Wahoo KICKR RUN: “A game-changer for treadmills.”

What is it like to run four-minute mile pace on a treadmill? How is it using a treadmill that can intuitively speed up and slow down with you while you run, and sync to workouts and routes from a training app? 

That’s what Sarah, Jess and Mo wanted to find out when they went to Wahoo HQ to run on the brand new Wahoo KICKR RUN, which features first-of-its-kind technology in a treadmill.

RunFree! 

Wahoo KICKR RUN has a feature called RunFree. Push one button to activate it and the runner controls the speed by the way they run, just like they’re running outside.

“It’s a unique feeling because it’s a treadmill that moves at your pace and speeds up and down with you,” says Mo, and it does it by understanding your position on the treadmill. So go to speed up and you naturally move closer to the front of the treadmill, which makes the belt move quicker, then if you begin to move backwards the treadmill knows to slow down.

“It really helps you learn to lock into a certain pace while running,” says Sarah. “And you’re controlling it yourself by how you run, not just letting the belt move you along. That makes a big difference.”

And what’s great is that if you want to run really fast in RunFree mode, you can.

Run Fast!

“It goes how fast?!” said Jess when we told her the Wahoo KICKR RUN can speed up to four-minute mile pace (2:29 per km). That’s elite speed for a treadmill, and obviously Jess, Sarah and Mo all had to try out four-minute mile pace! (Can you guess who managed to hold that pace for the longest?!)

“It’s a game-changer!” says Jess. “It changes what we think a treadmill can do. And now I know that I can run four-minute mile pace, even if it’s just for a few seconds!” 

“It’s so good to be able to do sprints and fast intervals on a treadmill,” says Mo. “It’s exciting that you get to that speed so quickly, like you’re accelerating into a sprint outside. I would 100% do track workouts on this.”

“The sensitivity of it is so impressive,” says Sarah. “Not only can I do really fast reps, but it felt safer than other treadmills because it slows down so quickly, so I didn’t feel the need to jump off onto the side rails.”

The KICKR RUN can also control your interval workouts for you.

Run Reps & Routes!

In a first for treadmills, Wahoo have taken the technology from all their experience in cycling and applied it to running, so you can connect the KICKR RUN to popular training apps or programmes including Wahoo App, Zwift, Kinomap, Humango, and Peloton, and it has two-way communication with the treadmill.

That means the KICKR RUN can take you through workouts, while also sending back performance data like cadence and ground contact time. 

“A hands-free interval session on a treadmill is amazing,” says Jess. “You set it up, press go, and it takes you through the whole workout. It can get annoying changing speeds up and down, but it was nice not having to think about it and just run.” 

As well as being able to follow interval sessions, you can also connect the KICKR RUN to a specific route, and the treadmill changes elevation along with the course.

“The course simulation is such a cool feature,” says Sarah. “Imagine you’re training for Boston and want to know what it’s like to run the Newton Hills, then the treadmill will take you on the ups and downs. And the same with the New York City Marathon with its bridges and hills. I love that.”

It has a range of -3% to +15% grade, meaning it even goes downhill, so it’s really versatile for hill running. Plus it has a lateral (sideways) tilt which constantly shifts 0.5% to emulate the way streets and trails are never truly flat, which helps to engage more lower leg muscles.

Run Your Own Way

 “I can run fast if I want to, or I can run slow, or uphill, or even downhill,” says Jess. “It also surprised me just how quiet and comfortable it is.”

“For me it’s all about winter training and optimum performance,” says Mo. “I hate running in the winter, so this means I can carry on a full training block. It’s the best replica for outdoor running, indoors.”

“And you can just use it as a regular treadmill,” says Sarah. “Those features are all brilliant, but sometimes I just want to settle into a pace and run, and I can do that as well. What more do you want from a treadmill?”

Head this way to find out more about the Wahoo KICKR RUN.