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The Tru Grit Runner and AssaultRunner Pro are two of the few manual treadmills on the market. There are some differences to consider in your decision.
Some of the main differences between the Tru Grit Runner and the AssaultRunner Pro are that the Tru Grit Runner has a higher weight limit, six resistance levels, different warranties, and a more budget-friendly price.
On the other hand, the AssaultRunner Pro has a monitor that can connect to a Bluetooth heart rate monitor, different warranties, and a lighter weight. Users also mention this option feels more solid and is more silent.
If you need the extra weight capacity, want the warranties, or are on a tight budget, you will likely prefer the Tru Grit Runner.
If you want a more silent manual treadmill, want to do heart rate training, or plan to move your machine around a lot, you will likely want to choose the AssaultRunner Pro.
For people who do not have any musts in the areas above, the decision becomes somewhat more challenging. Many customers do really enjoy the Tru Grit Runner. This option can save you a good amount of money.
On the flip side, users who have experienced both treadmills find that the AssaultRunner Pro feels like it will last longer.
If you plan to use your manual treadmill intensely and for many years, it may be smarter to invest a bit more initially to save money in the long term.
Important differences Tru Grit Runner vs AssaultRunner
The Tru Grit Runner and AssaultRunner Pro are both manual treadmills but they have a lot of differences too. These will influence what the best option is for what people, budgets, and situations.
Even so, some differences will be more important than others. In the first table below, you can find the ones that are likely to influence your decision.
| Feature | Tru Grit Runner | AssaultRunner Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Weight Limit | 400 Pounds (181 kg) | 350 Pounds (158 kg) |
| General Tread Feeling From Users | “Feels Somewhat Cheaper, Like It Will Not Last That Long” | “Feels More Solid, Good For Sprints” |
| Noise | A Bit Noisy At Higher Speeds | Relatively Silent |
| Monitor | Limited Battery LCD Screen With Time, Distance, Pace, Speed, And Calories | Battery LCD Screen With Pace, Speed, Distance, Time, And Heart Rate (Bluetooth Measuring Device Not Included) |
| Resistance Levels | 6 Resistance Levels | 1 Resistance Level |
| Warranties* | Lifetime Belt, Steel, And Welding Warranty, 1 Year Other Parts Warranty | 5 Years Frame Warranty, 3 Years Moving Parts Warranty, 150.000 Miles Belt Warranty |
| Overall Sturdiness & Material Quality | Somewhat Less Solid | Solid |
| Weight | 415 Pounds (188.2 kg) | 289.2 Pounds (131.2 kg) |
| Price Category** | $$$ | $$$$$ |
| Check Current Price | Check Current Price |
*Warranties can vary from seller to seller
**Price category difference at the time of writing
Other features Tru Grit Runner and AssaultRunner
Before investing in the Tru Grit Runner or the AssaultRunner Pro, you may also want to know about their smaller differences and common features.
| Feature | Tru Grit Runner | AssaultRunner Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Running Surface | 19″ x 62.5″ | Not Precisely Mentioned, Shorter And Narrower Overall Dimensions |
| Curve Belt | Somewhat Flatter | More Curved |
| Dimensions | 79” L x 35” W x 60” H | 69.9” L x 31.7” W x 64.4” H |
| Transport Wheels | Yes, Hard Plastic (With Carrying Handle On Other End, Cover Can Get In The Way) | Yes, Hard Plastic (With Carrying Handle On Other End) |
| Small Height Adjusters | Yes | Yes |
| Location Monitor Battery | Behind The Screen | Behind The Screen |
| Frame | Commercial-Grade Steel And Aluminum | Solid Steel |
| Cover Material | Plastic Cover | Plastic Cover |
| Number Of Bearings | Not Mentioned | 100 Precision Ball Bearings |
| Heart Rate Monitor | No | Display On Screen With Your Own Bluetooth Measuring Device |
| Built-In Training Programs | Has Programs, Exact Number Not Mentioned | 4 Workout Program Types |
| Check Current Price | Check Current Price |
Differences Tru Grit Runner vs AssaultRunner explained
If you know what you want in your manual, looking at the feature and price differences could be enough to make a decision between the Tru Grit Runner and the AssaultRunner Pro.
On the other hand, you may want a more detailed explanation of some of the differences before making your decision.
You can find a more detailed overview of some of the most confusing features below.
General tread feeling from users
Experts may be able to conclude how a manual treadmill feels from the list of materials. However, most people just need to know how users generally experience running on each manual treadmill.
In the case of the Tru Grit Runner, there are mentions about the treadmill feeling a bit cheap compared to other alternatives like the AssaultRunner Pro.
At the same time, there are also still happy reviews from people that find the Tru Grit Runner smooth to use. Something to note is that it does not sound like these reviewers have experienced other manual treadmills too.
On the other hand, users mention that the AssaultRunner Pro feels smoother and more solid. People especially tend to like this manual treadmill for sprints.
In short, the Tru Grit Runner seems to be good in terms of smoothness. However, it sounds like the AssaultRunner Pro is just a bit better in this area.
Winner: AssaultRunner Pro
Resistance levels
People who are used to exercise bikes and elliptical machines may assume that treadmills also come with resistance levels. However, speed is often the only thing that comes close to this.
The same goes for the AssaultRunner Pro. You have one “resistance level” and you can adjust the “speed” by running faster or slower.
On the flip side, the Tru Grit Runner is somewhat unique in that it does come with different resistance levels. There is a handle that allows you to choose between six different settings.
Tru Grit describes the first two levels as running, levels three and four as walking, and levels five and six as similar to pushing an exercise sled.
This can be a nice addition for people who want to switch up their workouts. If you enjoy this it could help you stay just a bit more consistent with your exercise routine.
Something you do want to keep in mind is that there are a few mentions about the resistance mechanism not being that sturdy. This does need to function to get the benefits.
Winner: Tru Grit Runner
Weight
Treadmill weight is a relatively straightforward feature but you may be unsure how this are could play a role in your decision.
There are a few cases where the floor has limited weight capacity. In situations like this, you may need to take a careful look at the weight of each model.
That being said, for most people the treadmill weight will matter more in terms of transport. Both the Tru Grit Runner and AssaultRunner Pro have transport wheels and a carrying handle.
The 415 pounds (188.2 kg) of the Tru Grit Runner will obviously be harder to move around than the 289.2 pounds (131.2 kg) of the AssaultRunner Pro.
Add to this that the plastic frame of the Tru Grit Runner can get in the way when tilting the machine and it becomes clear that the AssaultRunner Pro will be more convenient to move around.
Whether these details matter and to what extent depends on how often you plan to move your manual treadmill around and your strength level.
Winner: AssaultRunner Pro
Price
For most people, features are not all that matters when choosing a treadmill. How much of an investment a treadmill is often relevant too.
Exactly how much the treadmills of this comparison cost will depend on where you get them and can change over time.
That being said, at the time of writing, the Tru Grit Runner is a good amount more budget-friendly than the AssaultRunner Pro when it comes to the initial investment.
One thing to keep in mind is that some users find that the Tru Grit Runner does not feel that stable, like it would only last a few years.
If that is the case, the AssaultRunner Pro could be more budget-friendly in the long run.
Winner: Tru Grit Runner at least initially
User reviews
When comparing the Tru Grit Runner and the AssaultRunner Pro, the feature and price differences can be helpful to get an initial idea about what model the best choice is for you.
Even so, sometimes you find out about unexpected downsides or trends in quality issues by looking at the customer reviews.
While customers tend to be very happy overall with both treadmills, people currently tend to be a bit happier about the AssaultRunner Pro than the Tru Grit Runner. Especially in the more recent reviews.
Both treadmills have some exceptional quality issues here and there. In the cases of the Tru Grit Runner, the resistance mechanism is the suboptimal component a good amount of the time.
The customer support of Tru Grit could be a bit faster in their responses and solutions.
That being said, again, customers tend to be very happy overall with both the AssaultRunner Pro and Tru Grit Runner.
Is the Tru Grit Runner or AssaultRunner right for you?
In short, the Tru Grit Runner has a higher weight limit, six resistance levels, different warranties, and a price that is a good amount more budget-friendly.
On the flip side, users mention that the AssaultRunner Pro feels more solid and is more silent. It also has a monitor that can connect to a Bluetooth heart rate monitor, different warranties, and a lighter weight.
People who need the extra weight capacity, want the warranties, or are on a tight budget will likely prefer the Tru Grit Runner.
Individuals who want a manual treadmill that is more silent, want to adapt their training based on heart rate, or plan to move their machine around a lot will want to go for the AssaultRunner Pro.
If the things above are not requirements your decision becomes somewhat more challenging. The Tru Grit Runner can save you a lot of money initially and customers are still positive in their reviews.
On the other hand, users who compared the two treadmills mention that the AssaultRunner Pro feels like it will last a lot longer. If you plan to use your treadmill for many years, it may be smarter to invest extra in this model.
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