If you’ve been eyeballing the curves on the best treadmill at your local CrossFit box, it’s time to take a close look at the TrueForm Trainer Treadmill, one of our favorite curved treadmills. Since the only motor onboard the Trainer is you, you can count on burning through calories at a higher clip than you would on traditional treadmills while following a more natural gait. (1)(2)

Our team of certified personal trainers and running coaches have been using manual treadmills like these for years, pushing themselves to the limit and seeing improvements to their running form as a result. We think the high-quality Trainer is ideal for quick, high-intensity training or anyone looking to streamline their calorie burning. Check out our TrueForm Trainer Treadmill review below to see if this non-motorized treadmill is the right fit for you.

Main Takeaways

This non-motorized, curved treadmill is a favorite among CrossFitters and serious runners because its shallow curve helps promote proper form and body position. (2) 

Because the user-powered, curved design on the Trainer requires more effort, it can significantly increase the amount of calories burned compared to traditional motorized treadmills. (1)

Although its $2,995 price tag is more affordable than many curved treadmills, it may still be cost-prohibitive for some athletes.

TrueForm Trainer Treadmill Highlights

Your everyday flat, motorized treadmill remains one of the best cardio machines for a reason, but curved treadmills can offer a new challenge for runners desiring a more rugged underfoot. These non-motorized options deliver many of the benefits of traditional options — like improved cardiovascular health and strengthened lower-body muscles — while also leveling up the intensity. (3) Running on these treadmills has also been shown to improve both gait and increase VO2 max and cardiometabolic demand. (2)(4)(5)

In order to propel the curved, slatted belt, you’ll lead with the ball of your foot and engage your core to build up momentum and get the tread moving. Studies have shown that, since the only motor onboard is you, this can lead to an increase in your rate of perceived exertion and the number of calories burned in a given workout. (1)

After months of using the TrueForm Trainer Treadmill — and over five years using its big brother, the TrueForm Runner — in their garage gym for long-distance and sprint training, our tester has noticed an improvement in their form. “Now when I head out for runs on the road, I definitely have a more consistent mid-foot strike,” they said. 

“Because its curve is more shallow than most manual treadmills, not only can you improve your form, but it can also reduce the risk of injury,” they added. 

[Related: Build Your Own Iron Paradise With The Best Home Gym Equipment]

Our tester compared the $2,995 Trainer to another TrueForm manual treadmill, the Runner, which starts at $6,900. “I love the heavy-duty ‘Runner’ model, but to be honest, the Trainer is way more practical,” they said. “The major difference is the material. The Runner is solid steel and made here in the U.S.A., while the Trainer uses some plastic and is manufactured in South Korea.” 

Our tester thinks the potential gap in durability may not be an issue in home gyms where only a few people are probably using it. In commercial settings, however, all that steel might be a necessity to handle the volume.

Our tester has logged over 500 miles on manual treadmills, like the AssaultRunner Elite and Woodway Curve, but when they rounded up their favorite motorized and manual models, the TrueForm Trainer took the top spot among curved treadmills.

Training With the TrueForm Trainer Treadmill

Because the TrueForm Trainer Treadmill is completely user-powered, it’s up to you to build and maintain the momentum of the belt. Instead of keeping up with a motor-propelled belt, you’ll be working to power the belt yourself, which studies have shown can burn more calories than runs on a traditional treadmill. (1)

Even after just a few months of hitting the slatted belt on the Trainer, our tester reported a noticeable improvement in their road-running form. As part of BarBend’s equipment testing methodology, they also rated the Trainer on a scale of 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest) across 13 categories, including ergonomics, durability, footprint, and portability.

Curved Design

If you’ve only stepped aboard a traditional, flat-belt treadmill, manual models like the TrueForm Trainer can take some getting used to. However, after years of running on the identical curved design of TrueForm’s luxury model — the Runner — our tester credited it with an improvement in their technique. At least one study concurs, finding that training on a curved treadmill significantly altered the stride length and angle of its participants. (2)

Beyond that, the shallow curve in the belt deck can reinforce proper gait and overall form, helping it earn a 4.25 out of 5 from our tester. “A lot of curved treads use a steeper angle, which can be good to just hop on go, but the Trainer’s shallow curve can help improve your form for actual road running,” they said. “TrueForm’s design is really what distinguishes their treadmills from the rest of the market.” 

While other models also use a slatted, rubber belt, our tester appreciated the feel of the tread on the Trainer, as well as TrueForm’s Responsive Belt Technology. “It’s balanced and moves smoothly, plus it just feels a bit more grippy. A higher angle is easier to build up speed on, so I like that the belt is pretty light and responsive,” they said. 

[Related: Running On a Treadmill Vs. Running Outside]

Along with the more affordable price point, they noted another design feature that makes it a better option for beginners. “Compared to the Runner, the curved tread is also lighter, which is easier for newbies to run on,” they explained. 

Although more research is needed to establish whether the slatted belts commonly used in curved treadmills offer more shock absorption, our tester pointed out that the distance between the slats on the TrueForm Trainer can help for disperse the force of each footstrike, thus offering a gentler landing. “That thin gap between the slats is a big indicator of its quality,” they said. 

Durability

When our tester rated the TrueForm Trainer’s overall durability a 3.5 out of 5, they made sure to provide some context. “Compared to a nearly $7,000 machine like the TrueForm Runner, it won’t seem as durable,” they said. “So even though it won’t be bomb-proof, it is plenty durable for home gym owners.” 

Heavy-duty curved treadmills are designed to support a ton of use in CrossFit or commercial gyms, and, while not as heavy-duty as the Runner, our tester still thinks the Trainer will hold up for most people. “If you’re running a gym and know your machines are going to take a pounding, the Runner would be the better choice,” they said. “But the Trainer is still durable and well-made, so in a home or garage gym, that’s the ticket.” 

Both models feature sturdy thermoplastic elastomer tread surfaces, but the major difference between the two TrueForm models is the frame. While the Trainer’s outer frame is 7-gauge steel, it uses a lot of hard plastic and it’s manufactured in South Korea instead of the U.S. 

The Runner’s all-steel construction allows for a 350-pound weight capacity, but our tester says the 300-pound max on the Trainer is still high enough for most users. “Yes, it’s going to be less durable than a treadmill more than twice the price, but even for heavier runners, it offers plenty of stability.”

Footprint and Portability

When we rounded up the best curved treadmills we’ve tested, the TrueForm Trainer was an easy pick for the most compact. Its length measures 64 inches, which makes it roughly 5 to 6 inches smaller than other top curved options, including the Runner. It still weighs a hefty 300 pounds, but that’s still 50 pounds less than the Runner, so finding a place in your home gym is a bit more feasible. 

We do, however, think it had a stronger set of transport wheels. “The wheels on the Trainer aren’t as sturdy as the Runner, but since it weighs less, they don’t really need to be,” said our tester, rating its footprint and portability 3.5 out of 5. “They are hard plastic, but it’s still easy to move around your home gym. They also have supports that will help them last.”

What to Consider Before Buying the TrueForm Trainer Treadmill

If you’re considering the TrueForm Trainer, you’ll certainly want to ask yourself if a non-motorized treadmill is right for your training. Options like Trainer are a step up in terms of intensity, so before you head to the checkout line, consider your fitness level and goals.

Our expert reviewer Amanda Capritto, CPT, CES, CNC, CF-L1, CSNC, says that treadmills like the TrueForm Trainer promote proper running form and can better replicate the feeling of running outdoors. She also notes some potential cons. “The downsides to [most manual treadmills] include the lack of incline/decline training opportunities, as well as the lack of a controlled environment. Because it is a manual treadmill, you have to work at maintaining your pace; it won’t set the pace for you.”

Manual Vs. Motorized

Before doing a deep dive on specs and features of the TrueForm Trainer, make sure that the user-powered, curved design of manual treadmills aligns with your preferred training and fitness level. Manual models favor shorter, more intense sessions over endurance training. Since the only motor onboard treadmills like the Trainer is the user, more effort is required to maintain the pace.

This makes them ideal for the short-burst and high-intensity interval workouts favored by CrossFitters. Since more exertion is required when using a manual treadmill like the curved TrueForm Trainer, you can potentially burn through calories at a faster rate. (1) Research on these machines also indicates they can positively impact your gait, while increasing your VO2 max (an indicator of cardiovascular health). (2)(4)(5)

Our tester noted that the comparatively lighter tread on the Trainer can promote proper running form even moreso than curved models with heavier belts. “On something with a heavier tread, like the AssaultRunner Pro, you don’t have to focus as much on form,” they said. “Once it gets going, it takes less effort to keep it in motion, so it can be easier to learn on a lighter tread.”

When comparing these two types of treadmills, Capritto notes that weight capacity is also worth a second look. “High-dollar models, including manual (non-motorized) treadmills, can have weight capacities up to 400 pounds,” she says. “Once you identify treadmills with the right weight capacity for you, you can begin to consider other specifications.”

Tech Capabilities

Non-motorized treadmills aren’t known for being especially tech-savvy — in that regard, they’re more like a flip phone than a smartphone. “As far as tech goes, the Trainer is a true runner’s treadmills,” said our tester when scoring its tech capabilities a 2 out of 5. “There’s no phone holder and the monitor is incredibly basic. It’ll show your metrics, like time, distance, and speed, but it’s very limited.” 

The LED monitor runs on a rechargeable battery and can display your heart rate, but you’ll need to connect via a Polar heart rate monitor. “I will say the monitor is easy to use. It just runs on AA batteries,” they said. “You wouldn’t be buying the Trainer for the technology, but there’s also no cup or bottle holder — just the handrails to grab while you’re running.”

Available Space

Even the best compact exercise equipment can be space-hungry machines. The TrueForm Trainer takes up 13.78 square feet of floor space, so while it’s compact compared to other curved treadmills, it will still eat up nearly as much space as the average loveseat. (6) 

Capritto recommends digging around for your tape measure before adding the Trainer to your home or garage gym. “Check the overall length, width, and height of the machine in its assembled position and folded position if applicable. And triple-measure your space to make sure it will fit!”

Preferred Training Type

When making the leap to a curved, motorless treadmill, it’s important to ask how it aligns with your fitness goals. If you’re training for a marathon and need to build endurance, having a motorized belt to help set your pace can be helpful. If you’re after short-burst, high-intensity workouts that can push you to your limit and promote mental toughness, the curved decks of the best manual treadmills are the way to go. 

Since you’re running the show, you may not need the virtual, trainer-led workouts (and monthly subscriptions) of app-connected machines. Just be aware of the challenge you’re signing up for before dropping significant cash on the TrueForm Trainer. 

TrueForm Trainer Treadmill Vs. The Competition

Sometimes lining up the cold, hard facts can provide clarity when making a big decision like investing in a new treadmill. Take a look at the specs on the TrueForm Trainer Treadmill and see how it stacks up with the TrueForm Runner and another of our favorites, the AssaultRunner Pro.

The AssaultRunner Pro is the closest comparison to the TrueForm that we’ve seen in terms of price and durability. With steel frames and some plastic in their builds, they are the more budget-friendly models of the TrueForm Runner and AssaultFitness Elite, respectively. 

[Related: Assault Runner Elite Treadmill Review]

The AssaultRunner Pro lags a touch behind the TrueForm Trainer in overall weight (maybe a good thing) and weight capacity (not a good thing), but the Trainer’s 10-year warranty is double that of the AssaultRunner Pro. However, while the Trainer’s LCD monitor only connects with Polar heart rate monitors and features no programming, the AssaultRunner Pro welcomes all Bluetooth and ANT+-compatible monitors, and also includes preset interval and target (like time and distance) workouts.

Our expert reviewer Amanda Capritto, CPT, CES, CNC, CF-L1, CSNC, hasn’t used the TrueForm Trainer, but is a fan of the AssaultRunner Pro. “As an on-and-off CrossFitter, I’ve spent my fair share of time on the AssaultRunner Pro, and I have a blast every time I use one,” she said. “I also appreciate the simple console. Though some may see it as a downside, I like that the simple LCD screen isn’t distracting and just shows me what I need.”

While the TrueForm Runner is in a different price range, our tester highlighted the difference in their construction. “The Runner is made in the U.S. and is 100-percent solid steel. I’ve had clients use mine for five years and it has required zero minutes of maintenance,” they said. “The only difference with the Trainer is that it trades out steel in some areas for hard plastic. It’s definitely still high-quality, but I can’t imagine it would be as durable as the Runner.”

Places to Buy the TrueForm Trainer Treadmill

You can buy the TrueForm Trainer Treadmill on their website and via third-party retailers like Rogue Fitness.

Customer Experience

Our tester rated the delivery and setup of the TrueForm Trainer a 4 out of 5, noting how simple its assembly was. “It came in one big box and everything inside was clean. Everything lined up just like it should have, so assembly didn’t take very long.” TrueForm offers a 30-day return policy and they say that shipping usually requires 10 to 14 business days. They also offer financing through Klarna.

Company Information

TrueForm Runner is a Wisconsin-based manufacturer of commercial gym equipment like treadmills, exercise bikes, and climbers. You can reach their service department at service@woodway.com or by calling (860) 895-8533.

Final Word

Whether you’ve registered for your tenth marathon or just feel like you’ve outgrown your trusty motorized treadmill, the TrueForm Trainer is a quality manual treadmill that lets you run the show. Its user-powered design and curved belt deck require more effort to build and maintain momentum, which forces users to practice proper running form and can result in a higher rate of perceived exertion. (1) After pounding the tread for a few months on the Trainer, our tester noticed that they were more consistently striking midfoot on and off the machine.

Non-motorized, curved treadmills like the TrueForm Trainer have been shown to positively impact the gait of their users, along with increasing VO2 max and cardiometabolic demand. (2)(4)(5) Typically, the price tags on heavy-duty curved treadmills can be double or even triple that of high-end motorized machines, so we think the Trainer and its more approachable $2,995 price point is a solid entry point for serious runners looking to graduate to a manual treadmill. If you’re ready to level up your training without breaking the bank, the TrueForm Trainer might be your best bet.

FAQs

References

Robertson, Nicholas, “Comparing Calorie Expenditure and Rating of Perceived Exertion between the Curve and a Motorized Treadmill” (2014). EWU Masters Thesis Collection. 268.

Hatchett, A., Armstrong, K., Parr, B., Crews, M., & Tant, C. (2018). The Effect of a Curved Non-Motorized Treadmill on Running Gait Length, Imbalance and Stride Angle. Sports (Basel, Switzerland), 6(3), 58.

Nystoriak, M. A., & Bhatnagar, A. (2018). Cardiovascular Effects and Benefits of Exercise. Frontiers in cardiovascular medicine, 5, 135.

Edwards, R. B., Tofari, P. J., Cormack, S. J., & Whyte, D. G. (2017). Non-motorized Treadmill Running Is Associated with Higher Cardiometabolic Demands Compared with Overground and Motorized Treadmill Running. Frontiers in physiology, 8, 914.

Schoenmakers, P. P. J. M., & Reed, K. E. (2018). The physiological and perceptual demands of running on a curved non-motorised treadmill: Implications for self-paced training. Journal of science and medicine in sport, 21(12), 1293–1297.

Jaramillo, C. (2022, December 29). A guide to sofa dimensions & sizes. SeatUp, LLC. https://seatup.com/blog/guide-to-sofa-dimensions/

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