ProForm
Elliptical Trainers Reviews
ProForm
elliptical trainers are the #1 selling crosstrainer. They
offer some of the best value in the $500-$1,000 price range.
I recently toured
the ProForm plant and tested a number of the products at their headquarters in Logan,
Utah. I spent the day drilling the staff on their service, manufacturing and quality
control. After giving them the third degree, they were nice enough to take me
fly-fishing.
Note: Also check out
NordicTrack Elliptical Trainers
— built by the same company. Their machines are better quality and come with longer warranties. We rated the
NordicTrack AudioStrider 990
a
"Best Buy"—
See Review.
In the past, I've been critical of ProForm because they primarily sell budget
equipment with limited warranties. However, I began to appreciate the fact there
are many people who want to get in shape and lose weight, but have limited funds.
If their only choice were expensive equipment, most would never get back into
shape.
ProForm
dominates the budget market, with most of their ellipticals selling for under
$1,000. I would avoid their sub $500 ellipticals. You just can't build a durable
and reliable elliptical trainer for that little amount of money.
Where
there is some good value is in the $700-$1,000 price range. These machines sell
at a reasonable price, and are equipped with some decent features.
Icon Fitness has always
excelled in innovation, and they devote considerable resources to R&D. Here
is example:
The ProForm Epic EL 1200
Elliptical comes with a power ramp. This allows you to
change the incline of the elliptical motion, not unlike the
incline on a treadmill. Not only will this feature burn more
calories, it also works out different parts of your lower
body, including your buns. And we all want tight buns.
What You Need
to Know When You Buy a
ProForm Elliptical Trainer
ProForm
elliptical trainers are built for moderate use. One of the main
reasons ProForm equipment breakdown is because the wrong customers are buying
the equipment. No elliptical under $1,000 is really designed for multiple users,
or individuals who are going to use the machines extensively. I recently had a
Icon customer contact me and want to know why their $900 elliptical would not
hold up to both her and her husbands daily two hour workouts. Duh!
Now you
may think that because ProForm suggests they use commercial grade parts and have
excessive weight limits this means their heavy-duty machines. They are not. If
you want a heavy-duty elliptical, buy a Precor or Life Fitness for over $3,000.
Warranties - The warranties on the ProForm ellipticals are
usually 90-days parts and labor. They offer these sub-standard warranties so they
can sell you extensions at checkout. You can get a 2-year parts and labor warranty
for only $99.
Fitness Source Review - ProForm Elliptical Trainers
If
you can afford it, spend over $1,300 for an elliptical. You'll get a machine that
is durable and comes with a decent warranty.
If your budget is limited, then ProForm
offers some of the best value for budget models — just avoid the cheap models. On average, they are more
likely to have mechanical problems.
Stay with the models that are in the
$500 - $1,000 price range. Click here to learn more ProForm.com
.
ProForm
Elliptical Reviews:
ProForm
Epic EL 1200
ProForm 160 CrossTrainer
ProForm 850 Elliptical with GameFit
ProForm 650 T Elliptical