Proform Performance 400
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The Proform Performance 400
OHIYO! In going through my collection of reviews I realized that I have never written a review focused on the Proform Performance 400 treadmill. The cheapest treadmill by Proform. The price tag on this treadmill is going to appeal to a lot of treadmill shoppers. So I thought it would be a good idea to do some checking into it and write a review on it, for those looking into buying it.
Now, first let’s make sure that everybody is clear. In order for any company to chip away the price of a treadmill down to this, requires a lot of compromising. After all expenses of shipping, delivery, and the dealer are paid, the manufacturer still needs their cut. This means that this treadmill cannot cost much to make, or it wouldn’t be worth their money or effort.
Although many compromises are made, if they are made in the right areas and in the right way, a cheap treadmill can still end up halfway decent and usable. The most important areas to consider are: #1. The Drive system. Meaning the quality and size of the motor vs thickness of the belt, size of rollers, etc. If this is put together well, the treadmill can be great. If the motor makes a high pitched hum while it runs, it usually means that it has a high RPM rate which means it will wear itself out much quicker. While many treadmills have lifetime warranties on the motors, most people would still have to pay someone to remove the old one and install the new one correctly. A hassle you want to try to prevent when choosing a treadmill. #2. A strong deck and frame. The deck takes quite a beating, and it can often crack. If the treadmill has a low weight capacity, it usually means the deck isn’t very strong. A strong frame and deck make a big difference in the overall feel and noise of a treadmill. #3, the warranty. The warranty says a lot. If it’s got at 90 day warranty on parts and labor, it means you shouldn’t expect to use it consistently much longer than that without something breaking. A good warranty these days is lifetime on the frame and motor, 2 – 5 years on parts and 1 – 3 years on labor.
As far as the Proform Performance 400 goes. There are many worse machines out there. Some for twice the price or more. Here’s the specs.
- 2.25 CHP Mach Z motor
- 10 MPH speed
- 10% Incline
- 20″ x 55″ Treadbelt
- 300 lbs weight capacity
- Proshox Lite Cushioning
- Multi-window LED display
- Fold-up design
- Ifit Live compatible
- Ipod dock and built-in speakers
- Warranty: Lifetime Frame, 25 year motor, 1 year parts and labor
It’s definitely in the top few of its class when it comes to quantity of features and functionality. Its quality is also above average in most aspects. The warranty isn’t as great as what you’ll find on more expensive treadmills, but it does offer more than you would expect on a treadmill this price.