Aussie Pro Runner vs AssaultRunner (2026): Pros, Cons and Sled Mode Compared

Updated November 2026 · Specs and warranty terms are taken from each brand's published information. Sources are linked at the bottom of this article.

For years the AssaultRunner was the default answer to "which manual treadmill should I buy?" It earned that spot in CrossFit boxes and garage gyms, and it is still a solid running machine. But it is no longer the only serious option, and for a lot of buyers it is no longer the best one.

This guide starts with an honest look at what the AssaultRunner does well and where it falls short, then shows how the Aussie Pro Runner compares on price, deck size, sled-push capability and warranty.

Key Takeaways

• The AssaultRunner is a proven running treadmill with a strong reputation, a lighter frame and long published warranties on the Pro and Elite.
• It is a running-only machine. No AssaultRunner model has built-in resistance, so sled work needs separate equipment and floor space.
• The Aussie Pro Runner adds a 7-level magnetic sled mode for sled pushes, sled pulls and resisted walking on the same deck.
• More room and a lower price. The Aussie's 63" x 19" deck is 2 inches wider, and at $3,195 it costs less than the AssaultRunner Pro ($3,499) and Elite ($4,499).

AssaultRunner Pros and Cons

Assault sells three AssaultRunner models: the Classic, Pro and Elite. They share the same core design, a self-powered curved deck with a 62" x 17" running surface, and differ mainly in build, console, user capacity and warranty.

AssaultRunner Pros

• Proven and widely used. The AssaultRunner is a familiar machine in CrossFit boxes and performance gyms, so many athletes already know how it feels.
• No motor, no top speed. Like every curved manual treadmill, it is self-powered and responds instantly to your stride.
• Lighter frame. The Classic and Pro weigh about 280 lbs, which makes them easier to roll around a gym.
• Higher capacity on the Elite. The Elite supports users up to 400 lbs.
• Long published warranties on the upper models. The Pro carries a 7-year frame warranty and 150,000-mile belt warranty. The Elite carries a 10-year frame and lifetime belt warranty.
• Connected console. Assault's consoles connect over Bluetooth and ANT+.

AssaultRunner Cons

• Running only. There is no resistance system on any model. If you want sled pushes or sled pulls, you need a separate sled, plates and a long turf lane.
• Narrower deck. All three models use a 17" wide running surface.
• Price climbs fast. The Pro lists at $3,499 and the Elite at $4,499.
• The entry model gives up a lot. The $2,799 Classic drops to a 5-year frame and 2-year moving parts warranty, with no belt or labor coverage.
• No labor coverage on the Classic or Pro. Only the Elite includes a 1-year labor warranty.
• Uncertain support going forward. More on this in the company status section below.

How the Aussie Pro Runner Compares

The Aussie Pro Runner matches what the AssaultRunner does well, a self-powered curved deck with no top speed, then adds the one thing the AssaultRunner was never built to do: sled training.

Feature	Aussie Pro Runner	AssaultRunner Classic	AssaultRunner Pro	AssaultRunner Elite
List price	$3,195	$2,799	$3,499	$4,499
Sled-push / sled-pull mode	Yes, 7-level magnetic resistance	No	No	No
Running surface	63" x 19"	62" x 17"	62" x 17"	62" x 17"
Max user weight	350 lbs	350 lbs	350 lbs	400 lbs
Machine weight	340 lbs	280 lbs	280 lbs	Not listed
Power	Self-powered	Self-powered	Self-powered	Self-powered
Frame warranty	5 years	5 years	7 years	10 years
Moving parts warranty	3 years	2 years	3 years	3 years
Labor warranty	1 year	Not included	Not included	1 year

Assault prices and warranty terms are as published on assaultfitness.com. Pricing and availability can change, so confirm current details with each brand before you buy.

Sled Mode: One Machine Instead of Two

This is the biggest difference. Flip the Aussie's magnetic resistance dial up, grip the handles, lean in and drive. The same deck becomes a sled push, a sled pull (face the other way and walk backwards) or a resisted walk. At lower settings, the resistance adds load to walking and jogging.

For a home gym, a fire station or a HYROX training club, that is the difference between buying one machine or two, and between needing a turf lane or not. Our HYROX treadmill buyer's guide covers why sled-push simulation matters for hybrid racing, and Strength on the Slats has four sled-mode drills to start with.

A Wider, More Planted Deck

Both machines use a curved, slat-belt deck with no motor and no top speed. The Aussie's 19" wide surface gives you 2 more inches of lateral space than the AssaultRunner's 17", which you notice during all-out sprints, backward walking and side-shuffle drills. At 340 lbs it is also heavier than the 280 lb AssaultRunner Classic and Pro, which helps keep it planted when you are driving hard in sled mode.

Better Value at Every Comparable Tier

At $3,195 the Aussie Pro Runner costs $304 less than the AssaultRunner Pro and $1,304 less than the Elite, and it adds sled mode that neither offers. The Classic is cheaper at $2,799, but it gives up parts, belt and labor coverage and still has no resistance. Factor in the cost of a separate push sled, plates and turf, and the value gap gets wider. Eligible buyers can also pay with HSA or FSA funds through our partnership with Flex.

Where the AssaultRunner Still Wins

If you need a 400 lb user capacity, the AssaultRunner Elite is the better fit. Its published 10-year frame warranty is also longer than our 5-year frame warranty, and the lighter Classic and Pro are easier to move. If you only ever plan to run and those factors matter most, the AssaultRunner is a reasonable choice, as long as you can confirm current availability and support.

A Real Owner Who Used Both

Ryan Shady, a volunteer firefighter, trained on an AssaultRunner at his gym for three years before buying an Aussie Pro Runner for his basement. He chose the Aussie because limited space meant he could not fit both a treadmill and a sled.

"I was a little nervous ordering it thinking that the magnetic resistance was not going to be that tough and I was not going to get a good sled push in. Was I wrong! A few rounds of 20 sec sled pushes and the legs are on fire."

"I think that the Aussie has a lot to offer that people overlook because of the name. They are not as well known as the Assault Runner... The Aussie Pro Runner offers much more than the ability to do the normal Run/walk/jog like any other."

Read Ryan's full story, including how he programs the Aussie five days a week and trains with his son.

Assault Fitness Company Status

One more factor to weigh in 2026. In late October, Assault Fitness's parent company, FitLab, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in Delaware, and industry newsletter Fitt Insider reported that Assault shipments had stopped. Chapter 11 is a reorganization, so the Assault brand may still be sold or restructured, but for now it is unclear who will stand behind AssaultRunner warranties long term. That is worth considering on a machine you expect to own for a decade.

Already own an AssaultRunner? Keep using it. A manual treadmill has no motor to fail. Find your proof of purchase and serial number, register the machine with Assault if you never did, and file any warranty claim for a known issue sooner rather than later.

Which Should You Buy?

Choose the Aussie Pro Runner if you want running and sled training in one machine, you train for HYROX, CrossFit, fire service or field sports, you want a wider deck, or you want a company that is shipping today.

Consider an AssaultRunner if you need a 400 lb user capacity (Elite only), you only ever plan to run, and you can confirm current availability and warranty support before you buy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best AssaultRunner alternative?

The Aussie Pro Runner is the closest like-for-like alternative: a self-powered curved treadmill at a similar price, with a wider running surface and a 7-level magnetic sled-push mode the AssaultRunner does not have.

Can the AssaultRunner do sled pushes?

No AssaultRunner model has a built-in resistance system. You can lean and drive on any curved treadmill, but without resistance the belt keeps moving and it does not load your legs like a sled. The Aussie Pro Runner's magnetic dial adds that load.

Is the Aussie Pro Runner more expensive than the AssaultRunner?

The Aussie Pro Runner is $3,195. That is less than the AssaultRunner Pro ($3,499) and Elite ($4,499), and more than the Classic ($2,799), which has a shorter parts warranty and no belt or labor coverage.

Is Assault Fitness out of business?

Not officially. Assault's parent company, FitLab, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in October 2026, which is a reorganization process. Fitt Insider reported that Assault shipments had stopped. Check current status with Assault before buying.

Is my AssaultRunner warranty still valid?

Your warranty terms have not changed on paper, but whether claims are honored depends on how the bankruptcy is resolved and whether a new owner takes over support. Keep your proof of purchase and serial number on hand.

Train on a Machine That Does More

Run, sprint, walk, push and pull on one self-powered deck. Shop the Aussie Pro Runner or compare it against more brands in our curved treadmill comparison.

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Sources: Assault Fitness AssaultRunner comparison page · Assault Fitness warranty terms · Athletech News, October 28, 2026 · Fitt Insider, October 29, 2026. Aussie Pro Runner specs from aussiefitnesspros.com. Information reviewed November 2026.