The REP Fitness Strive Curved Treadmill has a motorless design that encourages a very natural stride, more closely mimicking outdoor activity, and includes a unique mode for sled pushes that differentiates it from other curved treadmills.
My first time on the Rep Strive treadmill, I wanted to spend time walking on it, knowing I’d need to work on balance and general spatial awareness.
Curved, self-powered treadmills aren’t autopilot machines like traditional treadmills. They have their place in high-intensity training, but if you are a long-distance runner, they can be detrimental if you try to use them for longer runs. That makes understanding how a curved treadmill controls speed especially important before getting started.
For the Rep Strive treadmill, user position determines the speed.
Moving farther toward the front speeds up the treadmill; moving toward the middle keeps it at a constant speed, and walking or running toward the back slows it down.
Because of the curved design and the nylon belt material, the user experiences movement completely differently from what you’ve most likely interacted with before.
This active engagement of the body and mind makes the Rep Strive treadmill a great choice for folks seeking a more outdoor-like feel and experience than what a traditional treadmill offers.
Who Is It Good For?
- General Fitness – I can see it working for both casual users as well as more dedicated walkers and runners.
- Walking Workouts – Walkers, Power Walkers/Incline Walkings/Rehab or lower-impact walking would all work very well on the Rep Strive treadmill. Because the user is the motor, it can go as fast or as slow as you’d like, and the curved design would benefit users looking for lower-impact options.
- Runners – There is no time limit auto shutoff or hard to use features that could intimidate a new or recreational runner, it’s entirely a get on and move how you want experience. If you’re training for a race, it will work as hard as you do.
- Speedwork/Intervals – The motorless design brings the outdoors indoors; it’s immediately responsive to any change in speed since your feet pull the belt along. Just as you’d dig in and speed up outdoors, the Rep Strive treadmill does the same indoors. If you have a HIIT (high-intensity interval training) workout, are training sprints or strides, or even want to find your top speed, it has no limit. No waiting for the belt to slowly speed up; it literally goes with you.
- Heavier Users – The weight capacity is 400 lbs, and without a motor, there are no restrictions or drawbacks to motor strength. The treadmill itself weighs 418 pounds, so it’s a sturdy machine!
- Home Gym Owners – I’d recommend a permanent spot. No motor means it’s garage-friendly, but at 418lbs it’s not an easy machine to move on your own. It doesn’t fold up out of the way; this is an investment treadmill that will adapt with your workout needs.
REP Strive Treadmill Overview
Running and Walking Experience
If this is the user’s first experience with a motorless curved treadmill like it was mine, it could take some adaptation time. Curved treadmills require more effort than traditional treadmills.
I saw figures ranging from 20- 30% more output is needed since the user is powering the belt and using their brain to keep a consistent speed, meaning more calories are being burned. Adjusting to the additional effort will take at least a few sessions for most people and was a bit tricky for me.
I had to focus a bit on not over-striding when speeding up, something that I think will become second nature over time. The motorless design also means there is no real belt noise; it’s only as noisy as your footstrike.
Curved treadmills are really useful for sprints. While they can somewhat simulate outdoor running, they can be overly taxing to maintain balance, and you’ll find yourself working harder than you would outdoors—making them a great option for HIIT and Tabata-style workouts.
The more work required to maintain balance means that more muscles will be engaged. The curve requires greater activation of the core, hip, and ankle stabilizers. They’re specifically beneficial for engaging the glutes, hamstrings, and calves.
As for the price tag, curved treadmills typically cost more than traditional treadmills because they are newer and less mainstream.
The belt material is night and day different from a traditional treadmill. The belt of the Rep Strive treadmill is much more comfortable and thicker, feeling like running on a soft yet reliable surface.
Another unique feature I have not yet touched on is the Rep Strive treadmill’s sled training capabilities. The treadmill has a mode for running and a mode for sled pushes. Magnetic resistance is changed using a lever on the right handle of the machine with 8 different resistance levels, and the screen then displays estimated sled weight.
There is also a “heads-down” screen next to the belt, so you can see your distance and time as you look down while pushing.
There are several handle options for folks to choose from while utilizing the sled push; I tried a more traditional push as well as more of a HYROX-style push. My test machine also came with a belt squat belt to use for backward sled walks.
The deck can also be inclined, which makes it a bit easier for sprinting, while no incline is better for working on technique.
Value
The cost of the Rep Strive treadmill is a bit higher than others on the market from Woodway or Rogue. The sled push feature and the machine in general being built really for heavy use, I believe, set it apart rather than being an absolute direct comparison.
At $3,799.99, the Rep Strive is definitely a significant investment, especially when traditional treadmills can cost considerably less. What you’re paying for here isn’t a collection of entertainment features. You’re paying for a heavy-duty, self-powered curved treadmill that can also function as a sled-training station.
REP Strive Specs
- Price: $3,799.99
- Max Speed/Incline: No max speed as it’s self-propelled; can be flat or a 3-degree incline
- Motor Power: Self-propelled
- Warranty: 5-year frame, 2-year parts, 2-year belt. Designed for both home and commercial use.
- Screen Size/Tech: 5”x8” LCD screen to view distance, speed, time, power, calories, and displays deck angle and sled resistance
- Buttons: On the gear shift to move from free to sled mode, as well as on the display console
- Connectivity: FTMS and ANT+ compatibility for heart rate monitors and FTMS-compatible apps
Controls & Usability
No need to press start; step up and start walking on the belt, and the display will turn on.
The console screen runs on two D-cell batteries, which can be plugged in with an included DC adapter. No touchscreen here, and the buttons are functional and intuitive.
If you want to utilize the 3-degree incline, you need to utilize a push bar on the underside back of the machine. Since it is a motorless treadmill, there is no button feature to increase the incline.
Before purchasing, you should make sure you have the space for it.
This is a larger machine, weighing 418 pounds, and it doesn’t fold. The company gives information on how much space you will need to fit this treadmill safely in a room. Your room should have a ceiling that’s at least 8 feet tall, and there should be at least 79 inches between the back of the machine and the wall. For the sides and front of the treadmill, leave at least two feet of space.
Tech & Console – Screen Quality
I thought the screen quality was nice, and I liked that there are no integrated classes, apps, or membership fees.
If folks have or use an FTMS-compatible app or device, it can connect using Bluetooth to integrate with the display console. I do not, so I did not utilize this feature.
The Rep Strive treadmill also has some built-in workouts which can be accessed by pressing either the intervals, targets, or challenge buttons.
In the interval menu, the user can choose from a variety of preset interval workouts or build their own custom workout by customizing the time, calories, and resistance manually.
The target workout mode allows the user to select a target metric and then choose a default goal, or the user can modify the goal.
The challenge button is Rep’s combination of power and speed HIIT workout. All modes are explained in the packet included with the treadmill.
Buy REP Fitness Strive Curved Treadmill
Quick Take
- There is no mandatory or even optional membership, and the software is built in
- Speed adjustability
- Great value if you run a lot of treadmill miles or will utilize the sled features
- Large and heavy, difficult to move
- No significant incline feature
Our Verdict
The Rep Strive treadmill is a sturdy and well-built option, great for anyone looking to invest in bringing the feel of running outside inside. The sled feature makes an activity typically only found in powerlifting gyms much more accessible while not taking up any additional space.
Buy REP Fitness Strive Curved Treadmill
Looking for what to read next?
- French Fitness ST100 Review | Under-the-Radar Slat Belt Treadmill Delivers Premium Comfort
- 9 Best Treadmill Running Shoes
- The NordicTrack X24 Made Our Hill Training Harder Than Actual Hills
The post REP Fitness Strive Curved Treadmill Review | Does Motorless Feel More Like Running Outside? appeared first on RunToTheFinish.
from RunToTheFinish https://ift.tt/EgMCdOh
Post a Comment
Post a Comment