Why the TRUE Performance 8000 Is a Treadmill Worth Buying for the Long Run

A treadmill you buy for the long run

“They don’t build things like they used to.”

You’ve probably said it yourself. Maybe your family had a refrigerator that lasted for decades or an old television that seemed impossible to wear out. There’s something satisfying about a product that keeps doing its job long after you’ve stopped thinking about what you paid for it.

That’s the kind of ownership experience we associate with TRUE treadmills.

At Home Fitness, we’ve been selling TRUE treadmills since 1991. We regularly hear from customers who bought theirs in the 1990s or early 2000s—and are still using them today. They aren’t shopping because their treadmill quit. Sometimes they’re simply curious about what’s changed since they bought theirs.

The Performance 8000 carries that built-to-last approach forward with a heavy-gauge steel frame, substantial 3-inch rollers, and a reversible running deck. The entertainment options have evolved, but the foundation still matters: a treadmill needs to hold up to the miles you put on it.

With proper care, it could be the last treadmill you need to buy.

Built for running—not just impressive specifications

A treadmill can look impressive on paper. A big screen, motor size, a high top speed, incline grade, and a long list of workouts are easy to compare. What’s harder to judge is how the machine feels when you settle into your stride—and how well it holds up when you do that day after day.

That’s where the TRUE Performance 8000 deserves attention. Its heavy-gauge steel frame provides a substantial foundation, while the 22 × 60-inch running surface gives you room to move without feeling crowded. Large 3-inch rollers and a reversible deck are less glamorous than a touchscreen, but they’re important parts of a treadmill built for repeated use.

The standout feature, though, is that you don’t have to accept one fixed running feel. TRUE’s Soft Select system lets you adjust the deck from softer to firmer cushioning. Whether you prefer a more forgiving surface or something closer to the feel of pavement, you can choose what feels right to you.

You don’t have to be a serious runner to appreciate TRUE’s runner-focused construction. An everyday walker benefits from the same solid platform and adjustable comfort. And if several people share the treadmill, each can choose their preferred feel rather than everyone settling for the same setting.

Comfort comes from more than one place

A comfortable treadmill isn’t just about putting cushioning beneath the running deck. What your foot lands on matters, too. The TRUE Performance 8000 combines an orthopedic running belt with a shock-absorbing deck and adjustable Soft Select cushioning, giving you more than one layer of comfort.

The orthopedic belt adds cushioning at the surface, right where your shoes meet the treadmill. Beneath it, the deck’s shock-absorbing system helps soften the feel of each footstrike. These features work together to shape the experience underfoot.

Soft Select adds something especially useful: a choice. You can adjust the deck from softer to firmer rather than accepting whatever feel the manufacturer chose for you. You might prefer a more forgiving surface for an everyday walk or a firmer setting for a run. There isn’t one setting everyone has to like.

That’s also why this is a feature worth trying in person. Walk or run on the Performance 8000, change the cushioning setting, and feel the difference for yourself. A description can explain how the system works, but your own stride will tell you which setting feels right.

From everyday walking to serious running

You don’t have to train for a marathon to want a well-built treadmill. If your routine is a daily walk, you’ll still appreciate a steady belt, a comfortable surface, and room to move naturally. Quality construction matters whether you’re logging a few easy miles or working toward a personal best.

The Performance 8000 gives you room to build on that routine. With speeds up to 12 mph and incline up to 15%, it can accommodate relaxed walks, challenging uphill sessions, and faster running workouts. You can change the intensity as your fitness improves or your goals change.

That versatility also makes sense for a household with different exercise habits. One person might want a comfortable morning walk, while another needs space for a longer stride and more demanding runs. Both can use the same treadmill and adjust the cushioning to their own preference.

Buy for the exercise you enjoy today, but leave yourself room for what you might want to do tomorrow.

Designed for a longer working life

The belt and deck are two of a treadmill’s main wear components. Every mile puts them to work, so the ability to maintain those surfaces matters when you’re buying for the long run.

The Performance 8000 allows the belt and deck to be lubricated according to TRUE’s maintenance instructions. That lubrication reduces friction between the two surfaces, helping limit wear and extend their useful life. It’s a practical feature that supports years of continued use.

The reversible deck adds another advantage. When one running surface wears out, the deck can be flipped to use the other side rather than immediately replacing it. You’re getting another usable surface from a component that takes the impact of every workout.

Together, lubrication and a reversible deck give you practical ways to get more life from the parts that do the everyday work—another reason to look beyond screen size and horsepower when choosing a treadmill.

Choose the console that fits how you exercise

The treadmill’s construction determines what’s beneath your feet. The console shapes how you spend your time on it—from a quick morning walk to a longer run with your favorite show.

The Performance 8000 offers an 8.5-inch LCD console and 10-, 16-, and 22-inch HD touchscreen options. You can choose the experience you want without changing the treadmill beneath your feet.

If you prefer straightforward workout information, the LCD keeps things simple with quick-touch speed and incline controls, built-in workouts, and Bluetooth connectivity for GymTrakr workout tracking. TRUE’s HRC Cruise Control can adjust speed and incline to help you maintain your target heart rate.

If entertainment helps you stay moving, the T10, T16, and T22 touchscreens offer apps including Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, Disney+, and Spotify. Connect to WiFi and sign in with your own accounts; subscriptions are required where applicable. You can keep workout information beside your entertainment or use the full-screen view.

The touchscreens also support phone screen mirroring and an HDMI input for devices such as a Roku or Fire TV Stick. For interactive training, Bluetooth connectivity lets compatible apps such as Zwift and Kinomap receive treadmill speed data.

You don’t need another monthly subscription to get a great workout. The Performance 8000 includes built-in workout programs and lets you control your own speed and incline without a paid fitness membership. You can walk, run, follow a programmed workout, or use heart-rate training without subscribing to a separate training service. Use your existing streaming accounts where supported, explore compatible training apps, or simply focus on your workout.

Feel the difference yourself

You can compare specifications online, but you can’t feel a treadmill through a screen. The best way to understand the Performance 8000 is to step on it and put it through your own workout.

Bring your walking or running shoes to Home Fitness. Start at your usual pace, try the incline, and adjust the Soft Select cushioning from softer to firmer. Notice how the belt feels underfoot, how much room you have to move, and which setting you prefer. Try the console options, too—you’ll use those controls every time you exercise.

We’ve been selling TRUE treadmills since 1991, and we’ll help you understand the differences without expecting you to choose from a spec sheet alone.

Find the TRUE Performance 8000 exclusively at Home Fitness in the Wichita area. Come feel what sets it apart—and decide whether it’s the treadmill you want to use for years to come.

Explore the TRUE Performance 8000 treadmill and visit Home Fitness to try it for yourself.