Nordictrack 1750 vs TrueForm Runner

This is a comparison between the Nordictrack 1750 treadmill and the TrueForm runner. Follow the links for more details.

Overview and review of the TrueForm runner

The TrueForm Runner comes in at $5695 - $6195. In this article you will learn more about the product itself, its Pros and cons and alternatives you might want to consider. This article has originally been published in the overview "Which conditioning equipment to buy from Rogue".

Overview of the trueform runner

The TrueForm runner is the latest and greatest in the treadmill industry. Compared to other treadmills it has the advantage that it is not motorized and propelled by your own weight. In addition, the surface you run on is curved so the impact of your footfall is not as hard as on a flat surface. This dynamic is achieved by a conveyor belt that runs on bearings. Think of the conveyor belt at the airport but moved by your own bodyweight. It has been used at the CrossFit games and has gained popularity since then. The dimensions of the TrueForm runner are:

Height 57’’
Width 36’’
Running surface 54’’ x 17’’
Weight 325 LB

You can choose from two different options, Enduro and Performance. Both options come in at the same price and with the same dimensions. The performance model provides a higher railing. This is especially useful when you have athletes who run very fast on the machine.

Apart from this, you can pay $500 extra to get grass or track and field topping on the running surface. If you use the TrueForm runner to train track and field or football athletes you might want to go with one of these options.

Pros of the TrueForm runner

There are several pros to the TrueForm runner

Better posture
Easier adjustment of speed
No power supply needed
No programming needed
Less impact
Good resell value
Low maintenance

Based on the setup of the Trueform runner it actively helps your clients and athletes to have better running form. If you strike with the heel the curve of the machine will help to remedy and correct this over time as you push the belt from the front to the back.

With the Trueform runner, you can adjust the speed at any given time yourself without worrying about faceplanting. Doing interval training on motorized treadmills can be really annoying as the acceleration and decelerations come in jumps rather than continuously when you program them in at the start of your workout. If you adjust them while exercising it is almost impossible, especially at high speeds.

If you deploy a whole row of these (10 - 20 machines) you might also be pleased that you do not need to plan for cabling when the gym is built and powering these treadmills all year around.

As mentioned before you can free run on these machines to your hearts contempt. No buttons or panic stops needed. Just slow down and the belt slows down with you. You will not be catapulted into the wall behind you.

The curve will also be helpful to have less strain in the ankles and knees from the impact of the food. This helps you to train longer for harder.

As with most things which are "hip" and high price you usually get a higher resell value out of them than for the lower range options. While this is mostly less important for individual buyers it can be important for a chain that regularly closes off unprofitable subsidiaries and wants to shuffle equipment around.

As there are no motors which can break down you will also have fewer maintenance needs. Although you are probably more likely to need a welder rather than an electrician when this beast breaks.

Cons of the TrueForm runner

The cons of the TrueForm runner are in my opinion:

Hard to do pace training
Not for beginners
Price tag
A big piece of equipment
Poor monitor

When I prepared for my marathons there was one thing I liked about treadmills, you could set an exact pace for some of your long runs. This is actually a strength rather than a weakness of a motorized treadmill. For me, it was handy to plan my splits and hit my target time as the pace I chose was slightly challenging. I would do one of these a week slightly above the planned pace for the marathon and add distance each time. The rest of my training would be outdoors. This raised my confidence to reproduce the exact pace I needed on race day. With the TrueForm Runner, it would have been hard to have that reference, but it would have been better to do Interval runs indoors.

Tell me what you want but this thing is not for beginners. This is designed for people who want to go like cheetahs and could not do it properly on normal treadmills. Fast acceleration and breaking are where this is at home. Not for beginners or someone who is wobbly on their feet because they do rehab or are overweight. A slow motorized treadmill is the better option here.

With $5000 a piece, this is a steep price. If you want to signal to your clients that you are doing well and justify the membership of $300 a month, this is a strategy. For two of these, you can get a 10 pack of concept 2 rowers, skiergs or bikes. 10 x $100 in membership fees from a spinning class is more than 2x $300 with a bigger spread of risk in your income.

Last but not least these are big. If you have a garden or basement gym I would almost consider this no option unless you live in a mansion. If you want to maximize floor space in your commercial gym this is also not the way to go. CrossFit boxes might like this, especially if they are in the middle of a busy city.

The monitor is poor compared to some of the concept 2 options where you have leaderboards implemented to keep yourself motivated.

Alternatives to the TrueForm runner

There are the following alternatives to the TrueFrom runner:

The assault air runner is one alternative to the TrueFrom runner if you still want a self-propelled treadmill. The assault air runner comes in at a lower price point than the TrueForm runner. The mechanics are also a little different which makes running easier on this one.

The Versa Climber is often referred to as one of the hardest things you can do in endurance on a machine. It simulates climbing a steep wall with a good grip. It comes in at about half the price and takes up less footprint than the TrueForm runner. If you want a good machine for your home to knock you out this is can be a great pick. For a commercial gym, you might not have the uptake as many people just want their treadmills.

The Rogue Echo bike is a solid choice for the home gym that wants to kick your butt. Combined to the Versa Climber and the TrueFrom Runner it comes in at a fraction of the cost. A good air bike workout will still challenge you and is highly recommended.

Summary for the TrueForm runner

This is a well-built piece of equipment which is worth the price if you have the need and space for it. Athletes who know how to pace themselves, have balance and want every workout to be as challenging and adaptable as possible will love this.

For the average gym with average clients it is probably a bit too intimidating and high performance. I do not see overweight stay at home moms or retired manly beer bellies stepping on the TrueForm runner first thing through your gym doors.

Overview and review Nordictrack Commercial 1750 Treadmill $1799 - $2299

This is a review of the Nordictrack 1750 model which was originally published under "Which Nordictrack treadmill to get". Follow the links for more details.

Overview Nordictrack Commercial 1750 Treadmill $1799 - $2299

The Nordictrack 1750 treadmill is the bread and butter machine from Nordictrack. The features are well balanced and you can get it for a solid price which is not outrageous. This would be my recommendation for any weekend warrior or athlete who does not see running as a core discipline, but as a support to bring up their cardiovascular system. It goes up to a capacity of 300 lbs, provides a 3.75 Chp motor and -3 to 15% incline. This has everything you need at a reasonable price, as long as you don't want to go bonkers. The full list of features includes:

10” Smart HD Touchscreen
1-Year iFit® Membership Included ($468 Value)**
Bluetooth® Audio Capabilities
Two 3” Digitally-Amplified Speakers
Runners Flex™ Cushioning
22” x 60” Commercial Tread Belt
Dual AutoBreeze™ Workout Fans
Integrated Tray
0–3% Decline
0-15% Incline
0-12 MPH Speed
OneTouch® Controls
3.75 CHP DurX™ Commercial Plus Motor
2.5” Precision and Balanced Non-Flex Rollers
300 Lb. User Capacity
EKG Grip Pulse
SpaceSaver® Design with EasyLift™ Assist
78.8” L x 39.2” W x 63” H Footprint
10-Year Frame Warranty
2-Year Parts Warranty
1-Year Labor Warranty

This is the machine to get when you walk in and say "I just want a good treadmill and not be screwed over with stuff I don't need". Enough said about this model, you can not go wrong if you have space and money.

Pros of the Nordictrack 1750 treadmill

Well balanced
Ticks all the boxes
Reasonably priced

The 1750 Nordictrack is a best seller for a reason. It ticks all the boxes for a stable, reliable treadmill at a good price tag without being too fancy.

Cons of the Nordictrack 1750 treadmill

Cons of the 1750 treadmill are:

No massive screen
No massive Incline
No Heart-rate monitor included

If you buy the Volkswagen Golf from Nordictrack you can not expect it to be a Jeep or Ferrari. It does not come with a massive flashy 32inch screen or a challenging 40% incline. To be honest these are features that you do not need for a good treadmill run. Still, this is not the machine to show off with to your friends if you are filthy rich. If that is the game you are playing, get the 32i.

Alternatives to the Nordictrack1750 treadmill

Alternatives to the 1750 treadmill are:

If space is one of your main concerns and you can therefore not fit a 1750 into your home or you want to optimize your gym floor, the T 6.5 might be a better alternative. This treadmill is not as wide and also shorter and therefore saves space in your home.

If your main goal is to burn calories as fast as possible you might want to consider the Rogue Echo bike as an alternative to the Nordictrack 1750. You will save almost $1000 and a lot of space while burning more calories per minute. Especially the Tabata intervals on the Rogue Echo bike will kick your backside.

The true form runner is a different concept of the treadmill which is self-propelled rather than driven by a motor. It is more expensive than the 1750 but better suited for athletes who want to do sprints and practice sudden braking and acceleration on a treadmill.