ProForm Carbon T14 Treadmill Review: An Affordable, Interactive Option
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Key features:
- 14-inch HD touchscreen
- Cushioned deck
- Foldable design
- Interactive workouts through iFIT
If you are in the process of building your home gym, you’ve likely learned quickly that large fitness equipment can also come with a significant price tag. But if you have a specific machine that's part of your routine and you're trying to eliminate going to your local gym, it's definitely a worthwhile investment. One of the most versatile, useful—and expensive—machines is a treadmill. But there are some models like the ProForm Carbon T14 that have all the features you need to get the most out of your workout, while staying well below the $1,500 mark.
Though it comes at an affordable price range, this is anything but a budget treadmill with high-tech features like interactive classes and a 14-inch touch screen. Since buying any treadmill can be a difficult decision, we have gathered all the information you need to decide if it's right for you. Keep reading to learn about all the pros and cons of this treadmill and everything you should consider before purchasing.
What Is the ProForm Carbon T14?
The ProForm Carbon T14 is a midrange treadmill designed for everyone from serious runners to those looking for a casual workout. It has a 14-inch touch screen, 12-percent incline, up to 10 mile per hour speed and a 300-pound weight capacity. It's also one of ProForm's more affordable options at only $1,399.
There are also other ProForm models in the Carbon series—the T7 and the T10. These are very similar to the T14 with the main difference being the screen sizes—seven and 10 inches respectively.
How the ProForm Carbon T14 Treadmill Works
ProForm
This treadmill’s shining feature is the 14-inch smart HD touchscreen. It allows you to follow along with on demand classes through the iFIT App—which you receive a free 30-day trial of with purchase; after the 30 days are up, it costs $39 a month. These classes include strength training, studio classes, interactive training and virtual runs through scenic locations. This treadmill also has the ability to sync with these classes and auto-adjust settings during a class or virtual run so you won’t have to mess with buttons. If you are more of a bare basics runner, you can also just adjust it manually and view only your stats, such as pace, distance, heart rate, calories and time on the screen.
This is a motorized or electric treadmill, which means that the speed is controlled and powered by a CHP motor instead of by your stride like a manual treadmill. Because of this, it must be placed near an outlet, and it will be quite heavy, so don’t plan on moving it around too often. Luckily, it’s a folding treadmill which helps it take up less space when not in use.
Pros of the ProForm Carbon T14
The Carbon T14 has a lot of features that make it worth buying. The touchscreen alone is a great feature for those who want an interactive workout experience. It has classes that can be done both on and off the treadmill with options that include both strength and cardio.
It also has a decent range of both incline (zero to 12 percent) and speed (up to 10 miles per hour), which allows those even with a high base level of fitness to get in a quality workout.
This is also a relatively compact machine compared to other motorized treadmills, and it can fold in half when not in use, which makes it great if you're keeping it in your living room or bedroom.
It also has features like two cup holders, built-in fans, a tablet holder and Bluetooth speakers, which puts everything you could need during your workout within reach.
Cons of the ProForm Carbon T14
The biggest con of this treadmill is that, due to its space-saving design, the belt may be too short for many tall and long-legged people.
While the T14 can hold up to daily use, it may not be the best for long, hard daily runs. Because the motor is on the smaller side, it isn’t as powerful as a larger, commercial model, so it won’t be able to hold up to the same kind of use. If you're mixing it up with different runs, walks and classes however, it should work just fine for you.
Working Out with the ProForm Carbon T14
If you like a workout that will keep you engaged, then you'll want to make sure that you get a model that can stream interactive workouts, classes and virtual runs. This one can do all of those through the iFIT app, which you get to try for free for 30 days—afterwards it's $39 a month for the family plan, which includes up to five profiles.
When following a class through the iFIT membership, the treadmill will adjust incline and speed automatically so you don’t have to worry about fiddling around and can focus on the workout. If you do want to adjust manually, however, you can reach an incline of 12 percent and a speed of 10 miles per hour. While this may not be fast enough for some serious runners to get up to full speed, it's more than capable of keeping up with the average runner—especially if you aren’t using it full time. If you want to use it analog-style and forgo a class or virtual run, the screen will show you your stats like speed, pace, distance, heart rate and calories.
What Customers Say About the ProForm Carbon T14
Customers love that this treadmill is compact and easy to use—even for those who may be newer to working out. They state that the motor has plenty of power for the average user, and it has decent cushioning underfoot.
While some retailers offer to assemble it for you, buyers who put it together themselves state that it's relatively easy to do, and they got it up and running in no time.
The main complaints that customers have are that the screen is not quite as touch sensitive as most touch devices, and that the treadmill is not really worth the price if you aren’t going to use iFIT. This varies from user to user, but because part of what you're paying for is the large HD screen, you may only want to buy this model if you plan on using it with the subscription to get the most from your purchase.
The other complaint is that some find the belt too short—because this is a compact model, the belt is shorter than a standard commercial treadmill. If you have particularly long legs or are on the tall side, you may want to consider a different option.
ProForm
Factors to Consider Before Purchasing the ProForm Carbon T14
Power
This treadmill features a 2.75 HP motor, which is more than enough power for some light jogging, running or walking. While most serious running treadmills will have a 3.0 HP motor or higher, this one is not far behind, and can handle some decently fast and long runs. If you are strictly a runner—and a fast one at that—you may want to opt for something a bit more powerful, but this one is a great versatile addition to any home gym.
Construction, design and size
This is a somewhat compact model, so it measures out to only 73.5 inches long x 35.2 inches wide x 57.5 inches high. The size makes it ideal for smaller spaces as the belt is shorter than most, measuring under 74 inches. The downside is that some may find the belt to be too short for their stride, and they may end up stepping on the front bumper, or feeling like they're going to fly off the back. If you are 6' and under, you'll probably be OK, but if it's a concern of yours, you may want to opt for a larger model.
The Carbon T14 is somewhere between a budget and premium model, so it has elements of both—like a cushioned deck for shock absorption and 14-inch HD touchscreen paired with loud fans and a sub-elite frame. Overall however, it's a great pick for personal use in a home gym, and has a 10-year warranty even with daily use.
Console and controls
The console is mainly made up of the 14-inch touch screen and two rows of buttons on the left (incline) and right (speed) sides. It also has fan and volume controls underneath the screen and a start and stop, as well as emergency stop at the bottom of the console. It also features two fan vents and two water bottle holders on either side of the screen.
Technology, modes and features
The main technology on this treadmill is the 14-inch HD touchscreen, but it also offers Bluetooth connection, which allows you to use headphones instead of listening through the speakers. It also has the ability to adjust your settings automatically while following along with a class.
Besides the iFIT subscription, it doesn't have any built-in workouts or workout programs, so everything else will be manually controlled by you.
Training programs
Training programs are available only through the purchase of the iFIT app for $39 a month. These include running, strength, cardio and more that can be done both on and off the treadmill. It also offers virtual runs which allow you to experience scenic locations all around the world.
Price and subscription
The treadmill itself is $1,599 and comes with a free 30-day iFIT subscription. If you would like to purchase iFIT beyond the free period, it's $39 per month. This gives you access to classes, virtual runs and interactive workouts with up to five different user profiles.
Assembly
Assembly is relatively simple, and in many reviews, customers note that they're able to complete the assembly themselves. It comes with straightforward directions and mostly requires attaching the uprights and console, though it also requires you to connect the hydraulic piston, which most treadmills don’t require you to do yourself.
Warranty and return policy
This treadmill comes with a 10-year frame warranty and a one-year parts and labor warranty. You also get a 30-day trial period, within which you can send it back if it's not to your liking.
How the ProForm Carbon T14 Stacks Up Against Other Products
When it comes to mid-range treadmills, there are generally two directions a company can go—either basic features with a high quality build, or high-end features with a standard build. This one falls more into the latter because of the large touchscreen, which accounts for a big portion of your cost. While this treadmill is designed to be compact for a reason, that also cuts down on cost—though it can also render the treadmill useless for those who are particularly tall. The treadmill is well made, but it's more designed for casual use than the absolute beasts you'll find at your gym. But the perk is that it has interactive classes and virtual runs that you won’t get with a simpler design, like the Horizon 7.0 AT or the NordicTrack EXP 7i. (Though, if you're a serious runner looking for a good home treadmill, that one is a good pick.)
Who the ProForm Carbon T14 Is Best For
ProForm
The T14 is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a versatile piece of cardio equipment to add to their home gym. It’s on the small side, so it won’t take up too much of your space, and despite being a treadmill, it offers a lot more than just a place to run. With the incline and speed settings, you can do plenty of running and walking workouts, and with the addition of the iFIT fitness app you can also access workouts both on and off the treadmill. This is a great option for someone that likes interactive classes and workouts, and is seeking to spice up their workout routine at home. It can also have up to five workout profiles on the iFIT family membership, so it’s a good option for a medium sized family with multiple users.
Who the ProForm Carbon T14 Is Not Best For
This treadmill is not the best choice for serious runners. While it can certainly handle some runs, it won’t be as solid as a commercial model. Over time, heavy use for long runs and speed work may make it break down faster than if it's used for jogging, walking and off-belt classes. Since the speed gets up to only 10 miles per hour—a six-minute mile—it may also not be fast enough for speedy runners.
Since the treadmill is short, it's also not the best fit for those over 6' tall, or those who have long legs or a long stride. Because the deck is shorter, it may end up feeling like you’re going to fly off the back, or it will force you forward and you’ll end up stepping on the bumper. Since it has only a 300-pound weight limit, it's also a bit size limiting.
ProForm Carbon T14 FAQs
Is the ProForm Carbon T14 foldable?
Yes, it is foldable.
Can you use the ProForm Carbon T14 without a subscription?
You are able to use it without a subscription, but your use will be limited. You'll be able to change the speed and incline to your desired levels and have the stats from your workout show up on screen, but you won't be able to stream any classes or virtual runs.
How is the ProForm Carbon T14 different from the ProForm T7?
The main difference is the screen size. The T7 has a seven-inch screen, while the T14 has a 14-inch touch screen. The T14 also features a steel crossbar, which helps to make it feel more secure and stable, and the incline and speed are placed on opposite sides of the screen as opposed to on top of one another, which makes them easier to navigate and less likely to mix up.
Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.
