DeerRun A1 Pro Treadmill Review | Compact and Budget-Friendly!

Dimensions/Storability

Size is one of the DeerRun A1 Pro’s best strengths. It’s tiny as far as running treadmills go and weighs only 86 lbs. We constantly have new equipment coming into the TRG studio, so the DeerRun A1 Pro has been moved around a lot, and it’s no hassle to do so. I can lift it and roll it quickly and easily.

For easier rolling, you can disconnect the power cord to avoid rolling over it.

When unfolded, the A1 Pro is 54.1” x 24.1” x 42.3”. When folded, the treadmill shrinks to just 8” tall. It’s pretty easy to fold down. Once you have it folded, you can also store it upright, which gives you a lot more options for storing it. Unlike some of the other folding treadmills I’ve tested (the Echelon Stride-6s), the A1 Pro is not too difficult to lift upright.

Storing the DeerRun A1 Pro upright helps save space.

Unfortunately, the folding mechanism for the A1 Pro is not great, to put it lightly. Folding and unfolding the uprights requires an Allen wrench, so it’s a tedious process. If you want to fold and unfold the treadmill with every workout, it will become tedious fast.

There’s a bolt on each side of the treadmill that has to be adjusted each time you fold or unfold the treadmill.

Because the A1 Pro Treadmill is so compact, you don’t have to worry too much about your ceiling height. It has a step-up height of only 4.5”. We typically recommend an additional 6” of room to accommodate any vertical motion from running and give you a decent buffer from hitting your head.

Onboard Workouts & Apps

The DeerRun A1 Pro does not have onboard programs, but you can expand your training options by connecting with the PitPat app. Without connecting to the app, you can just train in manual mode.

PitPat App

You can download the PitPat app for free on Android and Apple devices. There is a paid version, which costs $99/year or $9/month.

The PitPat app is optional for the DeerRun A1 Pro Treadmill.

With the PitPat app, you can follow workout programs, track your workouts, and compete in races and events. Some of the races and events require you to pay to participate for the opportunity to win money and prizes.

You can bet and earn money in the PitPat app if that helps you stay motivated.

PitPat takes a gamified approach to fitness. You get an avatar that you can customize and upgrade with accessories. You have to use the points you earn from using the app to buy the premium accessories.

In the app, you will find the categories of training camp, target workout, free workout, club, match ranking, and lucky dash. These options offer a range of preset workouts, competitions against other PitPat users, and custom workout options.

The PitPat app can match you with other PitPat users for fun competitions.

The events tab is where you will find monthly, seasonal, annual events, and more. You can choose a team to compete for.

The app has quite a few features, but you do have to allow a bunch of permissions to use them. DeerRun told me that this is to verify that real people are accessing the app, but if you are concerned about your data privacy, you may not feel comfortable sharing enabling these permissions.

PitPat is not essential to the DeerRun A1 Pro. You can use the treadmill without ever connecting to the app if you want. However, for some walkers and runners, it can be a nice addition to your training regiment that makes getting on the A1 Pro even more fun.

Console

The console isn’t very tall but has all your essentials for your treadmill workout.

A simplistic console is all the A1 Pro needs, so I have no complaints about the bright digital display it has. You can see your metrics: time, distance, calories, and speed.

Jump from a walk to a jog at the press of a button on the console.

There are a few buttons on the console to start and stop the treadmill. There are also quick-adjust buttons for 3 and 6 mph. You can also increase the speed up or down. If you hold the buttons, the speed will adjust faster. They are quite sensitive, so be mindful. The speed won’t adjust instantaneously, giving you plenty of time to right the treadmill if you overadjust it.

You can rest a phone on the rack, but it isn’t quite large or stable enough for a larger device.

The console has two cup holders. These can hold a small water bottle or other small items. You can also store your phone or tablet on the provided rack. It’s on the smaller side, and the console does shake some, so I recommend using it for smaller devices.

Though the DeerRun A1 Pro is fairly simple, it does everything it needs to. The cost stays low, and the treadmill features meet my expectations.

Check Best Price

Build Quality

The DeerRun A1 Pro Treadmill is a small and affordable machine.

For a budget treadmill, the DeerRun A1 Pro is built well. It has limitations due to its compact size, but it supports both running and walking well. It boasts a 350-lb weight capacity, but I will admit that this treadmill is better for petite users.

Frame

The A1 Pro comes in a variety of colors. Ours is red, but the same treadmill is also available in light blue and silver. There is also a version with a tabletop that comes in pink/grey, orange, and blue.

I like the A1 Pro for fitness use more than a walking pad because you don’t have to use it with a standing treadmill for support. The foldable uprights and handles are sturdier than I expected. I don’t recommend putting your full weight on them, but they work just fine for steadying yourself and centering you on the treadmill deck.

The handles fold up for storage but feel reasonably stable when unfolded.

The footrails are fairly spacious for a treadmill of this size. I felt comfortable standing on the rails when necessary. The low height of the deck also makes it easy to just step up and down from the floor.

The DeerRun A1 Pro sits low to the floor, so you can step off the treadmill easily if the textured footrails aren’t quite wide enough for you.

Motor

When choosing a treadmill for running, you should look for a powerful motor. We like to see a 3.0 HP motor or better for a running treadmill. The A1 Pro has just that. However, horsepower does not tell the full story of a treadmill motor. After testing this treadmill, I think it is best for mostly walking and light running.

I was surprised that the A1 Pro goes all the way up to 10 mph and felt more comfortable at 7 mph or less.

It takes the A1 Pro a little longer to get up to speed. I clocked it at 32 seconds from 0.6 mph to 10 mph. Part of the reason why it takes longer is because there is no quick-adjust button to 10 mph.

As for noise level, the DeerRun A1 Pro ranges from about 49.5 dB to 65 dB, making it slightly louder than more expensive treadmills. For reference, the treadmill compares to the noise of a dishwasher when it is set to 10 mph (its loudest).

The version of the A1 Pro that we have (without the tabletop attachment) has a 10 mph maximum speed. The tabletop version is limited to just 7.5 mph. I actually think 7.5 mph is a better speed limit because of the deck size.

You can set the incline flat or to about 6%.

As for the incline, it is manual. You can adjust the treadmill from flat to 6% incline, though I measured it to be 5% on our model. You won’t be able to adjust the treadmill incline while training. You must lift the treadmill up to access the incline frame under the deck.

You must manually secure the incline with the treadmill off, so you can’t do hill intervals.

Deck

At only 16.5” x 44”, the DeerRun A1 Pro is not ideal for fast running. It may also be challenging for some walkers and runners to manage their balance because of how narrow it is. As long as I kept my stride short and maintained my awareness of my positioning on the treadmill deck, I did just fine. I felt a little concerned about tackling the top speed, though, and typically kept it to 7.5 mph or less.

Considering that the deck is pretty small, I advise most runners to be cautious when increasing their speed.

The deck is also a little thin, measuring 0.5”. Most fitness treadmills are 0.75” to 1” thick. A thinner deck could be more prone to cracking with high-intensity use. Stick to walking and shorter and lower-intensity bouts of running, and you should be fine.

The DeerRun A1 Pro is best for walking.

I like the underfoot feel of the A1 Pro. It’s not too soft or too firm, so I would consider it moderately cushioned. There’s not a lot of room for better shock absorbers on a compact machine like this, so I think it feels just fine as is. It provides a nice break from road running or walking on the sidewalk.

Warranty

The warranty is only one year. This length is well below the industry standard for a cardio machine, but it isn’t unexpected for a product at this price point. The DeerRun A1 Pro could make a good starter treadmill, but it’s not ideal for heavy, daily use.

To keep your treadmill working as long as possible, keep up with the recommended maintenance. You should lubricate the treadmill every six months or after 100 hours of use. Follow the instructions in the user manual to lubricate the deck properly and only use the recommended lubricant.

Other maintenance includes regularly cleaning around the treadmill deck, inspecting the treadmill for damage, and adjusting the treadmill belt if it moves from its centered position.

Should You Buy the DeerRun A1 Pro Treadmill

The DeerRun A1 Pro Treadmill is ideal for the runner on a tight budget and with little space to spare. It is perfect for the walker who needs a little more power and stability than the average walking pad can provide. The A1 Pro impressed us with its 3.0 HP motor, generous speed range, and compact folding design.

While you can use the A1 Pro as is, you can also unlock more training features with the PitPat app. There are free and premium options within the app. It takes a gamified approach to fitness, using monetary and fun incentives to keep you exercising.

Yet, the top reason I recommend this treadmill is for its flat folding design and ability to be stored upright. At under 100 lbs, this treadmill is easy to move and fold. The DeerRun A1 Pro Treadmill makes running possible where it wasn’t before.

Check Best Price

DeerRun A1 Pro Treadmill Q&A / FAQ

Are DeerRun treadmills any good?

The DeerRun A1 Pro is a nice budget-friendly treadmill under $500. While it is not suited to long-distance running, it works well for shorter runs and walking. It has a 3 HP motor and a compact folding frame. The treadmill belt is a little small, so it may not be ideal for taller users and anyone with a wider step width.

Are foldable treadmills worth it?

Foldable treadmills are great for homes that do not have the space for a larger fitness treadmill. They still support walking and running. The only downside to the folding mechanism is that it is another wear part that could break over time.

Can you run on a DeerRun treadmill?

You can run on the DeerRun A1 Pro. It has a maximum speed of 10 mph. The deck is small, so be careful of your stride length and positioning on the running deck.

What is the maximum speed on the DeerRun A1 Pro Treadmill?

The DeerRun A1 Pro Treadmill has a maximum speed of 10 mph. The A1 Pro with the tabletop has a maximum speed of 7.5 mph.

Check Best Price