True Fitness 400 User Manual

400 Series

Owner’s Manual

RESIDENTIAL TREADMILL
Manual/Pre-Program/Heart Rate Control

In 1981, Frank
Trulaske launched
True Fitness
Technology, Inc.
and began
manufacturing
hand-crafted
treadmills.

His team's
obsession
with quality
has
propelled
True to the
top of the industry and has
created one of America’s
oldest, largest and most
respected treadmill
manufacturers. True’s
200,000 square foot facility,
just outside St. Louis,
Missouri, houses the
manufacturing plant,
engineering laboratory and
testing facility.

Over the years, True has
designed, developed and
fabricated new and
cutting-edge components
for their complete
residential and commercial
treadmill line, including
innovative frame and
suspension systems.

Intensive quality
control standards
guarantee
excellence in
every phase of
production,
resulting in the
finest treadmills

available
in the
market­place.

True

treadmills
are consistently rated
#1 for their smooth,
quiet and comfortable
performance. Today,
True is the choice for
workouts among
beginners, rehab
patients and top
athletes world-wide.

Thank You For Selecting A True Treadmill

Our original goal was to build the
world’s best treadmills, and today
we believe we’re doing it!”

-Frank Trulaske

NOTE: The serial number
must

remain intact for
the warranty to remain
valid. Please check your
serial # ID to verify it has
not been tampered with,
removed

or altered.

Table of Contents

Safety Instructions 1-2
Setting Up Your Treadmill 3-4
Assembly 5-6
Treadbelt Adjustment 7-8
Control Panel Functions 9
Basic Treadmill Operation 10-11
Quick Reference Operating Instr. 12
Manual Operation 13
Programmed Workouts 14-15
User Programs 16
Heart Rate Control (workouts) 17-20
Cruise Control 21-22
Important Points About Heart
Rate Control 23-24
The F.I.T. Formula 25-29
Beginning Your Exercise Program 30-32
Care and Maintenance 33-34
Troubleshooting Guide 35
Diagnostics 36-37

Safety Instructions

1

Important Safety Instructions

When using this treadmill, basic precautions should always
be followed, including the following:

Read all instructions before using this treadmill.

Consult your physician before beginning any exercise
program.

Danger: To reduce the risk of electric shock, always unplug
this treadmill immediately after use and before cleaning.

Warning: to reduce the risk of burns, fire and electric shock
and injury to persons:

This treadmill should never be left unattended when plugged
in. Unplug it from the outlet when not in use and before any
service is performed.

Close supervision is necessary when this treadmill is being
used by or near children, invalids, or disabled persons.

Use this treadmill only for its intended use as described in
this manual.

Do not use attachments not recommended by the
manufacturer.

Never operate this treadmill if it has a damaged power cord
or plug, if it is not working properly, if it has been damaged
or dropped, or if it has been submerged in water. In these
cases, the treadmill should be examined by a qualified service
technician.

Use a dedicated 110 volt, alternating current (AC), 15 amp
three-prong grounded outlet.

Safety Instructions

2

Keep the power cord away from heated surfaces.

Never drop or insert any object into any opening.

To disconnect, turn the power switch to the OFF position,
then remove the plug from the outlet.

Do not allow animals on or near your treadmill.

Make sure the power cord has enough slack to allow the
treadmill to raise freely without being limited by the cord or
caught in the incline rack. Do not run the power cord under

treadmill.

Use the treadmill indoors only.

Never use your treadmill near water or while wet. Using the
treadmill around a pool, hot tub or sauna will void the
warranty.

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

Allow only trained personnel to service this equipment.

Keep the area under the treadmill free from obstruction, as
the deck will return to 0% grade when the safety key is
placed on console.

Avoid the possibility of bystanders being struck or caught
between moving parts by making sure that they are out of
reach of the treadmill while it is in motion.

Keep the space behind and on both sides of the treadmill
clear should you lose your balance.

Setting Up Your Treadmill

3

Allow only one person at a time on your machine.

Do not operate treadmill without the safety key attached to
the console and the lanyard clipped to your clothing at
approximately waist height.

Always straddle the treadbelt and allow the belt to begin
moving before stepping onto the belt.

Use extreme caution when stepping onto moving tread belt.
Some programs begin at speeds as high as 4.8 mph.

Gradually slow down the belt before stopping. This will
minimize the sensation of movement after you stop.

When making treadbelt adjustments, keep fingers, loose
clothing, jewelry, and long hair away from moving parts.

Setting Up Your Treadmill

Place your treadmill on a clean, level surface. Make sure the
electrical cord easily reaches a grounded three-pronged outlet
and has enough slack to allow the deck to incline without
tightening the cord. Do not allow the treadmill assembly to
rest on the cord.

Although your treadmill is designed to operate on most
carpeted surfaces, some deeply padded or heavy shag carpets
can cause damage. To prevent damage to your treadmill or
carpet, have someone stand on the deck and make sure the
treadmill belt doesn’t touch the carpet at any point.

Your treadmill is designed for indoor use only. Always keep
the control panel out of direct sunlight.

Setting Up Your Treadmill

4

Important Electrical Requirements

Your True treadmill requires a dedicated 110 volt,
alternating current (AC), 15 amp grounded outlet circuit.

This means nothing else can be plugged into the same power
circuit. Most household power circuits are rated for this
110VAC 15-amp requirement, but you must ensure the
treadmill does not share the circuit with anything else.

Danger: Do not use an extension cord or an ungrounded
outlet. The ground helps prevent electrical damage to your
treadmill and enhances your safety by preventing shock.
Check with a qualified electrician or serviceman if you are in
doubt as to whether the treadmill is properly grounded. Do
not modify the plug provided with the treadmill – if it will
not fit the outlet, have a proper outlet installed by a qualified
electrician.

A grounded outlet is critical for the Heart Rate Control
system to function properly.

Assembly

Hardware Kit:

1. Safety key

2. 5mm T-handle hex key

3. 5mm hex key/Philips screwdriver

4. 3mm hex key

5. 2mm hex key

6. 8mm x 15mm hex screws (4)

7. 8mm x 50mm hex screws (2)

8. 6mm x 15mm hex screws (4)

9. handrail clamps (2)

Step 1: Carefully unpack treadmill and check that all
hardware is present as shown.

Step 2: Remove motor cover by taking out the six screws
with Philips screwdriver.

Step 3: The upper wiring harness is tucked into the bottom
of the right pedestal leg. Lay the pedestal on the treadmill as
shown on page 6.

Assembly

5

Detach the rubber band from the upper wiring harness and
route the cable down the pedestal leg support and out the
bottom hole as shown.

Step 4: Tilt the pedestal up and slide it down the pedestal
supports, being careful not to pull out the upper wiring
harness. Plug the upper wiring harness into the motor
controller. Install the four 5mm x 15mm screws into the
pedestal legs.

Assembly

6

Treadbelt Adjustment

7

Do not tighten any pedestal or handrail screws until
instructed.

Step 5: The proper side of each handrail is designated by a

label. Install the handrails by sliding over the handrail stub
next to the handlebar. Install two 2mm x 15mm screws at the
top of each handrail. Install one 8mm x 50mm screw through
the handrail clamp and into the bottom of the handrail as
shown. Tighten all pedestal and handrail screws.

Step 6: Reinstall the motor cover using the Philips
screwdriver. Place the safety key on the circle labeled Safety
Key on the console.

Treadbelt Adjustment

Your treadmill’s running belt has been properly aligned at
the factory. However, when the treadmill is used on an
uneven surface, please follow these instructions:

Treadbelt Adjustment

8

1. Stand beside the treadmill, place the safety key onto the
control panel and follow operating instructions for running
the treadmill at 5 mph.

2. If the belt is off-center to the right, turn the left roller
adjustment bolt counter clock-wise 1/4 turn. If the belt is
off-center to the left, turn the left roller adjustment bolt 1/4
turn clockwise.

3. Let the machine run for several minutes to check the
alignment. (Belt alignment does not need to be perfect). If
more correction is needed, turn the adjustment bolt 1/4 turn
and check again.

Treadbelt Tension

To assure maximum life of the treadbelt, roller and drive
motor, make sure the treadbelt tension is set correctly. (Your
treadbelt has been properly tensioned at the factory.)

Turn both rear roller adjustment bolts counter-clockwise
until treadbelt just begins slipping when walking on it, then
turn both rear roller adjustment bolts clockwise in equal
quarter turn increments until treadbelt stops slipping.

Note: Be sure to run on treadbelt to ensure that the
treadbelt does not slip while under load.

9

Control Panel Functions

(400 HRC Shown)

Distance Grade Time Speed Pace Calories

Miles traveled in 0.1 mile Incline in percent grade Elapsed time. Can also Miles per hour in Time per mile at Estimated total

increments up to 9.99 miles, in 0.5% increments. be set to count down. 0.10 increments. current speed. calories burned.

or 0.10 mile increments past

10 miles. Can also be set to

count down.

Safety Key

Removable magnetic key

must be in place for

treadmill to operate.

Grade Up/Down Stop/Pause Speed Slow/Fast Select/Enter

Adjusts incline. Also Stops the belt and pauses Adjusts speed in 0.1 mph Accepts workout

used to choose programs workout. If held for 5 increments. Also used to parameters, and toggles

and to set distance in seconds, resets all work- set weight and other the dual function

count down mode. out information. workout parameters. displays.

Start/Reset

Starts the belt in motion.

Also resets workout data

when held for 3 seconds.

METS

Emergency

expenditure rate.

10

Basic Treadmill Operation

Basic Treadmill Operation

Starting Your Treadmill Safely

Straddle the treadbelt by placing your feet on the straddle
covers.

Attach the lanyard to your clothing at about waist height.

Place the safety key on the key holder on the console.

Set your weight using the keys and press .

Press the key for a quick start into a manual control

workout, or press the key to begin setting up a

different workout, as described in later sections.

Stopping Your Treadmill Safely

Slow the treadmill to below 2 mph using the key.

Press .

Setting Your Weight

Your body weight must be entered so that the treadmill
accurately estimates your calorie expenditure. This weight
must include your workout clothing, too, which typically
adds about three pounds. The treadmill will work fine
without your weight setting, but will be unable to calculate
your calories. When you are setting your weight, it is
displayed in the Time Window.

Your treadmill will remember the last weight you entered.