| Unit | Size | Supported weight | Resistance | Console | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Octane ZR7 Check Discounted Price | L:63" W:38" H:59" | 300 lbs | 3 levels | 4 onboard apps SmartLink compatible | Frame: Lifetime Parts: 5 years Labor: 1 year |
Octane Fitness makes some of the best elliptical trainers that you can find at the moment. The ZR7 Zero Runner model that we’re going to cover here is quite different than the Q37x model that we’ve recently described, though. To begin with, it’s an upright trainer, which offers a striding motion similar to the Gazelle Supreme model. However, this Octane elliptical is a much more versatile unit and comes with a highly-advanced console.
Technical Details and Specifications
- Assembled dimensions: 63L x 38W x 59H inches (160L x 97W x 150H cm)
- Assembled weight: 195 lbs (84.4 kg)
- Weight limit: 300 lbs (136 kg)
- Stride: Dynamic, max. 58″ (147 cm)
- Resistance: Adjustable, 3 levels
- Console: 4 onboard programs, Bluetooth 4.0, SmartLink Compatible
- Warranty: Frame lifetime / Parts 5 years / Labor 1 year
Frame construction and parts
Although it’s not advertised as a commercial elliptical trainer, the Octane Fitness ZR7 Zero Runner is an exceptionally sturdy machine. Most of the parts in its construction are made of
steel, and due to this fact, it’s quite heavy. With the frame fully assembled, it weighs 195 lbs (88.4 kg), weight that it’s actually quite a plus as it adds a lot of stability. Therefore, you can be sure that it won’t wobble or rock even if you engage in the most demanding workouts. Its stability is also enhanced by the adjustable front stabilizers.
The machine integrates a few PVC parts. The cover of the rear base, the covers on the top of the upright bars are made of heavy-duty PVC, and the pedals are made of heavy-duty PVC material. The first two don’t play any role in the machine’s overall sturdiness, but they considerably improve its overall compactness and aesthetics. As for the pedals, they’re rated for 300 lbs (136 kg) of user weight, so as long as you don’t exceed this limit, they should last for many years of use.
The Octane Fitness ZR7 Zero Runner doesn’t have a folding frame. However, it doesn’t take as much space as other cardio training machines. It’s minimum required “live area” is 63″ x 38″ (160 x 97 cm). In other words, its lengthy can extend up to 63″ (160 cm) when you exercise. Therefore, it’s best to assign a minimum usage area for it of 70″ x 50″. Also, if you’re going to use any optional accessories, such as the rubber bands, you may need a wider workout area, in order to perform all the exercises without any hindrance.
The front base of the machine integrates a set of transport wheels. So, even though it’s a fairly heavy elliptical trainer, its relocation shouldn’t be a problem once it is assembled. By using the front wheels, you will be handling less than half of its weight.
This Octane Fitness elliptical trainer is equipped with a set of large pedals, featuring an adherent surface and front foot guards for extra foot stability during exercising. The pedals and the joints of all the mobile bars integrate stainless steel, sealed ball bearings, in order to deliver a very smooth operation. They’re all industrial-quality parts, so they should last a lifetime.
There are two sets of handlebars on this elliptical, mobile and fixed. The mobile arms offer a multi-grip design, with rubberized handles for a comfortable grip. They aren’t set at an extreme height from the pedals, so most users should benefit from a natural grip and arm position during workouts. Shorter users than 5’0″ will have a grip a bit higher, close to their chest, but this shouldn’t affect the quality of the overall workout. Also, in case you’re wondering, the machine’s mobile arms cannot be locked in place. They will continue to move for as long the pedals are moving.
The fixed, semi-circle handlebar is equipped with stainless steel pulse sensors. Therefore, the console can read your pulse if you hold on to them. However, the console is also telemetric so it can read your pulse via a wireless HR transmitter.
As opposed to other elliptical trainers or gliders, the Octane ZR7 Zero Runner features several powerband anchor points. You will find two at the lower ends of the rear leg stabilizers, two at the lower ends and two on the upper ends of the front leg stabilizers, and one attached to the curved stationary handlebar, at the front.
Last but not least, all the steel parts in the machine’s construction feature a corrosion-resistant and scratch-resistant industrial powder double-coating. The colors used are silver for most of the non-moving bars, and black for the moving bars.
Stride, elliptical motion, step-up height & Q-Factor
Since the Octane Fitness ZR7 Zero Runner is a glider, not a conventional elliptical trainer, it features a dynamic stride which can reach up to 58″ (147 cm). Therefore, no matter how tall you are, you should be able to change your stride throughout the workout without any restrictions.
The machine’s elliptical motion is also dynamic. You can lean forward or backward as you exercise, and this way change the shape of the elliptical motion in order to focus various groups of muscles.
As opposed to other glider ellipticals, such as the ProGear 360 for example, the Octane ZR7 features pedal articulations and leg articulation, features which lead to a true zero impact pedaling motion. A workout on this fitness machine can be described as a walk, jog or run on a very soft surface. Therefore, the workout impact on the joints is almost inexistent, which makes it perfect for users that require recovery training.
In case you’re wondering, reverse pedaling is also possible on the Octane ZR7. Therefore, you can put a lot of diversity into your workouts.
The pedal step-up height is fairly low compared to other ellipticals. The distance from the floor to the top of the lowest pedal is 5.2″ (13.2 cm). Also, the rear base can be used as a stepping point to position your feet on the pedals.
One last aspect to mention here regards the machine’s Q-Factor. This is the spacing between the pedals, and for the ZR7 Zero Runner, it is 2.0″ (5.1 cm). This means that your feet will be positioned on the pedals naturally, and the stride won’t generate any additional lateral stress on the knees and ankles, another reason this machine is perfect for anyone who requires recovery training after joint surgery, or anyone with articulation problems.
Resistance
Although this Octane elliptical trainer does offer some adjustability for its overall resistance, it doesn’t have an eddy current brake such as the Body Solid E300 or Nautilus E618, for example. Each one of the main upright legs of the machine has a Stride Control Adjuster with three settings: “-“, “neutral”, and “+”.
The Stride Control Adjusters change the tension of the pedals. This being said, if you feel that the tension is too tight for you, set both adjusters to “-“. Conversely, if you want more resistance, select “+” on each one of them. Both adjusters should be in the same position so that the pedals can deliver a smooth and even motion.
In case you’re wondering, the console doesn’t have anything to do with the machine’s overall resistance. The pedal resistance is done exclusively from the Stride Control Adjusters. Also, the machine doesn’t need to be connected to a power source in order to provide resistance adjustment.
Console
The Octane Fitness ZR7 Zero Runner comes with quite an advanced console, featuring a multi-panel LCD display which keeps track of all your workout data. It indicates your workout time, distance, speed, heart rate, average heart rate, calories, stride length, pace. Distance and speed 
can be set up in both metric and imperial units. The console can monitor your heart rate if you use the sensors in the stationary handlebar, but it’s also telemetric. In other words, it can read your HR via a wireless ANT + or Polar chest strap. The box includes a Polar heart rate strap.
The calorie reading is fairly accurate as the console will prompt you to enter your weight. Depending on this personal data and the other workout data, it can calculate your overall calorie burning much better than a basic console.
The console offers three workout modes, RUN+, X-MODE and Cross CiRCUIT, plus the free stride mode. The RUN+ mode allows you to set up a series of one to six 15-second to 15-minute intervals of additional motions/activities to your exercise session, creating a unique workout each time. The X-MODE is a virtual personal trainer. In one-minute intervals, the console will prompt you to vary your workout alternating between Run, Step, Lunge, Jog, and Ski. And finally, the CROSS CiRCUIT program is the specific Octane Fitness cross-training workout which combines cardio intervals on the Zero Runner with sets of strength and toning exercises off the machine, using various other fitness equipment such as dumbbells, fitness ball, elastic bands etc.
Along with these programs, the unit also has a CoolDown function which counts down a recovery period at the end of your workout.
The console is SmartLink compatible. In other words, you can sync it with your tablet or smartphone via Bluetooth, in order to benefit from a superior user interface from the SmartLink app, online data tracking of your workouts, extra custom workouts and boosters and many other features that will make your training more entertaining and motivating.
Although it’s an advanced unit, the ZR7 Zero Runner console is fairly easy and straightforward to operate. The Start, RUN+, X-MODE and CROSS CiRCUIT programs have their own keys. The Up/Down arrow keys serve to increase or decrease different values on your workout goals or other parameters, while the Enter key in the middle covers the confirmation function for them. The Clock key can be used in several ways to increase and decrease the time of your workout. The LB/KG key allows you to quickly switch measurement between English and Metric for weight, pace, distance and stride length. The CoolDown key obviously covers the cooldown function and finally, the Power button turns the console on or off.
The unit is battery powered. It uses 4 AA batteries which are included.
Optional accessories
There are several accessories available for the Octane Fitness ZR7 Zero Runner. The first to
mention includes three pairs of elastic bands with hand-grips, that you can attach to your elliptical in several ways.
They offer the possibility to perform various arm exercises, such as biceps curls, shoulder presses, pec flies, etc. The set includes two Yellow bands for light resistance, two Red bands for mid-range resistance, and two Blue bands for heavy resistance.
Another accessory is a PowerBlock Stand which consists of two weight stands that can attach one on each side of the machine, and serve as support for PowerBlock dumbbells or other fitness equipment.
Assembly and Maintenance
The assembly of the Octane Zero Runner ZR7 isn’t the easiest, but it’s not exactly rocket-science either. The upright arms with the pedals and resistance adjusters come already assembled. Therefore, you will only have to attach the front leg stabilizers, the step-up base cover, the fixed handlebar, the mobile handlebars, and finally the console. The included manual provides pretty clear assembly instructions, so the whole process shouldn’t take more than one hour. The help of another person is recommended as most of the parts are quite heavy. Some of the tools required for the assembly are included, but you will also need 13/17 mm wrenches and a Phillips screwdriver.
Maintenance doesn’t require much. It’s recommended to periodically check for loose bolts and parts. Also, in case the joints of the machine become squeaky, lubrication is required.
The Pros
- Sturdy frame – can hold users up to 300 lbs;
- Heavy construction providing superior stability;
- Adjustable stabilizers with rubber caps;
- Transport wheels included;
- Articulated pedals and pedal bars, resulting in a zero impact workout;
- Adjustable resistance with three distinctive tension settings;
- Large, durable pedals with forefoot guards for extra foot stability;
- Mobile arms and fixed handlebars;
- Pulse sensors integrated into the fixed handlebars;
- High-grade ball bearings in each mobile joint of the machine;
- Several anchor points for elastic bands;
- Dynamic stride and elliptical motion, with a length up to 58″;
- Advanced console with a large display which keeps track of your workout data;
- Four onboard workout applications, including Start, RUN+, X-MODE, and Cross Circuit;
- The console unit is SmartLink compatible, an app that offers extra workouts and online workout data tracking;
- The console unit is telemetric – can read pulse via wireless transmitters;
- Polar HR chest strap transmitter included;
- Bottle holder included;
- Tablet holder included;
- Quiet operation;
- Fairly easy to assemble;
- Almost no maintenance required;
- Excellent warranty.
The Cons
- No sound system;
- No cooling fan;
- Elastic bands for arm workouts are not included.
Summary
The Octane Fitness ZR7 Zero Runner is a vertical elliptical trainer, offering a very long, dynamic stride (58″), and workouts with zero impact on the joints. It features a very sturdy and stable frame that can support users up to 300 lbs. It is equipped with an advanced console featuring a large display, SmartLink connectivity and four stimulating and highly entertaining workout applications.
It has several anchor points for elastic bands, offering the possibility to diversify your workouts. It’s a perfect machine for recovery training, muscle toning, endurance building, weight loss, and intervals. Finally, it’s not exactly an affordable machine, but offers excellent value for the price. It currently benefits from a 4.5-star average rating from users all over the U.S., which places it quite higher on the quality chart than other similar fitness machines.