TrueForm Trainer vs. TrueForm Runner | Save Money or Go Big?

Dimensions/Storability

For your home, it’s important to consider having a space for either treadmill you choose. The Trainer weighs around 300 lbs, while the Runner weighs 350 lbs, so neither is light or easy to move. There are rear handles at the back of the deck and front wheels under the front of the deck, but lifting them is tough.

The TrueForm Trainer’s dimensions are 64″ L x 31″ W x 63″ H, while the Runner’s are 64″ L x 36″ W x 63″ H. The Runner has a taller step-up height at 14″ compared to 11″ for the Trainer. If you are worried about your ceiling height, the Trainer would be the better choice. Both treadmills should work for most users with ceiling heights of 8′ or more.

It’s always best to try to lift using your lower body rather than your back.

I don’t recommend having to move either of them too often. Because of their size and weight, neither is appropriate for use on an upper floor.

Onboard Workouts & Apps

I will say that the consoles are the least interesting aspect of both of these treadmills. They also could each use a few improvements. The Runner has an LED display, while the Trainer has an LCD console. The Runner has an on/off switch and a rechargeable battery.

The Trainer’s console has a little more tracking and functionality for metrics. It tracks your pace, speed, distance, time, and heart rate (when connected to a compatible tracker).

You can also create your own intervals by setting time and distance goals on the Trainer’s console.

The Runner’s console only tracks your pace, speed, distance, and time.

Other than that, it doesn’t give you any option to set custom settings or track your heart rate.

While I do prefer the Trainer’s console, both are a bit basic when it comes to tracking and functionality. AssaultRunner Treadmills have much more functionality, tracking, and workout modes. They probably have the best consoles for manual treadmills.

Although TrueForm Treadmills’ consoles lack options, manual treadmills are known for having simple, battery-powered consoles that don’t require electricity. So, you can expect that in both the TrueForm Trainer and Runner. They also don’t have any storage for your phone or water, which I think is intentional to leave you to focus on your form.

Build Quality

We like the construction of both of these nonmotorized treadmills. They’re the same size and don’t fold up, so we recommend a designated place in your home for either one you go with.

They’re also popular, durable, and capable of handling most people’s weight.

The TrueForm Trainer is comparable to other manual treadmills in terms of its construction and 400 lb weight limit.

The Runner, on the other hand, is a tank that’s rated to handle up to 450 lbs while running and 700 lbs while walking.

So, if you want to throw on a heavy-weighted vest or do some farmer’s carries, go right ahead on the Trainer and especially on the Runner.

TrueForm Runner vs Trainer Frame

TrueForm Treadmills are durable because their inner steel frames are made of formed and welded 7-gauge steel. The Runner has the same gauge steel on the outer part of the treadmill surrounding the belt under the side rails. The Trainer, however, has plastic coverings on the sides of the belt.

Now, the plastic isn’t bad, and it by no means makes the Trainer less stable or incapable of handling a lot of use. It’s common on most manual treadmills. You don’t notice a difference between the frames when using either the Trainer or Runner. They both feel incredibly stable to run on.

Each treadmill also has steel ball bearings under the belts, contributing to how smooth each belt feels when moving. The Runner has 106 sealed ball bearings versus the Trainer’s 112. There’s not much of a difference here.

TrueForm Runner vs Trainer MotorLess

Both of these treadmills don’t have motors. So, unlike an electric treadmill with a motor that powers the belt, you power the belt with your feet. The belts on both machines move in one direction for you to walk and run against.

Since the TrueForm Treadmills don’t have motors, they don’t have max speeds. You control the belt’s pace; therefore, the belt moves as fast as you do. If you’re a sprint athlete or enjoy sprint intervals, you’ll be able to do it on both of these treadmills. Most motorized treadmills cap out at around 12 mph in comparison.

Another benefit to nonmotorized treadmills is that they don’t require maintenance like motorized treadmills. This way, you don’t have to worry about lubricating and adjusting the belt.

As far as sound, the TrueForm Trainer (above) and Runner sound similar to each other and other manual treadmills.

The only noise you hear is the belt moving and your feet hitting the deck. Manual treadmills, including the TrueForms, aren’t the quietest, but they’re not excessively loud, either.

TrueForm Runner vs. Trainer Deck

The TrueForm Runner and Trainer have the same curvature to their decks. Their curves are shallower than other nonmotorized curved deck treadmills. This was intentional on TrueForm’s part because they claim that this small curve helps promote good running form and mechanics.

A study used the Runner compared to a flat belt motorized treadmill. The findings were that running on a TrueForm helped people’s running gaits by improving imbalances, foot strikes, stride length, and more.

When measured, the difference between the highest part of the curve and the lowest is only about 2.5″. You don’t notice too much of a difference when you’re running on either treadmill. The decks are both 17″ wide and 64″ long. This length is ideal for running at all speeds.

The width might seem narrow and looks narrow on both treadmills, but it is on par with other nonmotorized belts. The narrower design puts you in more of a linear pattern with less of an area to zig-zag on the belt. Even though I can’t walk, let alone run in a straight line to save my life, I don’t feel constricted or that I might hit one of the side rails on either treadmill.

This is how the TrueForm Trainer comes when you order it.

The Runner, on the other hand, is customizable, so you can purchase the standard belt that we have or the artificial turf or rubberized track. These belts have slats but are covered in either turf or track, so athletes can wear cleats and track spikes while using the Runner. This is a game-changing (pun intended) feature that we haven’t seen on other treadmills.

The Runner also sits a little lower on the floor than the Trainer.

Stepping up on the deck is only about 11″ high versus 14″ high on the Trainer.

As far as cushioning is concerned, the TrueForms are less cushioned than some motorized treadmills. They feel firm to run on, but they’re coated in rubber, which helps to lessen the impact on your joints. I don’t get discomfort in my joints when running on them, as I do on concrete or motorized treadmills with firm cushioning.

From our experience, running on either of the TrueForms feels different than running on other manual treadmills like AssaultRunners or the new Bells Of Steel Blitz Manual Treadmill. The belt on the TrueForm Trainer and Runner requires more effort to get moving. With less of an angle in the front of the deck, you don’t get the same leverage when your feet move the belt as on higher curved decks.

Due to its heavier, beefier design, the Runner feels a little harder to get going on than the Trainer.

Manual treadmills, in general, burn more energy when you’re using them than electric treadmills. TrueForm claims running on the Trainer will burn 33% more calories than running on a motorized treadmill at the same speed. The Runner is said to burn 43% more.

While it’s hard to know the exact percentage of effort burned, this is probably pretty accurate based on our experience testing the TrueForms, other manual treadmills, and motorized treadmills. So, with whichever of these treadmills you go with, you’ll get a machine that works your cardiovascular system.

Running on either TrueForm tends to encourage a midfoot and forefoot strike pattern.

Since over 70% of people heel strike (including me), most will probably find that running on a TrueForm Treadmill is harder than others. For instance, I can heel strike on AssaultRunners, but I can more effectively move the belt and engage my hamstrings on the Trainer and Runner when I focus on landing on the midpart of my feet.

The TrueForms encourage you to run this way to correct your form, so they’re not the best if you want a treadmill to just hop on and run. For that, I would go with the AssaultRunner Elite or AssaultRunner Pro, but if you want to improve your running, the TrueForm Runner or Trainer is the way to go.

Should You Buy The TrueForm Trainer or TrueForm Runner?

The TrueForm Runner and Trainer have a lot in common. From their large, non-folding size to their shallow curved decks, they create the same type of experience when running on them.

TrueForm Treadmills stand out because their decks have been proven to help fix your gait. Running on a TrueForm can improve your running by promoting good posture and correcting imbalances in your stride. They also encourage a mid and forefoot strike.

The Runner is incredibly durable with an all-steel design. We love it because it’s almost indestructible and has been used in competitions. It’s ideal for sports athletes because the belt is customizable and can be bought with turf or rubberized track material. We recommend it for sports facilities and commercial settings. For home use, though, it might be a bit of an overkill.

That’s where the TrueForm Trainer comes in. At almost half the price, the Trainer is perfect for homes and garage gyms. With either treadmill, you’re getting a durable treadmill that can handle a lot of use.

TrueForm Trainer vs. TrueForm Runner Q&A / FAQ

Can you walk on the TrueForm Trainer?

Yes, you can walk on the TrueForm Trainer. It doesn’t feel as awkward to walk on as other manual treadmills that have steeper curves.

What are the benefits of the TrueForm Runner?

The TrueForm Runner has a shallow curve that promotes a more efficient running gait. It can be customized with a unique frame color or decals. The rubber slat belt can be swapped out for a rubber track material or turf to run on with cleats or track spikes.

What treadmill is used in the CrossFit games?

Rogue Woodway manual treadmills are currently used in the CrossFit games. TrueForm and AssaultRunners have been used in the past.