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Passive Mode

Understanding what happens when you start your treadmill manually from its panel.

What is Passive Mode?

Passive Mode occurs when you start your treadmill using its physical control panel instead of through the Treadmill Assistant app.

In this mode:

  • 📊 App monitors your workout (stats update in real-time)
  • 🚫 App cannot control the treadmill (read-only)
  • 🔵 Gray "PASSIVE MODE" indicator shown

Passive Mode Indicator

Why Does This Happen?

When you start the treadmill from its panel:

  • The treadmill is now in control of itself
  • Bluetooth protocols prevent "fighting" for control
  • App respects the treadmill's authority
  • This is a safety feature, not a bug

How to Identify Passive Mode

You'll know you're in Passive Mode when:

  1. Gray "PASSIVE MODE" button appears (instead of START/STOP)
  2. Speed/incline sliders are read-only (show current values but can't adjust)
  3. Stats continue updating (distance, calories, time, etc.)
  4. You started from the treadmill panel (not the app)

What Works in Passive Mode

✅ Stats Monitoring:

  • Speed
  • Distance
  • Time
  • Calories
  • Steps
  • Heart Rate
  • Incline

✅ Workout Recording:

  • All data is saved
  • Workout appears in History
  • Syncs to your health platform (if enabled)

✅ Screen Display:

  • Real-time stat updates
  • Last value display (when stopped)
  • Screen lock prevention (if enabled)

What Doesn't Work in Passive Mode

❌ Treadmill Control:

  • Cannot adjust speed from app
  • Cannot adjust incline from app
  • Cannot stop treadmill from app (must use panel)

❌ Program Execution:

  • Programs cannot run
  • No automatic segment transitions
  • No programmed speed/incline changes

❌ App-Initiated Actions:

  • No START button (already running)
  • No STOP button (use treadmill panel)
  • No control over treadmill state

Exiting Passive Mode

To regain app control:

Method 1: Stop and Restart via App

  1. Stop the treadmill using its panel
  2. Wait for treadmill to return to idle
  3. Press START in the app
  4. App regains control

Method 2: Reconnect

  1. Stop the treadmill using its panel
  2. Disconnect from treadmill in app
  3. Reconnect to treadmill
  4. Start from app next time

Method 3: Enable Treadmill Control

If in read-only mode:

  1. Go to Settings > Treadmill Control
  2. Toggle ON and accept waiver
  3. Reconnect to treadmill
  4. Can now start via app

When to Use Passive Mode Intentionally

Monitoring Only

If you prefer full manual control:

  • Keep treadmill control disabled
  • Always start from panel
  • Use app purely for stat tracking and history

Shared Treadmill

When multiple users share a treadmill:

  • Not everyone may use the app
  • Panel control is universal
  • App users can still track their workouts

Comfort with Panel

Some users prefer:

  • Physical buttons over phone screens
  • Direct treadmill interaction
  • App as supplementary tool

Passive Mode and Programs

Programs Don't Work

In Passive Mode:

  • Cannot execute workout programs
  • Program dropdown is disabled
  • Must control speed/incline manually from panel

Workaround

To run programs:

  1. Ensure treadmill is idle
  2. Start workout from the app (not panel)
  3. Program will execute automatically

Passive Mode and History

Workouts Are Still Saved

Passive Mode workouts save normally:

  • All stats recorded
  • Appears in History tab
  • Syncs to your health platform
  • Duration must still be ≥15 seconds

No Program Attribution

Since programs can't run in Passive Mode:

  • Workout saved as "Free-Run"
  • No program name in history
  • Just raw stats (distance, time, etc.)

Tips for Avoiding Passive Mode

Always Start from App

If you want app control:

  1. Don't touch treadmill panel START
  2. Use app START button instead
  3. App maintains control throughout workout

Enable Treadmill Control

Make sure control is enabled:

  • Settings > Treadmill Control → ON
  • Accept liability waiver
  • START button becomes active in app

Auto-Connect

Enable for faster access:

  • Settings > BLE Connection → Auto-Connect ON
  • App connects automatically on launch
  • Ready to start immediately

Troubleshooting Passive Mode

Stuck in Passive Mode

Problem: Can't regain app control

Solution:

  1. Stop treadmill completely
  2. Disconnect from app
  3. Close and reopen app
  4. Reconnect
  5. Start from app next time

Passive Mode Unintended

Problem: App enters Passive Mode unexpectedly

Solution:

  • Don't touch treadmill panel during workouts
  • If you do, expect Passive Mode
  • Stop and restart to regain control

Want to Use Passive Mode Always

Problem: Prefer panel control but app complains

Solution:

  • Disable treadmill control: Settings > Treadmill Control → OFF
  • App will expect Passive Mode
  • No warnings or prompts

Passive Mode vs Read-Only Mode

Read-Only Mode

  • Setting-based: Treadmill control disabled in Settings
  • Intentional: You chose to disable control
  • Permanent: Stays disabled until you change setting

Passive Mode

  • State-based: Treadmill is controlling itself
  • Automatic: Triggered by panel start
  • Temporary: Ends when workout stops and you restart via app

Both result in monitoring-only behavior, but for different reasons.

Next Steps

Questions about modes? Check the FAQ.