A Complete Review Of The ProForm Frontrunner Treadmill About the treadmill The ProForm Frontrunner Treadmill is one of many treadmills made by ProForm. This model is pretty much in the middle between luxury models and base models made by ProForm. What I like about the the Proform Frontrunner is the large 19" x 55" Treadbelt which is one of the larger ones from Proform in this price range. I also like the fact that it has a powerful 2.75 continous horsepwer motor, which is by far, their most powerful motor in this price range. Speed/Incline Control This model features what is called Quick Speed Control, which allows you to change speeds up and down to anything between 0-10 mph instantly with one touch of a button. This allows you to lower your speed when you need a quick break and increase the speed for a quick challenge when you feel the urge. This treadmill also features Power Incline Control, which allows you to electronically control the slope of the treadmill from anything between 0-10%. This allows the user to add the challenge of running uphill, which also adds variety to your workout. This treadmill uses a 19-inch by 55-inch tread belt. ProForm describes it as an “extra-durable, non-slip tread belt.” The tread belt features ProTech Impact Absorption, which is said by ProForm to reduce impact on joints by up to 15% compared to running on the road. It runs on a 2.75 THP MachZ Motor. This is a self-cooling, quiet, drive system. Being quiet and self-cooling usually extends the life of the motor. The tread belt is a little larger than some of the other budget models and this is important because it can accommodate a larger foot space. This is very important for taller individuals as they can more effectively use this kind of treadmill. Any exerciser can take full, long strides with the Proform Frontrunner treadmill. Display/Console Matrix Console 5” x 7” Display This includes all the standard features that most every treadmill you'll see today has, plus a few more. The CoolAire Fan is a nice addition to the console, allowing you to keep cool while running. There is also EKG Grip Pulse Sensors on the handles so that you can accurately monitor your heart rate. This will help to keep you in your optimum training zone whether your goal is to burn fat or increase your aerobic endurance. The iFit Interactive Personal Training feature is extremely useful. This technology uses Interactive CD's, videos, and the Internet to control the speed and incline of your treadmill. Programs 8 Built-in Workouts: ProForm wasn't specific as to the details of the programs, but I am going to reasonably assume a few things. First off, the 6 “smart” programs are probably designed to burn fat, which means their designed to keep your heart rate around the 65% capacity range. This is the fat burning range because the body tends to burn fat more than carbs at this intensity. Normally programs like this will be called things such as “Manual”, “Random”, “Hill”, “Interval”, etc. Second, the 2 “heart” programs are almost definitely designed to increase aerobic endurance/capacity. These will be more challenging, designed to keep your heart rate around the 80% capacity range to challenge your aerobic endurance. Working out at this intensity is still great for burning fat, even better than the fat burning intensity actually. Your body will burn carbs more than it burns fat at this intensity, but by the end of your workout you will have burned a higher amount of fat as well as carbs than the lower intensity workout. These 8 Workouts will be plenty to help you attain your fitness goals in regards to the treadmill. I have to admit, for the price of this treadmill ($599), 8 programs is a great deal. I'm quite impressed that there are so many programs. Durability Maximum User Weight: 300lbs Yes I am thrilled to see that there is a Heart Rate Monitor on this model. I would love to see this feature standard on all pieces of cardio equipment. This will help you get the most out of your workouts, so long as you utilize the feature. Warranty and Service Motor: 8 year The warranty on the motor is pretty weak for this price range. You'll see in a moment why this motor warranty is weak, even at a price of $599. The parts and labor warranty, on the other hand, shocks me. I don't see how you can warrant a motor for 3 years and the other parts for only 3 months. It might not be a big deal, but something gives me a bad feeling about the briefness of the parts and labor warranty. I would purchase an extended version if possible just to be sure. Here are the extended warranty options: 1 year warranty: $69.95 It will depend on how much you plan on using the treadmill. If your going to be giving the Proform Frontrunner treadmill a good pounding everyday, you might want to opt for the longer warranties. However, if you're going to be using the treadmill every other day, you might want to opt for a shorter period. However, the warranty rate/percentage is almost 20 percent at year 3 ($119/$599) and this seems a little high, given the price range. When the warranty percentage is approaching 1/3 the price of the actual item, you may want to really look at the quality of the treadmill. Lifetime - Frame & Motor This warranty says to me, as a consumer, that Vision believes in their product and stands behind it 100%. Proform's warranty says that I'm taking my chances by purchasing their product and standard warranty, which is 8 year motor, 90 day parts and labor. There is simply no comparison between a Vision treadmill and a Proform treadmill. Vision will always win, hands down. However, if I were to buy the Proform Frontrunner treadmill, I would not simply go with the standard warranty because I don't have 100% confidence in Proform's component parts. I would opt for at least 2 years. Here is Proform's official return policy: “We give a 30-day trial period on all products. If you are not satisfied for any reason please call 1-866-896-9777 to receive a return authorization number. Put your machine back in the box and take it to your curb to be picked up. We will send a freight carrier to pick up your machine. When your machine has been returned to the warehouse and closed out to your account we will refund the purchase price (price of machine and tax) less to and from shipping charges. If you were not charged for shipping on your initial delivery you will only be charged for the return shipping. All products must be returned in good condition, and with all paperwork, parts and accessories included to insure a full refund. You may be charged a 20% restocking fee if your product doesn't come back in good condition. You can expect a refund in the same form of payment originally used for purchase within 30 days of our receiving your returned product.” Fair? Compared to similar products in this price range, it seems ok. I have a problem with Proform's warranty because it is very weak. Price/Cost Effectiveness $599 Base price; Now, the base price of the Proform Frontrunner treadmill is $599 (HSN.com website), but that's if you don't go with the 3 year warranty, don't have it delivered, and you try and put it together yourself. If you happen to get the warranty, which you should, and have it shipped, which you should, and have it professionally set up, which you should, your looking at an overall price of $993. This price puts the Proform Frontrunner Treadmill in direct competition with: - Sole Fitness F63 Treadmill ($1,099 - Free shipping); I can tell you right now that there is no way that the Proform Frontrunner Treadmill can compete with these treadmills. Let's take a look at just two of the above models in terms of some basic features and warranties: - Motor: 2.5 HP Continuous Duty, DC type Standard warranty - Motor 20 years; Let's take a look at a lower priced treadmill, the Vision Fitness T1450 ($999 plus $150 for delivery and set up). - 2.0 Continous horsepower; Standard warranty: - Lifetime - Frame & Motor As you can see, both, the Sole F63 and Vision T1450 have solid all round packages that leaves the Proform Frontrunner looking very weak and unstable. If I had $900 - $1,100 to spend on a treadmill, I would be hard pressed to purchase the Proform Frontrunner. The fact is, that when you add up all the costs for the Frontrunner treadmill, it adds up to a price that can't, and won't compete with treadmills in that new price zone. My confidence would lie with Soles or Vision's products, rather than Proforms. You can't even compare Proform's 90 day parts and labor warranty with Sole's 3 year parts / electronics and 1 year labor. Both, Sole and Vision are more confident in their products which is reflected in their standard warranties. Besides, both companies are much more reputable than Proform. - Larger foot print and tread belt. Can really reach if you are running without being limited by space; Treadmill Rating Here is the bottom line with the Proform Frontrunner Treadmill, or any other Proform treadmill for that matter. At first, the base price looks very attractive, considering all the "neat" little features that you are getting. However, when you dig a little deeper, you will discover that: A) The standard warranty is cheap and you need to spend an additional $69 to $119 for an extended warranty; When you add up these costs, they bring the actual price of the product up by almost $400. What most people don't see is that for an extra $400 they can get a much, much better treadmill with a stronger company. As you've seen above, the Proform Frontrunner is actually priced in the same range as the Vision T1450, which is a much better treadmill. Now, this particular treadmill has two things going for it. One it has a pretty powerful motor at 2.75 HP and a longer tread belt at 55". However, when you take into account the "real" price for this treadmill, it doesn't come close to other treadmills such as Smooth, Sole, or Vision. Grade: C |