssaultRunner Elite – the supposedly upgraded version.In this AssaultRunner Elite review, expect to see my honest opinion on the warranty, assembly, usage, and if I think it is worth the extra cash over the Pro. There are a lot of options on the market and it can be overwhelming knowing what to choose. I aim to make the buying process easier by giving you honest feedback you can trust.
Product Brand: Assault Fitness
Product Currency: USD
Product Price: 3999
Product In-Stock: InStock
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AssaultRunner Elite FAQs
Can you walk on an AssaultRunner Elite?
Yes, you can walk on the AssaultRunner Elite. It is user powered so you can go at your own pace.
Is the AssaultRunner Elite quiet?
I would say the AssaultRunner Elite is quieter than a typical motorized treadmill but it isn’t 100% silent. The thin gap between the slats on the running surface lends itself well to a fairly quiet run or walk.
What is the warranty on the AssaultRunner Elite?
The AssaultRunner Elite has a lifetime warranty on the belt, 10 years on the frame, and 1 year on labor.
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