ProForm Carbon EX Elliptical Review + Pros & Cons: Is it right for you?

Quick Summary

With the ProForm Carbon EX Elliptical, exercise enthusiasts get a top-flight machine which comes prepped up for iFit and is all ready to take them to the next level. A well-known name in fitness circles, ProForm offers a full line-up of ellipticals and other exercise pieces. The ProForm Carbon EX is the next step up from the EL model, and brings a larger screen and flywheel with a price of $999. Built to fit inside the home or garage comfortably, customers can get a dynamic, interactive workout in a relatively short period of time.

Specifications

Model	ProForm Carbon EX
Rating Our custom rating considers all of the elliptical's features, specs, warranties, and 100's of user & expert reviews, to save you time!	92.5%
List Price Suggested retail price, typically higher than the price you'll pay with our recommended retailers.	$999
Best Price Since prices change daily, this link goes to our preferred retailer for the best price we've found.	$999
Resistance Resistance is what determines calories burned per stride. The more levels, the more precisely you can control the difficulty.	20
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.	Adjustable Oversized Cushioned
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.	20 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.	High Contrast 6" Display
Max. Weight Max User Weight is the amount of weight, in pounds (lbs), that it can safely support, which can represent durability.	325 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

Pros & Cons

Pros:

Convenient fit: Fits just about any home workout gym.
20 resistance levels: Offers a diverse level of resistance for any kind of workout.
6-inch High Contrast Screen: Easy to utilize while exercising.
Integrated heart rate monitor/touch grip: Convenient to use and read without affecting your workout.
Entertainment Options: Media rack for tablet or phone
Cardio Feedback: Heart rate monitor in touch sensors
Compact size: Measuring 25 inches wide, 68.5 inches wide, and 67.75 inches high.
High-tech: Comes ready for the iFit program, and is Bluetooth compatible for tablet, heart rate monitor and fitness apps

Cons:

Ongoing cost: Subscription required for machine’s full potential in iFit, with different costs for different levels.
Fewer amenities: No pre-loaded workout programs.

Full Review

Rating: 92.5/100. There’s no question the ProForm Carbon EX is a solid unit for the price of $999. The next step up from the ProForm Carbon EL at $799, the first difference customers will notice is the 6-inch high contrast screen, and the 20-pound flywheel. For some customers, those differences might represent a significant reason for the upgrade.

The ProForm Carbon EX features high-quality, solid steel construction with a front drive design, and a 19-inch power adjustable stride. Taller users may favor a longer stride in excess of 20 inches, but for people of average, or even slightly above average height, the 19-inch reach should be sufficient. QuickSpeed® Buttons control resistance for the 20 levels of SMR™ Silent Magnetic Resistance, and users have 20 degrees of power adjustable ramp capability. The unit operates off a 20-pound intertia-enhanced flywheel and, as a rule, the heavier the flywheel the smoother the ride. This is particularly true for heavier operators. As a rule, the heavier the flywheel, the higher the price. A 20-pound flywheel is sufficient for most home users, and adjustable, oversized, cushioned pedals also ensure that larger users can operate comfortably. Soft touch upper-body grips are another feature which adds to the overall comfort level as users stride back and forth through their routine.

The ProForm Carbon EX comes ready for iFit, meaning users will need to subscribe to the iFit program to access its benefits. That said, the unit doesn’t come with a high number of already pre-programed routines, but is instead designed to be used with iFit. The dynamic and interactive community does bring a number of benefits, including live trainers who can guide and control the machine’s resistance from remote locations. An unlimited number of workout programs are contained within the iFit community and users can stroll virtually around the world by way of the 6-inch screen and audio capabilities. In addition to workout tracking, the iFit program will store past performance, and this machine does come equipped with EKG Pulse Sensors to give heart rate data.

The unit should fit well in just about any kind of home, measuring 25 inches wide, 68.5 inches deep, and 67.75 inches in height. With a 325-pound user weight capacity, the elliptical affords users of nearly any size and age a solid workout experience. ProForm also warranties the elliptical up to 10 years for the frame, two years for parts, and one year for labor.

Workout Programs

The ProForm Carbon EX comes iFit Bluetooth Smart Enabled, ready for participation in the iFit programming. A virtual library with thousands of vidoes and workout programs sufficient to satisfy any level or fitness goal, the program also maintains the user’s profile and performance history. The machine is also equipped with an integrated tablet holder in addition to the 6-inch display, and two 2-inch speakers as part of the dual audio auxillary port. The big benefit to using iFit is that the live trainers can control the machine’s speed and resistance from remote locations to better suit the workout. Or, users can use the program for solo runs. The iFit subscription does come with different levels and prices but typically runs consistent with other workout apps. The ProForm Carbon EX doesn’t come pre-loaded with the same number of options as it’s clearly designed to work with iFit.

Warranty & Guarantee

The warranty is 10 years for the frame, two years for parts, and one year for labor. Relative to other manufactures, this is an excellent term.

Conclusion

Overall, the ProForm Carbon EX is a well-built machine with solid engineering, smooth motions, a compact frame, and solid warranty. The most noticeable difference between it and the ProForm Carbon EL is that the former has a 6-inch screen versus a 5-inch, and a 20-pound flywheel as opposed to 15-pound. Pricewise, the ProForm Carbon EX is $999 versus $799, and both come equipped for iFit workout programming, which does require a subscription. The machine offers a 19-inch adjustable stride, which might not be sufficient for some taller users, but should be sufficient for most. We would highly recommend the EX if users want the smoother function afforded by the heavier flywheel, as both machines have integrated tablet holders and the 1-inch difference in screen sizes is simply not that noticeable in exchange for $200 in pricing difference. With a maximum user weight of 325 pounds, the ProForm Carbon EX should accommodate most potential users and offer solid performance. Overall, a great machine for the price, with others like it running considerably more expensive.