ProForm Treadmill Review
Well, basically it's because they're cheap. If your budget won't stretch to more than a few hundred dollars, then ProForm is your brand. Owned by the huge Icon Health and Fitness company, ProForm offers up what looks to be an attractive package. In common with other Icon brands like HealthRider, Image and Reebok, your average ProForm treadmill is loaded with consumer friendly features that seduce potential buyers into believing they'll be getting a lot for their money. Built in TVs, downloadable internet fitness programs...you get the picture. But do the bells and whistles disguise or compensate for the weak motors, cheap components and poor build quality?
ProForm Treadmill Review - First Impressions...
ProForm is best known for their extensive range of cheap and cheerful treadmills occupying the bottom end of the market.Most of their treadmills sell from around $300-$1,000, although more recent additions like the Perspective ES sell for over $2,000. To me this seems rather strange and from a marketing perspective doesn't add up. Why move away from your traditional market and venture into the territory occupied by established brands like Sole and Spirit? I know what I'd spend $2,000 plus on! Nevertheless, ProForm does offer a huge and quite bewildering choice of treadmills, and with Icon's vast R&D budget behind the brand there are new models often sporting quite innovative features being introduced with great regularity. No chance of ProForm's line up getting stale! Another strategy that Icon employs is to rebadge their treadmills, so you'll see virtually identical treadmills in the liveries of their various different brands. This offers economies of scale such as sharing key components and design features, which cuts down on development costs and helps keep prices low. Very commendable, but the overriding impression we got from our ProForm review is that you'd do well to avoid many of their treadmills if you're serious about your running. Most of the lower end models have weak motors, small decks, cramped running areas, poor warranties and lack stability. The cheap models are really only suitable for walking on, although the more expensive machines are getting better, offering a reasonable build quality suited to more intensive workouts and may be worth a look. Recent models from ProForm, though are showing significant signs of improvement and signal that the brand is upping its game. Looking for the best price on ProForm treadmills? Let our Treadmill Buying Guide help you.
ProForm Treadmill Review - So What do we Think...?Let's be fair, when you pay $400, $500, even up to $1,000 for a treadmill you're not going to get commercial quality. On that basis, some of the ProForm range rate reasonably well if accepted for what they are - affordable treadmills for home exercisers on a limited budget.One of the best places to check out ProForm's treadmills is WorkoutWarehouse However, our ProForm review would suggest that you should think hard before buying, as there are treadmills from lesser known brands that offer more for the money. If you're set on a ProForm, though, here are our reviews of the brand's better models to help with your research. ProForm 350 Treadmill Review
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