Octane Fitness has several elliptical trainer models, including the ZR8 Zero Runner, designed for home usage.
Even though it is not marketed as a commercial machine, it has a light-commercial machine’s durability, quality, and variety of functions.
The Octane Fitness ZR8 Zero Runner is a free-motion cross-trainer with a durable design, zero-impact exercise options, and adjustable resistance.
Its legs, for example, are built of aluminum, and the pedals are lighter, reducing the ride’s impact even more.
In addition, the distance between the pedals is less, and the step at the unit’s base is more substantial and has a rubberized surface.
It comes with a cutting-edge console with a big display, a SmartLink connection, and four exciting and very enjoyable training apps.
It also includes various elastic band anchor points, which may give variety to your workouts.
While it isn’t one of the most inexpensive cross-trainers, its longevity, adaptability, and general quality are more than makeup.
Table of Contents
Construction and Frame
The structure of the Octane Fitness ZR8 Zero Runner is made of various materials.
The supporting sidebars, for example, are made of steel tubing, while the moving legs are made of aircraft-grade aluminum, and the pedals and other coverings are made of heavy-duty ABS plastic.
Rubberized surfaces on the pedals and the step-up machine at the back of the unit offer non-slip contact.
All steel pieces in its construction are double-coated with a long-lasting, corrosion-resistant paint finish.
Powder coating is also applied to the metal legs. Light gray was utilized for the steel sections, and rust-brown was used for the aluminum bars.
The machine isn’t as long as a front-drive elliptical trainer like the Bowflex BXE216 or Life Fitness E1 Go Cross-Trainer.
However, it still has a 63″L x 38″W active footprint (160 x 97 cm).
It’s also a good idea to provide at least two feet of clearance all around the unit for safe access and operation.
Even though it lacks a flywheel like other elliptical trainers, the Octane Fitness ZR8 is rather hefty.
It weighs around 191 lbs, with the frame completely constructed (87 kg). This weight greatly enhances the unit’s overall stability and sturdiness.
However, relocating it isn’t too difficult because the machine’s front base has a pair of transfer wheels.
This Octane Fitness elliptical has a pair of moveable handlebars and a curved handlebar with pulse sensors.
The movable arms are designed with a multi-grip design and rubberized grips for a secure grasp.
Because they aren’t situated too far above the pedals, most users should maintain a natural grip and arm position throughout exercises.
Users under 5’0″ will have a slightly higher grip closer to their chest, but this should not influence the overall quality of the workout.
As long as you pedal, the moveable handlebars will continue to move.
They can’t be held in place with a lock.
Several powerband anchor locations may be found on the Octane ZR8 Zero Runner.
This function isn’t available on all elliptical cross-trainers. Two are attached to the curving stationary handlebar at the front, two to the lower ends, two to the higher ends of the rear leg stabilizers, and one to the lower ends and upper ends of the front leg stabilizers.
This cross-trainer comes with a set of performance grips that you can connect to the mid bar anchor points and hold on to while pedaling, or you may choose for the elastic bands, which allow you to conduct a variety of additional workouts.
The machine does not come with elastic bands.
Powerblock Stands for storing Powerblock weights are another possible equipment for this trainer.
Finally, the unit’s front piece, which supports the console, includes an ABS bottle holder that can hold any water bottle style.
Step-up Height
To begin, the Octane Fitness ZR8 Zero Runner comes with a set of huge, extra-strong pedals with a rubberized surface for better foot stickiness.
The pedals and the legs that hold them are strong enough to accommodate persons weighing up to 300 pounds (136 kg).
Stainless steel sealed ball bearings are used in the pedals and joints of all the moveable bars to ensure smooth functioning.
They’re all made of industrial-grade materials and should last a lifetime.
The ZR8 allows you to lean forward or backward while cycling since it is a free-motion trainer rather than a trainer with a set elliptical route like the BodyCraft ECT400G.
As a result, you may alter the elliptical path’s angle to target different muscle groups.
Additionally, the pedaling action is impact-free since it eliminates the element of footstrike from your running.
An exercise on this machine, on the other hand, will maintain your joints in good health, free of harm and pain.
This elliptical cross-trainer has a dynamic stride length of up to 58 inches (147 cm).
This is a significant benefit since you may enjoy a complete range of motion regardless of height.
The pedal spacing is 1.4″ (35 mm), which is 0.6″ less than the ZR7 model.
As a result, your feet are naturally positioned on the pedals, and the pedaling motion reduces lateral stress on the knees and ankles.
In addition, the step-up pedal height is around 5.2″ (13.2 cm), which is not excessively high.
Additionally, while your feet are positioned on the pedals, the rear rubberized step and the fixed handlebar guarantee safety and balance.
Resistance System
There is no traditional flywheel-based resistance system on the Octane ZR8 elliptical machine.
A Stride Control Adjuster dial is located on each of its upright legs. The tension dials on the ZR8 model have a wider range of adjustments than the ZR7 model.
There are three ‘+’ and three ‘-‘ positions on each dial.
Each Stride Control Adjuster modifies the tension for the pedal it controls.
As a result, you must pick the same setting for each dial to benefit from an even resistance for both pedals.
The resistance may easily be changed while pedaling.
The resistance, on the other hand, does not adjust automatically. In addition, the console has no bearing on the machine’s resistance adjustment.
It only provides instructions on how to change your stride or speed to get the most out of each session.
Console
The Octane Fitness ZR8 Zero Runner comes with an innovative console with a multi-panel LCD that displays all of your exercise statistics.
Time, distance, speed, average pulse, calories, stride length, and pace are all recorded.
To display speed and distance traveled, you can choose between English and metric units.
If you utilize the sensors in the stationary handlebar, the console can monitor your heart rate, but it’s also telemetric.
In other words, it can use a wireless ANT + or Polar chest strap to read your heart rate.
A Bluetooth / ANT+ HR Strap is included in the box.
The calorie reading is quite accurate because the console will prompt you to enter your weight.
It can compute your overall calorie-burning considerably better than a simple console based on this personal data and other workout data.
On the console, there are three fitness modes to choose from.
RUN+, X-MODE, Cross CiRCUIT, and the free stride mode are the options.
The RUN+ mode allows you to add one to six 15-second to 15-minute periods of extra motions/activities to your workout, giving you a different workout every time.
A virtual personal trainer, the X-MODE. The console will remind you to change your workout by rotating between Run, Step, Lunge, Jog, and Ski in one-minute intervals.
Finally, the CROSS CiRCUIT program is an Octane Fitness cross-training workout that mixes zero-run cardio intervals with sets of strength and toning exercises performed off the machine using dumbbells, fitness balls, elastic bands, and other fitness equipment.
The machine also offers a CoolDown function, which counts down a recovery period at the end of your workout in addition to these programs.
The console supports SmartLink.
In other words, you can connect it to your tablet or smartphone via Bluetooth to take advantage of the SmartLink app’s superior user interface, online data tracking of your workouts, additional custom workouts and boosters, and a variety of other features that will make your workouts more enjoyable and motivating.
The ZR7 Zero Runner console is rather simple to use despite its extensive capabilities.
Each program: Start, RUN+, X-MODE, and CROSS CiRCUIT has its key. The Up/Down arrow keys are used to change the settings of your training objectives or other parameters, while the Enter key in the center serves as a confirmation function.
The Clock key may be used in various ways to change the length of your workout.
With the LB/KG key, you can rapidly switch between English and Metric measurements for weight, speed, distance, and stride length.
The CoolDown key controls the cooldown function, and the Power button turns on or off the console.
A battery powers the machine.
It runs on four AA batteries, which are included in the package.
Assembly
The unit’s side upright sections are pre-assembled, but there are still a few more parts to put together.
You’ll need to connect the front leg stabilizers, the pedal, the fixed handlebar, the movable handlebars, the rear step, and the console, for example.
While this may take more than an hour, the handbook includes straightforward assembly instructions.
Several Allen wrenches are provided, but an adjustable wrench and a Phillips screwdriver are also required.
The trainer doesn’t require much maintenance after it’s fully constructed.
At the end of your workout, it’s a good idea to wipe the sweat from the frame.
It’s also a good idea to check for loose components and bolts regularly.
Lubrication or re-tightening can also cure the problem if the joints generate squeaky sounds.
