ProForm Pro 1000 Treadmill Review

The Proform Pro 1000 is the base model in Proform’s flagship ‘Pro’ treadmill range. With several other models above it in the ‘Pro’ range, and many other mid-price Proform models below it at lower price points, is there a compelling reason to choose the Pro 1000? We took a close up look, here’s what we found…..

Assembly is straightforward and a very much standard fare for a large treadmill. You’ll need two people and around an hour to put it together though if you’re quite handy then assembly can be completed in about half that time. Once built, this is an imposing and impressive looking treadmill. With a footprint of 205cm x91cm (81″ x 36″) and a height of 162cm (64″) there’s no doubt that this is a full-size running machine. It’s quite  handsome looking one too! With colour combinations of black, grey and silver with a splash of burgundy/red the Pro 1000 has neat slick lines, looks modern and really wouldn’t look out of place in a commercial gym

The addition of a stabilising crossbar between the two front posts adds to the sturdiness of this machine and this, as well as its substantial 114 kg kerb weight,  makes the Pro 1000 feel rock-solid. Proform has also fitted well proportioned 1.9″ diameter front and rear rollers which also help to keep machine noise down and increase the lifespan of the treadmill. For comfort and protection of your joints Proform has  fitted their ProShox cushioning system to the Pro 1000 which we’ve tested many times before on other models. This system provides excellent impact absorption and strikes a great balance between having a good surface to launch from and a good one to land on. It’s a system that’s tried, tested and trusted and one that delivers a very comfortable run.

In terms of running area, there’s a generously proportioned, spacious deck measuring 152cmm x 51xm (60″ x 20″) that provides more than enough room to move around on, regardless of your stature. This makes the Pro 1000 feel very safe. A feeling that’s added to thanks to the 3.0 horsepower Mach Z™ commercial drive motor fitted to this model which does a really good job of keeping noise levels down while delivering  top-end performance. It’s always a more calming experience to run on a treadmill that isn’t screaming at you during your  sprints!

The experience that Proform has in building running machines can really be felt here and the end result of the combination of large motor, decent rollers, large running area, good cushioning, heavy kerbweight and quality components such as bearings, is a smooth flowing, immensely enjoyable run.

In terms of being able to push you, the Pro 1000 has a max speed of  20kph (12.5 mph) and a true 12% incline function which is about as much as most runners will ever need . There’s enough potential hard work here to make you want to stop sooner rather than later and even for those runners that participate in events such as Tough Mudder or marathons, the chances of outgrowing this treadmill are slim. The Pro 1000 achieves this output without really breaking a sweat so if you’re looking for a running machine that’s going to help you train hard then this model is certainly worthy of consideration. The transition from one speed to another is responsive and while incline systems are never all that fast on any treadmill, the Pro 1000 changes levels quickly enough to make HIIT training a realistic, and more importantly an effective and enjoyable training option

There are 32 onboard workouts to choose from with live training data including speed, incline, time, distance, calories and heart rate displayed on the bright 7″ back-lit LED display. These workouts provide plenty of training options for most people and there’s also a manual mode.  To further increase the number of training options the Pro 1000 is iFit compatible and this model comes with a 30-day iFit membership included. The Pro 1000 has a classic LCD display so you’ll need a tablet or a smartphone with the iFit app installed to take advantage of it but that’s no biggie at all as there’s a tablet holder that’s well positioned right at the top of the console and once in position the whole setup runs seamlessly.

As an iFit subscriber you get the ability to map out your own custom running routes on Google Maps, access to a huge library of hundreds of high-definition workout videos led by pro personal trainers, the chance to participate in online races against other iFit members and access to personalised advice for nutrition, exercise routines and sleep schedules.  There’s also a daily updated Google map based workout that takes you on a different run each day on different running routes all over the world. All iFit related content on the Pro 1000  requires a Wi-Fi based internet connection to work and as long as the signal strength on your WiFi is reasonably good the whole thing works smoothly.  The iFit experience is immersive if you want it to be as there’s so much content you can dive into an entire fitness-centric freestanding world if you choose.

We absolutely loved the workout videos in particular and also the ability to race against other iFit members. There are not many things more motivating than someone egging you on while you’re starting to flag a little, or trying to beat someone else’s times. Top marks go to Proform here for making running just that little but more interesting! These features operate in a slick way too, which adds to the enjoyment of running on this machine.

Other features include stereo speakers, 2-speed cooling fan, wireless heart rate receiver, accessories tray and dual water bottle holders. It also comes with Proforms Lifetime frame, 5-year motor, 2-year parts and labour onsite warranty.