A treadmill is a staple of any good home gym. One of the most respected treadmill manufacturers in the industry is Pro-Form. Yet, with their range of models, you may be confused as to which one is best for you. In this article, we survey the Pro-Form treadmill landscape so you can identify which one best matches your situation.
About Pro-Form
Pro-Form revolutionized the home fitness space with the introduction of the Space Saver fold-away treadmill in the early 2000s. Since that time, the company has continued to use innovative technology to produce treadmills that best meet the demands of the home gym user. Over the last few years, pro-Form have extended their cardio range to include a complete line of exercise bikes, elliptical machines, weight benches, and other exercise gear.
Pro-Form is a brand under the ICON fitness umbrella, along with other well-known brands as Weider, Weslo and Gold’s Gym.
The Pro-Form Treadmill Range
Pro-Form has three series of treadmills as follows:
- Pro Series
- ProPower Series
- Performance Series
Pro Series treadmills are made with higher-end construction, more powerful motors and better cushioning than the other two, which are classified as starter models. They feature a full-color HD Touch Screen Console as well.
The Power Series line includes a unique feature that tracks your power output and displays it on a circular LED display. They allow you to focus on three workout types; Endurance, Temp and Peak.
The Performance Series is the entry-level range from Pro-Form.
Pro Series Pro 5000
The Best of the Pro-Form Range
Key Specs:
Power Motor
The Pro Series Pro 5000 is fitted with a powerful 4.0 continuous horsepower motor that provides you with plenty of power to keep you challenged. This ensures that you get a very smooth, jerk-free running motion. The maximum speed on this treadmill is 12 miles per hour, which makes it a good choice for those who train HIIT style.
Large Running Deck
Many foldable treadmills compromise on the size of the running belt. That is certainly not the case here. With dimensions of 22 inches by 60 inches, there is enough room for even the tallest of users. That means that anyone can get a natural, unimpeded stride motion when running on this machine.
Incline / Decline
The ability to automatically adjust the angle of the running bed is a feature that marks a higher end treadmill. With the Pro Series Pro 5000, you are able to move between 18 degrees, including both negative and positive inclines.
Wireless Heart Rate Monitor
The Pro Series Pro 5000 comes with its own wireless heart rate monitor chest strap, allowing you to get the most accurate pulse reading on the market.
Foldable
This treadmill is foldable to provide for ease of storage. The Easy Lift Assist system allows you to fold it up with the push of a single button.
Warranty
Your purchase of the Pro Series Pro 5000 is backed by a truly impressive lifetime warranty on the frame, with five years on parts and two years for service.
Performance 600i
The Best of the Performance Series
Key Specs:
Advanced Shock Absorption
The Performance 600i is fitted with the ProShox cushioning system. This features four shock absorbers in conjunction with a thick, durable running belt. This dramatically reduces the impact on your joints.
iFit Compatibility
This treadmill is fully iFit compatible. This provides you with hundreds of workout programs, along with virtually running along with the best routes in the world via Google Maps. It also enables advanced fitness tracking for analysis of your training diagnostics post-workout.
Easy Fold
The Performance 600i makes use of the patented Space Saver design with EasyLift Assist to allow for easy folding and storage. Unlike many folding treadmills, the 600i does not compromise on frame build or running bed size. The sturdy frame will keep your secure even at the top speed of 12 miles per hour. With dimensions of 20 inches by 60inches, the running belt will also allow people of all shapes and sizes to get a full, natural stride when running.
Programs
The Performance 600i provides you with 22 built-in workout programs. These include heart rate programs, interval programs, and weight loss programs.
Warranty
The warranty on the Performance 600i provides you with:
- Lifetime on the frame
- 2 years on parts
- 1 year on labor
What Others are Saying
Online user reviews on both of our featured treadmills are generally positive. A common mention regarding the Pro Series Pro 5000 is its powerful motor which delivers a very smooth, natural belt movement. Users were also impressed with the sturdy build and size of the running belt.
Problems regarding the Pro Series Pro 5000 that buyers mentioned were the poor customer service that they received and the return policy which could require the buyer to pay for the return as well as a 10 percent restocking fee.
When it comes to the Performance 600i, customers mentioned the excellent cushioning system and iFit compatibility. What they didn’t like was the non-traditional display on this treadmill, which features a watts meter and makes it tricky to monitor your training data. The short arm rails and relatively weak motor were also mentioned.
Final Thoughts
Pro-Form provides some of the best performing treadmills on the current market. Their Pro Series Pro 5000 represents a top of the range model that delivers the power and performance that experienced runners demand. The Performance 600i is a good example of an entry-level treadmill that is more suited to runners and joggers. Both machines feature the innovations and attention to detail that have made Pro-Form a name to trust in the home treadmill market.