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As part of a collection that also includes the 300, 400, 600, 600c, and 1850 models, the ProForm Performance 1450 Treadmill manages to combine all of the features from the earlier models with some of the more expensive features found on the 1850.
In this review we’ll be taking a look at the various design features and workout options, as well as considering whether it’s best to choose this model or the 1850 in terms of balancing features with value for money.
Design features
Without a doubt, one of the most impressive features of the ProForm Performance 1450 treadmill is its extra large running area.
Measuring 20 inches wide and 60 inches in length, this is a machine that provides a large enough running space to cater for the longer stride that accompanies taller users (particularly those who are taller than 6 feet).
While it’s certainly impressive, is it the largest available for under $1500?
In terms of length, we would say yes. It’s very rare to come across treadmills with a running area greater than 60 inches, but there is a popular competitor that just about has it beat when it comes to the width.
The Sole Fitness F80 gives you an additional 2 inches across the width, which doesn’t give any real benefit to your stride length, but can be useful for providing a little more freedom of movement while you’re running.
However, the F80 provides what we believe to be the largest running area in its class, with ProForm’s 1450 still measuring the same as machines costing several hundred dollars more.
Powering this 2-ply tread belt you have a 3.25 CHP DurX Commercial Pro Motor, which is not only powerful enough to maintain the top 12mph belt speeds at the full 15% incline, but also manages to keep its noise level to a minimum while it does so.
As testament to its quality, ProForm even offer a lifetime warranty on the motor as well as the frame.
ProForm Performance 1450 – Features Summary
- 10″ Full-Color Touch Screen with Built-In Browser Powered by Android(TM)
- Get smarter workouts and faster results with iFit Live(TM). Featuring workouts Powered by Google Maps(TM), training with Jillian Michaels and automatic speed and incline controls, this wireless technology is the ultimate workout experience!
- 3.25 CHP DurX(TM) Commercial Pro Motor lets you run safer, longer and quieter
- 20″ x 60″ 2-Ply Commercial Treadbelt reduces impact on your joints and delivers a more comfortable running surface
- 15% Incline range
- 12 mph Maximum belt speed
- 32 Workout programs
Safety and storage
If you’re going to be working out at home, it’s always important to ensure you can do so safely, particularly if there’s going to be nobody else around.
This is why ProForm have chosen to include a safety key feature, which at its most basic level is a short lanyard with a clip attached to one end and a magnet to the other.
The idea is to attach the clip to an item of clothing, then clip the magnet into its designated space on the display console. That way, if you were to fall while running, the magnet pulls away from the console and quickly brings the tread belt to a stop.
However, unlike most treadmills, you can actually work around this if you don’t want to use it.
On most machines the running belt simply won’t function until the safety key is connected, but in this case it takes just a couple of button presses to disable the key and continue your workouts without it.
Of course, if you decide you want to change this back or have someone else using the machine, then you can follow the same process to get the key enabled again.
Pass code sequence security
Another of the safety features we’ve started to see more often on fitness equipment is the use of a pass code.
In fact, we recently reviewed some of the ellipticals from the Precor Energy Series, which incorporated this feature across their entire collection.
The reason it’s gained so much popularity is its ability to disable the functions on the display console, preventing young children from stepping onto the belt and starting it moving accidentally.
There’s no need to worry about complicated sequences though, as your password only needs to be 4 digits long.
Much like the safety key, this is a feature that can be both enabled and disabled depending on your preference. If you do happen to forget your key sequence at any point, ProForm also provide you with a master pass code that saves you having to contact customer service or waiting for a technician.
As soon as you complete your workout, the running deck can be quickly folded away using the latch knob and large barrel system underneath. Due to the weight of the deck (approximately 45 lbs), ProForm do recommend in their user manual to have an extra person assist you with this, but it isn’t entirely necessary.
With the running deck folded safely away, you can then use the set of transport wheels attached to the base to help you move the treadmill to wherever it needs to be stored.
Display console design
If there’s one thing ProForm are well known for, it has to be their focus on designing consoles that combine effective workout programs and performance tracking with a wide range of entertainment options.
In much the same way as the treadmills in their Pro range, ProForm have included two sets of quick-select buttons; one set for the incline, and one for the belt speed.
However, unlike their Pro range, the ProForm Performance 1450 doesn’t include the 3% of decline options for the angle of the running deck. ProForm do actually offer this feature as part of the Performance collection, but only on the next model up – the Performance 1850.
If the decline is a feature you would need for your workouts and you aren’t too concerned about the console’s touch screen and feedback options, then the ProForm Pro 2000 or 2500 models may also be worth a look.
Like the Performance 1450 they also offer the same 3.5 CHP motor, 12 mph maximum belt speed, and same size running area, but are usually available for around $200 less.
The ProForm Performance 1450 console allows full internet access
That being said, the screen on the 1450 is considerably larger, measuring 10 inches compared to the 7 inches for the screens on their Pro collection treadmills (with the exception of the Pro 4500 which also measures 10 inches, but at a higher price).
You also have buttons built into the console for adjusting the power of the cooling fan, as well as controlling the music you listen to via the MP3 player connection.
Having such a large display screen also has its benefits when it comes to the clarity of your workout feedback.
Depending on which display mode you choose, the screen is able to display the treadmill incline, elapsed workout time, number of calories burned, distance, elevation, running pace, and even your progress around a 1/4 mile virtual running track.
Although the hand rails don’t feature any integrated buttons for easier speed and incline adjustments, ProForm have decided to include a set of heart rate hand sensors, which can be a useful guide for finding your desired workout intensity level.
You also have a whole host of iFit specific training options, as well as buttons relating to each category of the preset workout programs. This helps to cut down on the amount of time it takes to get setup, helping you to make the most of even shorter running sessions.
Preset workout programs
Whether you’re trying to lose that last 5 pounds or are just starting your first fitness routine, variation in training is one of the easiest ways you can achieve your goals more quickly.
Not only will you feel more motivated to get back on the treadmill, but your body will also have a tougher time adapting to the exercise, which helps to prevent a plateau in your results.
That’s why before we take a look at iFit, we wanted to quickly take a look at the preset workout programs that are already pre-loaded onto the console for the ProForm Performance 1450.
Even without the six iFit Live workouts you can select directly from the console, there are 32 programs to choose from, which have been split into 4 main categories.
Workout program categories:
- 1. Calorie burn (8 workouts)
- 2. Intensity (8 workouts)
- 3. Speed (8 workouts)
- 4. Incline (8 workouts)
Each of the 4 categories provides you with 8 different workouts, designed to follow a different elevation profile as the incline automatically adjusts throughout your session.
Unfortunately you don’t get the option to create your own custom workouts, but you can adjust the incline and speed settings for the current profile segment at any point.
You also have a collection of workouts that allow you to work towards a specific goal. This can be a set time, distance, pace, or total number of calories burned.
Training with iFit Live
No matter your goal, performance tracking – like variation in your workouts – is an important part of making consistent progress.
But to do this you’re usually going to need a system that can sync your workout data to an app or computer, such as Precor’s integration with Preva, Schwinn’s Connect site, or even the latest WaterCoach F.I.T. software from WaterRower.
Fortunately ProForm does actually have its own workout and performance tracking system in the form of iFit, which provides you with a suite of powerful online interactive training tools.
This is a feature that’s now available on many of their high end treadmills and ellipticals, which will be classed as either ‘iFit Enabled’, or ‘iFit Compatible’.
The ProForm Performance 1450 is classed as ‘Compatible’, meaning you will have to buy an iFit module separately to the treadmill in order to get the most out of its features.
Usually a membership fee would also apply (payable annually or monthly), but at the moment you can actually get a year’s free membership when you buy the module (priced at around $99).
If you want to make sure you’re getting the best deal, it’s certainly worth taking a look at our review of the ProForm Pro 2500. This is actually one of the lowest priced treadmills that has iFit already enabled, meaning you don’t have to pay extra for the module.
Will iFit benefit your training?
In our opinion, for the features and extra workout options you can get, iFit is certainly good value for money.
You can draw your own custom running route using Google Maps, store your fitness history in the iFit cloud for analysis and checking on goal progression, download programs from top trainers like Jillian Michaels, and even schedule workouts directly from your tablet or smartphone.
The only real downside is the fact that you have to be positioned within range of a wireless network in order to take advantage of basic functions like workout downloads and internet access.
You also have to check for firmware updates on a fairly regular basis.
Admittedly there’s a lot more initial setup to this treadmill than most of the running machines we’ve come across. But the majority of these steps only need to be performed once, or on very rare occasions.
This includes the checking for firmware updates, calibrating the incline, centering the running belt, and signing up for your iFit account.
Ease of assembly
Weighing in at over 250 lbs, the ProForm Performance 1450 is far from the lightest treadmill we’ve reviewed.
It’s also not the easiest machine to assemble, with a number of awkward steps required for attaching things like the base covers and threading the upright wire through various brackets of the console supports.
One of the main reasons behind the lengthy assembly process is the fact that the upright supports aren’t able to fold down and lay flat against the running deck.
Instead, they have to be attached in a fixed upright position, requiring you to build the side supports, thread the console wire through one of these uprights, and attach the covers.
However, this process is actually made a lot simpler thanks to the part identification chart and quality of instructions and diagrams that ProForm have included in the assembly manual.
Once you have the running deck in place, there’s no real heavy lifting required. You just need to attach the uprights and console and you’re ready to start your first workout.
Despite sounding like a quick and easy task, you’ll probably still need to allocate 60 to 90 minutes of your day to getting this treadmill properly setup, including the iFit registration and incline calibration.
Customer reviews
Although the ProForm Performance 1450 certainly seems to have had more of a mixed reaction than the later 1850 model, we couldn’t really find enough reviews to build up a definitive summary.
However, there are a select number of trusted ecommerce stores where we were able to gather some useful feedback from other people who have bought and used this machine.
Based on this feedback, we’ve been able to put together the lists of pros and cons below.
Pros:
- Android internet browser lets you access the internet, watch movies, update social media, and send emails while you workout
- iFit compatibility provides a much wider range of workout options than competing treadmills in the same price range
- ProShox Plus™ Cushioning helps reduce the impact on your knees when running
- Large running area gives you plenty of space to build up to a full sprint, even for taller users (6ft+)
- 12 months iFit membership is free when you buy this model new
- Quiet to use
- Straightforward assembly, although the cable connections and console attachment can take some time
- Large display screen is well lit, making it easy to view all your important workout information in low light conditions
- Touch screen display makes it quicker to navigate through the different menu screens and get your workout started
- Collection of useful safety features makes it a good choice for family environments
- Folding design helps to preserve space when not in use
Cons:
- Must have a Wi-Fi connection setup in order to take full advantage of iFit’s downloadable workouts and internet access
- Heart rate sensors are positioned quite close to the front of the running area, making it difficult to avoid stepping on the motor casing. Telemetry heart rate tracking would have been an improvement, or sensors in the hand rails.
- No decline settings for the running deck
- Mixed feedback on the quality of customer support from ICON
- Angle of the cooling fan isn’t adjustable
What’s covered by the warranty?
- Parts and electronics: 5 years
- Frame: Lifetime
- Drive motor: Lifetime
- Labor: 2 years
Review Overview
Overall Review Rating
3.5 / 5
Although the iFit module needs to be purchased separately and will need to be factored into the total cost along with any shipping charges (free shipping if you order on Amazon, just be sure to check the available vendors), you still get an impressive amount of features for $1500.
The large running area, powerful motor, range of safety features, and folding design for convenience are just a few of the physical features we liked.
That's not to mention the iFit options, with ProForm making new additions to iFit Live on a regular basis, which now also includes nutrition tracking and a personal fitness tracker you can wear on your wrist.
Overall this is an excellent running machine for anyone looking to improve their fitness from home, who wants to be able to track their performance and vary their workouts for faster results.
Product dimensions: 150cm (H) x 88cm (W) x 197cm (L)
Product dimensions (folded): 181cm (H) x 88cm (W) x 102cm (L)
Product weight: 252 lbs
Weight limit: 350 lbs
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