Domyos Run 100 Review - We Test Decathlon's Compact Treadmill

We take Decathlon’s compact ‘Run100E’ compact running machine for a spin and come away impressed….

What we like: Affordable; Great Decathlon warranty; Compact

What we don’t like: Lack of automatic incline adjustment

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Whether you have limited apartment space or want to establish your own mini gym, a good-quality treadmill is an excellent choice for upping your calorie burn. While we’re not fans of the sustained impact which running can have on your knee joints, there’s no doubt that treadmills can improve your heart and respiration efficiency. It’s also true that proper running shoes can also help greatly with knee damage and shin splint issues.

The Domyos Compact Treadmill Run100E is a readily available running machine from the Decathlon range of hyperstores in the UK and Europe. Domyos is one of Decathlon’s ‘sub-brands’ and is a little like Quechua for their camping gear. Decathlon consistently offer decent warranties on their gear, and we have always had good customer service whenever we have needed to return items to the store.

The Run 100E treadmill is undoubtedly at the budget end of the scale (around £499 at the time of writing), but can it deliver decent performance? What features do they scrimp on in order to meet their profit margin? Let’s check out what it has to offer…..

Design and Layout

There’s a reason why the Domyos Run 100E has over 2000 happy customers listed on the Decathlon website – it’s immediately obvious that it offers excellent materials and build quality at an affordable price.

In addition, the compact and foldable design adds a definite selling point if you’re not able to dedicate a space in your house for a permanent setup – it will simply fold up and can then be hidden under a bed or in a cupboard for example.

Whether you leave it horizontally or vertically, the item doesn’t take up much storage space. Later, you can quickly reposition it to start your exercise sessions. This mobility doesn’t impair its functionality in any way though – this is a cracking bit of kit with a host of features.

Key Specifications

We’ve listed below the main dimensions and specifications of the Run100E. It can be seen that in the folded position the height of the unit drops by almost 3x, making it easy to pack away.

Frame material: 100% steel
Dimensions (LxWxH): 156 x 76 x 115 cm(Open) 152 x 76 x 38 cm(Folded)
Running deck: 45 cm wide
Weight of treadmill: 46 kg
Max weight of runner: 285 lbs / 129 kg
Motor power: 932W

Assembly is not too tricky for one person, even though the instructions recommend getting someone to help. It’s a fairly heavy device at 46kg but should be possible to get it set up in under 30 minutes without too many problems.

We would certainly recommend also buying a gym floor mat to place underneath the treadmill. Not only will this protect your floor (trust us on this!), but it should also stop the treadmill creeping forward which can be possible on smooth surfaces.

Build

The Domyos treadmill has an ergonomic design which looks quite futuristic and appealing. The main running track is reasonably short at 156cm long, and from one end, the main control unit and arm rests extend up to about waist height. This provides good visibility and control of the treadmill.

As for durability, the 100% steel frame ensures solidity and reliability – we don’t expect this thing to collapse under a heavy foot pounding.

In Use – Running Comfort

For comfort whilst running, the treadmill uses a proprietary cushioning system involving four elastomer pads which are located between the running deck and the steel frame below. Elastomer is a rubber-like polymer with elastic properties (i.e. it will return to its original shape after deforming). This creates good energy transfer and helps you maintain a dynamic stride. Hence, the workout can be maintained even at higher speeds and various incline settings. You will also find four elastomer pads for generous shock absorption. With them, your knees and joints won’t feel constant pressure.

The elastomer pads feel incredibly soft and smooth under your feet. As a result, you’ll be able to complete some epic-length sessions. During that, you’ll notice how fatigue takes second place as you gain stamina. Also, the running deck allows for an excellent grip, thanks to its rubber finish. So, you will never risk slipping or falling, even at top speed.

Speaking of top speed, Domyos have limited this to 14 kph or 8.7 mph. This may not seem the highest if you’re a sub-3hr marathon runner, but in most situations it’s fairly ample in our opinion, especially if you’re new to running (or are just trying to get out of a date!). The treadmill motor is rated at 932 watts power consumption – about half the juice of a kettle, so not excessive.

In other areas, comfort is well catered for too – for example, the armrests on the treadmill feature a cushioned material on the frame too, so you can rest your arms to stead yourself or when walking. This should help unnecessary injuries from falling or slipping over.

Finally, the treadmill comes with a built-in tablet holder to keep your mind occupied while working out – the perils of modern life!

Manual Incline

The Domyos treadmill features a manual incline function. In practice, this allows you to customize your workout regimen by replicating the same kind of uphill gradients you might encounter in the real world – this can work the glutes and hamstrings more.

We liked this feature, but it’s certainly not quite as flexible as the more expensive treadmills with button-operated incline adjustment – for example, check out our review of the mid-range Domyos T540C. The Domyos simply uses some little feet on one end of the treadmill underside to adjust the gradient. Simple but you have to get off the treadmill to adjust it.

If self-guided exercises don’t work out for you, you can opt for the built-in coaching programs. For this, the treadmill packs a wide selection of 30 programs to choose from. There are three main categories for these: calorie burn (great for weight loss), endurance (building up stamina) and training (interval sprinting etc).

Console Design

The console unit is located directly in front of you when you are running or walking and is fitted with a backlit LCD screen. Thanks to this clever positioning, you can use the treadmill at any time, even at night. Plus, it keeps track of time, distance, speed, pace, calories, and heart rate. That way, a single glance allows you to measure your progress.

Furthermore, the interface features seven shortcut buttons for manually adjusting the speed – these are all touch controls which is an unexpected feature at this price point. You can even connect a remote control if required although I don’t really see the point of this – you have to pay for it separately, and it’s not as if you’re going to be operating this from afar!

Noise Levels

The Domyos treadmill is amongst the quietest home gym treadmills which we’ve tested on the UK market. Even at max speed, the noise levels will not surpass 66dB which is surprisingly quiet. In effect it’s practically noiseless, and the overall noise level is determined by how heavy your running footfall is. I’m a stomper and so people in an adjacent room could still hear me quite loudly – something to bear in mind.

Final Verdict

Home gym equipment ownership is rocketing and most people are after a cardio flagship to use. We believe the Domyos Run100E compact treadmill cuts a lot of the hassle out of staying in shape. So, instead of a gym membership card, we can opt for a one-time investment which will hold its value fairly well. We can then devote all the time we need to running within the comfort of our home.

For this purpose, the Domyos Compact Treadmill Run 100E is a perfect product. It’s small, foldable, and entirely eco-friendly. Plus, it doesn’t trade-off its looks and versatility for functionality. It houses a plethora of effective workout regimes and options. With it, one can steadily advance, even from a beginner level.

Finally, it’s an affordable and cost-effective treadmill. The minimal power consumption makes it attractive for every household. As a result, one can make a healthy habit of working out often, all for a low cost. It’s a sustainable way to stay healthy or achieve some advanced fitness goals.