Pro form treadmills are a subsidiary of ICON
Health and Fitness, one of the largest fitness equipment manufacturers in the world.
Proform is probably the best known name in home treadmills since they've been around for years. And they usually range from $500-1000, making them a popular budget buy.
Strengths:
#1) Affordable
Obviously one of the main strengths of these treadmills is their affordability since they start around $599 and up.
Many treadmill buyers these days are on a budget and Proform offers one of the largest selections of starter treadmills to choose from.
#2) New Power Series of Treadmills
The Proform Power series of treadmills was recently introduced which is a series of treadmills built to a higher standard of construction.
These models have strong motors, longer belts, and feel more substantial than past Proform models.
So if you're looking for a bit more substance to your treadmill without spending thousands more, these are a great options.
#3) Crosswalk Models With Upper Body Arms
Proform also produces the Crosswalk (XWalk) series of treadmills. These are the only treadmills with arm bars that help you work your upper body (kind of like the arm bars found on ellipticals). So you can get a treadmill that does "double duty" and works both your legs and arms.
#4) Lots of Fun 'Bells and Whistles'
Proform home treadmills offer a lot of fun "extras" like iFit compatibility (where you can download interactive workout programs from the Internet or get them off a readable card), iPod docks with built in speakers, workout fans and handweights.
While these added extras don't replace the core features of a good value treadmill, they do get many people excited about working out and actually using their treadmill.
Weaknesses:
If anyone has the resources to build a better budget treadmill for less, it's ICON/Proform. However a budget treadmill is still a budget treadmill.
Any treadmill under $800 is not recommended for runners and/or frequent use. It just won't give you the kind of cushioning and construction quality to last under heavy or prolonged use. If you're planning on running on your treadmill or using it frequently, you may want to spend a bit more and go with a brand like Sole.
Conclusion:
Proform makes a wide range of treadmills that are affordable if you're on a budget. Plus they come with some great 'bells and whistles' like iFit compatibility, iPod ports and Crosswalk arms that can make your workout more enjoyable.
Keep in mind that these are still starter treadmills and they won't give the feel or construction quality of a commercial machine. However if you're looking for some of the best value budget treadmills on the market, Proform is worth checking out.
Where To Buy At A Discount:
You can buy Proform treadmills direct from the Manufacturer. As of this writing they're offering Free Shipping which will also save you about $150.
