Expert-Tested: Centr Runr-s Treadmill Review

For home gym owners, investing in a great piece of cardio equipment is something that can provide enjoyment and health benefits for years to come. Sure, going for an outdoor run is free, but many live in climates where the weather forces them to stay indoors, and many simply prefer to train using equipment at home. 

The best treadmills for home gyms can be used for long walks, runs, interval training, and more, helping you reach your health and wellness goals from the comfort of your home. However, with so many treadmills on the market, choosing the right one can be difficult, especially if you can’t give it a test runf. 

In this Centr RUNR-S treadmill review, we’ll be reviewing an affordable yet durable treadmill from Chris Hemsworth’s fitness company. Is this treadmill worth the money for home gym owners, or should you look elsewhere? Let’s find out what our tester thought. 

Tested by a Certified Personal Trainer

Every review we write here at Garage Gym Reviews is based on years of experience and extensive, hands-on testing from our team of experts. Our testers include certified personal trainers, strength and conditioning coaches, weightlifters, gym owners, and more. We’ve tested more than 50 treadmills, and we know what qualities to look for when using one. 

For this review, our tester was Lindsay Scheele, CPT, CNC, the lead reviewer for our Garage Gym Reviews Everything YouTube channel. She spent plenty of time using the RUNR-S and rated it using our testing methodology, which assigns a score to the most important categories, including:

• Footprint and portability 
• Durability and construction
• Ergonomics
• Technology benefits and conveniences

Centr RUNR-S Treadmill

Pros

• Quiet motor
• Foldable design
• Built-in touchscreen
• Bluetooth heart rate monitoring

Cons

• Max speed of 10 mph
• Treadmill is too wide for standard doorways
• Not as cushioned as higher-end treadmills

The Centr RUNR-S Treadmill is compact and foldable, with a durable construction and very quiet, yet strong, motor.

A Quick Look at the Centr RUNR-S Treadmill

Centr, founded by Chris Hemsworth, is a fitness company that provides on-demand workouts through the Centr app. Additionally, the brandooffers a variety of fitness equipment, including treadmills, weight benches, dumbbells, and more. Centr is also the official equipment provider of HYROX, a fitness event that continues to grow in popularity. 

The Centr RUNR-S treadmill is made by Inspire Fitness, a company that manufactures a variety of gym equipment. It’s compact, foldable, and durable, allowing users to get in a great treadmill session at home without taking up too much space. If you’re used to running outdoors, research shows¹ that running on a treadmill provides the same benefits, and the RUNR-S is a great option if you’re looking for your first treadmill.

Compared to other treadmills offered by Centr, the RUNR-S is one of the most affordable options. It’s an upgrade of the original RUNR treadmill that’s added a 10” touchscreen that’s Bluetooth compatible and offers a variety of workout programs and entertainment apps. 

Before You Buy

• The Centr RUNR-S has a maximum speed of 10 mph and a maximum incline of 12%.
• Even though it has a small footprint and folding design, the RUNR-S is too wide to fit through most doorways without folding it and turning it sideways, which is a two-person job.
• The motor is one of the quietest we’ve tested, even when changing the incline. 

Centr RUNR-S Treadmill Video Review

Is the Centr RUNR-S Treadmill Worth It?

This is one of the most affordable Centr treadmills, but that doesn’t mean it’s the right choice for everyone. Here’s who we think will benefit the most from using the RUNR-S. 

Centr RUNR-S Treadmill Specs

Workout Experience with the Centr RUNR-S Treadmill

For this review, Lindsay Scheele, CPT, CNC, used the Centr RUNR-S treadmill for several workouts in our testing facilities. She tried sprinting workouts, adjusted the incline, and tested all of the smart features to get the full running experience from this treadmill. 

Overall, she was very impressed, especially for the price. While it’s not the largest or most cushioned machine we’ve tested, she enjoyed using it. She said that even though it’s not quite as cushioned as a high-end treadmill, it didn’t feel uncomfortable to use. 

RELATED: 11 Benefits of Walking on a Treadmill

One callout we have is the maximum, as the RUNR-S only goes up to 10mph. While this may be plenty for most users, many other treadmills on the market allow users to reach speeds of up to 12mph, so this treadmill isn’t quite as fast as other treadmills on the market. 

Still, it’s durable, has a small footprint, and the motor is very quiet, making it a good choice for home gyms. 

Footprint and Portability

When it comes to the overall footprint and portability, the RUNR-S earns 3.5 out of 5 stars.

It’s noticeably smaller than others, particularly the step-up height, and the treadmill has a foldable design and can be moved with the built-in transport wheels. However, it’s still too wide to fit through a standard doorway, as Lindsay found out when she tried to move it into her office.

“It’s compact and foldable with a hydraulic mechanism,” says Lindsay. “Even though it feels smaller, it does not fit through a standard doorway, which I found out the hard way. If you want to move it through a doorway, you’ll have to move it to the vertical position first and can’t just pass it through.”

Durability and Construction

For durability and construction, the RUNR-S earns 4 out of 5 stars. 

It feels very sturdy, and Lindsay didn’t have any concerns about the durability. She said it reminds her of the Sole F63, which she’s had in her home and regularly used for over two years without any issues. 

However, we docked one point because it’s a little lighter than other treadmills and has a 300-pound weight capacity, which is a little lower than many others that can have weight capacities of 325-400 lbs. It also has a maximum speed of 10 mph, which isn’t bad but is a bit behind the 12 mph max speed we see on many other treadmills.

That said, the motor is extremely quiet. Lindsay said, “The 3.0 HP brushless motor actually makes a huge difference in how this treadmill runs. It’s super smooth and super quiet.”

Ergonomics

The RUNR-S feels good, but it’s nothing special, and Lindsay rated the ergonomics 3 out of 5. 

The running surface uses Cloud Cushion Technology to provide a comfortable landing with each step, as well as Centr’s Natural Stride Technology that’s meant to automatically adjust the treadmill based on your running speed.

Lindsay found that while using the RUNR-S isn’t uncomfortable, it doesn’t offer the added cushioning we see on higher-end models from companies like NordicTrack. Most users should love this treadmill, but if you’re used to using something like a highly-cushioned commercial treadmill, this may not have the same feel.

RELATED: Common Treadmill Injuries

One of the standout features of this machineis the lack of noise, and Lindsay says it’s one of the most silent treadmills she’s ever used. She changed the incline to its highest setting at 12% and couldn’t hear the motor working at all.

While this treadmill may be nearly silent, there are two design flaws that may not bother everyone, but they’re worth calling out. 

“When you’re at an incline, the cup holders are really far away,” explains Lindsay. “They’re off to the side instead of in front of you like we see on other treadmills. When I’m at a 12% incline, the arms feel really low, and taller individuals may not be able to reach the handlebar.”

Technology Benefits and Conveniences

The treadmill has two screens, with a main touchscreen display that can mirror your phone if you want to use your treadmill app, as well as an LED display near the controls that displays your current heart rate and workout settings. Both the smartphone mirroring and heart rate monitoring use Bluetooth connectivity, and you’ll need to have your own heart rate monitor.

However, while the phone holder should work great with most cell phones, there really isn’t enough room to use a tablet with the RUNR-S.

The main touchscreen also comes pre-loaded with entertainment apps like Netflix, Disney+, and YouTube, so you can watch your favorite shows while you’re using the treadmill. You can also follow along with workouts from the Centr app thanks to the free three-month Centr membership you’ll receive with this treadmill.

This is a nice touch, but Lindsay pointed out that the speakers are on the back of the screen rather than facing the user, which makes the sound a little muffled, even at high volumes. 

The RUNR-S also has cup holders for a water bottle, but Lindsay found the positioning a bit awkward. 

Centr RUNR-S Treadmill vs Sole F63 Treadmill

Sole F63 Treadmill

Product Highlights

• Folding treadmill
• Costs around $1,200
• Bluetooth speakers, USB port, and cooling fans
• Powerful 3.0 HP motor

Pros

• Financing is available
• Bluetooth speakers
• USB port
• Device holder
• 15 different levels of incline
• Cushioned deck
• 20″ W x 60″ L belt
• 325-lb weight capacity
• Lifetime frame and motor warranty

Cons

• Heavy machine
• No touchscreen

The Sole F63 Treadmill is an affordable option for people who want a powerful, reliable machine that folds without breaking their budget.

If you’re looking for a similar option that’s a bit cheaper, the Sole F63 is a great choice and the most comparable machine to the RUNR-S, according to Lindsay.Both options are durable, compact, and affordable, but they have a few slight differences. 

Compared to the RUNR-S, the Sole F63 doesn’t have quite as many technology features. There’s a built-in display, but it’s only used for showing your workout stats and can’t play any videos. However, it does have a device holder for phones or tablets, so you can watch your own entertainment. 

However, while the F63 doesn’t have the same technology, the handrails are a bit higher and will work better for tall users, and the cup holders are more accessible. It’s also cheaper, costing around $1,199, though it may be on sale throughout the year. 

Finally, the Sole F63 has a higher weight capacity of 325 pounds and a maximum speed of 12 mph, while the RUNR-S only has a 300-pound capacity and a maximum speed of 10 mph. However, the RUNR-S has a smaller footprint and is 60 pounds lighter, so it’s the more portable option. 

Overall, the RUNR-S is best for those who want the built-in display and don’t mind a lower top speed, and the F63 is best for those who are willing to trade some bells and whistles for a treadmill with a faster top speed and a higher weight capacity. 

For more, read our full Sole F63 Treadmill Review.

Customer Experience 

The customer experience when ordering from Centr earns a 4 out of 5. The RUNR-S has a lifetime warranty on the motor and frame, a two-year warranty on parts, and a one-year warranty on labor.

RELATED: 6 Tips for Treadmill Maintenance and Care

This is a good warranty for the price point, and Lindsay didn’t have any concerns about the durability. If you need to reach customer support, you can reach out via phone, email, or submit a form on Centr.com. 

However, the return policy is a bit lacking. We don’t expect something this large to be an easy return, but Centr limits the return window to 15 days after purchase, buyers need to pay for their own shipping, and there may be a 20-30% restocking fee. 

At the time of writing, the treadmill is also available on Costco.com, and if you purchase from Costco, you can return the treadmill to any Costco warehouse and save on return fees.

Ordering and Assembling the Centr RUNR-S Treadmill

Ordering the RUNR-S is a breeze, and orders can be financed through Shop Pay or paid for with an eligible HSA/FSA plan. 

Assembly is quite simple, and one person should easily be able to do this in less than 20 minutes. The treadmill will arrive mostly assembled in the box, so all you’ll need to do is attach a few things, and you’ll be ready to go. 

Customer Reviews

This product isn’t currently sold on Amazon, so we were only able to find reviews on the Centr website. At the time of writing, the RUNR-S has 33 reviews on the Centr website, with an average score of 4.9 out of 5. That said, many of the reviews disclose that the treadmill was received for free in exchange for a review, so take those high scores with a grain of salt. 

Final Verdict of Our Centr RUNR-S Treadmill Review

If you’re looking for a compact, foldable treadmill that can provide excellent home workouts for nearly all fitness levels, the Centr RUNR-s treadmill is a great choice. It’s affordable, enjoyable to use, and has one of the quietest motors we’ve seen on a treadmill. 

We wish it had a faster top speed and a slightly higher weight capacity, but for the price, this treadmill is hard to beat. 

• The RUNR-S can reach a max speed of 10 mph and a max incline of 12%, which should be enough for most users but is a bit slower than many competitors. 
• Our tester noted that tall users might have a hard time reaching the handrails on higher incline settings. 
• This a foldable, compact treadmill designed to be portable, but it’s too wide to roll through standard doorways, so you’ll need to fold it up and have someone help you carry it sideways through the door.

Full Rating

Centr RUNR-S Treadmill

The Centr RUNR-S Treadmill is compact and foldable, with a durable construction and very quiet, yet strong, motor.

Product Brand: Centr

Product Currency: USD

Product Price: 1599.00

Product In-Stock: InStock

Centr RUNR-S Treadmill: FAQs

References

1. Van Hooren, B., Fuller, J.T., Buckley, J.D. et al. Is Motorized Treadmill Running Biomechanically Comparable to Overground Running? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Cross-Over Studies. Sports Med 50, 785–813 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-019-01237-z

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Matt Dustin, CSCS, PN1-NC

Matt is a writer and fitness coach who’s been working in the fitness industry since 2012. Before joining the GGR team, Matt was a freelance health and fitness writer for dozens of brands and publications, and spent several years working as a copywriter. He’s also the author of three nutrition books published through Simon & Schuster, and currently lives in Las Vegas, NV.