If you’re in the market to buy one of the best treadmills for a home gym but you don’t want to fork over thousands of dollars, you’re in the right place. I don’t want that for you, either.
One affordable option is the ProForm Carbon TLX treadmill—a versatile, durable machine that features some nice perks for the price point. Treadmills are a great way to improve your cardiovascular fitness1 from the comfort of your home, and if you’re not looking to spend $2,000+ on a home gym machine, this can be a solid choice.
In this in-depth ProForm Carbon TLX review, I’ll give you insights from our hands-on experience with this iFIT-enabled machine that was released early in 2024. It can be a solid option for some, but not for all, so let’s find out where you fall.
Our ProForm Carbon TLX Review, Summarized
This relatively affordable treadmill offers a spacious running deck, but that comes with a large footprint. It’s also fairly basic when it comes to the tech features, and the cushion is OK, but nothing to write home about.
How We Test Treadmills
Treadmills can be quite bulky, and we know that many home gym owners are working with limited space. In addition to the overall footprint, we want to know how easy it is to move your treadmill around, if needed. To earn 3 out of 5 stars, one or two people should be able to easily move the treadmill around, while higher scores are given to those with smaller-than-average footprints and excellent portability.
Treadmills experience regular wear and tear, and eventually, you may need to replace parts, even with upkept maintenance. Still, we carefully test all of the components and use this score to estimate the overall lifespan of a treadmill. To earn 3 out of 5 stars, we should see a weight capacity of at least 275 pounds, a 2.5-CHP motor, and little to no shaking in use.
This category rates the available tech features of a given treadmill, which can include things like Bluetooth integration, built-in speakers, heart rate monitoring, and more. To earn 3 out of 5 stars for this category, a treadmill must display time, distance, and other basic workout metrics. It should also provide some type of animation displaying workout progress, and it must feature heart rate monitoring capabilities.
Before writing any treadmill review, we take the machine through a variety of workouts to test the features. We walk, run, sprint, test the incline settings, and more, trying to push the treadmill to its limits to fully assess the functionality. After thoroughly testing the treadmill, we use our treadmill testing methodology to calculate a final score. This rates the treadmill on a scale of 1 to 5 in 10 key categories like dynamic programming, ergonomics, value, and more.
The GGR team is made up of expert testers with strong fitness backgrounds, including certified personal trainers, gym owners, triathletes, CrossFit enthusiasts, and even an Olympian. We’ve tested over 70 treadmills to date and continue to examine as many as we can get our hands on.
The ProForm Carbon TLX is an affordable folding treadmill that would be suitable for a small space. It’s durable, with a 300-pound weight capacity and 3.0 CHP motor, plus it offers up to 12% incline. Also take advantage of iFIT for virtual classes on this machine.
What our tester says:
“Even though it says that it weighs 249 pounds in the box, I thought it moved just as easily as a high-quality, more expensive treadmill.”
What to Know Before You Buy
- The patented EasyLift Assist hydraulic folding mechanism makes folding the treadmill deck up off the floor easy and safe.
- To take advantage of iFIT programming, you’ll need your own smartphone or tablet.
- Keep in mind that an iFIT membership is sold separately, but new members get a 30-day trial included with their treadmill purchase.
ProForm Carbon TLX Video Review
Is the ProForm Carbon TLX Worth It?
After walking and running on the ProForm Carbon TLX treadmill, former GGRE lead reviewer Lindsay Scheele, CPT, CNC thinks it’s a solid choice, especially at this price point. There are certainly some nice-to-have tech features missing—like a built-in touchscreen display or pulse sensors for heart rate monitoring—but you can connect to iFIT with your own device and take advantage of hands-free auto-adjust technology.
When it comes to value, Lindsay gives the ProForm Carbon TLX a 5-out-of-5-star rating. “For the price, you get a lot with this machine,” she says in reference to the roughly $1,499 price tag.
She’s not wrong, either; machines priced under $2,000 don’t typically offer a powerful treadmill motor, spacious running surface, or an inclusive weight capacity. The TLX has all three (and more!).
If you still think the Carbon TLX may be a good choice for your training needs, keep reading for a closer look at the features and specs.
ProForm Carbon TLX: Key Features & Specs
| Price (Original MSRP) | $1,499.99 |
| Dimensions | 74.3” L x 35.1” W x 59.1” H |
| Running Belt | 60” L x 20” W |
| Foldable | Yes |
| Step-Up Height | 7.75” |
| Product Weight | 249 lbs (in-box weight) |
| User Weight Capacity | 300 lbs |
| Speed Range | 0-12 MPH |
| Incline/Decline Range | 0-12% |
| Motor | 3.0 CHP |
| Display & Programming | 7” high contrast, multi-color display, iFIT-compatible |
| Warranty | 10-year frame, 1-year parts and labor |
Workout Experience Using the ProForm Carbon TLX
GGR tester and ISSA-certified personal trainer Lindsay Scheele used the ProForm Carbon TLX for multiple sessions, testing the QuickSpeed buttons, incline settings, built-in workout fan, and folding mechanism. Lindsay also used the Carbon TLX on manual mode and synced up with the iFIT app for guided workouts.
Lindsay mentions three stand-out specs from her experience: A powerful 3.0-CHP motor, a 60-inch-long running deck, and iFIT connectivity. “These features are not something we see a lot at this price,” she adds.
The cushion isn’t the best we’ve seen, but it still offers quite a bit for the cost. The TLX can also reach speeds up to 12 miles per hour, which makes it suitable for treadmill interval training workouts.
This is a pretty good home treadmill option for home gym owners and, honestly, a pretty decent machine for a budget-friendly price point. It’s not the fanciest treadmill, but it does a good job and should work well for most users.
Lindsay Scheele, CPT, CNC
ProForm Carbon TLX Rating
Footprint and Portability
The ProForm Carbon TLX isn’t the biggest treadmill we’ve tested, but it’s still worth touching on the dimensions. Plus, our treadmill buying guide urges you to measure your space before you decide to buy any large piece of equipment.
Keep in mind that this treadmill is about 6 feet long, almost 3 feet wide, and nearly 5 feet tall at the highest point. It’s also about 250 pounds. Needless to say, Lindsay thinks the CarbonTLX is the type of machine that should live in one spot.
RELATED: How to Move a Treadmill
Because the Carbon TLX is a folding treadmill, you will have the ability to reclaim some floor space post-workout. The SpaceSaver design folds the running deck upward off the ground and locks it in position for storage. It’s super easy to fold and unfold with ProForm’s patented EasyLift Assist, which features hydraulics for a steady and safe movement pattern with little effort needed on your part.
Overall, Lindsay gives this ProForm treadmill a 4-out-of-5-star rating for footprint and portability. “It’s a fairly heavy machine, but it’s not too big. Because it folds, it could work in a small home gym,” says Lindsay.
Delivery and Setup
We found the delivery and setup process to be smooth and give the Carbon TLX 5 out of 5 stars for the category.
When you order, you’ll have the option to pay an additional $199 for room-of-choice delivery and assembly. If you opt to assemble the machine yourself, standard delivery is free. This means delivery folks will place the box in the first place sheltered from weather (if possible). The website clearly states that standard delivery does not include any point over a stair.
Lindsay and the GGR team assembled the Carbon TLX and reported no issues. “This was such an easy build,” Lindsay adds. “One person could easily build this in about an hour’s time. Plus, the instructions were super easy to follow.”
Durability
To earn high scores for durability and construction, a treadmill should not shake or wobble during incline adjustments or while you’re running at top speeds. We also look for at least a 2.5-CHP motor (along with a minimum 275-pound weight limit), and we feel this machine features an impressive motor size for the cost.
Accordingly, we give this ProForm treadmill a 4.5-out-of-5-star rating in this category. Lindsay reports the Carbon TLX is super secure and stable, saying, “There was no play or wobble, even when I was running at higher speeds.”
“The 3.0 continuous horsepower motor and 300-pound weight capacity make this a really durable machine, especially for the price,” adds Lindsay.
RELATED: Treadmill HIIT Workouts
Customizations
For customizations, the Carbon TLX earns 4 out of 5 stars.
Lindsay appreciates the fact that if you decide to forgo iFIT programming, the speed and incline settings can still offer enough adjustments to regularly change up your treadmill workout routine. She also notes that the console offers QuickSpeed buttons that allow you to efficiently choose from an incline range of 0-12% and speeds from 0-12 miles per hour.
“The buttons are large and conveniently placed,” explains Lindsay. “The overall look of the console is clean, sleek, and easy to use.”
Adjustability and Ergonomics
When it comes to adjustability and ergonomics, our testers are looking for at least a 55-inch-by-18-inch running surface and a single-ply belt measuring 0.8 millimeters thick. For this category, Lindsay gives the Carbon TLX a 3.5-out-of-5-star rating.
While the Carbon TLX offers a spacious running deck measuring 60 inches long and 20 inches wide—ideal for tall runners and folks with longer gaits—it falls a bit short on the cushioning aspect.
It’s equipped with ProShox cushioning, but Lindsay says it won’t offer much for athletes with joint issues. “It was fine in terms of a budget-friendly treadmill, but it didn’t feel that much different from outdoor running,” she notes.
RELATED: Treadmill Vs Outside Running
Tech Capabilities
The Carbon TLX might not have flashy technology, but it indeed exists, and we give it 4 out of 5 stars for this category.
You can take advantage of the Bluetooth connectivity for audio and wear wireless headphones while you workout (and follow along with iFIT). It’s also worth noting that you’ll need a Wi-Fi connection for iFIT workouts, so be sure your machine is paired to your network prior to training.
We also appreciate that the Carbon TLX uses ActivePulse, which can adjust your speed and incline to keep your heart rate in the desired range.
Lindsay notes, though, that if you use a large tablet or iPad, you may block the screen that displays time and other workout metrics. That said, she appreciates the fact there is a media shelf, two large water bottle holders, and a built-in CoolAire workout fan.
Dynamic Programming
The Carbon TLX integrates seamlessly with iFIT, one of our favorite streaming services, as long as you have your own media device. As such, we give it 4 out of 5 stars for dynamic programming.
With an active iFIT subscription (or your free 30-day trial that comes with the purchase of your treadmill) you’ll be able to open the iFIT app and pair your smart device to the treadmill from within the platform.
“It was really easy to connect my phone to the Carbon TLX,” says Lindsay. “Once your phone connects, you’ll pick a class, and then iFIT will automatically adjust the treadmill’s incline and speed settings based on the class or trainer you’re following.”
Lindsay thinks the automatic trainer control is an excellent feature, adding, “The app tells the treadmill what to do, just like a ProForm with a touchscreen display.”
Price and Value
For price and value, we give this treadmill a perfect 5-out-of-5 star rating. It’s not the flashiest treadmill on the market, but for the price, you’re really getting a lot of value here. It can be a good choice for beginners and seasoned runners alike, as well as a good way to experience iFIT training without spending more for a treadmill with a built-in screen.
The running deck is spacious, and the iFIT integration is a great option for those who like to follow trainer-led workouts. You can certainly get better cushioning if you want to spend more money, but at this price point, we think this is a great deal.
Financing, Warranty, Returns
When it comes to customer experience, ProForm has a hit-or-miss reputation among our expert product testers. However, Lindsay didn’t have any trouble in this instance and gave ProForm a 4 out of 5 stars for the financing, warranty, and returns.
If you need to contact customer service, there is a contact page to help you call or email the correct team (sales, order tracking, customer service, iFIT support, etc). I found that most teams listed an email, phone number, and business hours.
However, when you click on the customer support team, you’ll be brought to a new webpage where you can submit a request and be called or emailed back. Lindsay also notes there is a chat bot on the bottom right corner of the website, which can help you get started with customer support.
The TLX is protected by a 10-year frame warranty, and a 1-year parts and labor warranty. You can return the treadmill within 30 days, but you’ll need to pay $250 for return shipping and a 10% restocking fee.
Customer Reviews
To see the most unbiased reviews, we looked on Amazon, where the ProForm Carbon TLX has an average customer rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars based on 207 ratings. Customers appreciate the quality, especially at this price point, though some note it can be a little bulky and difficult to move.
ProForm Carbon TLX Vs
Since there are countless treadmills to choose from, this isn’t necessarily our top pick for everyone, and there are many others worth considering.
For those who want to spend a bit more on a high-end, commercial grade treadmill, we recommend the NordicTrack Commercial 1750. It features decline settings, which the Carbon TLX does not, and has an upgraded 16” HD touchscreen for streaming your workouts.
You can learn more about this high-end machine in our NordicTrack Commercial 1750 review.
If you’re working with a tighter budget, we recommend the Bowflex T6 Treadmill, which is regularly on sale for under $1,000. Similar to the Carbon TLX, it doesn’t have a fancy built-in screen, but it’s compatible with JRNY, Bowflex’s branded workout app platform. It also features a higher weight capacity than the Carbon TLX, and incline options up to 15% (the Carbon TLX caps out at 12%).
If you want to read more, you can check out our complete Bowflex T6 treadmill review.
|  |  | |
| ProForm Carbon TLX | NordicTrack Commercial 1750 | Bowflex T6 Treadmill | |
Rating | |||
| Speed Range | 0 – 12 mph | 0 – 12 mph | 0-12 mph |
| Incline Range | 0% – 12% | -3% – 12% | 0-15% |
| Deck Size | 60″ L x 20″ W | 60″ L x 22″ W | 20” W x 60” L |
| Display | 7″ high contrast, multi-color | Pivoting 16″ touchscreen | N/A |
| Warranty | 10-year frame, 1-year parts and labor | Lifetime motor, 10-year frame, 2-year parts and electronics, 1-year labor | Lifetime frame and motor warranty |
Final Verdict of Our ProForm Carbon TLX Review
The Carbon TLX is a solid entry-level model for runners and walkers that won’t break the bank. It’s also an excellent option for anyone who is new to iFIT workouts. If you find after your 30-day free iFIT trial that you’re not the biggest fan of studio classes or trainer-led workouts, the machine works perfectly fine without paying for an iFIT membership, as well.
- The spacious running deck accommodates both running and walking with speed options up to 12 miles per hour.
- Even though the Carbon TLX has a fairly basic built-in display, you can use your own phone or tablet to follow trainer-led iFIT workouts.
- The ProForm Carbon TLX is somewhat large and bulky, but the running deck does fold to make it easier to move, if needed.
ProForm Carbon TLX Review: FAQs
Is the ProForm treadmill good or bad?
ProForm is an excellent choice for budget-conscious shoppers. We’ve tested and hand-selected several ProForm treadmills as some of our top picks on roundups like our guides to the best folding treadmills and best treadmills for low ceilings.
What is the difference between a NordicTrack and ProForm treadmill?
NordicTrack and ProForm treadmills have many similarities in terms of aesthetics, specifications, and tech capacities. Both brands are owned by the parent company iFIT, and feature iFIT connectivity or built-in touchscreens designed to work with the iFIT workout library.
Is ProForm owned by NordicTrack?
Both ProForm and NordicTrack are owned by the iFIT parent company.
References
- Chan, L., Chin, L. M. K., Kennedy, M., Woolstenhulme, J. G., Nathan, S. D., Weinstein, A. A., Connors, G., Weir, N. A., Drinkard, B., Lamberti, J., & Keyser, R. E. (2013). Benefits of intensive treadmill exercise training on cardiorespiratory function and quality of life in patients with pulmonary hypertension. Chest, 143(2), 333–343. https://doi.org/10.1378/chest.12-0993
