When it comes to building a home gym, space is often one of the biggest considerations. So when you choose what to buy, and what not to buy, you need to make the best decisions possible.
That’s where we can lend a hand. In this article I’ve chosen two of my favorite pieces of kit, and why they should be an essential part of your home gym.
A machine that only gets used for one kind of workout can take up valuable room without adding much variety. REP Fitness’s Strive Curved Treadmill and Strive Air Bike each offer a multitude of ways to train, and complement each other well through their respective forms of conditioning.
I have used the Strive Curved Treadmill for multiple different workouts, but my favorite has been a 15 minute sprint and sled push workout. The machine’s self powered belt and integrated resistance enables me to move between running and pushing without needing a separate sled lane. This is a huge bonus.
I see the Strive Air Bike as a useful complement because its adjustable fan resistance offers another way to work at different intensities.
Let’s jump into the details.
REP Strive Curved Treadmill
Running and Sled Work in a Single Machine
The Strive Curved Treadmill is a manual treadmill with a magnetic resistance system for sled style pushes. I power the belt by walking or running on its curved surface. Moving toward the front of the curve makes the belt accelerate, while moving back toward the center slows it down. That means I control the pace with my position and effort, instead of waiting for a motor to change the speed.
The machine has two deck positions, level and a 3 degree grade. I can use the level position for walking or running, then raise the deck for a more responsive feel during sprints and conditioning.
For sled work, a lever engages magnetic resistance across eight levels. The resistance levels are equivalent from around 25 to 550 pounds on the level deck, and 25 to 525 pounds on the raised deck. These are of course an appropriate estimate, and not a direct comparison with loading a physical sled, since the movement, surface and body position are different.
I love the dedicated push handles because they give me a stable place to grip and brace. There is also a small display close to the belt, so I can check my distance while staying in a pushing position. The main console tracks workout information including time, distance, speed, pace and estimated calories. It can also show heart rate with a compatible monitor, along with the selected deck position and estimated sled resistance.
The treadmill can also be used in reverse for backward walking. For heavier reverse drags, REP’s treadmill straps and belt squat belt are separate accessories. This also opens up the machine to a third main type of training, and makes it a perfect accessory if you train HYROX.
Research on curved non motorized treadmills found that running at a set speed required more oxygen and produced a higher heart rate than running on a flat pavement or on a generic motorized treadmill.
This is interesting because it shows how running (and pushing the sled) on a curved treadmill such as the Strive will force your body to work even harder. This is perfect for taking your results and training to the next level.
REP Strive Curved Treadmill Specifications
| Detail | Specification |
| Machine type | Self powered curved treadmill with magnetic sled resistance |
| Resistance settings | Eight levels |
| Level deck resistance equivalents | 25, 50, 75, 100, 150, 275, 445 and 550 pounds |
| Raised deck resistance equivalents | 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, 250, 400 and 525 pounds |
| Deck positions | Level or 3 degree grade |
| Dimensions | 82 inches long, 38.5 inches wide and 68 inches high to the top of the console |
| Height to top of slats | 17.7 inches |
| Running surface | 17.6 inch wide slat belt made from glass filled nylon with an antistatic overmold |
| Assembled weight | 418 pounds |
| Maximum user weight | 400 pounds |
| Minimum rear clearance | 79 inches, with the closest 35 inches treated as a critical clear zone |
| Minimum side and front clearance | 24 inches |
| Minimum ceiling height | 96 inches |
| Console | Backlit FSTN display, 5 by 8 inches |
| Console metrics | Time, distance, calories, speed, pace and heart rate with a compatible monitor; estimated sled resistance and deck position in sled mode |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth FTMS for compatible fitness apps; Bluetooth or ANT+ heart rate monitors |
| Power | Belt is self powered; console uses two D cell batteries or the included DC adapter |
| Included items | DC adapter, phone and cup holder, batteries and assembly tools |
| Additional sled accessories | Treadmill straps and belt squat belt sold separately |
| Maintenance | Sealed, pre lubricated bearings; routine lubrication is not required |
| Warranty | Five years on the frame, two years on parts and two years on the belt |
Who Is the Strive Curved Treadmill For?
I see the treadmill as a strong fit for hybrid athletes, HYROX competitors and home gym owners who want both running and sled style training. It makes the most sense as those types of athletes will use its different modes more regularly. It can also be useful if you do not have space for a long sled lane or a suitable surface for pushing a traditional sled.
The machine needs a permanent training area. It weighs 418 pounds, and it should be assembled in its final location because it will not fit through a standard doorway once assembled. I would measure the room, the route into it, the rear clearance and the ceiling height before ordering. The assembly took me around two hours, and it was much easier with two people than it would have been alone.
REP Strive Air Bike
Adjustable Resistance for Super Effective Training
The Strive Air Bike’s main difference from a traditional fan bike is its Variable Pitch Resistance system, or VPR. The rider can change the angle of the fan blades across eight settings, so the resistance level can be selected independently of pedaling speed. The bike still responds to how hard I pedal, but I can choose a lighter or heavier setting to shape the effort.
That adjustability gives the bike a broader role in a home gym. I can use a lower setting for a controlled ride, choose a middle setting for intervals or steady efforts, and use the upper levels for harder conditioning. It also makes the bike a more flexible option for a shared gym where different people may want different resistance. This is rare for an air bike, and I personally love this flexibility.
The dual stage belt drive is designed to provide a smooth ride with less noise and maintenance than a chain drive. The multi grip handles offer multiple hand positions, and the quick adjust ratcheting seat is designed to make seat changes fast, which it does effectively. These features are exceptionally practical for a home gym.
The console tracks time, distance, calories, RPM, speed and watts. It connects through Bluetooth FTMS and ANT+ for compatible devices, including heart rate monitors. There is even a backlit LCD screen with pre programmed workouts which is a great way to plug in and go.
The bike also includes a phone holder, bottle holder, foot pegs and transport wheels. All useful bonuses when I was choosing the right bike for me. I couldn’t live without the wheels, as I can easily move it around depending on the workout and where the machine needs to be.
REP Strive Air Bike Specifications
| Detail | Specification |
| Machine type | Upright air bike with Variable Pitch Resistance |
| Resistance settings | Eight manually adjustable levels |
| Drive system | Dual stage belt drive |
| Frame | 14 gauge steel tube, 2 millimeters thick, with satin metallic powder coat |
| Dimensions | 57.41 inches long, 27.23 inches wide and 53.24 inches high |
| Machine weight | 146 pounds |
| Maximum user weight | 350 pounds |
| Q factor | 8.4 inches |
| Handles | Multi grip ergonomic handles with rubber coated grips |
| Handle grip diameter | 1.375 inches |
| Seat | Quick adjust ratcheting seat |
| Console | Backlit LCD with pre programmed workouts; screen measures 3.62 by 5.9 inches |
| Metrics | Time, distance, calories, RPM, speed, watts and heart rate |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth FTMS and ANT+ |
| Power | User powered; console uses two D cell batteries or a compatible 9V 2A adapter, sold separately |
| Battery life | REP estimates approximately 300 hours of console use from the batteries |
| Included accessories | Phone holder, water bottle holder, foot pegs, magnetic fan cover, transport wheels and knurled transport handle |
| Storage | Cannot be stored vertically |
| Recommended clearance | 24 inches at the sides, front and rear |
| Maintenance | Routine lubrication is not required |
| Warranty | Five years on frame welds and two years on moving parts |
Who Does The Strive Air Bike Benefit?
In my opinion the Strive Air Bike is aimed at people who want a versatile conditioning machine rather than a bike that only feels useful for all out sprints.
Its eight settings give beginners room to start with a lighter effort, while experienced athletes can choose higher resistance for challenging intervals. The quick seat adjustment is also a huge help when your mates are round for a workout and several people use the same bike at the same time.
At 146 pounds, the bike is heavy enough, but the transport wheels help massively with repositioning. It is worth noting that the bike cannot be stored upright. It still needs a dedicated space, although its footprint is much smaller than the treadmill’s.
Why They Are The Perfect Conditioning Combo for Any Serious Home Gym
The two machines complement each other perfectly.
The treadmill gives me self powered running, sprinting and sled style pushes. The bike provides a seated option with eight adjustable resistance levels.
Together, I can hit all my cardio needs outside of the pool, only using two machines. The triple purpose function of the treadmill, in conjunction with the eight levels of adjustment on the bike, makes for a large spectrum of resistances and movements.
For me, the Strive Curved Treadmill is the slightly more specialized purchase because its sled system and running features make it most valuable to people who will use both. The Strive Air Bike is the more compact option yet also suits a wide range of cardio preferences because its resistance adjusts across eight levels.
Together they are a perfect pairing for a home gym focused on hybrid conditioning and functional training.
Key Takeaways
| Equipment | My key takeaway |
| Strive Curved Treadmill | Combines self powered running, sprinting and sled style pushing in one machine. |
| Treadmill standout | Eight resistance levels, dedicated push handles and a heads down display support sled workouts. |
| Treadmill consideration | It weighs 418 pounds, needs extensive clearance and should be assembled in its final location. |
| Strive Air Bike | Adds eight adjustable resistance settings to the familiar fan bike format. |
| Air Bike standout | Its fan blade angle can be adjusted independently of pedaling speed. |
| Air Bike consideration | It weighs 146 pounds, cannot be stored vertically and needs 24 inches of clearance around it. |
| Best paired use | The treadmill covers running and sled work, while the bike offers seated conditioning with adjustable resistance. |
References
- Edwards, R.B., Tofari, P.J., Cormack, S.J. and Whyte, D.G. (2017) ‘Non-motorized treadmill running is associated with higher cardiometabolic demands compared with overground and motorized treadmill running’, Frontiers in Physiology, 8, article 914.
- REP Fitness (2026) Strive™ Curved Treadmill: product specifications, warranty and pricing. Accessed 13 October 2026.
- REP Fitness (2026) Strive™ Air Bike featuring VPR™: product specifications, warranty and pricing. Accessed 13 October 2026.
- World Health Organization (2020) WHO guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour. Geneva: World Health Organization.
- Yovan, Z. (2026) ‘Run, sprint, push, progress: Strive™ Curved Treadmill full review’, BOXROX, 7 October.
- ‘15 Minute Sprint + Sled Push Workout / REP Strive™ Curved Treadmill’ (n.d.) YouTube video. Accessed 13 October 2026.
