Thinking about adding a treadmill to your home gym setup? ProForm treadmills are probably on your list of options — after all, they’re high tech and well-liked by most buyers.
A treadmill is a big investment any way you slice it, but ProForm treadmills err on the expensive side. We put together this guide to help you make the best decision for your budget and running needs.
Your options: Every ProForm treadmill
Top of the line: Pro Series
Middle of the pack: Carbon Series
Just the basics, baby: City Series
Dissecting the hype: What makes ProForm so great?
ProForm is known for its top-of-the-line treadmills with ultra-sturdy motors and cool features. Many of the machines have Bluetooth speakers and color touch screens you can use to access app-based workouts, including iFit, the brand’s interactive personal training app.
The 16,000+ workouts are led by top trainers and take place in thousands of different destinations, so you can (virtually) run almost anywhere. If you’ve been doing the same loop around your neighborhood for the last year (or just really haven’t left your apartment), it’s a pretty enticing feature.
Plus, the ability to switch things up and progress through harder runs just might be the ticket to staying motivated for the long haul.
iFit also syncs with the treadmill to automatically adjust your speed, incline, and resistance to match your class instructor (but you can override the settings if you wanna do your own thing).
As you might have guessed, ProForm’s treadmills don’t come cheap. But the brand does have a bunch of different models at a wide range of price points, making it easier to find the treadmill that’s best for you.
Pricing guide
- $ = under $1,000
- $$ = $1,000–$1,500
- $$$ = over $1,500
ProForm Pro Series
These are basically the gold standard of what a treadmill should be in 2021. Both of ProForm’s Pro Series treadmills offer top-of-the-line features.
Here are the details:
Prices: $$$
- 20 x 60-in. tread belt — lots of space to move!
- smart HD touch screen and iFit capacity, including a 1-year family membership to the app
- speeds of up to 12 miles per hour with QuickSpeed Button Control
- incline capacity of –3 to 12 percent (Few other treadmills can mimic running downhill.)
- ReBound Pro Cushioning for max shock absorption
- CoolAire Fan to keep you as comf as possible
- dual Bluetooth speakers
The Pro Series includes the Pro 9000 and the less expensive Pro 2000. Both have all the features listed above, and there are only a few key differences. The Pro 9000 has a higher motor capacity, so it’s more suited for super serious runners.
That said, the Pro 2000’s motor capacity still beats what you’d get from most other treadmills. So unless you’re an elite athlete (for real, not just in your mind), it’ll likely suit your needs just fine.
ProForm Carbon Series
Don’t need the mack daddiest of treadmills? ProForm’s Carbon treadmills don’t boast quite as many jaw-dropping specs, so they’re less expensive. But they still deliver on performance and offer enough extras to give you a fun workout experience.
Here’s what the treadmills in this line deliver:
Prices: $$
- 20 x 55-in. tread belt — still roomy but not ginormous
- smart HD touch screen and iFit capacity, including a family membership to the app
- speeds of up to 10 miles per hour with QuickSpeed Button Control
- incline capacity of 0 to 10 percent
- ISO Flex Cushioning for solid shock absorption
- CoolAire Fan to keep you as comf as possible
- dual Bluetooth speakers
ProForm’s Carbon treadmills don’t have the same speed or incline capacity as the Pro Series, and their incline doesn’t go downhill. Their tread belts are a little shorter, so they might not feel as roomy for tall runners or those with very long strides. Their motors are a little less powerful, too, but still well within the realm of solid for a home treadmill.
The Carbon series consists of the Carbon T10 and Carbon T7. The two models have many of the same features, but the T10’s motor is just a little bit more powerful, so it’s better suited to long, hard runs. It also has a 10-inch screen, like the Pro 2000. The T7’s screen is just 7 inches.
ProForm City Series
The City L6 is ProForm’s entry-level treadmill. A fold-up model made for smaller spaces, it’s designed to do the basics without the bling but might not feel quite as sturdy or powerful as the brand’s pricier offerings.
Here’s what you’ll get:
Price: $
- 17.5 x 45-in. belt — compact for small spaces!
- fold-up capacity
- can hold a tablet, but no touch screen
- still syncs up with iFit and comes with a 1-year family membership
- speeds of up to 8 miles per hour — good for walking and moderate running but not sprinting
- ProShox cushioning for good shock absorption
The City L6 doesn’t have the major speed or motor power of the Carbon or Pro treadmills, so it’s not the best for sprints or speed work. It also doesn’t have an incline, so you can’t simulate going uphill. It’s just straight, flat surface, sugar pie.
But if you’re short on space, still like the idea of using a treadmill with iFit capacity, and aren’t planning on doing super intense workouts, this base model could be a good choice.
Is it worth it?
All of ProForm’s treadmills are known for being durable, comfortable, and feature-filled. TBH, the brand as a whole sorta sets the bar for what a home treadmill should be, so these machines are definitely worth considering.
The main thing is figuring out which model is the best investment for you — which all depends on your workout style. The Pro Series is the best for Really Serious Runners since the treadmills can run at top speeds and offer the simulation of running downhill.
An average exerciser who runs more to stay fit than, say, to try to win races? You’ll still get a solid experience with the Carbon Series — it just won’t go quite as fast or simulate running downhill.
If you’re looking for something that works for walking or light jogging, or maybe just as the occasional sub when you can’t run outside, the City series is a good choice. It still has iFit capacity, is easier on your wallet, and can be folded up and stowed away when you’re not using it.
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