Key Takeaways
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The SOLE C80, TRUEFORM.TRAINER, SB Fitness CT700, and Tru Grit Grit Runner are the top four AssaultRunner Pro alternatives, with the C80 best overall for its lowest price and eight magnetic resistance levels.
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Prices run from $2,199.99 for the SOLE C80 to $3,495 for the TRUEFORM.TRAINER, so every option undercuts the AssaultRunner Pro at $3,499.
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The AssaultRunner Pro has no adjustable resistance, but the SOLE C80 and SB Fitness CT700 offer eight magnetic levels, and the Tru Grit Grit Runner has six zoned levels.
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User capacity ranges from 330 pounds on the SOLE C80 and Tru Grit to 400 pounds on the TRUEFORM.TRAINER and SB Fitness CT700, which also has the longest published running surface.
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SOLE built the C80 so one machine covers recovery walks, sprint repeats, and sled-style pushes across eight resistance levels, all backed by a lifetime frame warranty.
*Note: SOLE does not manufacture or sell the AssaultRunner Pro, TRUEFORM.TRAINER, SB Fitness CT700, or Tru Grit Grit Runner. This is an independent review of products for comparison purposes.
Which Curved Treadmill Can You Use Instead of the Assault Air Runner?
The SOLE C80 is the strongest AssaultRunner Pro (previously Assault AirRunner) alternative overall. The TRUEFORM.TRAINER, SB Fitness CT700, and Tru Grit Grit Runner each win on a narrower goal: stride feel, heavy-duty use, or sled-style work. Most buyers compare these machines on sticker price alone, which hides the details that decide whether a treadmill gets used weekly or sits idle in the garage.
A narrow or short deck can cramp your stride during sprint intervals, and a belt with no resistance control limits how far one machine can stretch from recovery walks to hard conditioning. Warranty terms also vary widely, from seven years on the AssaultRunner Pro frame to lifetime coverage on three of the four alternatives.
SOLE Fitness built the C80 to cover that full range in one machine. It pairs a 19-inch-wide deck with adjustable resistance and a belt that moves in both directions for backward walking and functional training.
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Top 4 Assault Air Runner Alternatives
1. SOLE C80: Best Overall
The SOLE C80 treadmill has an interlocking slat belt.
The SOLE C80 takes the top spot because it widens the running surface, adds adjustable resistance and still undercuts the AssaultRunner Pro by roughly $1,300. It is a curved, self-powered treadmill with an interlocking slat belt, built for runners who want to control their own pace without a motor dictating speed.
Where the AssaultRunner Pro relies entirely on the runner's effort with no resistance adjustment, the C80 adds eight magnetic resistance levels, letting one machine handle easy recovery walks and hard sprint repeats without swapping equipment. Its belt also moves bidirectionally, which opens the door to backward walking and other functional training patterns.
Key Specs
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Running surface: 19 x 62 inches, two inches wider than the AssaultRunner Pro
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Eight magnetic resistance levels with bidirectional belt movement
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User capacity: 330 pounds
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Machine weight: 261 pounds
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Dimensions: 72 x 32 x 61 inches, non-folding frame
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Bluetooth LCD console
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Connects to SOLE+ and Kinomap
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Lifetime frame warranty, one-year parts and labor warranty, 90-day cosmetic warranty
Price
The SOLE C80 is priced at $2,199.99 (originally $2,399.99), which puts it about $1,300 below the AssaultRunner Pro's $3,499 price tag. That gap holds even though the C80 adds a feature the AssaultRunner Pro skips entirely: selectable resistance levels for varying workout intensity.
2. TRUEFORM.TRAINER: Best For Natural Pace Control
The TRUEFORM.TRAINER treadmill only has a 2.5-inch height difference between its lowest and highest points. (Image source: TRUEFORM)
The TRUEFORM.TRAINER earns its spot for runners who care most about stride feel, thanks to a patented shallow curve that rises just 2.5 inches between its lowest and highest points. That flatter profile makes the belt feel closer to outdoor running than most curved treadmills.
Key Specs
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Running surface: 17 x 54 inches
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User capacity: 400 pounds
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Machine weight: 300 pounds
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Dimensions: 64 x 31 x 63 inches
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Lifetime frame warranty, five-year moving-parts warranty, three-year electronics and display warranty, one-year labor warranty
Price
The TRUEFORM.TRAINER is priced at $3,495, discounted from $3,999, and includes free driveway delivery across the contiguous United States. That price sits just $4 below the AssaultRunner Pro's $3,499, making it the closest competitor in cost rather than value.
3. SB Fitness CT700: Best For Heavy-Duty Use
The SB Fitness CT700 treadmill has a user capacity of 400 pounds. (Image source: SB Fitness Equipment)
The SB Fitness CT700 is built for commercial-style durability, with a steel frame, stainless-steel bearings and a 19 x 66.6-inch running track, the longest published surface on this list. At 400 pounds of user capacity, it matches the TRUEFORM.TRAINER for the highest weight rating here.
Key Specs
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Machine weight: 308 pounds
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Dimensions: 78 x 34 x 62 inches
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Running surface: 19 x 66.6 inches
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Eight magnetic resistance levels
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Digital display for distance, speed, time, calories and total mileage
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Transport wheels, built-in moving handle and adjustable leveling feet
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Ten-year frame warranty, five-year parts warranty, two-year console warranty, one-year labor warranty
Price
The SB Fitness CT700 is priced at $2,595, placing it roughly $900 below the AssaultRunner Pro while offering a longer, wider running surface and a higher weight capacity.
4. Tru Grit Grit Runner: Best For Sled-Style Conditioning
The Tru Grit Grit Runner works for resistance training. (Image Source: Tru Grit)
The Tru Grit Grit Runner is built around structured resistance zones, making it the clearest choice here for sled-push-style conditioning work. Its six resistance levels are split by purpose: levels one and two for running, three and four for walking, and five and six for heavier, sled-push-style training.
Key Specs
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User capacity: 330 pounds
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Dimensions: 79 x 35 x 60 inches
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Belt width: 19 inches
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Lifetime frame warranty
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Two-year warranties on the resistance belt, tread and monitor
Price
The Tru Grit Grit Runner is priced at $2,495, about $1,000 less than the AssaultRunner Pro, making it an affordable option for buyers specifically after resistance-based conditioning work.
Best Assault Air Runner Alternatives: Summary Table
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Model |
Price |
Running Surface |
Resistance Levels |
User Capacity |
Frame Warranty |
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SOLE C80 |
$2,199.99 (originally $2,399.99) |
19 x 62 inches |
8 magnetic |
330 lbs |
Lifetime |
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AssaultRunner Pro |
$3,499 |
17 x 62 inches |
None |
350 lbs |
7 years |
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TRUEFORM.TRAINER |
$3,495 |
17 x 54 inches |
None |
400 lbs |
Lifetime |
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SB Fitness CT700 |
$2,595 |
19 x 66.6 inches |
8 magnetic |
400 lbs |
10 years |
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Tru Grit Grit Runner |
$2,495 |
19 inches wide |
6 (zoned) |
330 lbs |
Lifetime |
Cover More Training Styles for Less With the SOLE C80
Every machine on this list drops the motor, but they differ sharply on resistance, deck size, weight capacity, and warranty length. Match those specs to the workouts you plan to do most, whether that means short sprints, heavy conditioning, or steady walking, and the price differences become much easier to judge.
We designed the SOLE C80 so one treadmill handles easy walks, all-out sprints, and resistance-based conditioning, with SOLE+ and Kinomap connectivity to track every session. Order your SOLE C80 today and start training on a curved belt built for more than one workout style.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are curved manual treadmills better?
Curved manual treadmills force the runner to drive the belt with their own stride, which raises heart rate and oxygen demand compared with motorized decks. Whether that makes them "better" depends on training goals, since motorized treadmills still offer precise, fixed pacing that curved decks cannot replicate.
Is walking on a curved treadmill good?
Walking on a curved treadmill works well, especially on models like the SOLE C80 with multiple resistance levels, since lower settings let users ease into a comfortable pace. The self-powered belt also means walking speed adjusts naturally to stride length instead of being locked to a motor setting.
Is it harder to run on a curved treadmill?
Running on a curved treadmill is generally harder than on a motorized one because the runner's own effort drives the belt instead of a motor. This raises heart rate and oxygen demand, which is part of why these machines are popular for conditioning-style training.
Can I train sprints on a curved treadmill?
Sprint training works well on curved treadmills since the belt speed responds instantly to stride turnover, with no motor lag between acceleration and deceleration. Models like the SOLE C80 add eight magnetic resistance levels, so you can sprint at a lighter setting and switch to heavier resistance for sled-style pushes or active recovery.
Is the SOLE C80 a good treadmill?
The SOLE C80 is a strong curved treadmill option, offering a 19 x 62-inch running surface, eight magnetic resistance levels and bidirectional belt movement at $2,199.99. Its lifetime frame warranty and app connectivity through SOLE+ and Kinomap add long-term value for home training setups.
*Disclaimer: Products and prices mentioned in this article are accurate as of the date of publication and are subject to change. Please visit the official SOLE website for the most current information.
