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The Proform 3.6 treadmill has been around since 2008, meaning that it has
stood the test of time! This review has been updated to reflect the changes
the marketplace in the sub £500 treadmill market.
In late 2008, the
value of the UK pound dropped against the US Dollar by some 30%. This,
coupled with rising costs in the far east have resulted in a significant
reduction of specifications of machines that now compete in the sub-£500
treadmill market.
The key point of difference between the Proform 3.6 treadmill and similarly
priced treadmills on the market is the running deck. The vast majority of
the competition have running decks that are 40cm wide and 1.2m long. The
Proform 3.6 has a 46cm wide deck - this additional 15% width makes the
difference between a treadmill that it's possible to actually run on, rather
than jog. A 40cm deck is simply not wide enough for the vast majority of
people to safely run on! The length of the cushioned running deck is 130cm
and the extra 10cm over similar machines is also pretty important in being
able to use this treadmill as a running machine, rather than a jogging
machine!
It does have the standard features you'd expect to find on any machine plus a few more such as a calorie counter you can enter your weight so it's more accurate than an estimated value. At the end of a strenuous run you'll know exactly how many Mars bars you have burnt up! It also has single touch buttons to change the speed and incline at .1% gradients where other models in this price range only step up in 0.5 or 1% intervals.
It has a solid feel and the frame barely moves when running at the top speed of 10mph. The 1.75 HP motor seems very capable of handling the belt and was fairly quiet in operation - it's also covered for 5 years under the warranty which is one of the best in this price range we've seen.
We liked the look of the machine, it folds up into a compact size for storage and is easy enough to move. The running deck is wider than most of its competitors - handy if you're new to running on a mill - and has a comfortable feel thanks to the ProTech IIITM Impact Reducing Cushioning system that helps to reduce stress on the joints - an important factor if you're currently overweight or recovering from an injury.
It has 9 pre-set programmes including 5 preset speed and incline adjusting programmes which will take you through a gradual progression of difficulty levels to build up stamina, plus specific 4 weight loss workouts to help shift the excess pounds. Whilst other machines may have more programmes the variation on the 3.6 is more than enough for most treadmill users to keep you training without getting bored. Think of it like a washing machine - how many programmes does yours have? And how many do you really use?
So basically, you can get fit, tone-up and lose weight in the comfort of your own home with this machine for around £500! Who could ask for more...
Another feather in the cap for this machine is the warranty. It has a lifetime frame cover, 5 years for the motor and 2 years full manufacturers on site parts and labour warranty.
Please note that in order to get the full warranty, you need to register
your machine with the manufacturer within 28 days of purchase.
IMPORTANT: Due to the weight of this product, ProForm's warranty is invalid if delivered by a one-man team without special lifting equipment. We can confirm that Sweatband (see below) complies with the terms of the warranty.
Available in UK for £429 from Sweatband.com.
Best UK Price Specification
Pros and Cons Reviewers Ratings
In brief:
The ProForm 3.6 is a great compact running machine from a reputable company covered by an excellent warranty for the price. It will help you to get fit and lose weight because it has enough variation built in to its programmes to keep you interested. It's a safe buy although not quite as exciting as other models such as NordicTrack's latest offering the C2500 . However, if £450 is the limit this is the machine we would go for - you certainly won't be disappointed.
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ProForm 3.6 Treadmill - Technical Bits
User reviews will follow after the technical information.
Specifications:
- 1.75 horsepower (HP) motor
- 0 - 16 km/H speed range (0 - 10 mph)
- QuickspeedTM one touch controls
- SpaceSaverTM Easydrop folding mechanism
- ProTech IIITM Impact Reducing Cushioning system
- 46 x 130 cm walking/running surface
- Maximum user weight 113kg (287 lbs)
Dimensions:
- 170 (L) x 85 (W) x 130 (H) cm floor
- 81 (L) x 85 (W) x 150 (H) cm folded
Proform 3.6 treadmill console
ProForm 3.6 Treadmill - User Reviews
The Pros:
The features most users liked about this treadmill were:-
The folding mechanism was easy to use.
The running deck was comfortable
The ability to enter your weight for the calorie counter.
Easy to move, good portability.
Very good warranty.
The Cons:
Doesn't have the iFit software which is available on other treadmills
manufactured by Icon Health & Fitness.
The look of the machine is a little plain.
Proform 3.6 Ratings
Power
Appearance
Running Area
Comfort
Reliability
Noise
Ease of use
Controls
Warranty
Value for Money
OVERALL RATING
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- 9.5
- 8.0
- 9.5
- 9.0
- 9.0
- 8.5
- 9.0
- 8.5
- 9.5
- 9.5
= 90%
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Also see our Treadmill Comparison Table
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