TrueForm Runner Review 2024: An Athlete’s Dream Treadmill?

Dimensions/Storability

With its insanely durable construction and heavy weight, the Runner is hard to move, as you might have guessed.

I recommend getting into a sumo-squat position when lifting up the back end of this bad boy. He’s heavy.

I wish it had a singular bar at the back to grab when lifting it. Instead, there is a handle built under each side rail. The Runner is possible to move, but it’s really best to keep it in a designated space. Also, with its weight, it isn’t appropriate for use on upper-level floors.

The TrueForm Runner Treadmill measures 64” long by 36” wide by 63” high, and its step-up height is 11”. To train comfortably, a 6” tall runner will need at least an 8” ceiling. For more information on ceiling heights for treadmills, check out our blog post on the minimum ceiling height.

It has front transportation wheels and two rear handles for when you need to move it.

Onboard Workouts & Apps

The TrueForm runner is a simple, low-tech treadmill. Unlike many motorized treadmills, it doesn’t come with a touchscreen or training app. Here is what the console is all about.

Console

Like other manual treadmills, the TrueForm Runner has a simple battery-powered console. This means that the Runner doesn’t require being placed near an outlet to use. The console is a bright white LED display that uses a rechargeable battery. It comes with a cord to charge the console.

Overall, the console is easy to see and read.

However, in terms of functionality and metrics tracking, it is more basic than other manual treadmills. It only tracks your pace, speed, distance, and time. Metrics like calories, heart rate, and watts aren’t calculated on the screen like they are on other non-motorized treadmills.

There aren’t any onboard workouts available, either. You also can’t create your own intervals and set time and distance goals on this console like you can on the TrueForm Trainer.

There is an on and off button behind the console to turn it on and off. This helps to avoid draining the battery. On the other side is a reset button to clear your metrics when you want to start a new workout fresh.

As far as storage, there isn’t any on the console.

We wish there was a place to put your water bottle, but unfortunately, you’ll need to set that on the floor or a shelf near the treadmill. There’s also no place for your phone, but I think this helps to eliminate any distractions while using the Runner. Since this isn’t a good treadmill to zone out on, I’m okay with the lack of a device rack.

The console doesn’t connect to outside apps like the AssaultRunners or heart rate monitors. While it is simple and easy to use, it could use some improvements, such as more metrics tracking, training options, and connectivity.

TrueForm consoles are pretty accurate, with a +/-5% accuracy rate.

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Related: Find out the Benefits of Running Barefoot on the Treadmill

Build Quality

I’m going to start out by saying that the construction of the TrueForm Runner is impressive. There are heavy-duty treadmills, and then there’s the Runner.

It takes being overbuilt to another level with its extremely durable design.

This is a premium manual treadmill, so it’s a splurge, but it’s well worth it if you’re looking for a practically indestructible motorless treadmill. The Runner is also proven to be durable by its popularity in commercial gyms and homes and previous use in CrossFit competitions.

Starting with the weight capacity, the TrueForm Runner can handle up to 700 lbs of user weight when walking and 450 lbs when running. These aren’t typos. Once you learn more about the construction, you’ll understand why this treadmill is so powerful.

Frame

You’ll see the difference between the Runner and other manual treadmills all the way down to the frame. Like its more affordable alternative, the TrueForm Trainer, the Runner has a formed and welded seven-gauge steel inner frame.

The Runner also has the same steel on the outer frame and cover that fits over the frame and makes up the side rails of the deck.

It’s with these additional steel components that the Runner sets itself apart.

Other manual treadmills, like the Trainer and AssaultRunner Elite, are lighter and have fewer steel components besides the frame. The TrueForm Runner weighs 350 lbs, so it’s heavy and overbuilt.

The steel uprights connect to the steel frame. The handles are steel tubing. They’re simple but provide balance when needed. The steel is also powder-coated to protect against corrosion.

The coating gives the handles some texture, too, so they don’t feel slippery.

MotorLess

The TrueForm Runner is a manual treadmill, which means that it doesn’t have a motor. The motorless design allows runners to run as fast as they want. The belt won’t reach a maximum speed because it is controlled with your feet rather than propelled with a motor. You set the pace of the belt, and therefore, the Runner will allow you to run as fast as you can.

You can also run as long and as often as you want on the Runner because it doesn’t have a motor.

Motorized treadmills require a lot of maintenance to the motor and the belt. Non-motorized treadmills require little to no maintenance because they don’t have motors, and the belts don’t require lubrication or adjusting. So, the TrueForm Runner is a great option if you’re looking for a low-maintenance treadmill that can handle a lot of use.

Instead of hearing sounds from the motor, the only noise that the Runner generates is from the sound of the belt moving under your feet. It isn’t the quietest noise, but it’s pretty on par with other manual treadmills. You can hear the thuds as your feet hit the deck, too, but it isn’t excessively loud. The TrueForm Runner falls right between the AssaultRunner Pro and the Bells of Steel Blitz Manual Treadmill, but they are all quite similar in noise level.

The TrueForm Runner was 50 dB at 3 miles per hour and 64 dB at 9 miles per hour. The noise level did not depend on the runner’s foot strike (midfoot or heel), weight, or height. Measurements with two different runners were the same, but results could vary slightly for other users.

Related: Pros and Cons of Using a Manual vs Electric Treadmill

Deck

The deck is what sets the Runner apart from flat-motorized treadmills and other curved manual treadmills. At the time of writing this review, treadmills from TrueForm have the shallowest curved decks of all manual treadmills on the market. Why is this important? The minimal angle of the curve has been proven to encourage proper running form and mechanics.

Compared to other manual treadmills, this curve is very minimal.

The TrueForm Runner specifically was involved in a study that found it can efficiently help promote better balance, posture, stride length, and foot strike while running. So, if you’re looking to improve these aspects, the Runner is a great investment. After all, it’s important to run in a healthy position for your body to help prevent injuries.

Aside from running with better form, the deck is also customizable. The slat belt can be purchased with the standard rubber coating (which is on the model we have), artificial turf, or a rubberized running track that comes in red or blue. The frame is also available to buy in different colors to coordinate with the belt and your gym.

The artificial turf is great for warming up and training for sports like football, soccer, and field hockey. This means athletes can run in their cleats to better train for games. The turf can also be used to run barefoot.

The track belt does the same thing for track athletes. It allows runners to train off the track by wearing running shoes or track spikes. Both options mean athletes don’t need to change shoes while running on a treadmill. Having this customization is immensely beneficial for sports teams, facilities, and commercial gyms.

The standard rubber slat belt is great for most people.

Since our Runner has the standard rubber slat belt, I’m only going to talk about how the cushioning feels underfoot. For cushioning, the belt feels very similar to other manual treadmills, such as the AssaultRunners and the Bells Of Steel Manual Treadmill.

The rubber coating on the belt is designed to absorb the impact from each footfall. This helps to prevent discomfort and can serve as a “spring in your step” that you don’t get from road running outside. It gives you that extra spring without feeling bouncy because it still feels firm underfoot.

The belt also feels smooth when moving because of the 106 sealed steel ball bearings and pulleys that pull it in a singular direction. To train in reverse, you’ll need to face the rear of the treadmill.

Should You Buy The TrueForm Runner Treadmill

If you’re looking for a practically indestructible treadmill, then the TrueForm Runner is it. This non-motorized treadmill requires little to no maintenance and lets you run for as long and as fast as you want.

It can take some getting used to if you haven’t used a manual treadmill before, but once you get running on it, you’ll reap a lot of benefits that you don’t get on other treadmills, both non-motorized and motorized. The shallow curved deck and rubber slat belt serve as a way to improve running mechanics.

Running with proper form is a great way to reduce injury, so the TrueForm Runner is an excellent treadmill for runners, athletes, and fitness enthusiasts of different levels. Depending on your activity and sport, you can customize the belt to include turf or a rubberized running track to train more efficiently on a treadmill.

Although the TrueForm Runner Treadmill is a splurge, it’s absolutely worth it if you want an insanely high-quality machine that will last and challenge you every step of the way.

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TrueForm Runner Treadmill Q&A / FAQ

Are TrueForm treadmills worth it?

The TrueForm Runner and Trainer could be worth it, depending on your training preferences and workout space. These treadmills have quality builds, do not require electricity, and have unlimited speed capabilities. The Runner is a commercial-grade manual treadmill that supports heavy daily use. It comes in a multitude of colors and a few different belt textures.

What is the difference between the TrueForm Trainer and TrueForm Runner?

The TrueForm Runner is a commercial-grade manual treadmill. While the Trainer is still a high-quality treadmill, it is a better option for residential use and lower-use settings. The Runner comes in different colors and has multiple belt options. The TrueForm Trainer has a shallower curve for the most natural running feel.

Related: TrueForm Treadmill Showdown: Key Differences Between the Runner & Trainer

How does the TrueForm Runner work?

The TrueForm Runner is a manual treadmill with a slat belt. The deck is curved. When you step higher on the curve, the downward force of your foot and your weight pull the belt down. When you move to the middle of the belt, the horizontal force created by your foot pushing forward against the belt drives it underneath you.

If you move farther back, the treadmill’s rear curve will cause you to slow down as you pull the belt down that curve. The faster your run (the more force you generate), the faster the belt moves under you. You are the motor!

Is your TrueForm Runner treadmill review a paid review?

Our TrueForm Runner treadmill review is not a paid review. Like other brands we work with, we typically receive the product for free in exchange for the review. We then make money by using affiliate links in our reviews and on our website. These links pay us a commission when you use them to make your purchase.

However, we keep our reviews honest and as unbiased as possible for two reasons. First, we work with most major home fitness brands, so we want to represent them all accurately rather than playing favorites.

Second, we want to help you outfit your entire home gym. By helping you choose the right treadmill for your circumstances rather than tricking you into one with a paid positive review, we build what we hope is a mutually beneficial and lasting partnership between ourselves and our audience.

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