Quick Summary
Now discounted to $1,387 (originally $1,999) and carrying ProForm’s best warranty, the SMART Pro 12.9 elliptical is a top value for total-body training that’s gentle on your frame.
Unlike comparably priced competitors the ProForm Pro 12.9 has a powerful resistance system with force like that of a commercial elliptical.
It also features a 20″ stride, the spa standard. Other highlights include a 20% incline and a 7″ touchscreen enabled for iFit. Read on for details…
Specifications
Model | ProForm Pro 12.9 |
Rating | 88.3% |
List Price | $1,999 |
Best Price | $1,387 |
Resistance | 26 Levels |
Resistance Type | Silent Magnetic |
Stride Length | 20 inches |
Pedals | Oversized, Adjustable & Cushioned |
Incline | 0 - 20 Degrees |
Flywheel | 32 Lbs |
Programs | 35 |
User Profiles | 1 User |
Heart Rate | EKG Pulse Grips + Chest Strap |
Display | 7" Full-Color Touchscreen |
Max. Weight | 375 lbs |
Dimensions | 79.75" x 25.75" x 66.25" |
Upper Body | |
Accessory Tray | |
Speakers | |
Cooling Fans | |
Folding? | |
Quick Controls | |
Warranty | Frame: Lifetime Parts: 5 Years Labor: 3 Year |
Our Rating
Rating: 88.3/100. The front drive SMART Pro 12.9 elliptical is a top ProForm model from the 2017 model year. Now that newer models are available it’s sold at a discount — down to $1,387 from $1,999 — but it’s a top performer and hardly out of date. Here you’ll get a 7″ touch screen, smartphone-compatible speakers and other modern features… and more importantly, the Pro 12.9 has a 32-pound effective flywheel for producing exceptionally smooth elliptical motion. This heavy drive helps justify the machine’s original price, and it’s superior to what you’ll generally find for the price. Other high-end specs include a 20″ stride, a power incline up to 20 percent, and multi-position handlebars for varied upper-body exercise. Pro Series ellipticals are also loaded with training guidance. The ProForm Pro 12.9 arrives with 35 workout apps and is also iFit-enabled. You can use the integrated touch screen or your own computer (mobile or desktop) to add new iFit workouts anytime.
Purchased factory-direct, the ProForm Pro 12.9 elliptical is paired with a five-year parts warranty, a two-year labor warranty and other customer protections.
Pros:
- Quick assembly
- 32-pound effective flywheel
- 26 resistance levels
- 20″ stride
- Power incline to 20%
- Cushioned pedals
- Multi-grip handlebars
- 35 built-in workouts
- iFit-Enabled
- 7″ touch screen display
- Wireless and contact pulse monitoring
- Tablet computer shelf
- Smartphone-compatible (Port and speakers)
- Two-speed workout fan
- Water bottle holder
- Five-year parts warranty
- Two-year labor warranty
Cons:
- Machine isn’t foldable, unlike some other ProForm ellipticals
- ProForm customer service gets negative reviews
Introduction
The ProForm Pro 12.9 elliptical is a popular cross-trainer with high quality parts and a new closeout price. With variable stride length and an excellent resistance system, it offers very smooth motion for users of diverse sizes and strengths. Also iFit-enabled and equipped with plenty of preset workouts, and paired with a very competitive warranty, it’s an excellent all-around value. Here are details about the Pro 12.9 workout programming, other features and factory warranty.
Workout Programs
Helping you maximize your workout time, this cross-trainer has a menu of 35 workout programs all designed by a fitness professional. Each program directs the Pro 12.9 to adjust its incline by up to 20 percent and alter the magnetic resistance to help you efficiently exercise for calorie burn and better performance.
Beyond the built-in programs, the Pro 12.9 is enabled for iFit to deliver unlimited workout variety and other fitness support. Using the built-in touchscreen with an iFit membership you can access high-definition video workouts, customized personal training workouts, and interactive Google Maps workouts that replicate terrain. For virtual outdoor tours the Google Maps workouts alter your pedals’ incline to simulate the topography of charted routes, and when available they sync Google Street Views with your stride.
ProForm SMART Pro 12.9 Features
Smooth and steady resistance is a key strength of the ProForm Pro 12.9. A member of ProForm’s top-tier elliptical series, it has a 32-pound drive to accommodate heavy trainees as well as lighter trainees and give each user a just-right challenge.
Boosting the challenge is an electronic incline with maximum 20 percent setting. With multiple elliptical paths to choose from, you can diversify your exercise motion and target-tone different muscle groups, all with low impact on your joints and other connective tissues.
Varied upper body toning is supported too, as the Pro 12.9 elliptical has premium handlebars. These allow for different grip positions as you exercise your arms, shoulders, back and core.
The Pro 12.9 has a 7″ touch screen, plus it provides a secure ledge for holding your tablet computer or phone.
For audio motivation this unit has an smartphone-compatible port and speakers.
Heart rate monitoring with the Pro 12.9 is available with contact grips or a wireless chest strap (included).
Other specs to note are cushioned pedals, a dual-speed fan and an integrated water bottle holder.
Warranty & Guarantee
The ProForm Pro 12.9 elliptical warranty includes:
– Frame: Lifetime
– Parts: 5 Years
– Labor: 2 years
ProForm elliptical machines have a 30-day money back guarantee when purchased on the ProForm brand website.
Conclusion
Whether you focus on price, performance or frills the ProForm SMART Pro 12.9 elliptical is ready to impress. It compares very favorably with other ellipticals in its price class. If you’re drawn to this particular model we recommend taking action sooner rather than later, as limited quantities are available (at the time of this review).