Proform Treadmill . . . value-priced cardio machines for home fitness

The Proform Treadmill is the most popular treadmill brand on the market today, with dozens of reasonably priced models designed for the home fitness enthusiast.

Proform fitness products are manufactured by Icon Fitness, the largest exercise equipment company in the world. Some of their other well-known brands include Weider, Weslo, Reebok, and Nordic Track.

Their Proform treadmills occupy the $500 to $1,300 price range, which partly explains their massive popularity. They are affordable cardio machines with solid features that appeal to those interested in walking, and light running.

These treadmills are commonly sold in general sporting goods stores such as The Sports Authority and Dick's. If you're interested in taking a Proform for a test drive (always recommended), it should be easy to locate a store near you that sells the product line.

If you're a serious runner intending to put in several hard miles a day, however, you probably should look at a more expensive brand, such as Precor or Landice. These companies manufacture their treadmills with commercial-grade materials meant to withstand wear and tear from dedicated runners. (These brands tend to be sold at specialty sporting goods stores.)

But if you simply want to enjoy a good aerobic/cardio workout in the comfort of your home, a Proform treadmill is worth checking out.

Some of the pricier Proform treadmills include flat screen TVs, music ports for plugging in your iPod or MP3 player, iFit Workout Card technology, and CoolAire workout fans.

Proform's warranty on their treadmills is worth noting. Typically for the lower-priced models, you'll get 90 days of coverage for parts and labor, and several years on the motor. On the more expensive machines, you'll get 1 year of parts and labor, and several years on the motor and frame.

Proform 730 Treadmill: The Proform 730 comes with a 2.0 CHP Commercial Mach drive system, for more power. A ClearView Backlit Console, for easy visibility of your metrics during your workout. Eight built-in workouts, iFit compatibility, and an EKG heart rate monitor (more accurate than hand grip sensors, and not common on Proform models).

Proform Crosswalk 480: The Crosswalk 480 includes built in arms, to exercise your upper body while you're walking or running, giving you a cross-training experience and boosting your calorie-burning efforts.

Other features: 6 built-in personal trainer workouts, a 2.75 HP motor, SoftFlex cushioning, and an 18 x 55 treadbelt.

Proform 680 Trainer: The Proform 680 comes with TreadMax cushioning, an extra large shock absorption system. It also features music ports for your iPod or MP3, and Intermix Acoustics 2.0 Sound, a built-in sound system that produces enhanced music quality.

The 680 uses a 2.8 HP motor and a 20 x 55 treadbelt. Also comes with 10 built-in workouts.

Proform 985 Audio Trainer Treadmill: The Proform 985 is an interactive machine with 16 built-in iFit workouts. These workouts automatically control the speed and incline and even supply audio coaching, adding a multimedia dimension to your program.

This treadmill uses a powerful 3.5 HP motor. The wireless heart rate monitor is another good bonus.

These are only a handful of the Proform treadmills on the market -- there seem to be more units introduced every day. If you're looking to get fit, and you don't want to spend a fortune, the Proform line is worth consideration.

Related Article: Weslo Cadence Treadmills

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