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The ProForm Endurance M7 treadmill is the most affordable model in their Endurance series. Features includes a large, 20″W x 55″L running area, 18 onboard workouts, and iPod compatibility.
So, how does it compare to the top-of-the-line Endurance M8i treadmill?
In terms of workout variation, the Endurance series varies more than any of their other treadmill collections. While the Endurance M7 offers 18 onboard workouts across 4 categories, the M8i has an iFit compatible console, but onboard programs are completely focussed on weight loss.
As part of our review, we put together a quick guide to the workout apps, design features, and console functions. This is to help you decide if the ProForm M7 is the best treadmill for home gyms.
Note: The ProForm Endurance M7 is part of their UK collection. The ProForm Sport 5.0 would be the equivalent treadmill from their US collection.
Design and safety features
The Endurance M7 treadmill is considered the entry level model in ProForm’s Endurance collection, yet still shares many of its design features with the higher priced S7, S7.5, and M8i treadmills. This includes having the same 2.5 CHP Mach Z motor, same 11.2 mph maximum belt speed, and same 10% maximum incline gradient.
All four of these treadmills also have the same 20″W x 55″L running area dimensions, and ues ProForm’s ProShox™ cushioning system. This style of impact absorption reduces the impact of your foot striking the tread belt, which limits the stress placed on your feet, knees, and ankles. It also takes some of the strain off your leg muscles compared to running on a firm surface, thereby reducing the level of muscle breakdown and enabling you to train more frequently.
Having the same physical design specification isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it’s just unusual. Normally we would compare different treadmills in a single collection and see a clear increase in incline/belt speed/running area as you moved from the entry level model to the top-of-the-line treadmill. For the Endurance series this isn’t the case, which is something we wanted to highlight.
So where are the differences? What makes one model stand out over another as the best option for your fitness goals? This comes down to the console design and workout program variation, which is something we look at in more detail later in our review.
Safety features
The ProForm Endurance M7 has all the basic safety features you could hope for from a home treadmill. This includes a short set of hand rails for balance assistance, and a safety key slot in the console. The safety key is short length of cord with a clip at each end, where one clip attaches to your clothing and the other to the console. In the event of a fall, the clip is designed to detach from the console and the tread belt will quickly come to a stop to prevent injury.
These are both features designed to keep you safe while you walk, jog, or run. But you don’t have the same family-friendly safety features that are offered by ProForm’s high-end treadmills (Pro series, Premier series, Boston Marathon series, etc.). This includes a 4-digit child-safety passcode that disables console functions such as belt speed and incline, until the correct code is entered.
ProForm Endurance M7 – Features Summary
- 2.5 CHP Mach Z Motor
- 0 – 11.2 mph speed range
- 0 – 10% Quick Incline™
- Large 20″W x 55″L running area
- ProShox cushioning
- Backlit LCD screen
- 18 pre-programmed workouts
- Dual-Grip EKG™ Heart Rate Monitor
- Integrated audio system
- 275 lb Weight capacity
Display console design
As one of the entry level models in their Endurance series, the ProForm Endurance M7 console feels like a cross between the 530 and 730 treadmills from their ZLT collection.
On the one hand you have the 18 workout apps split across 4 categories (Calorie, Intensity, Speed, Incline), which is the same number and range of categories as the ProForm 730 ZLT.
But you don’t have the same 8-week weight-loss program, and there’s a much more limited selection of controls for the speaker sound and fan speed.
What you do have is a backlit LCD screen that highlights all of your most important workout feedback, including speed, time, incline, distance, heart rate, and number of calories burned. There’s also a ‘Priority Display’ button that lets you highlight a single piece of feedback that you want to focus on, then shows it prominently on the screen.
In terms of entertainment features there’s nothing to get too excited about. There’s iPod and MP3 connectivity to a built-in sound system via the 3.5mm line in jack, which lets you listen to your favorite workout music without relying on headphones. This is fairly standard, and something we’ve seen similar versions of when reviewing most ProForm treadmills.
Later models in the collection get a little more interesting, with the next model up (Endurance S7) featuring the 8-week weight-loss program we mentioned earlier. Top-of-the-line treadmills, like the Endurance M8i, also offer iFit compatibility and combine these iFit workouts with a built-in weight loss workout center.
Heart rate monitoring
The Endurance series is one of the few ProForm treadmill collections that supports telemetry heart rate monitoring (chest strap) on their entry level models.
This includes the Endurance M7, and although the chest strap isn’t included, it can be used to transmit your heart rate to the console if you want the most accurate reading. Dual EKG™ touch sensors have also been built into the handles for monitoring heart rate, but these take time to send feedback to the screen (15 seconds), and it restricts your upper body movement if you want to monitor heart rate feedback for any amount of time.
Workout programs and user profiles
When you’re buying a new treadmill, one of the most important features to compare between models is the quantity and variation of workout programs.
The ProForm Endurance M7 offers a similar range of console functions to the ProForm 730 ZLT, with 18 onboard workouts split across 4 different categories; Speed, Incline, Intensity, and Calorie.
However, the big difference is that the Endurance M7 doesn’t have the 8-week weight-loss program that makes the 730 ZLT so unique. You’re also missing any Set-A-Goal workouts, and the console doesn’t support iFit.
So if you’re looking for a treadmill that offers challenging and varied workouts, is the ProForm M7 really your best option, or should you be looking at one of the more advanced models in the Endurance series?
Workout program categories
- ManualThis is the standard program that’s available with all ProForm treadmills, following no preset profile of speed and incline settings. Instead, you can activate the tread belt by inserting the safety key in the console, then remain in complete control of the speed and incline throughout your workout.
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Onboard WorkoutsWhenever we compare a treadmill collection like Endurance, we always take a look at all models in the series, to determine which offers the best balance of cost and workout programs.But after taking a look at the Endurance S9, S7.5, and S7, we came to realise that there really isn’t that much of a difference, at least in the number of onboard workouts available.
Each treadmill in the ProFom Endurance series includes between 15 and 18 onboard workouts, which sets the Endurance M7 towards the top of the list. But there are a few subtle upgrades with the other models that do give them the edge.
For example, in addition to the 18 onboard workouts, the Endurance S7 also includes the same 8-week weight-loss program that we saw on the 730 ZLT treadmill, as does the Endurance S7.5.
Unfortunately there’s still no sign of iFit or Set-A-Goal programs, at least not unless you upgrade to the ProForm Endurance M8i. The M8i probably offers the best combination of workout programs, with onboard workouts, the 8-week weight-loss program, and iFit Live compatibility. But it looks like no Endurance series treadmill offers the same Set-A-Goal workouts that featured so heavily in ProForm’s ZT treadmill series.
Back to the Endurance M7, and the quick select controls for each workout category reduce the time needed to select your chosen program. All onboard workouts are split into a number of segments, with incline and speed settings stored in each. As your workout progresses, the current segment will flash to indicate your progress.
- Set-A-Goal WorkoutsProForm included Set-A-Goal workouts with the top-of-the-line ZT8 treadmill, but they don’t feature at all in the Endurance collection. These target-based programs allowed you to set a goal for the distance, time, and number of calories burned, with ProForm’s Boston Marathon treadmills also offering a ‘pace’ goal option.If you enjoy having a target to work towards each workout, the ProForm ZT8 would probably be closer to the Endurance M7 than the Boston treadmills in terms of price, and you even get iFit compatibility.
Ease of assembly and maintenance
ProForm continue to be one of the best fitness companies in the industry for designing cardio equipment that’s quick to assemble, with clear setup instructions that are easy to follow. Although it’s probably not something you want to base your buying decision around, knowing what to expect from the assembly process can help you get started with your new fitness routine as soon as possible.
Fortunately, the ProForm Endurance M7 user manual includes clear step-by-step written instructions, accompanied by exploded diagrams with parts references to show how each part fits together. ProForm even include most of the tools you need, including a hex key that can adjust the walking belt.
It’s important to bear in mind that ProForm recommends two people for this assembly. That’s because having most of the treadmill pre-assembled cuts down on the setup time, but does mean you’re moving heavier parts around, such as the running deck.
If this isn’t possible, an alternative to self-assembly is the ProForm professional assembly service.
Professional assembly services
Many modern fitness companies now offer an in-home assembly service, which is often a more convenient option than assembling the equipment yourself.
ProForm only guarantee curbside delivery, but as part of the initial purchase they do offer an in-home assembly service, depending on your location. As an alternative, Amazon have also started offering their own home assembly service for treadmills.
With Amazon, your options very much depend on your location, but it’s an excellent way to find highly rated local companies that can setup the treadmill for an affordable price. Moving the treadmill to a new room isn’t included, so you’ll need to have the boxes in the location you plan on using the machine. If Amazon don’t have service providers in your area, you can sign up to be emailed when they become available.
Transport and maintenance
As with most of their treadmills, the Endurance M7 is fitted with transport wheels, which make it easier to move between rooms if needed. You can also benefit from the folding SpaceSaver® design, which is fitted with a powerful shock (EasyLift Assist) for reducing the effort needed to raise the deck to its vertical storage position, creating a compact footprint.
For maintenance, the user manual is packed with useful information to keep the treadmill running smoothly. This includes how to align the tread belt, recalibrate the incline system, and troubleshoot basic issues.
What’s covered by the warranty?
- Frame: Lifetime
- Motor: 5 years
- Parts: 2 years
- Labor: 2 years
Review Overview
Overall Review Rating
4 / 5
When we reviewed the treadmills in ProForm’s ZLT series, we found that the Endurance M7 was discounted to such a level that it was a similar price to the 5.0 ZLT and 530 ZLT, and even more affordable than the 730 ZLT.
Based on the M7 being available at a similar price, our recommendation for these reviews was to upgrade to this model, which is the most affordable in their Endurance series.
Not only that, but it also featured a more advanced specification when it came to the incline settings, belt speed, motor power, and weight capacity. But is it really the best treadmill at this price point?
The Hammer Walkrunner RPE (another UK treadmill) is also available for around £500, and has a similar rating on sites such as Amazon. But the incline is a manual system with just two positions, compared to the 10% power incline of ProForm’s M7 treadmill. The number of workout programs is also half that of the M7, and the size of the running area is far smaller, measuring just 49”L x 16.5”.
In summary, the ProForm Endurance M7 treadmill is one of the best in the industry when it’s available for less than £550. We actually found this model for less than £500 on ProForm’s official UK website, as part of a sale event, so we recommend checking there as well as Amazon.
Product dimensions: 36"W x 58.7"H x 73.2"L Product weight: 165 lbs Weight capacity: 275 lbs
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