Octane Fitness ZR8 Zero Runner Review (2024)

Quick Summary

Run faster by training with zero harsh impact.

The joint-friendly Octane ZR8 Zero Runner is a hybrid treadmill and elliptical trainer that suspends your whole body.

Its innovative design supports your natural walking gait, plus it automatically adjusts for shorter steps and long running strides up to 58″.

Moving arm bars with adjustable resistance are included too.

Learn more from our full review of the Octane ZR8 below.

Specifications

Model	Octane Fitness ZeroRunner ZR8
Rating Our custom rating considers all of the elliptical's features, specs, warranties, and 100's of user & expert reviews, to save you time!	90.8%
List Price Suggested retail price, typically higher than the price you'll pay with our recommended retailers.	$4,299
Best Price Since prices change daily, this link goes to our preferred retailer for the best price we've found.	$4,299
Resistance Resistance is what determines calories burned per stride. The more levels, the more precisely you can control the difficulty.	n/a
Resistance Type The type of resistance affects the performance of your elliptical. Magnetic and Eddy-Current are the most common types.	Performance Resistance Range
Stride Length Stride Length is important for comfort and smooth strides. A stride length of 18-21 inches is ideal for most heights (5'3 - 6'7).	58"
Pedals Elliptical pedals can be cushioned and adjustable for maximum comfort and minimum impact on joints for injury prevention.	Oversized Non-Slip Pedals
Incline Some elliptical trainers can be set at an incline to increase difficulty and burn more calories.	n/a
Flywheel The flywheel controls the smoothness and resistance of your workout. In general, the higher the better.	n/a
Programs Elliptical Programs allow you to complete a workout with changing speeds and inclines, without changing anything manually.	35
User Profiles For each profile the elliptical allows, you can create a custom user account with saved programs and goal settings.	n/a
Heart Rate Heart Rate programs allow you to track how many times your heart is beating per minute (bpm), and some control the workout for you.	Digital contact & Wireless Heart Rate
Display Elliptical Display refers to the screen you'll look at to monitor workouts. LED and LCD displays are similar to TV screens.	Head Up LCD Display
Max. Weight Max User Weight is the amount of weight, in pounds (lbs), that it can safely support, which can represent durability.	300 lbs
Dimensions Dimensions are included to help you figure out if this elliptical will fit properly (Length x Width x Height and Height x Depth).	63" x 38" x 58"
Upper Body Most ellipticals have handles to hold while you're working out that provide an upper body workout.
Accessory Tray Some ellipticals include an accessory tray for holding items such as water bottles, wallets, keys, or MP3 players like iPods.
Speakers Ellipticals that include a sound system allow you to listen to your MP3 player/iPod through built-in speakers (without headphones).
Cooling Fans Cooling Fans are designed to help keep you cool during an intense workout on your elliptical.
Folding? Some ellipticals are designed to conserve space by folding up. This is a convenient option, but some features might be reduced.
Quick Controls Quick Controls allow you to select speed, incline and even workout programs with the touch of a button (usually on the handles).
Warranty The warranty is an important part of your investment. The longer the warranty, the longer you can get free/discounted repairs.	Frame: Lifetime Parts: 5 Years Labor: 1 Year

Our Rating

Rating: 90.8. Built with serious runners in mind, the Octane ZR8 Zero Runner is an ideal trainer for supplementing outdoor running. Exercising with the Octane ZR8 lets you run without stressing your joints or risking injury. In the long term it just might extend your running career!

The Zero Runner is dynamic: You can use it treadmill-style with a natural stride up to 58” long, or you can take smaller steps as you would with an elliptical trainer or stair climber. The pedals on this particular model are especially lightweight to facilitate faster motion and the handlebars move to support your natural swing. The ZR8 offers a wide range of resistance settings too for just-right total body training.

Pros:

Total body suspension
Aircraft grade aluminum pedals
Moving arm bars with contoured grips
Wide range of resistance
Cordless
Naturally adjusting stride length up to 58”
Gait tracer helps you maintain good form
SmartLink training
Data tracking
Tablet holders (Two locations)
Water bottle holder
Transport wheels
Wireless heart rate monitor (Strap included)

Cons:

High price

Introduction

Enjoy running without any jarring impact! The Octane ZR8 Zero Runner is a great tool for supplementing your high impact outdoor runs. This zero impact cardio trainer is a hybrid treadmill-elliptical that suspends your whole body to avoid stressing joints and muscles. It can help you sidestep injuries and extend your running career. Stretch out or take small steps for targeted toning; choose any stride length up to 58”! An iPad Mini or other tablet/smartphone provides access to customized training and long term data tracking with SmartLink.

Workout Programs

Octane Zero Runners provide personalized training with SmartLink, a program that’s delivered online. SmartLink can create customized training programs based on your goals for endurance, strength or recovery. It can even recalibrate during workouts if you get off track. Also available are standard workout programs such as 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, Marathon and Just Run.

StrideLink lets you save workout data for charting and long-term tracking.

Zero Runner ZR8 Features

A key feature of the Octane ZR8 is its adjustable stride, which naturally adapts to your gait. Simulate stair climbing, run or walk while putting zero impact on your frame! This machine also has free-moving performance handlebars that can support the natural arm motion you’d use when running outside. Using these can help you improve upper body strength, core strength and balance.

Compared with the ZR7 this unit helps you run especially fast. It has lightweight pedals made of aircraft grade aluminum to support smooth, quick and natural motion.

Resistance is adjustable and easy to vary during your run. Turn the resistance down for sprinting or turn it up to trigger your hamstrings, glutes and quads. Use interval training with resistance adjustments to become a stronger runner overall.

The ZR8 has Stride Tracing to help you monitor your form. This feature helps keep you aware of fatigue and encourages better posture for better performance.

For heart rate monitoring the ZR8 is compatible with Bluetooth, Polar and ANT+ transmitters. A chest strap is included. Zero Runners also have contact sensors.

The console runs on batteries, so the machine doesn’t have a power cord.

Warranty & Guarantee

The Octane ZR8 Zero Runner warranty includes:

– Frame: Lifetime

– Parts: 5 Years

– Labor: 1 Year

Conclusion

The Octane ZR8 Zero Runner is an ideal cardio trainer for runners who want to avoid injury and boost performance. With moving arm bars and total body suspension, it offers unparalleled zero impact training. Personalized guidance and data tracking with SmartLink help maximize your success. The only drawback for some customers is price… so if the ZR8 fits your budget, it could be your best choice for a home cardio trainer.