Following on from my experiences taking part in Precision Running with David Siik, I was tasked again in finding out about revolutionary ways to enjoy the sometimes-maligned treadmill experience in the form of the ‘Zone Dome’ at Chelsea Health Club.

 

Running Unlimited - ZONE dome 2

 

We’re at that time of the year in which frosty and cold conditions start to put us off our normal running routine. Some runners, like myself, aren’t too worried about the cold and in many ways prefer it to a warm, sunny day.

But it never hurts to try something different, and Running Unlimited’s Zone Dome is certainly that. In the attempt to help runners “get lost in the experience,” a huge circular screen – like an oversized satellite – creates a virtual path to run in.

A prototype version of the Zone Dome was released in spring 2013 and since has gone under major redevelopment. The screen has been reduced from 1.5m to just under a metre wide and features a 3D carousel menu, speed and incline intetration and full automation. It held my attention – which is a massive positive as sometimes treadmills can make me look in all directions, lead to tripping or falling.

Those virtual paths I mentioned earlier include a sunny beach (particularly nice for this time of year), a blissful park run, a mountainous trek and many others. I selected the sunny beach option and it was actually quite an eye-opening experience.

I found that as the waves started coming in from my right, in an instinctive reaction I wondered off slightly to the left to try and avoid getting wet. “Well that’s just stupid”, you might day and, yes, you’re probably right. But you just wait until you experience a Zone Dome; the virtual qualities are that good it really is like you’re there.

There are little things that made my run just that slightly more realistic. For example, on my beach run children were flying a kite and man was taking his dog for a walk; the things that we subconsciously look at while running outdoors are replicated in the experience and this helps massively.

The treadmill design is quite eye-catching so it’s easy to see them being popular in a gym. This factor has led to Running Unlimited creating a ‘peak-time treadmill management’ mode that allows runs of only 20 minutes or less at busy periods.

CEO of Running Unlimited, Kevin Hewitt said: “We‘re delighted with the all-new Zone dome and, with orders already secured, we are confident that it will take the immersive experience even further. Of course, we’re not content to simply transform the indoor running market so look out for additional products from Running Unlimited before Christmas.”

It may seem a little disorientating at first (that was definitely the case with me) but given time you will get used to it and settle into your run. They are becoming very popular – 87% of people said they’d use the Zone Domes almost every gym visit, and 91% recommended their Zone Dome experience to others – so look out for a Zone Dome in your gym soon.

For more information visit www.runningunlimited.co.uk and www.chelseahealthclub.com on the Zone Dome and other features.