Top positive review
5.0 out of 5 starsNo buyer’s remorse, So stop waiting!
Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2020
As another reviewer encourages: If you are seriously considering, stop waiting, and just buy it. I have had (and still have one) a couple of other treadmills, motorized of course, with screens and connected this or that, but nothing compares to this machine.
It is incredibly sturdy, but still not cumbersome, and the lack of motor makes it lighter and easier to move around than I expected. Assembly was easy and instructions were clear. Operation is smooth and quiet.
It’s magical - operating is simple and has caused me to run much, much more than I would have ever imagined - just so friendly and inviting!
Sometimes we don’t realize the small obstacles we might use as excuses (real or imagined), and this has taken all of those away. Just hop on and go, seamlessly vary speeds, making intervals a breeze - no waiting on the machine to speed up or slow down, no buttons to press, workouts to create, or leaving the belt running and trying to hop on. The ability to just hop and go, sometimes I think it might be 10 minutes is all I want, but then go for an hour and 10 minutes. With a conventional treadmill, the time is set up front, and I never realized how often I would have maybe have gone longer, but was anchored to the time set when starting the machine.
This has a console with metrics, but I haven’t really used it as I have interval timers set on an app I will start, and sometimes will use the distance for those type of intervals, maybe I will use it at some point, but at this point it adds nothing, nor takes anything way.
I love just being able to run, not mess with anything at all, never realizing how much of a distraction and annoyance pressing buttons or choosing workouts and then watching a running clock or virtual environment or track is just so distracting and annoying. So, the console does all I need it to do.
As has been mentioned in other reviews, the distance measurement you need to calibrate, but I assume the distance is measured just by belt revolutions, and so it makes sense you aren’t going ‘push’ as much ground behind you compared to the distance traveled when all forces and energy (with good form) are propelling you forward. This also doesn’t matter much, you can calibrate based on your running effort vs running a measured distance outside, etc. and figure out the conversion (or obviously with any number of running/smart watches that will do the same).
And, monitoring is all that matters; so if you are running more in less time (or vice versus), then it doesn’t really matter if the number is not the same as if you are outside, all that matters is the mechanism is consistent for measuring and you can track and compare over time. Then even better if you can figure out the equation to convert top an outside effort.
Perhaps the original and primary purpose of considering the AirRunner when I first started looking, it reinforces good running mechanics where a motorized treadmill does not.
When running trails or streets, whether meditative, stress relieving, or even specific training runs, constantly thinking of body posture or foot strike is not only difficult for extended periods, but admittedly just distracts and detracts from the running experience. But I find paying closer attention is not as difficult, which when not navigating rocks, branches, uneven surfaces, or cars, pedestrians, gutters, etc. makes sense, but also less annoying and more natural, and if you get out of line, start ‘pulling’ to one side or the other, stride or strike starts to break down, you get rapid feedback from the machine itself.
I love to run outside, but weather and severe allergies limit my ability to do it consistently, I have tried other treadmills, but nothing has compared to the manual treadmill.
If I knew then what I know, I wouldn’t have waited nearly as long to purchase. If I had the money, I’d buy one for every runner I know that uses a treadmill - and I still might gift one to a close friend and family member someday - I think it is that much of a game changer.
Not everyone will feel the same and if I lived in a climate and location (and discounting allergies) where I could just as easily, any time of night or day, just hop on a trail and just go, this would probably not be quite so precious.
Alas, that is not, not every likely to be, the case. This is the next best thing - and in some ways (aforementioned paying attention to form), adds some compensatory benefits.
Anyhow, the AirRunner is magical and if it sounds like I am in love, you wouldn’t be the first to think it, as my wife has mentioned my affection for the AirRunner and is clearly jealous.
