Proform are one of the biggest names in treadmill design in the world. Owned by parent company Icon Fitness, the largest manufacturer of gym equipment, Proform is their best selling brand. This company really became synonymous with treadmills when Proform introduced the first ever portable treadmills, using their patented space saving technology. This technology has brought home treadmills to the masses as now everyone has space in their home for a Proform spacesaver treadmill, no matter how big or small.
Proform manufactures treadmills at the low to medium end of the spectrum, but are best known for their budget machines. They have many treadmills in the price range $600 – $1000, making treadmills affordable for many people for the first time. Although these are budget items, they still have most of the functions and features expected of home exercise equipment and sometimes some unexpected items over and above this.
A Proform 680 treadmill has a motor of 2.8 horse power and is suitable for all weights up to 300 kgs. It has 10 workout programs each of which has been suggested by personal trainers who are certified. Just a press of a button will enable you to change programs and automatically adjust the incline and speed. Each program has a specific aerobic or weight loss as a goal and this trainer has an iPod compatible music port that will allow you to entertain yourself while exercising. You can change the incline of the running platform during the workout and simulate conditions that can have you running uphill. This can really raise your heart rate and get it to the suggested level quickly. Similar changes can be made to speeds with a quick speed control.
A Proform treadmill also functions as Proform EKG treadmill with the help of dual grip EKG heart rate monitors. All that you have to do is to grip the sensors that are built into the grips and your heart rate gets quickly recorded. You then need to monitor it to see that you are within the zone suggested for you. As is well known an increased heart beat enables the burning of fat, and is always suggested for weight loss.
Deck design is a very important aspect of treadmills and if the design has some sort of cushioning the work out may be more enjoyable. If you get the feeling you are running on concrete this can be harder on the feet and heels and is likely to tire you out faster. Proform uses TreadSoft Max cushioning technology, meaning that it is safer for those who work out regularly as it protects the joints in your knees from excessive wear and tear.
This treadmill is also a Proform space saver treadmill and can easily be folded into an upright position and would occupy that much of lesser room space. You can then keep it against a wall and open it only when you are exercising. This makes it very suitable for small apartments and rooms where space is a problem. The tread belt is 55 inches long and if you fold it up you would free a lot of floor space.
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Topics: Gym Equipment, Health and Fitness, Weight Loss