It can be difficult to find a treadmill for under $500 these days and at $499, the Proform 420 just slips under the wire.
For an economy treadmill the 420 has a few decent features like an EKG heart rate monitor, iPod music port and 5 built in workouts.
Is the 420 treadmill the right fit for you? Here's a quick review to help you decide:
Quick Stats:
Price: $499
Motor: 1.5 HP
Speed: 0-10 MPH
Incline: 0-10%
Treadbelt: 16 x 50"
Folding: Yes
Warranty: 5 years on motor, 90 days parts and labor
Strengths:
Affordable - At under $500, the Proform 420 is certainly affordable if you're on a budget. And with the price of everything - including treadmills - rising these days, finding a decent motorized treadmill under $500 is becoming more and more difficult.
CoolAire™ Workout Fan - Stay cool while you workout. This is a nice little extra feature to have.
iPod/MP3 Dock - Plug in your iPod or Mp3 player and listen to your favorite songs while working out. Again, although not a necessary feature, it's still a nice extra touch.
5 year motor warranty - This is better than older 1 year motor warranties. However it doesn't really outweigh the 90 day parts and labor warranty - which is very poor.
ProTech™ cushioning - This type of cushioning reduces impact on your joints by 15% as compared to road running. While this is not the best cushioning system on the market, it's better than many cheaper treadmills out there.
Weaknesses:
While it's certainly affordable, the Proform 420 treadmill is still a very bare bones machine with a few major drawbacks. Parts and labor are only covered for 90 days - which should tell you something about the quality of construction.
The belt is extremely small - only 16 x 50" which is one of the smallest walking areas out there. If you're taller, you'll probably feel like you're falling off the machine.
Finally, this is not a machine recommended for runners or frequent users - spend a bit more for a higher grade of cushioning and larger belt (for example, see the Sole models).
Overall Conclusion:
The Proform 420 home treadmill is affordable if you're on a tight budget. It has some decent features like 6 built in workouts, iPod dock, workout fan and EKG heart rate monitor.
However it's also one of the most bare bones, simple treadmills on the market. The belt is extremely small, the motor power is low and the cushioning is not the best for runners or frequent users. And considering the extremely short warranty, this unit may not hold up very well over the long run
For a few hundred more you can get a Nordic track with higher motor power, better warranty, larger belt and a lot more bells and whistles.
Where To Buy At A Discount:
You can buy the Proform 420 online from the Proform/ICON wholesaler, Workout Warehouse. You can get free shipping and save on sales tax as well.
