The ProForm Pro 9000 Is a Top-Notch Home Gym Treadmill
Proform
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Buying a treadmill for your home gym can be a complicated process. In addition to buying one that suits your needs, you need to make sure that its specs and features align with your goals and requirements for any type of home cardio equipment you may purchase.
The ProForm Smart Pro 9000 Treadmill is a premium treadmill for at-home running workouts for beginners and experienced runners alike. It features a large, 22-inch high definition touchscreen display, where you can stream thousands of iFit workouts from the extensive catalog of live and on-demand running workouts. The ProForm Pro 9000 Treadmill is also capable of running speeds up to 12 miles per hour and has an adjustable, automatic incline that ranges from -3 to 12 percent, allowing even competitive runners to perform high-intensity running workouts. Here we have put together a full review of the ProForm Smart Pro 9000 Treadmill, covering everything from the basics like the specs and features of the treadmill to important considerations before buying.
Key features and specs:
- High-performing 3.65 commercial horsepower motor for quiet, powerful performance
- Supports running speeds up to 12 miles per hour (five minutes/mile)
- Automatic incline and decline from -3 to 12 percent
- Bluetooth connectivity for headphones
- 22-inch smart HD touchscreen
- Hands-free, interactive training with iFit membership
- Heart rate monitoring via handrails or SmartBeat Forearm Heart Rate Monitor
What Is the Proform Pro 9000 Treadmill and How Does It Work?
Proform
The ProForm Smart Pro 9000 Treadmill is a high-end treadmill designed to be durable and high performing. It features a 3.6 CHP Mach Z Commercial Plus motor, which makes the machine capable of supporting running speeds up to 12 mph and an incline range of negative three to 12 percent grade. This is the same high-performing motor used on the ProForm Boston Series treadmills, a line of premium treadmills designed specifically for marathon training.
One of the first things that most people notice about the treadmill is the large, 22-inch high-definition touchscreen display at the front of the machine. This gorgeous touchscreen makes for more immersive training, and facilitates streaming any of the on-demand or live running workouts on the iFit platform.
The Pro 9000 treadmill is designed to provide a smooth and quiet operation with a well-cushioned running surface. It features ProForm’s ReBound Pro™ cushioning, which is the brand’s most advanced cushioning system. The result is less stress on your feet, ankles, knees and hips, allowing for a more comfortable run.
There are also large, 1.9-inch precision-machined, balanced non-flexible rollers. The rollers are what the belt moves over as it runs along the deck. The precision-balanced rollers help decrease tension on the tread belt, which reduces wear and tear on the belt as well as noise while in operation.
Finally, the ProForm Pro 9000 Treadmill is a foldable treadmill, so the running deck can be lifted up to reduce the footprint of the cardio exercise machine when not in use.
Proform Pro 9000 Treadmill Pros
- Powerful 3.65 continuous horsepower motor runs smoothly
- Automatic incline and decline from negative three to 12 percent, and running speeds up to 12 miles per hour
- Foldable design with EasyLift Assist
- Running surface is well-cushioned with ReBound Pro cushioning
- Hands-free, interactive training with iFit membership
- Heart rate monitoring via handrails or SmartBeat™ Forearm Heart Rate Monitor
- Bluetooth Audio Capabilities with two-inch Dual speakers
- Roomy 20 inch x 60 inch running surface
Proform Pro 9000 Treadmill Cons
- SmartBeat Forearm Heart Rate Monitor sold separately and you can’t connect a different heart rate monitor
- Only comes with 30-Day iFIT Family Membership
- Fan seems inadequate for many users
Working Out On the Proform Pro 9000
You can walk, jog or run on the Proform Pro 9000 treadmill. Working out on the Pro 9000 involves turning on the machine, logging into your iFit membership account on the integrated smart HD touchscreen and then selecting an on-demand or live workout to choose from. You can also do any of the global virtual running routes or upload your own running course using Google maps. If you do not want to follow a guided workout or virtual run course, you can also use the treadmill in manual mode. In manual mode, the treadmill functions like any other high-quality treadmill, and gives you complete control over how fast, how far and what type of incline you use during your run.
If you use any of the iFit workouts programs, you can enjoy hands-free training because the machine will automatically adjust according to the running route profile or workout specifications of the iFit personal trainer. After your workout is over, your workout metrics will be automatically uploaded to your user profile and your iFit account. The Proform Pro 9000 can support up to five individual users on one machine, so if you live in a family with multiple people hoping to use the treadmill, each person can have their own unique login and profile to store their workout history.
Factors to Consider Before Purchasing Proform Pro 9000 Treadmill
Proform
Specs
- Display: 22-inch Smart HD Touchscreen
- Motor: 3.6 CHP Mach Z motor
- Tread Belt Size: 20 inches wide x 60 inches long
- Treadmill Speed: Zero to 12 mph with QuickSpeed Button Control
- Incline: Negative three to 12 percent Grade with QuickSpeed Button Control
- Weight Capacity: 300 pounds
- Product Weight: 263 pounds in the box
- Footprint: 35.3 inches wide x 77.3 inches deep x 59.6 inches high
- Folding Deck: SpaceSaver Design with EasyLift Assist to fold when not in use
- Audio: Bluetooth connectivity with dual two-inch speakers
- Warranty: 10-year frame warranty, two year parts and one year labor
Assembly
The assembly of the ProForm Pro 9000 isn't particularly difficult, but you need two people to lift the running deck out of the box due to its weight. Step-by-step instructions are provided for assembling the product.
The assembly of the treadmill mostly consists of attaching the uprights and console, which takes an hour or two, depending on your skill level. There is a free BILT app that offers interactive, 3D treadmill assembly walkthroughs that you can download from the App Store or the Play Store.
Console/Display
The impressive 22-inch HD touchscreen display is a big upgrade from previous versions of the same treadmill, which only featured a 10-inch display. Arguably, the large display is a major draw for runners who truly want to take advantage of the immersive experience of virtual outdoor training offered by the iFit subscription.
The console also has storage space on top for your phone, a water bottle and a small towel, although there is no designated water bottle holder.
Training Programs
The IFit library is a robust collection of thousands of studio and outdoor workouts you can stream, ranging from regular distance runs to interval workouts and incline walks. Pretty much any conceivable running or walking workout can be found in the app.
Users can use Google Maps technology to draw a real-world running route and then experience it in action or on the interactive iFit Coach app. For example, if you are training for the London Marathon, you can replicate the exact course in terms of the real life uphills and downhills while you run. Plus, as you are running, the treadmill automatically adjusts the incline and decline according to the profile of the virtual running course you are following. You don’t have to press any buttons or follow along on the map; the interactive training feature takes care of all of the adjustments automatically.
Similarly, if you are streaming one of the live running workouts or on-demand guided runs from the app, any of the workout directions that the personal trainer prescribes are automatically carried out by the treadmill without you needing to control the machine. For example, if you are following a HIIT workout and the personal trainer says the next hard interval will involve running at eight miles per hour for 30 seconds, the speed on the treadmill will automatically adjust up without you needing to press any buttons.
Many iFit users say that this is a really nice feature because it allows you to focus solely on your performance and not on controlling the treadmill. Reviews of the ProForm Pro 9000 Treadmill note that one of the best features of the treadmill is definitely the vast library of HD workout videos, the option to train with celebrity personal trainers and the ability to download personalized workouts every day to follow. You can target your training to specific running goals and workouts will be recommended to you based on these goals and your previous performances. In this way, the iFit Coach is indeed very much like a personalized running coach right on your own home treadmill, and users say that the hands-free control is one of the nicest benefits of the treadmill.
Related Post: ProForm Treadmill Roundup Review
Modes and Features
Motor
The 3.6 CHP Mach Z Commercial Plus Motor is built to handle heavy use, including long runs and interval training.
Cushioning
Like other ProForm Pro series treadmills, the ProForm Pro 9000 Treadmill uses ReBound Pro™ cushioning to attenuate impact forces when you land on your feet as you run. ReBound Pro cushioning is an air-based cushioning system, meaning that when you land on the running surface, an air chamber inside the deck is compressed to reduce the forces and shock of impact. According to ProForm, the cushioning on the Smart Pro 9000 Treadmill reduces impact shock by up to 28% compared to running on asphalt or concrete. This can be much more comfortable for runners with any type of arthritis or joint pain and could conceivably reduce the risk of certain running-related injuries such as stress fractures, shin splints and patellofemoral pain syndrome (runner’s knee).
Running Belt
Another nice feature of the SMART Pro 9000 is the large treadmill belt size. The running belt is 20 inches wide and 60 inches long, which is longer than many home treadmills. This can be a boon for taller runners who typically feel like their running stride is restricted by the more common 55-inch treadmill belt length. Even runners over 6 feet tall should feel comfortable on the Pro 9000’s long running deck.
Incline/Decline
Most standard treadmills with automatic incline do not have decline capabilities, but all of the ProForm Pro Series treadmills have maximum -3 percent decline and maximum 12 percent incline. This can be beneficial for runners who truly want to replicate the conditions of running outdoors, with the option to engage in downhill training to better simulate the muscular demand of race courses that have significant downhill portions, such as the iconic Boston Marathon race course. Downhill running utilizes different muscle groups and increases the stress and impact forces on the hips, knees and ankles, so having a treadmill that allows the incline to be adjusted to a negative slope can help prepare your body for these physical demands.
Heart Rate Monitoring
The ProForm Pro 9000 treadmill has two options for heart rate monitoring. You can either hold onto the handlebars for a palm-based telemetry reading, or you buy the SmartBeat Forearm Heart Rate Monitor for hands-free optical heart rate monitoring. This product is sold separately and it isn’t possible to connect a different type of chest strap heart rate monitor.
Integrated Cooling Fan
The built-in CoolAire fan has two speed settings, but some Pro 9000 treadmill reviews note that the fan is not particularly powerful and is located too low down on the machine for taller users to really make use of. You will probably want to set up the treadmill in a climate controlled room, whether that means you have an air-conditioning unit or access to external fans in case the integrated CoolAire fan is not sufficient for your needs.
Spacesaver Design
The ProForm Pro 9000 Treadmill features a space-saving design because you can fold the treadmill upright to reduce the footprint. It folds super easily, due to the EasyLift™ Assist, which uses pneumatics to help you lift the running deck with little to no effort. Similarly, when you want to release and unfold the treadmill, there is a built-in mechanism to guide the deck down carefully and slowly, saving you from having to support the weight or worry about the treadmill ramming into your floors.
Customer Reviews
Customer reviews on the ProForm site for the Pro 9000 treadmill are overwhelmingly positive. On Best Buy, the Pro 9000 treadmill has an overall rating of 4.0 stars and 51 customer reviews. There are 228 user reviews on the Costco website with an overall rating of 3.5 stars. Only the older version of the ProForm Pro 9000 with the 10-inch touchscreen is available on Amazon, so those treadmill reviews are not reflective of the updated machine.
Most users love the quality of the treadmill, the ability to stream iFit workouts and the incline/decline performance capabilities.
One user review on the ProForm website wrote, “Great machine!!! Love it! Very user friendly. Big screen and love the decline feature.”
Another customer review on the ProForm site says, “Great treadmill. It has everything you will ever want and need in a piece of exercise equipment…The 22-inch touchscreen is bright and has vivid colors, the included iFit membership works flawlessly and it's so fun to walk on the beaches in the Caribbean with fitness experts leading the way. The fan is a little loud, but keeps you cool. The sound system works great and the controls are easy to learn and the WiFi setup is easy. If you are looking for a moderately priced, easy to use treadmill, look no further than the Pro 9000, you won't be disappointed.”
A user review on the Best Buy website says that the treadmill feels study, even for larger users. “Doesn’t feel cheap in its materials…The deck is supportive and cushioned just right. I’m a big guy at six foot three and 215 pounds, and it works just fine.”
The main complaints are the need to pay for an iFit subscription and that the fan is inadequate.
Warranty and Return Policy
The ProForm Pro 9000 Treadmill is backed by a 10-year frame warranty, two-year parts warranty and one-year labor warranty. This puts the Pro 9000 warranty about on par with other premium treadmills such as the NordicTrack.
The return policy for the Smart Pro 9000 treadmill isn’t particularly lenient, so you should carefully consider if you think the treadmill is a good fit for you before purchasing it.
When you buy the ProForm Pro 9000 Treadmill directly from ProForm, the treadmill is subject to a 30-day return policy upon receipt. Buyers are charged a return shipping fee of $250 plus a 10 percent restocking fee if they choose to return the treadmill during the return window. Even if you change your mind while awaiting the delivery of the treadmill after buying the machine and decide you want to return the purchase, you will still be charged the return shipping and restocking fees.
Who Should Buy the Proform Pro 9000 Treadmill
Proform
The ProForm Pro 9000 Treadmill is best for serious runners looking for a high performing treadmill that offers streaming live and on-demand running workouts and guided runs. The treadmill has features that support long-distance running and heavy use, so it is designed to keep up with the training demands of competitive and advanced runners.
It is also ideal for runners who want a foldable treadmill. Many of the more expensive treadmills do not fold up. For example, the Peloton Tread is a non-folding treadmill, which can be a drawback for people with limited floor space. However, the Smart Pro 9000 has a SpaceSaver® Design with EasyLift™ Assist to fold the treadmill when not in use. It has a powerful pneumatic shock that lifts the treadmill without needing to exert any of your own force once you start guiding the deck up from the floor. The fact that the treadmill folds upright can also be helpful if you want to stream some of the other iFit strength training workout, cardio HIIT workouts, or yoga workouts but don’t have much room around the machine.
Who Shouldn’t Buy the Proform Pro 9000 Treadmill
Although the ProForm Pro 9000 Treadmill is certainly suitable for beginners and recreational runners, the performance specs are designed to support high-mileage and high-intensity training. Therefore, if you are only running occasionally or at slower speeds and shorter distances, or if you want to buy a treadmill primarily for walking, you will likely be better suited with a less expensive treadmill.
In other words, beginners will be overpaying for features and capabilities that they aren’t going to use with the ProForm Pro 9000 Treadmill model. The ProForm Carbon series is a mid-grade line of treadmills with a lower price point that still have plenty of performance features for most recreational and intermediate runners. Additionally, this is not a good treadmill for people looking for an under-desk treadmill, because the large console and handrails will get in the way of most desktops.
The ProForm Pro 9000 Treadmill is really designed to be used with the iFit training platform and iFit Coach. After the 30-day free trial, you need to purchase an iFit subscription, which will run you $15 per month or $180 per year for an individual membership or $39 a month ($396 a year) for the iFit Family Membership, so if you do not want ongoing fees, the Pro 9000 is probably not the best treadmill for you.
Because you need to have internet access to stream iFit running workouts, the ProForm Pro 9000 Treadmill requires a strong Wi-Fi signal. Therefore, if you do not have an Internet service provider or you do not have a location in your home where you can get a strong Wi-Fi signal, the ProForm Pro 9000 will not work well in your home.
Lastly, the maximum weight capacity of the Pro 9000 treadmill is 300 pounds, so users over this weight should consider a different machine.
Proform 9000 Treadmill vs NordicTrack 2450
Both the ProForm 9000 and NordicTrack Commercial 2450 treadmills are premium treadmills with many of the same features. Because both ProForm and NordicTrack are owned by the same company, much of the same technology is used across both brands. They both fold and have the same maximum user weight capacity. Additionally, both treadmills are designed to run iFit Coach workouts, so the experience of using either treadmill is fairly similar.
Related Post: The Complete NordicTrack 2450 Review
A few major differences include the price and screen. The NordicTrack 2450 currently comes in at $700 more than the ProForm 9000. That's due in part to a pivoting touchscreen that allows for easy access to guided cross-training workouts off the machine.
Related Post: The Complete NordicTrack Treadmill Guide
Proform Pro 9000 FAQs
Does the ProForm Pro 9000 have built-in workouts?
Although the ProForm Pro 9000 is primarily designed to be used with an iFit subscription, the treadmill does have about 50 built-in workouts that do not require paying for an iFit membership. These workouts can be accessed by selecting “Manual Mode Only” at the top right of the screen. Without an iFit subscription, you will be able to access a limited version of the iFit library for interactive training or you can run manually.
Can you use the ProForm Pro 9000 without iFit?
Yes. There is a limited library of iFit workouts programs that can be accessed without a membership, or you can use the Pro 9000 in “Manual Mode Only” by selecting that option at the top right of the screen.
Can you watch tv on the ProForm Pro 9000 treadmill screen?
No. The touchscreen does not stream Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu or TV; it only will run iFit workouts.
How long does the ProForm Pro 9000 last?
The ProForm Pro is designed to last about ten years, but the lifespan of the machine will depend on how much use it gets, how well it is taken care of, your body size and the intensity of your workouts.
Can you listen to music on the ProForm treadmill?
Yes. You can stream music or podcasts through the built-in speakers.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the ProForm Pro 9000 treadmill offers many features for serious runners at a decent price point, making it a sound investment for a home treadmill. The large running belt, immersive display, foldable design, ability to stream iFit workouts, range of speeds and incline and decline capabilities make it a high-performing treadmill for most buyers. With that being said, prospective buyers should consider whether they want to pay for an ongoing subscription to iFit and possess a strong Wi-Fi signal, since taking advantage of the treadmill's features relies on these factors.
Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.
