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Step right up and get moving–the TrueForm Trainer Curved Treadmill starts as soon as you do. Continue reading this review of the TrueForm Trainer Treadmill to learn more about this manual slat-belt running machine.
Updated: March 1, 2024
Most manual treadmills have steep curves to help you accelerate the belt with the assistance of gravity. The TrueForm Trainer has the least steep curvature, so you don’t have to constantly feel like you are running uphill to keep the belt moving. With no electricity, simple target programs, and a no-frills console, the TrueForm Trainer is as easy as running out your door. Discover the benefits of the low curve and who can benefit from it in this review of the TrueForm Trainer Treadmill.
The frame is steel. The outer frame is formed with 2” steel tubing while the inner frame is 7 gauge, formed and welded steel. The Trainer is the lighter-weight counterpart of the TrueForm Runner Treadmill. It achieves this reduced weight with plastic rather than steel covers. I did not mind these plastic components, as I thought the treadmill was still very sturdy overall. The foot rails were textured and more slip-resistant than the TrueForm Runner Treadmill.
There is no motor, as the TrueForm Trainer is a manual treadmill. You power this treadmill, making its limitations yours!
The belt is 17” x 54”, which is a much smaller surface than what is found on motorized treadmills. I would not directly compare the two, because the small dimensions do not feel the same as they would on a motorized treadmill. I never felt like I was running out of length, but sometimes I felt like I was running out of the curve. The higher you position yourself on the treadmill, the faster you can accelerate the belt. As a smaller runner, I had some trouble getting the belt to go faster, so I moved very close to the top of the belt.
The running surface is made of molded thermoplastic elaastimer, which sounds like TrueForm’s own blend of TPE. TPE is a soft and thermally resistant material. It makes the belt soft enough for your heaviest impacts.
If you are an experienced barefoot walker or runner, it makes a great option for barefoot activities. I like to kick my shoes off occasionally, and I was happy with my experience on the TrueForm Trainer. I could feel the belt slats closing when my bare foot landed high on the curve. It didn’t hurt, but it could bother some barefoot runners.
The TrueForm Trainer does not fold. It requires a dedicated space in your home. It does have transportation wheels, but I would not recommend moving it regularly. Some users may need assistance to move this treadmill. It weighs 300 lbs and is not as wieldy as a barbell. TrueForm states they have moved Trainers all over the place, including up a mountain. This is not going to reflect the abilities of most in-home users.
The TrueForm Trainer Treadmill does not incline or decline. The subtle curve does feel like a slight incline. I calculated the Trainer’s average incline to be under 2%. This curve is the most subtle of any manual treadmill on the market.
The TrueForm Trainer Manual Treadmill has very minimal features. It keeps you dialed into your workout, so you can concentrate on keeping good form and maintaining your speed. With fewer safety precautions than motorized treadmills, manual treadmills require you to put distractions away. The simplified approach also keeps the console from needing electricity; instead, it relies on battery power.
The console is battery-powered and activates as you start running on the treadmill. A few simple metrics are displayed in the digital windows–pace, speed, distance, time, and heart rate. The heart rate function will only work using a compatible monitor.
The buttons allow you to set a training target based on the displayed metrics. For instance, pressing ‘Mode’ will flash the time and distance windows until you land on the one you want. Then, you can use the arrows to increase or decrease the automatic settings. ‘Set’ selects the mode you have created. ‘Reset’ clears the current metric numbers in the 5 windows.
There are no storage compartments, which is the only feature I thought the Trainer needed to be fully functional. I didn’t miss having a fan, screen, or tablet rack, but I wanted to keep water nearby. This treadmill is a beast, so staying hydrated during activity is essential.
If there is anything I have learned from using manual treadmills, it is that not all manual treadmills are treadmills I want or can do long, steady runs on. Fortunately, the TrueForm Trainer is a manual treadmill that I can do both steady runs and short intervals. If you are a distance runner searching for a manual treadmill, the TrueForm Trainer could work for you.
I was not able to run at my normal aerobic pace. My longer runs were much slower, and my heart rate was much higher, but this is to be expected as running on manual treadmills is harder than outdoor or motorized treadmill running. For instance, TrueForm states that running on the Trainer burns 33% more calories than other types of running. My experience indicates that this translates to a proportional decrease in running pace to keep the same intensity.
The belt is very soft underfoot. I almost felt like there was a little too much give in the belt. I wanted more spring, but this treadmill isn’t about making things easy. It is about being tough and reaching for your mileage or time goal. The softness also suited running barefoot quite well. I could feel the slats moving closer together, but it didn’t pinch. Barefoot running felt easier on this treadmill than running in shoes did. Barefoot running leads to similar biomechanical changes that the TrueForm Trainer purports to impact, so I think this could explain why barefoot running felt easier to me. Both should decrease step and stride length but increase stride frequency.
Contrary to popular belief, there is no one type of running form that is the ‘best.’ The running form that is best for you, is the one that keeps you injury free and running. The majority of runners, including elites, land on their heels. This rearfoot strike pattern has been stigmatized in the running community, but it doesn’t need to be so. Whether you midfoot/forefoot strike or heel strike, there are benefits and drawbacks to both. I have been running with a midfoot strike for over a decade, but every now and then, my Achilles tendon feels absolutely atrocious. My solution is to switch to a heel strike, and it works like a charm almost every time. The TrueForm Trainer may help you alter your running form, but it is up to you if this method is beneficial. Consult a coach or trainer for more personalized advice.
As a trail runner, I meet hills that make me take a deep breath and accept that it will be hard. I approached the TrueForm Trainer with the same mindset. As I watched those numbers tick down toward the target I set for myself, I honed in on my running and scraped the bottom of the barrel to reach it. This is not a treadmill I could do an easy run on, as any running speed was hard.
Compared to other manual treadmills, I was unable to reach my normal outdoor sprinting speed. Thus, I did not need to jump on and off the deck using the handles and foot rails for support. Decelerating the belt was a lot easier than on the AssaultRunner, mostly because I had to work harder to keep the Trainer’s belt going. As a result, the Trainer felt safer to use but a little frustrating because I could not hit my usual training paces.
The TrueForm Trainer has limited training options programmed into the console, but that does not mean that your options for training are restricted. With unlimited speed capabilities, you can go as fast or slow as you can. The simple console has target modes. You can set time or distance goals.
The TrueForm Trainer is a great treadmill for working on your running form or thinking outside the box for workout ideas. If you are following a training plan, the Trainer is a lot more freeform than motorized treadmills, so you don’t have to worry about hitting buttons to run your next interval. I recommend this treadmill more for intensity- or effort-based training programs. If your training is based on pace, you might need to lower your expectations for the runs you complete on the Trainer.
The TrueForm Trainer Treadmill is perfect for someone who likes a challenge. It’s just easy enough for you to keep going, but oh, will your legs burn! The simple console makes reaching your goals focused and fun. I love trying to see how fast I can get the speed to read. This treadmill takes running to the next level with 33% more calories burned. It is a great pick for anyone training for performance or mental and physical toughness. Try the manual treadmill with the lowest curvature for a less steep and more natural run.
