ProForm Fitness Equipment

In the 1980s, the ProForm name was launched with an innovative fold-away treadmill. Since then, the ProForm brand has been acquired by the international manufacturing giant Icon Fitness. Thanks to Icon’s research and development, today ProForm features treadmills, elliptical trainers, stationary bikes, and strength training equipment.

Special Features of ProForm Fitness Equipment

» Extra value for beginners – ProForm fitness machines are not necessarily designed for marathon trainers. However, beginners find that they’re satisfying machines because of their extra features such as inclines and audio systems, which aren’t always offered with other brands’ lower-priced models. The ZX2 Upright Bike even includes games called Calorie Destroyer and Fat Blocker. These extras help people stay motivated to exercise.

»  iFit Live – This wireless internet technology is included on newer models of ProForm ellipticals, treadmills, and stationary bikes. iFit Live offers virtual personal training with Jillian Michaels from TV’s The Biggest Loser. It even lets people virtually hike or bike through national parks (Grand Canyon, Yosemite, etc.) or any other terrain that has been mapped with Google Maps.

Another ProForm Advantage: Brand Recognition

The ProForm brand is backed by the marketing and distribution powers of Icon Health and Fitness, one of the world’s largest producers of fitness equipment. The brand’s popularity means that even if you buy your fitness equipment online, it shouldn’t be difficult to get the machine serviced locally. The brand recognition also means that resale value is relatively high. This is especially important for entry-level machines since some customers will out-perform them within a year or two.

ProForm Equipment Lines

Treadmills – The ProForm brand got its start with foldable treadmills, but today it also includes heavier machines with expanded features. The current lineup includes eleven treadmills across four series: the ProForm Tech Series, Power Series, CrossWalk Series, and ProShox Series. Treadmills in each series are iFit-compatible. Here are some other highlights:

• The Tech Series emphasizes electronics: with the Epic View 550, exercisers get a music port, Intermix Acoustics speakers, and a 7” flat-screen cable TV!

• The CrossWalk Series emphasizes the addition of upper-body training to treadmill workouts. Arm training lets people burn up to 50% more calories than walking or running alone.

• In the Power Series, the 995 boasts a powerful 3.5 HP motor that rivals those of commercial treadmills. More powerful motors can generally support more frequent use and people of heavier weight.

• The ProShox Series is especially appealing for its toning abilities. Patented technology changes the deck’s elevation with every step, helping to keep the user’s muscles taut throughout the workout – not just during a certain part of their stride. This can dramatically improve the efficiency of workouts: just 15 minutes can be comparable to a regular 1-hour workout.

Elliptical Machines – Elliptical trainers stand out for offering low-impact yet highly efficient cardiovascular workouts. ProForm’s lineup includes six elliptical models in two series: the Front Drive Series and the Rear Drive Series.

• The Front Drive Series is designed to maximize stride while minimizing the machine’s footprint (or required floor space). 18” and 20” stride lengths are available.

• The Rear Drive Series stands out for its 40-degree incline, which lets users isolate more muscle groups with just one machine. These have strides up to 21”.

Incline Trainer – The ProForm incline trainer, the XT 90, is a treadmill with 10° and 20° incline options. Users can burn up to four times the calories they’d burn on just a flat surface. The XT 90 has an effective air-based shock absorption system to help protect joints from heavy impact.

Exercise bikes – ProForm’s current line of stationary bikes includes three upright models and one recumbent (or reclining) model. The ZX2 Upright stands out for its fitness games and 16 built-in personal training programs. Meanwhile, the ProForm Live Spin Bike has a 20-degree incline and a 20-degree decline. This lets riders virtually experience the diverse topography of real-world terrain mapped by Google Maps.

Strength Training Equipment

ProForm’s strength training equipment includes dumbbells, a vibrating platform, a cardio glider, and several products that focus on abdominal muscles. Here are some highlights:

• Vibrating platform: Vibrating platforms helps build bone density and provide extra stimulation to muscular tissue. ProForm’s Activator V7 includes a set of selectable weight dumbbells.

• Cardio Glide Plus: This multi-position bench includes a rower and supports dozens of exercises for the shoulders, arms, back, and chest. It includes an LCD screen that displays workout data.

• Abdominal products: Options include: an over-the-door grip bar called the PowerFlex; the floor-based AB Arc, which rotates 180 degrees; and the ProForm Abs bench, which supports full-body shaping and toning.

Drawbacks of ProForm Fitness Equipment

Shorter warranties – Some of the company’s newer products have extended warranties. For example, ProForm treadmill motors are sold with up to 25-year warranties. However, many of this brand’s ellipticals, treadmills, and other products include just 1-year warranties. Customers should compare purchase prices and warranty information when choosing big-ticket fitness equipment.

Variable quality – Some ProForm fitness machines are much better than others. For instance, the foldaway 10.0 ZE elliptical trainer is limited by just 12 levels of resistance and a low weight capacity – but the top-of-the-line 1050 E has the industry standard of 20 resistance levels plus a power ramp and adjustable stride. With this brand, a bit of extra money usually goes a long way.

Lower weight capacity – While other brands can accommodate users weighing 400 pounds or more, ProForm fitness machines max out at a 350-pound user weight capacity. Many of their models are labeled for use by people weighing 250 pounds or less.

Wireless requirement – ProForm and other brands by Icon Fitness are distinguished by their iFit technology. However, to enjoy many of iFit’s special features, customers need to have wireless internet technology in their workout areas.