Health and Fitness, one of the largest fitness equipment manufacturers in the world.
Proform is probably the best known name in home treadmills since they've been around for years. And they usually range from $400-1000, making them a popular budget buy.
Strengths:
#1) Affordable
Obviously one of the main strengths of these treadmills is their affordability since they start around $599 and up.
Many treadmill buyers these days are on a budget and Proform offers a huge range of affordable options to choose from.
#2) All the Bells and Whistles
Proform home treadmills offer a lot of fun "extras" like iFit compatibility (where you can download interactive workout programs from the Internet or get them off a readable card), iPod docks with built in speakers, workout fans and handweights.
While these added extras don't replace the core features of a good value treadmill, they do get many people excited about working out and actually using their treadmill.
#3 Crosswalk Models With Upper Body Arms
Proform also produces the Crosswalk (XWalk) series of treadmills. These are the only treadmills with arm bars that help you work your upper body (kind of like the arm bars found on ellipticals).
Weaknesses:
ICON has a lot of resources and they can probably build a better budget treadmill than anyone else. However a budget treadmill is still a budget treadmill.
Any treadmill under $800 is not recommended for runners and/or frequent use. It just won't give you the kind of cushioning and construction quality to last under heavy and/or prolonged use.
If you're planning on running on your treadmill or using it frequently, you may want to spend a bit more and go with a brand like Sole.
Conclusion:
Proform makes a wide range of treadmills that are affordable if you're on a budget. Plus they come with some 'bells and whistles' like iFit compatibility, iPod ports and Crosswalk arms that you won't find on other brands.
Keep in mind that these are still budget treadmills and they won't give the feel or construction quality of a commercial machine. But if you are on a budget and can get a good deal, you may be ok with a Proform
Where To Buy At A Discount:
You can buy Proform treadmills direct from the Manufacturer. They often have the latest models and exclusive discounts.
Plus, as of this writing they'ree offering Free Shipping which will also save you about $150.
