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The AssaultRunner and TrueForm Runner are two popular manual treadmills. Find out how they are different and which one is the best choice for you.
First of all, this article will mainly look at the AssaultRunner Pro. The Elite model is similar but has a slightly higher weight limit and longer warranties.
That being said, the main differences between the AssaultRunner and the TrueForm Runner are that the AssaultRunner has a better monitor, has a different feel, and is a lot more budget-friendly.
On the other hand, the TrueForm Runner is a lot sturdier, has different running surface options (with an extra investment), has a different feel, has longer warranties, and is made in the USA.
Users tend to mention they like the AssaultRunner Pro more for sprints and the TrueForm Runner for longer distances. Additionally, some people find the TrueForm Runner feels more like real street running.
Personal preferences aside, if you are a home gym owner with an average body weight, the AssaultRunner Pro will likely be sturdy and high-quality enough for your training goals. Choosing this option can save you a lot of money.
If you want the sturdy build and longer warranties of the TrueForm Runner, possibly because there will be many users with intense workout programs, the extra investment in the TrueForm model can be worth it.
You may also want something with the feel of the TrueForm that is sturdier than the AssaultRunner Pro.
If you don’t care about the different running surface options, the more budget-friendly (but still pricier than the AssaultRunner Pro) TrueForm Trainer could be the right manual treadmill for you.
Most important differences AssaultRunner vs TrueForm Runner
The AssaultRunner Pro and TrueForm Runner are two popular manual treadmills. Besides being from different brands, these models vary in a lot of other areas too.
Not all of these differences are equally important when making your decision. In the first table below, you can see some of the most important ones.
Something to note is that if you prefer the AssaultRunner Pro but want longer warranties and a weight limit that is just a bit higher, the AssaultRunner Elite could also be to your liking.
| Feature | AssaultRunner Pro | TrueForm Runner |
|---|---|---|
| Weight Limit | 350 Pounds (158 kg) | 500 Pounds (226 kg) |
| Overall Sturdiness & Material Quality | Solid But Less So | Very Heavy Duty |
| General Tread Feeling Users | “Heavier, Good For Sprints, Feels Less Like Actual Road Running” | “Lighter, Better For Long Distances, Feels Like Road Running” |
| Customizable Running Surface | No | Yes, 4 Additional Options |
| Monitor | Battery LCD Screen With Pace, Speed, Distance, Time, And Heart Rate (Bluetooth Measuring Device Not Included) | Limited Battery LCD Screen With Pace, Speed, Distance, And Time |
| Warranties* | 5 Years Frame Warranty, 3 Years Moving Parts Warranty, 150,000 Miles Belt Warranty | Lifetime Frame Warranty, 10 Years Tread And Tread Mechanisms Warranty, 2 Years LED Display Warranty, 1 Year Labor Warranty |
| Cover Material | Plastic Cover | Aluminium Metal Cover |
| Built-In Training Programs | 4 Workout Program Types | No |
| Made In The USA | Not Mentioned | Yes |
| Price** | $$$$$ | $$$$$$$ |
| Check Current Price | Check Current Price |
*Warranties can vary from seller to seller
**Price difference at the time of writing
Other features AssaultRunner vs TrueForm Runner
There are also smaller differences and common features between the AssaultRunner Pro and the TrueForm Runner. These can still influence your choice but often to a lesser extent.
| Feature | AssaultRunner Pro | TrueForm Runner |
|---|---|---|
| Running Surface | Not Precisely Mentioned (Longer Treadmill Length Overall) | 54″ x 17″ |
| Curve Belt | More Curved | Somewhat Flatter |
| Dimensions | 69.9” L x 31.7” W x 64.4” H | 64” L x 36” W x 57” H |
| Weight | 289.2 Pounds (131.2 kg) | 325 Pounds (147.4 kg) |
| Transport Wheels | Yes, Hard Plastic (With Carry Handle On Other End) | Yes, Rubber |
| Small Height Adjusters | Yes | Yes |
| Location Monitor Battery | Behind The Screen | At The Bottom Of The Treadmill |
| Frame | Solid Steel | 7 Gauge Steel Formed & Welded |
| Number Of Bearings | 100 Precision Ball Bearings | 106 Sealed Steel Ball Bearings |
| Tread (Belt) Surface Material | Not Mentioned | Bonded Kraiburg Thermolast |
| Pulleys | Not Mentioned | Tooled Solid Aluminum |
| Heart Rate Monitor | Display On Screen With Your Own Bluetooth Measuring Device | No |
| Check Current Price | Check Current Price |
Differences AssaultRunner and TrueForm Runner explained
If you are more experienced with manual treadmill features and know what you are looking for, the overview of the differences and a quick look at the prices could be enough to choose between the AssaultRunner Pro and the TrueForm Runner.
At the same time, what exactly certain features mean, how important they are for who, and in what situations these things matter the most may still be unclear.
In that case, you can look at some of the most important and confusing differences between the AssaultRunner Pro and the TrueForm Runner explained below.
Overall sturdiness and weight limit
First of all, there is a clear difference between the AssaultRunner Pro and the TrueForm Runner in terms of their overall sturdiness and in turn, weight limit.
The TrueForm Runner is a big steel construction with rubber wheels. This combination allows users to be up to 500 pounds (226 kg).
The AssaultRunner Pro is still a solid manual treadmill with a lot of steel but also a plastic cover instead of the aluminum cover of the TrueForm.
These things make it so the AssaultRunner Pro has a weight limit of “only” 350 pounds (158 kg).
Even if you are nowhere near these weight limits, they do give you an idea of the materials used and the construction of each manual treadmill.
That being said, most individuals will find the AssaultRunner Pro sturdy enough to do the job in their home gym.
On the other hand, for intense use and heavier individuals, the TrueForm Runner (or the lighter Trainer model) may be required. Even if it is just to play it safe.
Winner: TrueForm Runner
General tread feeling users
For manual treadmill material experts, the specific materials and number of bearings may offer a lot of information. Even so, most people just want to know what they can expect in terms of the feeling of the treadmills.
Users describe the AssaultRunner Pro as having a heavier and longer belt. The surface is also more curved than the TrueForm model. Users tend to find this combination helpful for sprints where your strides are bigger.
On the other hand, some people also find the feeling of running on the AssaultRunner Pro less similar to running on the actual road than the TrueForm Runner.
You also have to keep in mind that the belt keeps on moving to a larger extent. This takes longer to slow down or requires you to step on the sides when stopping.
The belt of this TrueForm Runner feels slightly lighter and better for longer distances. It also slows down faster when you stop running fast.
Something else to note is that the AssaultRunner Pro tends to be more forgiving for individuals with heel strike and midfoot running techniques.
On the other hand, the TrueForm Runner guides you towards forefoot running which can be helpful but it does take some extra time to get used to.
There is not one single “better” for everyone in this area. Some people prefer the feeling of one or the other for their running technique of choice, training program, and personal preferences.
Winner: Depends on personal situation and preferences
Customizable running surface
The AssaultRunner Pro comes in one standard model. On the other hand, you can get the TrueForm Runner with different types of running surfaces.
These different belts include the regular one, red track, blue track, green turf, and Naboso (barefoot only). These vary in textures and colors which may suit your preferences and training goals more.
Something to keep in mind is that these other belts do require an extra investment. Additionally, the more budget-friendly TrueForm Trainer does not have these options.
Winner: TrueForm Runner
Monitor
Treadmills, including the manual ones, almost always come with some type of monitor to help you keep an eye on measurements like speed, distance traveled, etc.
This also applies to the AssaultRunner Pro and TrueForm Runner but there is a clear difference in quality between these two machines.
More specifically, the monitor of the AssaultRunner Pro is a lot more pleasant to read and has a lot more functionality.
On top of that more standard measurements, this AssaultRunner monitor allows you to connect heart rate measuring devices through Bluetooth.
You also get built-in workout program types like quick start, intervals, targets (of for example distance), and competition mode.
The monitor of the TrueForm Runner still offers the fundamental measurements but that is all you get. This monitor is also not that good-looking.
How important these differences between the monitors are to you depends on things like personal preferences and how you put your workout programs together.
Winner: AssaultRunner Pro
Warranties
The warranties are how long (or below how many miles of usage) each brand is willing to replace certain parts of the manual treadmills. If anything unexpected happens within the time frame, these can save you a lot of money.
Additionally, the warranties do tell to some extent how much each brand stands behind the quality of its products.
The AssaultRunner Pro has 5 years frame warranty, 3 years moving parts warranty, and 150,000 miles (241401,6 km) belt warranty. This is good but for the price point, longer warranties would be welcome.
Something to note is that the AssaultRunner Elite has 10 years frame warranty, 3 years moving parts warranty, 1 year labor warranty, and a lifetime belt warranty. These durations do come at an extra price.
On the flip side, the TrueForm Runner has a lifetime frame warranty, 10 years tread and tread mechanisms warranty, 2 years LED display warranty, and 1 year labor warranty.
In short, the TrueForm Runner definitely has better warranties than the AssaultRunner Pro.
How important this is to you depends on how long you plan to use the treadmills, how often you plan to use them, and how risk tolerant you are.
Winner: TrueForm Runner
Made in the USA
A feature that deserves a quick mention is that the TrueForm Runner is made in the USA while the production location of the AssaultRunner Pro is not specifically mentioned.
This can play a role in things like the environmental concerns about transport and supporting the economy of the country.
How much of a difference this makes in the decision between the two manual treadmills will vary a lot from person to person.
Winner: TrueForm Runner
Price
For most people, features, the feeling, and warranties of treadmills are not the only things that influence their choice.
The price difference between the AssaultRunner Pro and TrueForm Runner can play a big role in your decision. Keep in mind that this difference will vary over time and depends on where you buy your manual treadmill.
That being said, at the time of writing, the TrueForm Runner is a whole lot pricier than the AssaultRunner Pro. You do get the extra warranties but even with that in mind, it is a hefty difference.
If you like the sturdier build, higher weight limit, and feel of the TrueForm Runner, don’t care about the running surface options, and price is a concern, you can also consider the more budget-friendly TrueForm Trainer (which is still pricier than the AssaultRunner Pro).
Winner: AssaultRunner Pro
User reviews
The differences in features can be a helpful way to get a first impression about whether the AssaultRunner Pro or the TrueForm Runner is the best choice for you.
However, looking at customer reviews can also uncover unexpected downsides, preferences, and quality control issues.
First of all, the “general tread feeling users” section above gives you an impression of how customers experience each treadmill.
Secondly, customers tend to be really happy with both the AssaultRunner Pro and the TrueForm Runner.
One thing to note is that the AssaultRunner Pro has just a few more mentions about slow shipping and quality control issues.
That being said, both manual treadmills still have a lot of customers who are happy with their investments.
Is the AssaultRunner or TrueForm Runner right for you?
In short, the AssaultRunner Pro has a better monitor, has a different feel, and is a lot more budget-friendly.
The TrueForm Runner is a lot sturdier, has different running surface options (with an extra investment), has a different feel, has longer warranties, and is made in the USA.
Users tend to prefer the AssaultRunner Pro for sprints and the TrueForm Trainer for longer distances. Additionally, there are mentions of the TrueForm Trainer feeling more like regular street running.
Personal preferences aside, many home gym owners will find the AssaultRunner Pro sturdy and high-quality enough for their treadmill workouts. On top of that, the monitor is of higher quality and the price is a lot lower.
On the other hand, some individuals may need the more sturdy build and longer warranties of the TrueForm Runners.
Especially if there will be many people on the treadmill and a lot of heavy use, the extra investment can be worth it.
If you want something more budget-friendly (but still pricier than the AssaultRunner Pro), that is a bit more sturdy than the AssaultRunner, with the feel of the TrueForm, and don’t care about the running surfaces, the TrueForm Trainer could also be the right choice for you.
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