Designed by Australians Steve Cranitach, a serial entrepreneur, and Dr. Henry Thomas, a bicycle designer, Run4 is a non-impact running trainer that matches the feeling and intensity of running. Not only is it practical and smartly designed, but will allow avid runners to keep going without the risk of injuries, that might rise with age.
It looks like a seat-less bicycle and was designed to replicate the motion of running, minus the “hard landing” at the bottom of every step. Run4 might look similar to the already existing elliptical trainers, but its creators claim there’s a key difference. “The existing cross trainers were all elliptical in nature or step machines. None captured the motion a runner’s leg makes when they move,” they explain.
They claim Run4 allows the rider/jogger to use the same muscles that they would when running on the ground, while still protecting their legs from over-exertion. Moreover, it also adds a bit of lift at the “toe-off” of every step and it offers the option of increasing or decreasing resistance by shifting it into higher or lower gears.
Built using a foldable aluminum frame, it weighs 18 lbs (8 kg) and comes with features such as dual mechanical disc brakes and an 8-speed rear hub transmission. The project is currently raising development money on Kickstarter and the initial goal was already reached, which means we’re most likely going to see the device soon on the market. It’s not 100% sure, but the planned regular price is $1,490 Australian dollars ($1,250).
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