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Choosing the best ProForm treadmill can be confusing when you begin your research. So in this ProForm treadmill roundup, we’re going to help you pick the perfect treadmill for your training goals, preferences and budget. A treadmill is a great piece of fitness equipment for any home gym, allowing you to enjoy a variety of cardio workouts.
Whether you’re looking to get your steps in with an easy walk or break a sweat with HIIT training, a treadmill will get the job done.
ProForm treadmills are some of the best on the market for home use, and a fantastic way to get in your cardio all year long, even during the colder months. They offer trainer-led classes, features designed to provide a comfortable run and integration with iFit, so you can easily follow your workout.
ProForm treadmills range from simple basic models to higher-end ones that include larger screen sizes, built-in fans, Bluetooth options and a wide range of speed and incline settings. The Pro, Carbon and City series of treadmills all include varying features and different price points.
We’re going to break down the various options available from ProForm, what makes them different and what factors you should consider when deciding which treadmill is the best for you.
The Best ProForm Treadmills for Your Home Gym
ProForm Pro
The ProForm Pro is the top-of-the-line model from the brand, offering the widest range of incline and speed options. It comes in two versions, the Pro 9000 and Pro 2000, allowing you to experience the same benefits with two different screen size options.
The Pro series includes an incline adjustment that ranges from -3 to 12 percent, allowing you to simulate downhill running. This is a rare feature on treadmills and one that advanced runners will love to use. The speed can be set anywhere between zero to 12 miles per hour.
The Pro model is the biggest of ProForm’s three options, with dimensions of 35.3 inches wide x 77.3 inches deep x 59.6 inches tall and a 300-pound weight capacity. Those with larger frames will have plenty of room to exercise, without feeling constricted by narrow handrails.
It’s also packed with features, including a large HD touchscreen, 22 inches on the Pro 9000 or 10 inches on the Pro 2000. It also comes with cooling fans and Bluetooth integration to stream your music through the built-in speakers or follow along with the classes using your headphones.
You’ll be able to use your iFit membership right on the screen, which allows you to follow trainer-led workouts that automatically adjust your speed and incline when needed. You can enjoy the workout without having to spend too much time adjusting the settings as you run.
While the ProForm Pro 9000 and ProForm Pro 2000 are almost identical in specs and features, there are two differences. The size of the touchscreens, and that the 9000 has a slightly larger motor at 3.6 continuous horsepower compared to 3.25 continuous horsepower on the 2000. The Pro 2000 costs $1,799 and the Pro 9000 costs $2,299.
The Pro Series is the most expensive of ProForm’s three options, but comes with the most features, including a negative incline setting.
ProForm Carbon
If you don’t need all of the Pro features, or it’s a little bit out of your price range, the Carbon line is the next best option. Just like the Pro, the Carbon comes in different models, the T10 and T7. Each model gets its name from the size of its HD touchscreen. Seven inches for the T7 and 10 inches on the T10.
The Carbon is slightly smaller than the Pro line, with dimensions of 34 inches wide x 73 inches deep x 58 inches tall for the T10, and the T7 is 33.5 inches wide x 66 inches deep x 57 inches tall. Each model has a 300-pound weight capacity.
You’ll be able to set your incline between zero to 12 percent on the T10, so you get the same uphill incline as the Pro line, without the negative incline setting. This may not be a deal breaker for those who don’t need to simulate downhill running. The T7 offers incline from zero to 10 percent. The speed can be adjusted from zero to 12 miles per hour on the T10, and zero to 10 miles per hour on the T7.
Just like the Pro, the Carbon has built-in cooling fans, Bluetooth compatibility, and comes with the option to take thousands of classes from personal trainers with an iFit membership.
ProForm City
If you’re looking for an under desk treadmill to get your cardio in while you work, the City Series is for you. The City is ProForm’s minimalist, budget-friendly, folding treadmill for those looking to save space and money.
The City foldable treadmill is lightweight and can be easily stored in a closet or rolled under a bed when not in use. The trade-off is the built-in motor, which reaches speeds of up to eight miles per hour, but doesn’t include any sort of incline.
You also miss out on the built-in touchscreen. However, the ProForm City does include a built-in tablet holder, so you can use your iPad to follow along with iFit classes, or watch your favorite show while you work out.
This foldable treadmill is smaller than ProForm’s other models at 29 inches wide x 70.25 inches deep x 44.5 inches tall, and it has a 250 pound weight capacity.
If you’re a serious runner, who wants the incline feature or higher speeds, this won’t be enough for you. But if you’re looking for a compact, lightweight folding treadmill that makes it easy to get in your steps, the City may be a perfect option. Not to mention, it is the most affordable of the ProForm treadmills at $599.
How to Pick the Right ProForm Treadmill for You
When it comes to choosing the right ProForm treadmill, the biggest considerations are space, budget and running needs.
First, if both space and budget are your main concerns, you may want to consider ProForm’s folding treadmill, the City. While it doesn’t include any incline settings or a built-in screen, you can still set the speed up to eight miles per hour.
What it lacks in features, it makes up for in portability with its space-saver design. The City treadmill is designed to have a small footprint, with a configuration that features smaller dimensions and is foldable for easy storage. It’s not the fanciest cardio machine, but if you have a limited living space without a dedicated fitness room, this is the best choice and a great option for a budget-friendly treadmill.
If space isn’t an issue, and you have a little more money, you’ll want to choose either the Pro or Carbon line. Both include adjustable inclines, built-in touchscreens, Bluetooth compatibility and built-in cooling fans.
There are several differences between the two higher-end models including the speed and incline options. While Pro 9000, Pro 2000 and Carbon T10 reach speeds of up to 12 miles per hour, only the Pro series offers a negative incline.
If you’re an advanced runner, it may be worth spending the extra money to have the negative incline, allowing you to simulate downhill running. Most treadmills don’t include this, so if you want it, you’ll want to choose one of the Pro options.
Both the Pro and Carbon come in different touchscreen size options. The ProForm Pro 9000 features a 22-inch touchscreen, while the ProForm Pro 2000 features a 10-inch touchscreen. With the Carbon line, you have three options. The ProForm Carbon T7 has the smallest screen, at seven inches, with the T10 having a 10-inch screen. Another difference, the Pro models have a more powerful motor compared to the two ProForm Carbon treadmills.
The Pro and Carbon lines include built-in cushioning, designed to keep your joints healthy and happy while you train.
With all three ProForm treadmill models you’ll receive a free 30-day iFit membership to test the services and experience the iFit personal trainers before committing to a longer membership. iFit offers scenic trails, cross-training, HIIT workouts and studio classes. After your trial, you can choose a yearly family plan for $396/year, a monthly family plan for $39/month, or an individual plan for $180/year. There’s currently no monthly individual plan. The family plan allows you to save up to five user profiles, and it will track your workout stats over time for each individual user.
However, while the Pro and Carbon treadmills include a built-in touchscreen, the City treadmill does not. So if you want to use iFit with ProForm’s folding treadmill, you’ll need to use your own tablet or smartphone to view the workouts.
Put simply, if you’re tight on money or space, choose the City treadmill. If you have more money and the space for a larger piece of fitness equipment, you’ll want the Pro or Carbon line. Keeping in mind that the Pro is the Cadillac of treadmills, with the most speed and incline options.
How ProForm Treadmills Compare to Other Treadmill Brands
Like other smart treadmills, the ProForm treadmills are compatible with their own virtual programming, called iFit. With iFit, you can choose from thousands of trainer-led workouts, which automatically adjust your speed and incline settings, so all you have to do is enjoy the run.
This is a nice touch, as many other competitors do include workout programming you can follow, but you’ll need to adjust the settings yourself. The downhill feature on the Pro line is also uncommon, especially when it comes to home treadmills.
Let’s take a closer look at how some of the specific ProForm treadmills stack up to the most popular competitor treadmills on the market.
ProForm Treadmills vs NordicTrack Treadmills
Both ProForm and NordicTrack are manufactured by iFit, so they’re sister companies with many similarities between them. ProForm treadmills are made for home use, while NordicTrack treadmills are designed for commercial gyms. That doesn’t mean you can’t use a NordicTrack at home or put a ProForm treadmill in your gym, but there’s a big quality and price difference between the two.
Most options from both companies include adjustable inclines, speeds, built-in displays and cooling fans. The major difference is what’s on the inside. NordicTrack treadmills, such as its Commercial 1750, are considered to be higher quality with stronger motors and are usually seen in commercial gyms, where they’re being used all day long.
With all-day use from a wide variety of gym members, a treadmill built for private home use wouldn’t last as long before needing repairs. NordicTrack treadmills often feature more incline options, with commercial treadmills allowing users to select inclines of up to 40 percent.
Unless you have an unlimited budget and want the slightly stronger motor found in NordicTrack treadmills, ProForm treadmills will be just fine for your home gym. NordicTrack treadmills are simply built for heavier use, which is more than needed for home gyms.
ProForm Treadmills vs Peloton Treadmills
With the Peloton treadmill, you’re getting a sleek, high-end piece of equipment that’s built into the Peloton system. You’ll follow trainer-led workouts from Peloton, enjoy a large HD screen, and adjust with speed and incline knobs, rather than the buttons found on ProForm treadmills.
Both the ProForm and Peloton classes offer a large library that continues to grow with new instructors and classes, and both feature excellent instructors and raving fans who love the classes. We can’t say if one is better than the other, as it’s a matter of preference.
The Peloton is significantly more expensive, with the base model costing $3,495. If you love the Peloton brand and classes, this may be the better choice. Loyal Peloton users who already have the bike may prefer the Peloton treadmill, simply because they’re already used to the classes and instructors.
However, if you’re just looking for a smart treadmill with virtual features, ProForm treadmills are still a fantastic choice at less than half the cost of Peloton treadmills.
ProForm Treadmills vs Horizon Treadmills
Horizon treadmills are also designed for home use, but they usually don’t have quite as many features as ProForm treadmills.
The biggest difference is that Horizon doesn’t have its own virtual workout system. They allow you to sync your treadmill with other programs, like Peloton’s streaming classes, but they don’t offer their own service.
Some of the higher-end treadmills from Horizon have built-in screens, but most simply have a display for your running stats, and a tablet holder if you want to use your own tablet. For a slightly higher fee, the iFit compatibility of ProForm treadmills is well worth the extra investment.
Are ProForm Treadmills Worth It?
Yes, ProForm treadmills are a fantastic choice, especially for home gyms!
While they may not be quite as sturdy as NordicTrack, this shouldn’t matter, as they won’t be in continuous use all day long the way a commercial gym treadmill might be. ProForm treadmills are packed with smart features, the higher-end models feature a wide range of speeds and inclines, and the iFit classes provide a fun way to spice up your training. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly folding treadmill, Perform also has you covered.
The iFit feature is an extra fee, with the iFit family membership costing $396 per year, and the individual membership costing $180 per year. The family membership allows up to five users to create their own accounts and track their stats over time.
Another additional cost is ProForm’s forearm heart rate monitor. For $99 it syncs up with the Pro 9000 to give you a hands-free heart rate reading on your screen.
If you’re not going to be using the treadmill much, or only using it for light walking, you could get away with a less expensive brand. But if you’re doing any sort of heavy running, or want to take advantage of the iFit classes, the ProForm is well worth the money.
FAQs
What’s the difference between ProForm and NordicTrack?
They’re sister companies with the same manufacturer and very similar features. ProForm treadmills are designed for home use, offering a foldable model that can be moved around and aren’t quite as heavy-duty.
The main difference is NordicTrack treadmills are generally designed for commercial use, with more rugged features and a stronger motor. They’re often heavier and include more incline and speed options to accommodate even the most advanced runners.
How long should a ProForm treadmill last?
Your individual lifespan will vary, and the more you use your treadmill, the faster its parts will eventually wear out. Most treadmills are built to last for about 10 years, though with proper care and maintenance, you may be able to get a few more years out of it.
ProForm’s Pro, Carbon T10 and Carbon T7 treadmills come with a 10-year frame and two-year parts and one-year labor warranty, so you’re covered if something goes wrong.
Can I use my ProForm treadmill without iFit?
Absolutely. iFit provides virtual trainer-led workouts, but you can certainly use your own manual settings and train without using iFit classes. The standard speed and incline settings will work regardless of whether or not you’re following an instructor.
If you’re simply looking for a walk or run with a steady pace, or you want to set this up in front of your TV, you won’t need the iFit classes.
iFit costs an extra $39/month for the family plan, so if you wish to skip this, you certainly can and simply use your treadmill as-is.
What is ProForm made of?
The ProForm Pro uses Rebound Pro cushioning, ProForm’s upgraded comfort system designed to provide more give with each step. Running can be a high-impact hobby, especially on hard surfaces, so the built-in cushioning allows you to run longer, with less impact on your ankles, knees and hips.
The Carbon line uses Proshox cushioning, the older cushioning system that still provides a nice give with each step. ProForm doesn’t disclose the exact improvements they’ve made, and users report very similar cushioning on both options, so you can’t go wrong with either choice.
Finally, the city line does not include any type of built-in cushioning, as it’s designed to be small and compact with minimal features.
Final Thoughts
If you’re in the market for a home treadmill, you can’t go wrong with ProForm. They’re packed with wonderful features and they’re built to last. With options running from high speed, and negative incline to smaller folding treadmills, you’re certain to find the cardio machine for you. Unless you want to spend double the money on a Peloton treadmill or go with NordicTrack for a commercial-grade machine, we strongly recommend ProForm for your home gym. If you’re interested in more gym equipment from ProForm, the brand also offers a hybrid trainer that is part elliptical and part exercise bike to meet all of your fitness needs.
Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.