ProForm elliptical reviews: Best options and more

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ProForm has three series of elliptical machines. Each carries the P65 warning, which indicates that these machines may contain chemicals that can cause cancer, reproductive harm, and congenital irregularities.

Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based.

ProForm is part of ICON Health & Fitness Group. It manufactures ellipticals, treadmills, bikes, and rowing machines.

Customers can subscribe to iFit, an app that provides training sessions and fitness tracking. iFit’s trainers can adjust an equipped product’s resistance and incline during a workout.

ProForm has a review rating of 1.2 out of 5 on the website of the Better Business Bureau, which has not accredited the company. Despite this, ProFit has an A+ rating, the bureau’s highest.

Negative reviews tend to involve customer service issues. Some people reported being unable to return damaged products for a replacement or refund.

Positive reviews mentioned that delivery was on time and assembly instructions were easy to understand.

Each elliptical in the company’s three series carries the P65 warning about potentially toxic chemicals.

ProForm says that its ellipticals are quiet, due to what it calls silent magnetic resistance. These machines monitor heart rate using a grip pulse sensor.

The company offers free shipping and a 30-day money-back guarantee on all its ellipticals. A customer can apply for credit, which allows them to pay in monthly installments.

These ellipticals are designed for high-intensity interval training (HIIT).

There are two ellipticals in the HIIT Trainer series. Each weighs 225 pounds (lb). Both have a 10-inch (in) vertical and 5-in horizontal path designed to help people burn calories and increase muscle strength.

These machines also have:

• a weight capacity of 325 lb
• oversized, cushioned pedals
• multifunction handlebars
• a workout fan
• wheels for easy transportation
• dual 2-in Bluetooth speakers

They also come with:

• a 10-year frame warranty
• a 2-year parts warranty
• a 1-year labor warranty

We describe each machine in this series below:

Carbon HIIT H7

This elliptical has:

• a 7-in smart, high-definition touchscreen
• a 30-lb, inertia-enhanced flywheel
• 24 resistance levels

The makers say that the design of this product can help reduce pressure on the joints and back.

Its dimensions are:

• width: 29.25 in
• depth: 52 in
• height: 66.7 in

The elliptical is free with a 3-year iFit family membership.

Pro HIIT H14

This elliptical has:

• a 14-in smart touchscreen with stat tracking
• a 30-lb, inertia-enhanced flywheel
• live control technology, so trainers can adjust the resistance

Its dimensions are:

• width: 29 in
• depth: 52 in
• height: 66 in

It comes with a 1-year iFit membership, which a person can cancel anytime throughout the year.

The ellipticals in this series have:

• adjustable, oversized pedals
• resistance and incline ramp control
• front-mounted transport wheels

This series includes two products:

Carbon E7

This elliptical has:

• a space-efficient design
• a 7-in smart touchscreen
• a solid steel construction
• an incline ramp that goes up to 20 degrees
• a 25-lb, inertia-enhanced flywheel
• a workout fan

It weighs 225 lb and has a user weight capacity of 325 lb. Its dimensions are:

• width: 25 in
• depth: 68.5 in
• height: 67.75 in

The product also comes with:

• a 10-year frame warranty
• a 2-year parts warranty
• a 1-year labor warranty

The elliptical is free with a 3-year iFit family membership.

Carbon EL

This elliptical has:

• a 5-in, high-contrast display
• an EKG grip pulse sensor
• a 19-in power adjustable stride
• a 15-lb inertia-enhanced flywheel
• 18 resistance levels
• wheels for easy storage
• an adjustable ramp with five positions

The machine weighs 202 lb and has a user weight capacity of 300 lb. Its dimensions are:

• width: 25 in
• depth: 68.5 in
• height: 67.75 in

ProForm offers a 10-year frame and 1-year parts and labor warranty on this model.

There is currently only one product in this series, the Hybrid Trainer XT. It is a combination of an elliptical and a recumbent bike.

Customers can connect a tablet to the machine using Bluetooth and access iFit’s workout library. A person can choose from among 16 training programs, including eight elliptical and eight bike workouts

The machine has:

• 16 resistance levels
• a 13-lb, inertia-enhanced flywheel
• added cushioning
• a lumbar-support design
• vertical and horizontal adjustability
• a 15-in horizontal stride length
• an adjustable seat

It has a user weight capacity of 350 lb. These are its dimensions:

• width: 24.5 in
• depth: 70.5 in
• height: 60.5 in

The company offers a 5-year frame and a 90-day parts and labor warranty.

An elliptical can help a person achieve their cardio goals. However, there are some risks to consider.

Benefits

People can perform HIIT exercises on an elliptical machine. The American Council on Exercise (ACE) explains that HIIT increases a person’s heart rate, helping them burn more calories in a shorter period. It also increases a person’s metabolic rate, leading to more calories burned while the body is at rest, ACE reports.

A person does not need an elliptical for HIIT, however. People with little or no equipment and little time may prefer this approach to exercise.

An elliptical may be a beneficial approach to exercise for people with health conditions affecting their joints, as it places relatively little pressure on the joints.

Research from 2020, for example, reports that runners with injuries or who otherwise require a reduced running load may find these machines helpful.

Risks and safety

Each of ProForm’s elliptical machines has the P65 warning, which indicates that it may contain chemicals that can cause cancer, reproductive harm, and congenital irregularities.

More generally, ellipticals can provide low-impact cardiovascular exercise. This may be preferable for people with arthritis, for example. The Arthritis Foundation recommends that people with the health condition consider using this type of machine.

The foundation also offers these tips:

• wearing sneakers with strong arch support, to reduce the chance of pain and stiffness
• keeping the back straight and shoulders back while using the machine
• using the handlebars, for balance
• starting slowly and increasing intensity gradually

ACE recommends warming up for 5 minutes, which might involve pedaling gently to prepare the body by gradually increasing the heart rate and loosening the muscles. This can help prevent injury.

Before starting any new exercise program, speak with a healthcare professional. They can help a person get started safely.

Before making a purchase, people may wish to consider other options that may better fit their needs. Some competitors of ProForm that offer similar products include:

• NordicTrack: It sells six ellipticals and offers a 30-day return policy. The company also offers financing plans. Learn more about NordicTrack here.
• Horizon Fitness: It has two series of elliptical machines and also sells treadmills, indoor bikes, and rowers. Payment in monthly installments is an option.
• Nautilus: This company makes two elliptical machines, as well as other home gym equipment.

ProForm offers three series of ellipticals, and each machine has a different style and set of features. However, each carries the P65 warning, which indicates that it may contain toxic chemicals.

Anyone interested in making a purchase can apply for a finance plan and pay in monthly installments. The ellipticals come ready to use iFit, an app with live and recorded workouts and routines.

Ellipticals can help a person achieve their cardiovascular fitness goals, and they are suitable for HIIT workouts.

Because home gym equipment is an investment, it is a good idea to compare companies and their products’ features.