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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions and quick answers about Treadmill Assistant.

General

What treadmills are compatible?

Treadmill Assistant works with treadmills that use the FitShow or FTMS (Fitness Machine Service) Bluetooth protocol.

If your treadmill: - Has a FitShow app - Mentions FTMS in its manual - Advertises Bluetooth fitness features

...it's likely compatible. Try the app to find out!

Do I need a smartwatch?

No! Treadmill Assistant connects directly to your treadmill via Bluetooth. No watch or other devices needed.

Does this work without internet access?

Yes! All features work without internet except: - Cloud sync (requires network to backup) - App updates

Workouts, programs, and local storage all work without internet. Note: "Offline mode" in the app refers to browsing your history without connecting to a treadmill via Bluetooth.

Is my data private?

Absolutely. Your data is stored: - Locally on your device - In your personal cloud storage (iCloud or Google Drive, if enabled) - In your health platform (Apple Health or Health Connect, if enabled)

No third-party servers. No external companies. Just you.

Getting Started

Do I need to enable treadmill control?

No - treadmill control is optional. You can:

  • With control: Start, adjust speed/incline, run programs from app
  • Without control: Monitor stats, save history, sync to Health

The app is fully functional without control enabled.

Should I enable health integration?

Optional but recommended. Benefits:

  • ✅ Automatic workout backup
  • ✅ Centralized fitness data
  • ✅ More accurate calorie calculations
  • ✅ Works with other fitness apps

How do I connect my treadmill?

  1. Power on treadmill
  2. Open Treadmill Assistant
  3. Tap "Connect" or "Scan"
  4. Select your treadmill from list

See: Connecting Your Treadmill

Workouts

Can I pause a workout?

Yes! Pause Mode is available for program-based workouts. It's disabled by default due to treadmill limitations.

To enable:

  1. Go to Settings > Treadmill Control > Pause Mode
  2. Read the limitations warning and tap Enable

Important: When you pause, the treadmill actually stops and resets. The app preserves your accumulated stats and continues tracking when you resume. This means the app shows your true total, while the treadmill display resets to zero.

Learn more: Pause Mode

Why isn't my workout saving?

Workouts must be ≥15 seconds to save. This prevents clutter from accidental starts.

If longer than 15 seconds and still not saving, check: - History tab for the workout - Cloud sync if enabled - Wait a few seconds after stopping

What is Passive Mode?

Passive Mode occurs when you start the treadmill from its panel instead of the app. The app monitors but cannot control.

To exit: Stop treadmill, start from app next time.

Learn more: Passive Mode

Can I run workouts outdoors?

Treadmill Assistant is designed for treadmill workouts only. It requires Bluetooth connection to a compatible treadmill.

For outdoor runs, use your device's built-in fitness app or other running apps.

Programs

How many programs can I create?

Unlimited! Create as many custom programs as you want.

Can I share programs or workouts with friends?

Yes! You can share workouts with friends. See Sharing Programs & Workouts for details.

Stats & Tracking

Why no heart rate data?

Heart rate data comes from two possible sources:

Option 1: Treadmill grip sensors - Requires treadmill with handlebar sensors (metal contacts) - Both hands on sensors during workout - 30-60 seconds for stabilization

Option 2: External HR monitor (recommended) - Connect a Bluetooth chest strap or arm band - More accurate and continuous readings - No need to hold treadmill handles

If neither source provides data, HR will show "N/A".

Learn more: Heart Rate Tracking | External HR Monitor Setup

Are calories accurate?

Calories are estimates with ±10-20% variance. Accuracy improves when you:

  • Provide accurate weight in your health profile
  • Provide biological sex and date of birth
  • Keep weight updated regularly
  • Use a Bluetooth HR monitor with Premium for HR-based calorie estimation, which accounts for your individual effort level

See: Understanding Stats

Can I export my data?

Currently: - ✅ Data backed up to iCloud / Google Drive (if enabled) - ✅ Data synced to Apple Health / Health Connect (if enabled) - ❌ No CSV/PDF export (yet)

Why do my steps reset to zero?

Many treadmills reset step counter at 9999. Treadmill Assistant detects this and corrects automatically.

Final workout shows correct total - this is just a visual quirk during workout.

Health Integration

Do workouts appear in my health platform automatically?

If health integration is enabled with Auto-Save ON, workouts sync automatically after each session.

Otherwise, sync manually from the health section in Settings.

Can I sync past workouts?

Yes! If you enable health integration after completing workouts:

  1. Past workouts show as "Pending"
  2. Use the Sync Workouts button in health settings
  3. All pending workouts sync

What if I delete a workout?

When deleting, you choose:

  • Delete from App Only - Removes from Treadmill Assistant, keeps in your health platform
  • Delete from App & Health - Removes from both

Choose carefully - deletions are permanent.

Connection

Treadmill won't connect - what do I try?

Quick checklist:

  1. ✅ Treadmill powered ON
  2. ✅ Treadmill Bluetooth enabled
  3. ✅ Phone Bluetooth ON
  4. ✅ Within 10 feet of treadmill
  5. ✅ App has Bluetooth permission

See: Connection Troubleshooting

Can I use multiple treadmills?

Yes! The app remembers all treadmills you've connected to.

  • With auto-connect ON: Connects to last-used treadmill
  • With auto-connect OFF: Choose treadmill each time

Connection drops during workout - help!

Common causes:

  • Too far from treadmill (stay within 10-15 feet)
  • Obstacles blocking signal (remove barriers)
  • Low phone battery (charge above 20%)
  • Bluetooth interference (move away from microwaves, routers)

Equipment Maintenance

How do I track maintenance?

Equipment tab shows:

  • Belt lubrication
  • Belt replacement
  • Running shoes

Adjust intervals in Settings > Equipment Maintenance.

Learn more: Equipment Maintenance

Do maintenance warnings stop workouts?

No - warnings are informational only. You can continue working out even when overdue.

However, ignoring maintenance can damage your treadmill or increase injury risk.

Can I disable maintenance tracking?

Set intervals to 0.

Settings & Features

How do I enable dark mode?

Settings > Appearance > Dark

Or use "System" to automatically follow your device's appearance settings.

Does the app track outdoor runs?

No - Treadmill Assistant only tracks treadmill workouts with Bluetooth connection.

Use your device's built-in fitness app or other running apps for outdoor tracking.

What data uses cloud storage?

Very little! Typical usage:

  • Empty app: <1 MB
  • 100 workouts: ~2 MB
  • 1000 workouts: ~10-15 MB

Won't significantly impact your iCloud or Google Drive storage.

Troubleshooting

App crashes or freezes - what do I do?

  1. Force quit app from the app switcher
  2. Restart app
  3. Restart device if persists
  4. Update app from your app store
  5. Reinstall app as last resort (enable cloud sync first to preserve data)

I lost my workout data - can I recover it?

If cloud sync was enabled:

  • ✅ Data should restore when you reinstall and enable cloud sync

If health integration was enabled:

  • ✅ Workouts are in your health platform permanently

If neither enabled:

  • ❌ Data may be lost if app was deleted

Always enable cloud sync for automatic backup!

Settings aren't saving

  • Try toggling setting OFF then ON again
  • Close and reopen app
  • Restart device
  • Update to latest app version

If cloud sync is enabled, settings sync across devices.

How do I report a bug?

  1. Please use Discord (link on main web site) to talk to us directly and report problems. A bug tracker is in the works.

Billing & Subscription

Is Treadmill Assistant free?

Treadmill Assistant is free to download and includes a generous free tier. You can connect to your treadmill via Bluetooth, control speed and incline, run free-run workouts, view real-time stats, and save basic workout history — all without a subscription.

Premium unlocks advanced features including custom workout programs, ad-hoc targets, health sync, cloud backup, external HR monitor support, equipment maintenance tracking, and more.

Do I need a subscription?

Not for basic use. Free-run workouts, treadmill control, and basic history are free. Premium is needed for custom programs, ad-hoc targets, health sync, cloud backup, HR monitor support, equipment tracking, and other advanced features.

How do I cancel subscription?

  1. iOS Settings > [Your Name] > Subscriptions
  2. Find Treadmill Assistant
  3. Tap Cancel Subscription

Or manage in the App Store app.

  1. Open Google Play Store > Profile > Payments & subscriptions > Subscriptions
  2. Find Treadmill Assistant
  3. Tap Cancel subscription

Advanced

Can I reset the app to defaults?

No single "reset" button. To reset:

  • Manually change settings back to defaults
  • Or reinstall app (preserves data if cloud sync enabled)

The app uses too much battery

Tips to reduce battery usage:

  • Disable "Keep Screen On" (Settings > Workout Screen Lock)
  • Reduce screen brightness
  • Close other apps during workout
  • Keep phone charged/plugged in

Bluetooth and screen-on are main battery users.

Future Features

Will [feature X] be added?

Potential future features:

  • CSV/PDF data export
  • Outdoor run tracking
  • Multiple shoe tracking
  • Program sharing
  • Advanced analytics

Submit feedback through our Discord community!

How do I suggest improvements?

User feedback drives development priorities! We encourage you to connect to our Discord (link on main website) to talk to us.

Question not answered? Check other documentation sections or contact support.