ProForm Treadmill Reviews

What is important when buying a ProForm treadmill is the fact that their sub $700 models have limitations. They are not designed for running, but our primarily walking machines. That is the case for any budget manufacturer. If you want to jog, plan on spending around $1,000.

Also, be leary of their suggested weight limits, these are typically inflated, as they are with most treadmill companies. It is pushing it to imply that a budget treadmill can handle someone 300 lbs or more. I usually substract around 50-75 lbs.

Finally, ignore their suggestions that their components are commercial grade. If you want a treadmill with commercial grade components, you better be ready to dish out in excess of $3,000.

With all that said, ProForm offers some of the best value in their price range.

Reasons to Buy a ProForm Treadmill

Value — Considering how little most ProForm treadmills cost you get some good value. Being the largest fitness equipment company, you benefit from economy of scale. ProForm reminds me of Hyundai cars. Their not the quality of a Lexus, but they offer an excellent value to someone wanting a loaded vehicle at a value price.

Innovation — When I was at the Icon Fitness headquarters, they impressed upon me how much they invest into research and development. That is why, even their budget machines have exclusive technology designed to assist you in reaching your fitness goals.

A perfect example is their iFIT Technology. iFIT is a series of programs that control the speed, incline and duration of your workout. Each focuses on different levels of fitness, with different fitness goals - wellness, endurance, weight loss, body shaping. They include audio coaching and motivation.

New for 2010 is the iFit Live. It allows your treadmill to communicate through Wi-Fi with the Internet. You create your own personal account online and define your fitness goals. Customized workouts with audio coaching is downloaded onto your treadmill. In addition, you iFit Live tracks all of your specs and progress and defines the data in your personal online account.

However, what makes this feature rock is the interaction with Google Maps. You can define trails or roadways that you want to walk on Google Maps, and iFit Live will simulate the terrain with the incline feature. Furthermore, you can place your laptop on the treadmill and see either a street, map or satellite view of the route you are running. You can get iFit Live on the Power 690, Power 990 and the Power 995. (Note: There is an additional cost for the insert module and membership.)

In addition, you'll find reasonably priced models with flat screen televisions, quality sound systems, and audio inputs for MP3 and iPOD.

Our Review - ProForm Treadmills

Are ProForm the best treadmills made? Not by a long shot. Are they the best-made budget treadmill? Probably!

ProForm has gone through an impressive transition over the last several years. They went from being a joke in the industry to being some of the best values for budget treadmills. Their specs match or exceed their competition. In fact, their only real competition is NordicTrack, which is built by the same company.

However, when you get into the $1,000+ range there are some other brands to consider like Smooth, Sole and BowFlex.

Consumer Magazine Review

CR rated the ProForm 750 as "Excellent" for ergonomics and "Good" for quality. With the ProForm 1000S (No longer available), they rated it "Very Good" for ease of use, quality and exercise range.

Customer Reviews

Unbelievable Treadmill for the Price!!!,

"I am 220 lbs and 6' 5" - and this treadmill handles me at a full out run with no problems. It is quiet too. The 8 pre set programs are amazing, and I can't believe how fast this thing will go. WAY faster than I can run!!!! (Note - This counterdicts my recommendation on not using these treadmills for running, I tend to be on the cautious side.)"

Close but no cigar

"When looking at treadmills, you really do get what you pay for. Though I really like the display and controls of this treadmill, that's about all it has going for it."

"The running deck is not nearly as sturdy as on the more pricey models. The belt does not touch the deck at all times but hovers a fraction of an inch above it- so that when you land while jogging it yields a bit, giving a very unsteady feel (Is this the cushion technology that they advertise?). Also this machine does not feel nearly as steady when I jog on it- I am 6'3" and 190 lbs."

"When deciding whether to go with discount machine (under one grand) or a higher model, consider your size and what you want to do with it. If you are small or are going to strictly walk on it, these lower end machines are fine. But if you are of significant size or want to jog/run, spend a little more and get a more stable machine that will last longer."

Good Product

"Good product, works well, delivery was prompt and the price was right. Assembly was fairly easy with a little help and directions were easy to read. Fan is a little noisy though and can be slightly distracting. Other than that I would highly recommend this Treadmill."

Other ProForm Treadmill Reviews:

(Prices as of 1/28/09) - There are several models that are currently mark down. Go to ProFormTreadmills.com to see all models.

ProForm 980 Audio Trainer - $749 - Bargain Buy

ProForm Power PRO 990 - $899

ProForm Power PRO 995 - $999

ProForm 590T - $599

ProForm 780 CrossWalk - $799

Proform 690 Power Pro - $1,299

Add to: , del.icio.us, Digg, Furl, Google, Netscape, reddit, Spurl, Squidoo, EarthLink MyFavorites