REP Fitness Strive Curved Treadmill + Sled Resistance Training Machine In One

The REP Fitness Strive Curved Treadmill has a motorless design that encourages a very natural stride, more closely mimicking outdoor activity, and includes a unique mode for sled pushes that differentiates it from other curved treadmills.

My first time on the Rep Strive treadmill, I wanted to spend time walking on it, knowing I’d need to work on balance and general spatial awareness.

Curved, self-powered treadmills aren’t autopilot machines like traditional treadmills. They have their place in high-intensity training, but if you are a long-distance runner, they can be detrimental if you try to use them for longer runs. That makes understanding how a curved treadmill controls speed especially important before getting started.

For the Rep Strive treadmill, user position determines the speed.

Moving farther toward the front speeds up the treadmill; moving toward the middle keeps it at a constant speed, and walking or running toward the back slows it down.

Because of the curved design and the nylon belt material, the user experiences movement completely differently from what you’ve most likely interacted with before.

This active engagement of the body and mind makes the Rep Strive treadmill a great choice for folks seeking a more outdoor-like feel and experience than what a traditional treadmill offers.

REP Strive Treadmill Overview

Curved treadmills are really useful for sprints. While they can somewhat simulate outdoor running, they can be overly taxing to maintain balance, and you’ll find yourself working harder than you would outdoors—making them a great option for HIIT and Tabata-style workouts.

The more work required to maintain balance means that more muscles will be engaged. The curve requires greater activation of the core, hip, and ankle stabilizers. They’re specifically beneficial for engaging the glutes, hamstrings, and calves.

What Does Running On a Curved Treadmill Feel Like?

If you’ve only run on traditional motorized treadmills, expect the REP Strive to feel different.

The biggest adjustment is realizing that you are the motor. There’s no belt pulling your foot backward underneath you and no set pace forcing you to stay at a particular speed. Where you position yourself on the curve and how much force you put into your stride determine how quickly the belt moves.

I saw figures ranging from 20- 30% more output is needed since the user is powering the belt and using their brain to keep a consistent speed, meaning more calories are being burned.

That can feel slightly awkward at first. Move farther forward on the curve and the treadmill wants to speed up. Drift backward and it slows down. After you get the hang of it, though, those changes start to feel intuitive.

This is also why I found it particularly fun for sprinting and interval workouts. You can accelerate quickly, run hard and then immediately back off without repeatedly reaching for treadmill controls.

For steady running, it’s a different experience. You have to stay engaged and continue creating the pace yourself rather than setting 6.0 mph and mentally checking out. That made the Strive feel more similar to outdoor running in some ways, but it also meant I wouldn’t necessarily choose it for a two hour easy long run.

You can absolutely run regular mileage on it, but I think the Strive is at its best when you’re changing speeds, doing shorter workouts or combining running with strength and conditioning. For runners who mainly want a treadmill for long, easy indoor miles, a traditional motorized treadmill may still be the more comfortable choice.

Slat Belt Design

I had to focus a bit on not over-striding when speeding up, something that I think will become second nature over time. The motorless design also means there is no real belt noise; it’s only as noisy as your footstrike.

The belt material is night and day different from a traditional treadmill. The belt of the Rep Strive treadmill is much more comfortable and thicker, feeling like running on a soft yet reliable surface.

Sled Training On the Rep Strive

One of the most unique features of the REP Strive is that it isn’t just a curved treadmill. It can also function as a sled, which makes it a much more versatile piece of equipment for runners who want to mix strength and conditioning into their workouts.

The Strive has separate modes for running and sled pushes. Once you switch into sled mode, a lever on the right handle lets you move through eight levels of magnetic resistance. The console then displays an estimated sled weight, so you have a better idea of how much resistance you’re actually pushing rather than simply choosing an arbitrary level.

There’s also a small “heads-down” display near the belt that shows your time and distance. This is a smart detail because during a hard sled push you’re probably not looking up at the main console.

There are several different handles and hand positions available depending on the type of workout you’re doing. I tested both a more traditional upright sled push and a lower HYROX-style position, and both felt natural.

My test machine also came with a belt squat belt, which allowed me to do backward sled walks without needing a long strip of turf or a separate sled.

That’s really where I see this feature adding value. You’re getting sprint work, sled pushes, backward walking and resisted conditioning all from one machine. For runners who already use sled work as part of strength training, or anyone training for HYROX or similar events, it makes the Strive significantly more useful than a standard treadmill.

You can also change the deck from flat to a slight incline. The incline makes the belt more responsive and easier to get moving for faster running and sprint work, while the flat position gives you a little more control and is better when you’re focused on running technique or steady efforts.

Controls & Usability

No need to press start; step up and start walking on the belt, and the display will turn on.

The console screen runs on two D-cell batteries, which can be plugged in with an included DC adapter. No touchscreen here, and the buttons are functional and intuitive.

Free Run vs Resistance Mode

The REP Strive has two very different personalities depending on whether you’re using Free Run or Resistance mode.

In Free Run mode, the magnetic resistance is disengaged and you’re powering the belt entirely with your own stride. There’s no speed button to hit or motor gradually working its way up to pace. Run faster and the belt speeds up. Back off and it slows down with you.

This is one of the things I really enjoyed for intervals and strides. Instead of pressing buttons and waiting for a traditional treadmill to accelerate, you can simply change gears. It feels much more natural when you’re doing short, hard efforts.

Switch over to Resistance mode and the treadmill becomes more of a strength and conditioning tool. You can choose from eight levels of magnetic resistance for sled pushes, resisted walking and other strength work. The screen even gives you an estimated sled weight, which makes it easier to track your workouts over time.

For runners, I think that’s a big part of the value of this machine. You can do an easy warmup, move into faster running intervals and finish with resisted sled work without needing multiple pieces of equipment.

Adjustable Deck: Flat vs Inclined

Another feature you don’t see on most curved treadmills is the ability to adjust the position of the deck.

You can use the Strive with the deck at 0 degrees or 3 degrees, and the change is about more than simply making your workout harder.

The flat position gives the belt a little more resistance and control, which I preferred when focusing on running technique or settling into a steadier effort. If you’re new to curved treadmills, this can also make it a little easier to figure out where your body needs to be on the belt without suddenly accelerating.

Moving the deck to 3 degrees makes the belt more responsive. It’s easier to get it turning over quickly, which is where this setup really shines for sprinting and faster intervals.

It takes some experimenting to figure out which position feels best for your stride and workout. I wouldn’t think about the 3 degree setting the same way you think about adding incline to a traditional treadmill. Instead, you’re changing how easily the curved belt responds underneath you.

Tech & Console – Screen Quality

I thought the screen quality was nice, and I liked that there are no integrated classes, apps, or membership fees.

If folks have or use an FTMS-compatible app or device, it can connect using Bluetooth to integrate with the display console. I do not, so I did not utilize this feature.

The Rep Strive treadmill also has some built-in workouts which can be accessed by pressing either the intervals, targets, or challenge buttons.

In the interval menu, the user can choose from a variety of preset interval workouts or build their own custom workout by customizing the time, calories, and resistance manually.

The target workout mode allows the user to select a target metric and then choose a default goal, or the user can modify the goal.

The challenge button is Rep’s combination of power and speed HIIT workout. All modes are explained in the packet included with the treadmill.

Size

The weight and size of this treadmill definitely needs to be part of the discussion. All treadmills take up a lot of floor space, but this one comes in at a hefty 418lbs.

Before You Buy: Also important to note, it won’t fit through a standard doorway once assembled. Decide exactly where you want it before assembly.

REP Fitness recommends the following space:

• 79 inches of clearance behind it
• 24 inches on the front and sides
• 96 inch minimum ceiling height

Value

The cost of the Rep Strive treadmill is a bit higher than others on the market from Woodway or Rogue. The sled push feature and the machine in general being built really for heavy use, I believe, set it apart rather than being an absolute direct comparison.

At $3,799.99, the Rep Strive is definitely a significant investment, especially when traditional treadmills can cost considerably less. What you’re paying for here isn’t a collection of entertainment features. You’re paying for a heavy-duty, self-powered curved treadmill that can also function as a sled-training station.

Buy REP Fitness Strive Curved Treadmill

Is A Curved Treadmill Right For You?

A curved treadmill isn’t necessarily better for every runner. The biggest difference is that you power the belt yourself. That makes changing pace feel incredibly natural and removes that slightly passive feeling you can get when a motorized treadmill dictates the speed.

• Great for less noise
• Ideal for sprints, athletes doing HYROX and Hybrid training
• Instantly change speed based on your movement
• The Stride doing double duty with sled workouts
• Forces more core engagement to control pace
• Less mechanical potential for issues

I’d skip it if:

• Most of your treadmill running is easy mileage or long runs
• You want incline training with lots of grade options
• You want Peloton/Noridctrack IFit style classes and entertainment
• You need a compact or folding treadmill
• You need to move your treadmill frequently
• $3,800 is hard to justify for supplemental running (see our budget treadmill recommendations)

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