Octane Fitness Zero Runner ZR8

Overview: The Octane Fitness ZR8 is their flagship Zero Runner, an elliptical/treadmill hybrid that mimics a true outdoor training experience without the usual impact. You have total freedom of movement that allows you to take your workouts to the next level, especially if circuit training and intervals are your thing.

Let’s look at some of the best features you’ll find…

Zero Impact Workouts

The main draw of the Zero Runners is the fact that there is literally zero impact, which is key especially if you work out regularly or you have any injuries or are prone to joint pain. The ZR8 allows to run without the usual pounding you get outside or on a treadmill, which can add years to your training.

Stride Tracing

This unique technology not found on any other elliptical machine that we know of lets you keep track of both your stride length and heel kick, two factors that determine the correctness of your form. With this important information right in front of you, you can make adjustments on the fly to ensure that you are getting the most out of your workouts.

SmartLink Cross Circuit Training

With the ZR8 you can tap into a huge library of cross training exercises that you can view right on your tablet with SmartLink. It offers a series of exercises on and off the machine, including resistance band training, to give you a full body workout. You can also change the exercises as well as the intensity as you proceed, which really makes for a personalized routine.

Other Great Features

You get up to a 58″ stride, 1.4″ pedal spacing, low step on height, non-slip pedals, performance grips, water bottle holder, transport wheels, Bluetooth connection, wireless heart rate monitoring and up to 40 different workouts.

Octane ZR8 Zero Runner Test Drive

We are lucky enough to have a ZR8 in our gym, and we’ve been using it for our cardio workouts for quite some time. Needless to say, these are awesome machines, and though it took us a little getting use to this is now our favorite. Actually, the LateralX trainers are very cool as well, but that’s another review!

The Zero Runners are super smooth and comfortable to use. The machines look and feel like something you see in the movies, like when an un-costumed superhero is training to improve his endurance. The ZR8 is solid and durable, yet your motion is light and airy. Bumping up to the max of 58″ is really cool, as you can literally run at top speed without being on the typical treadmill belt.

Hooking up with SmartLink is relatively seamless, and it gives you a lot more workouts than the 4 built into the machine. We did some of the circuit training and there is a nice variety of exercises to choose from. The best part is if you don’t like or want to do a particular exercise you can just skip it and substitute something else. You can target literally every muscle group, and work out on and off the machine if you so choose.

Some visitors have asked us what the difference is between the ZR8 and the ZR7 Zero Runners, and the answer is the ZR8 is simply an upgraded version. It has aluminum legs, lightweight pedals, closer pedal spacing, rubber steps, contoured moving arms, performance grips and a heavier duty frame. The ZR8 is about $1000 more expensive, so you can certainly save a little and go with the ZR7 and not sacrifice much.

All in all, we love the ZR8, as it offers a complete, unique exercise experience that you just don’t get on any other machine.

Final Thoughts

In case you couldn’t tell from our review, we highly recommend the ZR8 if you’re looking for something that goes beyond the typical elliptical experience. You can certainly use it as you would an elliptical, but you also have the ability to open up your stride and run for out, without the usual impact and post workout pain.

The ZR8 is certainly pricey at about $4,299 before options, but if you have the money for it it is well worth it in our opinion.

Get more info, specs and the best prices on the Zero Runners from Octane here