Buying a treadmill? Did you know that Proform treadmills are currently the most searched-for treadmill online?

So they’re definitely popular. Then again, one of the main things people are searching for is Pro form treadmill parts – which may tell you something.

If you’re considering a Proform treadmill there are some things you should know before you buy. Based on these things you may or may not decide to buy a Proform model.

First of all, the Proform name is owned by ICON Health and Fitness, pretty much the largest fitness equipment manufacturer in the world. These guys are the giants in the treadmill industry.

They also own names like Image, Weslo, Reebok, Freemotion, Epic and Nordic Track. Each of these brands has their own strengths and weaknesses.

Proform’s main strengths are that they are affordable, plus they offer a truckload of cool fitness toys you won’t find with other brands. At any given time, there are a huge range of Proform models to choose from to suit almost any taste.

Want a TV on your treadmill? How about a fitness age tracker (tracks your heart rate and fitness improvement over time)?

Want a crosswalk model with ski-like poles to work your upper body? How about one that charges and plays your iPod through built-in console speakers? Chances are you can find any of these options in a Proform treadmill.

The main weakness of these treadmills is that, while affordable, they are well…affordable.

With treadmills you get what you pay for. In general, any unit under $1000 is not built to last for a long time. Since most Proform treadmills come in under $1000 you can figure out their main weakness.

So is a Proform treadmill a good buy? The answer is both yes and no – depending on who you are and what you want.

Different buyers have different needs. So what is a great buy for one person can actually be a poor buy for someone else.

For instance a tall runner who is planning on using their treadmill for over an hour a day, every day will need a commercial grade treadmill with strong running deck, excellent cushioning, high powered, well-built motor and preferably a longer running belt of about 55″ or more.

A 65 year old grandmother who wants the occasional light walk on her treadmill is not going to need that same treadmill. For her that same treadmill is actually a poor buy since it’s way more than she needs.

So returning to the Proform issue. Do I think they’re commercial grade treadmills that everyone will love? No.

In general, Proform units are economy, entry-level treadmills. They aren’t built with heavy duty commercial parts as some treadmills are and will not last as long as some other brands out there, especially if you pound the daylights out of them every day.

On the upside however, they have improved in construction over the years and the new models offer a lot more value than older ones. Plus they’re affordable for most people. And in this economy, that’s the only way some people are going to be able to get a treadmill. Better that than nothing.

So if someone has a strict budget of only $500 or $600 then Proform is probably the strongest brand out there in this price category. Because ICON is the largest manufacturer, they have the resources to build a better treadmill for less. And if you don’t plan on using your treadmill very often, you could probably get away with saving a bit and going with a starter Proform.

So those are several reasons why you may or may not want to buy a Proform treadmill.

One final warning: the resale market for Proform treadmills is huge. However what most people don’t know is that almost all manufacturers – Proform included – will not honor the warranty on a second owner.

So even if a seller says to you, “No problem, the treadmill is still under warranty”, realize that this means nothing to you. He’s covered – but you’re not. And since you really don’t know the state of the treadmill when you buy it (heavy use, light use, etc.), you’re taking a chance that you could have absolutely no protection if your treadmill breaks down the day after you buy it.

This is why many people choose to buy new so they’re protected and they know the treadmill has not been used before.

In the final analysis, it’s your decision. A treadmill is a smart investment in your health – just remember to do your research before you buy so you can choose the machine that fits your needs best.

The Proform treadmill is possibly one of the best-known names in exercise equipment. Produced by that behemoth of fitness equipment manufacturing, Icon Fitness, the Proform treadmill is often seen as synonymous with sturdy construction and reliability. While many treadmill experts do indeed rate the Proform range highly, for every positive Pro Form treadmill rating you will find, it seems there is a corresponding review that reports consumer dissatisfaction with the Proform treadmill line.

Some quick research will reveal many a positive treadmill rating for the Proform range. The construction of the Pro Form treadmill range is considered by those in the know to be excellent, and these treadmills are also deemed to offer a good motor. The electronic readouts that they provide are consistently clear and easy to use. As a company with a relatively long history in treadmill construction, Proform treadmills have developed many innovations, such as the adjustable deck cushioning that is available with some treadmills, and the likes of the scissor type arms included in Pro Forms CrossWalk treadmill, which provides the user with the same upper body workout that is afforded by an elliptical machine. These innovations have helped distinguish Proform treadmills from their treadmill competition. But are these factors enough to secure a top-notch treadmill rating?

It would seem that this is not necessarily the case. Despite the many exercising advantages offered by the Proform treadmill, it is not difficult to find many a consumer treadmill rating that reports great disappointment with a Pro Form treadmill purchase. There exists an apparent consumer treadmill rating consensus that Proform treadmills lack the punch that was expected of them, and long term users report myriad reliability problems and poor customer service. Some users have even reported safety concerns with using a Proform treadmill, and even though certain issues have been resolved by the company by adding extra safety features to their newer treadmills, the older models remain as they were, so caution is recommended when purchasing a used Proform treadmill.

Overall, the Pro Form treadmill offers a good package of features, including a range of innovative designs not available with other treadmill brands. Proform are not, however, deemed the most reliable make of treadmill available in todays fitness equipment market place, and with relatively short warranty periods and questionable customer service, the treadmill ratings tell us that a Proform treadmill might not be the wisest investment for the serious exerciser.