ProForm Carbon El

Quick Summary

When it comes to exercise equipment, ProForm is certainly a name to know, and the Carbon El Elliptical is a sprinting up the ratings as a terrific entry-level model. Equipped with a 19-inch power adjustable stride, resistance can be switched with a button. Completely iFit-ready, users can join in with professional instructors from around the world as they control the machine’s resistance and speed from remote. Performance highlights include 18 levels of Silent Magnetic Resistance and a 19-degree adjustable ramp with five positions. The 15-pound effective, inertia-enhanced flywheel assures users a smooth ride for the relatively low price of just $799 online. The next model up the family, the ProForm Carbon EX Elliptical, compares well at $999 with a 20-pound flywheel and slightly larger display.

In addition to the integrated tablet holder, users also have at their disposal a 5-inch high contrast display to track progress metrics such as cadence, calories burned, time elapsed, distance, and resistance. Whether listening to trainers or music, the machine features an audio auxiliary port with dual 2-inch speakers. The unit ProForm Carbon El also features EKG Grip Pulse Sensors for heart rate monitoring. Constructed from high-quality steel with a front drive design, the unit has wheels affixed on the front for easy roll-away and storage. Users up to 300 pounds in bodyweight are well-suited for striding on a frame measuring 25 inches wide, 68.5 inches deep, and 67.75 inches tall. Like most units within the ProForm family, the Carbon El Elliptical comes with a warranty covering 10 years on the frame, and one year for parts and labor.

Specifications

Model	ProForm
Rating Our custom rating considers all of the elliptical's features, specs, warranties, and 100's of user & expert reviews, to save you time!	89.1%
List Price Suggested retail price, typically higher than the price you'll pay with our recommended retailers.	$799
Best Price Since prices change daily, this link goes to our preferred retailer for the best price we've found.	$799
Resistance Resistance is what determines calories burned per stride. The more levels, the more precisely you can control the difficulty.	18
Resistance Type The type of resistance affects the performance of your elliptical. Magnetic and Eddy-Current are the most common types.	Magnetic
Stride Length Stride Length is important for comfort and smooth strides. A stride length of 18-21 inches is ideal for most heights (5'3 - 6'7).	19"
Pedals Elliptical pedals can be cushioned and adjustable for maximum comfort and minimum impact on joints for injury prevention.	Oversized
Incline Some elliptical trainers can be set at an incline to increase difficulty and burn more calories.	0-20%
Flywheel The flywheel controls the smoothness and resistance of your workout. In general, the higher the better.	15 lbs
Programs Elliptical Programs allow you to complete a workout with changing speeds and inclines, without changing anything manually.	iFit only
User Profiles For each profile the elliptical allows, you can create a custom user account with saved programs and goal settings.	Yes
Heart Rate Heart Rate programs allow you to track how many times your heart is beating per minute (bpm), and some control the workout for you.	EKG Grip Pulse Sensor
Display Elliptical Display refers to the screen you'll look at to monitor workouts. LED and LCD displays are similar to TV screens.	5" High Contrast Display
Max. Weight Max User Weight is the amount of weight, in pounds (lbs), that it can safely support, which can represent durability.	300 lbs
Dimensions Dimensions are included to help you figure out if this elliptical will fit properly (Length x Width x Height and Height x Depth).	25” x 68.5” x 67.75”
Upper Body Most ellipticals have handles to hold while you're working out that provide an upper body workout.
Accessory Tray Some ellipticals include an accessory tray for holding items such as water bottles, wallets, keys, or MP3 players like iPods.
Speakers Ellipticals that include a sound system allow you to listen to your MP3 player/iPod through built-in speakers (without headphones).
Cooling Fans Cooling Fans are designed to help keep you cool during an intense workout on your elliptical.
Folding? Some ellipticals are designed to conserve space by folding up. This is a convenient option, but some features might be reduced.
Quick Controls Quick Controls allow you to select speed, incline and even workout programs with the touch of a button (usually on the handles).
Warranty The warranty is an important part of your investment. The longer the warranty, the longer you can get free/discounted repairs.	10-Year Frame, 2-Year Parts, & 1-Year Labor

The ProForm Carbon El has a comfortable stride.
Photo by: Oleksandr Kosheliev / TreadmilReviews.net

Pros & Cons

Pros:

19-inch stride, power adjustable
15-pound flywheel
5-inch high contrast display
iFit programming
EKG Grip Pulse Sensors
Integrated tablet holder
QuickSpeed Buttons for resistance control
Oversized pedals
Soft-touch upper body grips
Audio auxiliary port with dual 2-inchspeakers
10-year warranty on frame, 1-year for parts/labor

Cons:

Fewer bells and whistles than more expensive models
Stride length is best for average to shorter users

Who is best suited for the ProForm Carbon El Elliptical? At $799 with a competitive warranty, it does bring great value for the machine. That said, stride selection of 20 to 22 inches makes it best for adults of average to taller heights, and this machine offers 19 inches. That said, if your gait is short, you might prefer this model.

Full Review

The ProForm Carbon El Elliptical is part of an award-winning family of exercise equipment which satisfies customers year after year. A top choice, it brings a budget-friendly price to the table with high-quality performance and the iFit universe as well. Every bit the the quality of a commercial unit, it still fits easily into a home, basement, or garage. Key features include the 5-inch display, 19-inch stride, and 18 levels of Silent Magnetic Resistance.

Features

The centerpiece of the ProForm Carbon El Elliptical is the 5-inch high contrast display with audio auxiliary port with dual 2-inch speakers. Resistance can be switched with QuickSpeed buttons located on the side of the console for an easy transition between levels.

The ProForm Carbon El uses Silent Magnetic Resistance.
Photo by: Oleksandr Kosheliev / TreadmilReviews.net

Equipped as iFit Bluetooth Smart Enabled, users will have the ability to hook into the iFit community of interactive users and live trainers. Via the package, live trainers can assume control of the machine from remote location and regulate the resistance levels on the user’s behalf as part of the workout. Meanwhile, complete data tracking is available through the service for all performance metrics, as well as virtual library of workouts and exercise programs designed to satisfy any level of fitness or goal. By way of the screen or attached tablet, users can visualize cities around the world while livestreaming data, music, and other entertainment options. One important note is that the iFit package requires a subscription and of course internet access. Given the age, most customers seeking to buy an elliptical for the home either have Internet in the home, or perhaps other workout apps they’d like to use.

Data tracked would also include heart rate measurements by way of the EKG Grip Pulse Sensors. User comfort is also augmented by way of soft touch upper-body grips and oversized foot pedals.

A front-drive design system, the unit also features front-mounted transport wheels for easy movement about the home or gym. The machine is built to handle up to 300 pounds of user weight on its 25-inch wide, by 68.5-inch deep, and 67.75-inch tall frame.

Designed for a diverse grouping of users, the ProForm Carbon El offers a 19-inch power adjustable stride which can be repositioned by way of QuickSpeed Buttons which also regulate resistance control. Resistance levels go up to 18 by way of Silent Magnetic Resistance and a 15-pound, intertia-enhanced flywheel. Incline is adjustable using a 20-degree ramp with five different positions.

Warranty & Guarantee

The ProForm Carbon El Elliptical warranty includes:

– Frame: 10 years
– Parts: 1 Year
– Labor: 1 Year

Conclusion

For the vast majority of shoppers with $800 cross trainer budgets, the ProForm Carbon El is a terrific choice. Very comfortable given the price, the unit has a solid warranty and entertainment offerings. One important note of course is the iFit package does come with a subscription cost and the unit offers little by way of pre-programmed offerings. More money would bring more workout programs as well as a longer stride, yet 19 inches probably satisfies the average user who also has their own tablet. More money would also bring a heavier flywheel and perhaps a smoother ride. But unless those are dealbreakers, the ProForm Carbon El certainly brings the performance.

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Rating: 89.1/100