LifeSpan TR1550-SL User Manual

Owners Manual
Version 1.4

page

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Limited Home Use Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Important Safety Precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Getting Fit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Assembly Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Electronics Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Exercise Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Treadmill Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Moving and Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Trouble Shooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

Maintenance and Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Congratulations on the purchase of your LifeSpan treadmill.

We all know that exercise is a key component to achieving the level of Health and Wellness that all
of us desire. Regular activity prevents the development of numerous diseases, helps to reduce
stress, leads to an improved self image, weight loss and increased energy levels.

The LifeSpan product line is designed specifically for people who want to make exercise a part of
their lifestyles. Your softstride treadmill includes the features you want to make your exercise
routine enjoyable and effective. These features include preset programs that you can tailor for your
specific requirements and display readouts to monitor the intensity and duration of your workout.

To complement these features we have designed and manufactured your treadmill to the highest
quality standards. The all steel frame construction, heavy duty deck, pre-lubricated belt, and
2 horse power continuous duty motor are all included to provide years of use and require
minimal ongoing maintenance.

Please read this manual thoroughly before assembly and operation of your LifeSpan treadmill.
It includes basic information on starting an exercise program, and safety tips that will assist
you in reaching your goals for a healthy lifestyle.

To keep your treadmill in optimal condition, please pay attention to the maintenance and
cleaning section of this manual and remember that some kinds of service should only be
performed by a qualified service technician. If service is required, please contact your
authorized PCE Health and Fitness Retailer. If a question or problem arises that cannot be
answered by your retailer, contact us:

PCE Health and Fitness
PO Box 981316
Park City, Utah 84098 –1316
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
www.pcefitness.com

Neither PCE Health and Fitness nor its representatives can accept responsibility for any damage
or injury incurred as a result of information presented in the manual except under the terms of
the product warranty.

1

1. Console

2. Running Belt

3. Hood

4. Side Rail

5. On/Off Switch

6. Power Cord Outlet

7.

Transport Wheels

Dimensions 59" L * 30.7" W * 50" H

154.5cm L* 78.1cm W * 127.8cm H

Weight 170 Pounds

Construction All Steel Welded Frame

Power Requirements 120 Volts nominal (grounded outlet required) 10 Amps

Motor 2 Horsepower Continuous Duty

Display Type 4 LED Windows

Data Displayed Time, Distance, Calories, Incline, Speed

Programmed Courses Manual, Stride, Interval, Hill Climb, Weight Loss

Speed Range .5 – 10 MPH (.8 – 16 KPM)

Incline Range 0% - 10%

2

The LifeSpan softstride TR1550-SL comes with the following limited warranty, which applies only
to the use of this treadmill in the home, for residential, non-commercial purposes:

• Frame: Lifetime

• Motor: Lifetime

• Parts: 2 years

• Labor: 1 year

PCE Health and Fitness warrants that the equipment it manufacturers is free from defects in
material and workmanship under normal use and service. The periods above are based on the
date of purchase. During these periods, PCE Health and Fitness will repair or replace any defec­tive part. Free labor is included for the first year.

If within the time frames specified above, any part of the LifeSpan softstride fails to operate
properly contact your authorized PCE Health and Fitness retailer to report the problem. All labor
shall be supplied by the authorized retailer that sold your product and the product must be
located within that retailer’s service area. If you are unable to reach the dealer that you purchased
the product from, contact PCE Health and Fitness at our web site, www.pcefitness.com or
at (435) 940–1180.

PCE Health and Fitness reserves the right to make changes and improvements in our products
without incurring any obligations to similarly alter any product purchased. In order to insure our
product warranty and to ensure the safe and efficient operation of your treadmill, only authorized
parts can be used. The warranty is void if any parts other than those provided by PCE Health and
Fitness are used.

Exclusions and Limitations

• This warranty does not apply to any defects caused by negligence, misuse, improper
assembly or maintenance, accident, or an "act of god".

• This warranty does not apply to discoloration of paint or plastics

• PCE Health and Fitness shall not be responsible for incidental or consequential damages.

• This warranty is nontransferable from the original owner.

Registration

You must register your LifeSpan product before a warranty claim can be processed.
To complete your registration card online, go to www.pcefitness.com and fill out
the registration card online or fill out the warranty card provided with your
treadmill and mail it today. Registration Cards must be completed and sent to
PCE Fitness within 30 days of purchase to activate the Product Warranty on your
LifeSpan equipment. Product Warranties are not valid unless properly completed
and sent to PCE Fitness within this 30 day period.

3

Note: Read ALL instructions before using your LifeSpan treadmill.

When using electrical equipment, basic precautions should always be followed, including:

• Never drop or insert any object into any opening.

• Never operate this treadmill if it has been damaged, if it is not working properly or if it has
been exposed to water. Return the treadmill to a retailer for examination and repair.

• To reduce the risk of electric shock, unplug the treadmill from the wall outlet when not in use,
before performing any maintenance, or before moving the treadmill.

• Do not use outdoors.

• Do not lean against or climb on the treadmill. Doing so may result in the treadmill tipping and
falling and could result in serious personal injury.

• Do not hang or place items on the treadmill. Doing so could result in shifting the weight
balance of the treadmill causing it to tip over or fall causing serious personal injury.

• Do not operate the treadmill with the side rails or dust covers removed.

• Keep the treadmill on a solid surface, with the sides and front a minimum of two feet from any
walls and furniture. Make sure that the area behind the treadmill remains completely clear during
use. A minimum of 4 feet of clearance behind the treadmill is required for safety reasons.

• Do not operate where aerosol spray products are being used or where oxygen is being administered.

• Never place the power cord under carpeting or place any object on top of the cord, which may
pinch or damage it.

• Use this exercise product for its intended use as described in this Owners Manual. Do not use
attachments that are not recommended by PCE Health and Fitness

• Do not leave your treadmill running while not in use.

Children and Pets

• Keep children off your softstride treadmill at all times.

• When in use, young children and pets should be kept at least 10 feet away.

Grounding Instructions

• Never use extension cords between the treadmill and the wall outlet.

• This product is for use on a nominal 120 volt circuit, and has a grounding plug similar to the
illustration below. Never remove or otherwise bypass with an adapter the electrical ground that
is included.

Danger:

Improper connection of the equipment
grounding conductor can result in the risk of
electric shock. Check with a qualified electrician
or service person if you are in doubt as to
whether the product is properly grounded. Do not
modify the plug provided with the product. If it will
not fit in the outlet, have the proper outlet installed by
a qualified electrician.

Other Safety Tips

• Always consult a physician before beginning this or any exercise program.

• If you experience chest pains, nausea, dizziness or shortness of breath, stop exercising
immediately and consult your physician before continuing.

• Do not wear clothing or jewelry that might catch on any part of the treadmill.

• This treadmill is equipped with a safety key. If the key is removed from the display, the treadmill
will immediately stop. Always clip the cord that is attached to the safety key to a part of your
clothing so the key will be pulled from the display, stopping the treadmill, in case of an emergency.

Save These Instructions

4

Treadmill
Plug

Grounded Wall Outlets

Grounded
socket

Cardiovascular endurance is the most important component of physical fitness. There are two
types of cardiovascular training, these are interval training and steady state training.

Interval training varies the amount of effort required to workout. On your softstride treadmill
several programs fall under the definition of interval training. The Interval program keeps the
incline constant and increases the speed for short periods, the Stride program modifies the
speed and incline, and the Hill Climb and Weight Loss programs modify the incline of the treadmill
and keep the speed constant.

Steady state training keeps the workload constant. Your Manual program on the softstride
treadmill gives you this Steady State workout and allows you to manually control the speed and
incline of your treadmill. If you have a requirement to maintain a steady heart rate during your
workout, the manual program is the best selection.

There is no one exercise program that is right for everyone. Your age, current level of physical
fitness, and your goals should all help determine the program that is right for you.

Regardless of your personal fitness goals and the program that you pursue, warming up and
cooling down before and after you workout will help reduce the risk of injury and improve the
effectiveness of your workout.

Warming up is important to bring your body from its normal level of activity to a state where it is
ready to exercise by increasing the flow of blood to the muscle to raise the muscle
temperature. This will increase the muscle elasticity and protect the joints. The warm up
period also helps to mentally prepare you for your workout.

Warmups should be done at a low intensity level and last for at least five minutes.

Cooling down after your workout is required to gradually bring your cardiovascular system down
to its normal level.

Follow your workout with at least 10 minutes of stretching. Focus on the major muscle
groups of the lower extremity. When stretching, stretch the muscle until you feel gentle
tension, hold it and wait for the tension to relax while the muscle elongates, stretch the
muscle again until you feel gentle tension.

Do not bounce when you stretch, bouncing is not an effective approach to stretching and can
lead to injury.

5

The three components of a successful cardiovascular exercise program are:

• Frequency

• Intensity

• Time

In terms of frequency, you should try and exercise at least three times per week and no more than
five times per week. Preferably you should try to exercise every other day to give your body a
days rest in-between workouts.

The intensity of each workout refers to how hard you feel your working and can be measured by your
heart rate. Depending on your fitness goals, exercise between 55% and 90% of your maximum
heart rate. A simple way of estimating your maximum heart rate is by subtracting your age from

220. As a general rule of thumb, if your fitness objective is to Lose Weight, you will want to keep
your heart rate at between 60% and 75% of your maximum heart rate. If your objective is
improved aerobic performance keep your heart rate between 75% and 85% of your maximum
heart rate.

To achieve benefits from your workout, your workout time should be at least 20 minutes per session.
If you are trying to lose weight focus on longer (more than 30 minutes) less intense workouts, to
improve your aerobic performance focus on shorter more intense workouts.

As a rule of thumb when your exercising, if your having trouble completing a sentence, you are
working too hard. When exercising, you should be able to speak freely without gasping for air.

6

60%

75%

85%

100%

Increased Performance Range

Aerobic Training Range

Weight Loss Training Range

Heart Rate BPM

20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65

AGE

200200

170170

150150

120120

195195

166166

146146

117117

190190

162162

143143

114114

185185

157157

139139

111111

180180

153153

135135

108108

175175

149149

13131

10105

170170

145145

128128

102102

165165

140140

124124

9999

160160

136136

12120

96

155155

132132

116116

93

TARGET HEART RATE CHART

Since your treadmill is a heavy piece of equipment, we recommend that after taking off the top
portion of the box, you slit the corners of the lower carton and fold down the sides. This will
eliminate the need for you to pick up the treadmill over the sides of the box.

We also recommend that you use 2 people to assemble your treadmill, as some of the parts need
to be held in place while the electrical connectors are pushed together.

Prior to starting the assembly process take all of the parts out of the box, remove all plastic bags,
and lay them out of the floor to become familiar with the components. Make sure that you
remove all parts packaged underneath the treadmill. You may need to slightly pick up the back of
the treadmill to get better access to the parts on the bottom. You will notice that the treadmill is
completely assembled except for the handlebars and the display.

The following is a complete list
of all parts included:

1. Treadmill Assembly

2. "U" Shaped Handlebar

3. Right Side Handlebar Support Post

4. Left Side Handlebar Support Post

5. Console Support Tube

Inside Display Box

6. Display Console

7. Power Cord

8. Handlebar Caps (2)

9. Safety Key

10. Hardware Parts Bag

Locate the plastic bag, found in the display box. This bag includes the hardware required to
complete the assembly of your softstride treadmill.

a. Long 5mm Button Head Screws (2)

b. Washers (2)

Used with the button head screws

c. 5mm Allen Wrench

d. 6mm Allen Wrench

Used for belt tensioning

e. Long 5mm Flat Head Screws (4)

Used to attach the handlebars to the Handlebar Support Posts

7

c

d

b

a

e

1. Treadmill

Assembly

3. Right Side
Handlebar

Support Post

4. Left Side
Handlebar

Support Post

2. "U" Shaped

Handlebar

5. Console

Support Tube

Handlebar Support Post Assembly

Note: During the handlebar assembly process it is best to wait to tighten all screws until after the
handlebars are assembled.

1. (a.) Locate the right side handlebar support post, remove the three Button-Head screws at
the bottom of the post, and connect the wiring harness on the bottom of the support post
with the wiring harness coming from the base (see illustration). Make sure that the connectors
are properly aligned before pushing them together. Once pushed together, slide the connectors
inside the bottom tube.

(b.) Push the handlebar support post into the base frame. Be careful not to pinch the wiring
when you slide the top support post into the base tube.

Make sure that you align the 3 holes on the bottom of the tube with the 3 holes in the base
tube (see illustration b).

2. Take the left side support post and slide it into the tube on the left side of the base.

Make sure that you align the 3 holes on the bottom of the tube with the 3 holes in the base
tube (see illustration b).

Note: The left support post does "not" have wire connectors coming out of the bottom.

8

ba

Align the

holes on the

outside of
the frame

Handlebar Assembly

Note: During the handlebar assembly process it is best to wait to tighten all screws until after

the handlebars are assembled.

1. (a.) Locate the Console Support Tube. This is a round tube with a bracket to mount the display

console. The right end of the console has 1 wire connector coming out of the end. Push
this connector through the round hole on the inside of the right side Handlebar Support
Post and up through the top of the support post. Then push the end of the Console
Support Tube into the support post as shown in illustration A below.

Insert the left end of the Console Support Tube in the round hole on the left Handlebar
Support Post. To do this you will need to gently pull the Handlebar Support Posts apart so
that you have enought clearance to insert the tube on the left side.

(b.) Push the 2 large connectors together. Make sure that the connectors are properly aligned

and tightly pushed together.

(c.) Push the large connectors and extra wiring into the top of the Handlebar Support Post.

2. Rotate the display support tube so that the display bracket matches the picture below. This
will align a hole in the round display tube with the hole in the front of the support post.
Tighten each of the two button head screws with washer and proceed to the next step.
As always, be careful not to pinch any wires with the screws.

Handlebar

9

Correct Display

Bracket Angle

Display Support

Tube Screws

(one on each side)

a

b

c

Pull connectors to

the top of the post

and insert tube

Align and push

together 2 large

connectors

Push 2 large

connectors

into the post

Assembly (Cont.)

3. (a.) Now find the "U" shaped handlebar. Align the holes in the handlebar with the holes on the
top of each post, hand tighten the 4 handlebar screws.

(b.) Once all four screws are tightened by hand you can securely tighten the 4 flat head

screws with the 5mm Allen wrench provided.

4. Push on the plastic covers that go over the handlebar joint as shown in the picture.

5. Using the 5mm Allen wrench, securely tighten 3 of the short button head screws with

washers on the bottom of each support post.

10

ba

Connect and push inside

tube to avoid being pinched

Push on

Plastic Cover

Install Support Tube

Fastening Screws

and Washers

Display Assembly

The 4 screws that attach the display console onto the handlebars are shipped screwed into the
back of the display. Prior to starting this step remove these four screws.

1. (a.) To attach the display you will first need to connect the main wiring harness onto the
back of the display. When pushing in the main connector, make sure that the connector
is turned to match the connector on the inside of the display.

(b.) Once this is complete push the wiring harness back inside the display and lay the display

on the display bracket. You can now attach the four screws on the back of the display
with a regular Phillips Screwdriver or with the end of the 5mm Allen Wrench supplied in
your hardware bag.

Power Cord

The turn on switch, fuse and power connector are all located on the front right side of
your treadmill. You can now plug in the power supply and then attach the safety key.

11

b

a

Power Cord
Attachment

Display Functions

Grounding Instructions

This product must be properly grounded to work safely and properly. If a malfunction should
occur, grounding provides a path for electric current and reduces the risk of electric shock.

Your LifeSpan treadmill includes a standard American ground plug. Do not alter this plug in anyway
and do not by pass the ground with an adapter. Plug your treadmill into a 115 VAC/10 amp
grounded electrical outlet with 115 volts measured at the treadmill. If this breaker switch has
other appliances that run at the same time, you may experience problems with the breaker switch
or erratic performance from your SoftStride treadmill.

Using electrical power other than the one specified above will void any warranty, implied
or otherwise.

Warnings

Improper connection of the grounded plug can
result in the risk of shock. Check with a qualified
electrician if you have any questions or are in
doubt as to whether the product is properly ground.

Never use extension cords between the treadmill
and wall outlet.

Readouts

Pause/Stop

Increase Incline

Mode

Quick Start

Increase Speed

Decrease Speed

Readouts

Pause/Stop

12

Decrease Incline

Treadmill
Plug

Grounded Wall Outlets

Grounded
socket

The Softstride comes with 5 Program types. For each program, except Manual you can select five
different levels of difficulty with one being the easiest and 5 being the most difficult.

Name Program Profile Name Program Profile

Program 1 – Manual Program 4 – Hill Climbs

Program 2 – Stride Program 5 – Weight Loss

Program 3 – Intervals

Manual –the Manual program can be selected by depressing the "Quick/Start" button or by
selecting Program 1 and entering a workout time before starting your workout. This program gives
you the maximum amount of control and only changes when you initiate the change in either
"Speed" or "Incline". The Manual program should be used for steady state training.

Stride – the Stride program is the only program that automatically changes both "Speed" and
"Incline". This program gradually increases the speed and incline of your workout and raises your
heart rate in the process. After reaching the maximum speed and incline, the program gradually
brings the incline and speed back to where you started in your workout. The range of "Speed" and
"Incline" for each level is shown in the table below.

As with all of the programs, you can manually override the "Speed" and "Incline" at any time dur­ing the workout.

Starting Speed Max. Speed Starting Incline Max. Incline

Level 1 1.5 MPH 3.5 MPH 1 Degrees 5 Degrees

Level 2 2.5 MPH 4.5 MPH 2 Degrees 6 Degrees

Level 3 3.5 MPH 5.5 MPH 3 Degrees 7 Degrees

Level 4 4.5 MPH 6.5 MPH 4 Degrees 8 Degrees

Level 5 5.5 MPH 7.5 MPH 5 Degrees 9 Degrees

13

Interval – the Interval program changes "Speed" to raise your heart rate for a short period and
then reduces the speed to bring your heart rate back down again. The starting and
maximum speeds vary depending on the level that you chose but range from a starting speed of
1 MPH in Level 1 to 4 MPH in Level 5. At each level, the speed will increase by 3 MPH during the
sprint portion of the interval. The length of the sprint period will depend on the length of the
workout that you choose.

Hill Climb – the Hill Climb program lets you set the Speed that you want to walk or run and
adjusts the Incline to increase and decrease the intensity of the workout. At Level 1 the incline
ranges from 1 to 6 degrees and at Level 5 it varies from 5 to 10 degrees. This program tends to
keep the level of Incline higher than the "Weight Loss" program and is an effective program to
improve strength.

Weight Loss – the Weight Loss program is similar to the Hill Climb program in that they both
vary the incline and keep the speed constant. The difference in this program is that rather than
being set for a specific time period, the workout is based on distance. During
Set-up, the Level that you pick determines how far you need to walk or run until the program
is completed. The distance ranges from 3 miles in level one to 11 miles in level 5.

14

Before starting your treadmill the following actions will need to be properly completed:

1. Be certain that your treadmill sits stable on the floor. It is also recommended that you locate

your treadmill in a pleasant area that gives you something to look at while your working out,
such as a window or television. Maintaining an exercise program with a treadmill located in
a poorly lit basement room is more difficult than when your treadmill is located in an active
and pleasant location.

2. Make sure that your treadmill is plugged into a properly grounded outlet as described in the

grounding section of this document.

3. Turn the On/Off switch, which is located in the bottom right hand corner of your treadmill, to

the On position.

4. Insert the magnetic safety key in the round area centered at the bottom of your display. If the

safety key is not inserted properly you will see lines across the middle of each LED display.

QuickStart

1. Attach the "Safety Key" to your clothing. This key will immediately shut off your treadmill if

removed and is strongly recommended for your safety.

2. QuickStart - The quickest and easiest way to start your treadmill is to push the QuickStart

button. This will cause the display to count down for 3 seconds and then begin in the
"Manual Program" at .5 Miles Per Hour.

3. Speed - To increase the speed push on the "Fast" button. Each time you depress the "Fast"

button the speed will increase by .1 Miles Per Hour

4. Incline - To increase the "Incline" depress the "Up" arrow. Each time you depress the "Up"

button it will increase the incline by one degree. To reduce the incline, depress the
"Down" button.

5. Display Readouts - Besides "Speed" and "Incline" the LED windows will automatically show

"Time" and "Calories" when you start a workout. In the "Quick Start" mode, time will start to
count up from 0:00.

15

Program Setup and Selection

1. To Start a program simply select the desired program by pressing on either the "Up" and

"Down" or "Fast" and "Slow" buttons and then pressing the "Mode" button.

2. For all programs except the "Manual Program" you will now need to select a "Level". To select

a "Level" press either set of "Up" and "Down" arrow keys. Level 1 is the easiest and Level 5
the most difficult. Once the desired level is obtained, push the "Mode" key.

Note: If you choose the "Weight Loss" program, when you select the Level, you will automatically
preset the distance for your workout. As a result, you will not be asked to select a desired workout
time. If you choose the "Weight Loss" program go to step 4 and push "Quick Start" after selecting
the level.

3. Now chose how long you would like to workout by pressing either set of "Up" and "Down"

arrows. Each time you push the up or down button the workout time will change by one
minute. You can also hold these buttons down to quickly scroll through the time.

4. Once the desired time is selected, push the "Quick Start" button to begin your workout.

Note: If you push the "Mode" button after selecting the workout time, the time on the display will
go to 00:00 and begin to count up to the time that was selected. You can push the "Mode" button
again and the time will count down during your workout.

16

The softstride treadmill comes with a folding feature that reduces the amount of storage space
required when your treadmill is not in use and makes the treadmill easier to move.

Folding the Treadmill

1. Make sure that the On/Off switch is turned Off and the power cord is removed from the
treadmill and placed in a safe place, away from where you will be moving the treadmill.

2. Make sure that nothing is on or near your treadmill which might spill, be knocked over or
prevent the treadmill from completely folding.

3. (a.) Place both hands under the support bar that is located directly under the back of the
running belt on your treadmill to make sure that you have a solid lifting point

(b.) Lift the treadmill all of the way forward until it touches the handlebars. Make sure
that the hydraulic lift is properly locked in place.

Caution: When lifting, use proper safety precautions and lifting techniques. Bend you knees
and elbows, keep your back straight and pull up evenly with both arms.

(c.) Make sure that the locking mechanism is secure by gently pulling back on the treadmill
and make sure that it doesn’t move. When doing this, be careful to be securely positioned in
case the treadmill lock has not engaged.

Caution:

•

Do not fold the treadmill by lifting on the running belt or rear roller. These parts do not
lock in place and are difficult to grip when folding - personal injury or damage to the treadmill
could result.

• Do not lean against the treadmill once it is folded or place items on it that could cause it to
become unstable or fall over. This could result in serious personal injury.

• Do not connect the power cord when the treadmill is folded or try to operate the treadmill in
the folded position

17

Moving the Treadmill

You will notice that there are two wheels located on the treadmill base to transport the treadmill
once folded. See the picture below:

1. (a.) While standing securely on the floor, grab the handlebar on each side and pull back on
the treadmill to transfer the treadmill weight onto the transport wheels.

(b.) Lower the treadmill so that the weight is shifted to your hands, like moving a wheel
barrow, and pull or push the treadmill into the proper position.

(c.) Once you get to where you want to store the treadmill, make sure that you have
adequate clearance in the front and gradually shift the weight forward, off of the wheels
and onto the base.

18

a b

Unfolding the Treadmill

1. Make sure that you have adequate space to lay down the treadmill and that the surface is
level and solid. If you plan on using the treadmill when unfolded, make sure that there is at
least two feet of clear surface on both sides and the front, and four feet of available surface in
the back.

2. Inspect to ensure that nothing is on or near your treadmill that might spill, be knocked over
or prevent the treadmill from completely unfolding.

3. Position yourself behind the treadmill. With your right hand, slightly push the treadmill
forward towards the display and with your left hand pull back on the bottom portion of the
hydraulic lift. This will unlock the lift and allow the treadmill to be lowered.

4. Once the locking mechanism is released, place both hands on the support brace underneath
the running deck and slowly lower the treadmill. Make sure that you use proper lifting technique,
bending your knees and keeping your back straight.

19

The softstride treadmill is designed and manufactured to be reliable and easy to use. However, if
you have a problem, these troubleshooting steps may help you find the cause.

Problem: The console lights do not light up.
Solution: Check to make sure that the treadmill is properly plugged-in, the On/Off switch is

turned to the "On" position, and Safety Key is attached.

Problem: The belt does not stay in the center of the treadmill when in use.
Solution: First check to make sure that the treadmill is level, then refer to the instructions in

this manual on how to tension and adjust the belt.

Problem: The treadmill motor seems strained or the fuse becomes blown.
Solution: The lubricating silicon that is applied to the deck and belt is wearing down and the

belt needs to be lubricated with silicon spray.

Problem: The treadmill belt slips during use.
Solution: The belt may need to be tensioned after a period of use. Refer to the Belt Tensioning

and Adjustment Section of this manual.

Problem: The motor is straining to keep the belt moving.
Solution: The LifeSpan treadmill belt is pre-lubricated at the factory with a silicon lubricant.

Occassionally you may need to re-apply silicon spray lubricant to keep the belt
friction low. These instructions are provided in the Maintenance and Cleaning section
on the following pages.

20

Belt Tensioning

If the belt begins to slip during use, it will need to be tensioned. Your softstride treadmill is
equipped with tension bolts that are accessible from the back of the treadmill. Before
tensioning the belt, start the treadmill and set the speed to 3 MPH. Using a 6 mm Allen Wrench,
included in your hardware bag, turn the right and left tension bolts 1/2 turn, alternating back
and forth until the belt slipping stops. After you adjust each side 1/2 turn, test to see if the
slip ping is eliminated. If the belt still slips repeat this step and test again.

If you turn one side more than the other, the belt will start to drift to the side of the treadmill
and need to be aligned.

Belt Centering

Your treadmill is designed to keep the running belt centered, but if the running belt drifts to
either side and touches the frame it will need to be adjusted. Before making any adjustments,
start the treadmill and set the speed at 3 MPH.

• Belt Drifts to the Right - If the running belt drifts too far to the right side, use the 6 mm
Allen Wrench to turn the right tension bolt clockwise 1/4 turn at a time until the belt is
properly centered.

• Belt Drifts to the Left - If the running belt drifts too far to the left, use the 6 mm Allen
Wrench to turn the left tension bolt Clockwise 1/4 turn at a time until the belt is properly centered.

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Belt Lubrication

To lubricate the belt, remove the rear end cap on both back corners of your treadmill and spray
silicon lubricant onto the back side of the belt.

To remove the endcaps you will need to either lay the treadmill on its side or tip it forward onto
the handlebars. Remove the phillips head screw, as shown in illustration A, and slide off both
end caps.

Lay the treadmill back into an operating position and turn it onto 2MPH.

Using a silicon spray lubricant with a long nozzle extension, spray the inside of the belt from both
sides for 5 seconds.

Replace the end caps and run the treadmil for 10 minutes at 5MPH.

Cleaning

After use, wipe down your treadmill with a soft cloth. On a regular basis, you will also want to
clean the treadmill using a mild detergent to remove all dirt and salt from the belt, painted parts
and the display.

Avoid getting dirt and other materials on the belt as these materials can work their way under the
belt and damage your treadmill or cause components to wear prematurely.

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435-940-1180

www.pcefitness.com

P.O. Box 981316

Park City, Utah 84098-1316