Table of Contents
*This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Success with any fitness program begins with consistency. Daily exercise is the best way to achieve a fit and healthy body. With the demands of work and family, it’s often difficult to schedule the block of time for fitness training. Obstacles such as a drive to the gym, or aligning a schedule with regular business hours can also prove problematic. It is more convenient for many individuals to follow their fitness program at home. Inexpensive home treadmills like the Proform Performance 300i Treadmill can be a solution for melding a fitness regime with the other demands of a busy life.
What Is Proform Performance 300i Treadmill?
The Proform Performance 300i Treadmill is a standard home treadmill. The unit features a running surface and a digital display with hand grips. Treadmills allow users to workout in the climate-controlled environment of their own home. Suitable for either running or walking, treadmills provide an efficient cardiovascular exercise that is the cornerstone of any fitness program. Adjustable speed means that treadmills are a good choice for users of any fitness level.
Product Specs
The Proform Performance 300i Treadmill folds for storage when not in use. It is 70 inches long by 33 inches wide and stands at a height of 53 inches. The assembled unit weights 152.2 pounds and has a maximum user weight of 300 pounds. The tread belt is 16 inches wide by 50 inches long. The easy-to-read display features 16 programs and has an EKG grip pulse for monitoring heart rate. The speed range is from 0 to 10 miles per hour, and there is an incline feature that offers a 0 to 10% incline.
Pricing
The Proform Performance 300i Treadmill is available online and at select local retailers for around $500.
How It Compares
We tested the Proform Performance 300i Treadmill on various factors to see how it performed. These factors included: price, ease of use, performance, design quality, and warranty. We also compared the Proform Performance 300I Treadmill to several other similar pieces of home exercise equipment available on the market. These included:
NordicTrack Commercial 1750
LifeSpan TR4000i
Sole F80 Treadmill
Proform Performance 300i Treadmill
Price $
The $500 price point is very attractive and is common to quality entry level treadmills. In our experience, it is not possible to find a quality treadmill for below this price point.
Ease of Use ****
We found the Proform Performance 300i Treadmill to be a great product for the price. The running deck is smaller than what you would get on a top end treadmill, but 16 inches wide by 50 inches long is larger than many competing entry-level treadmills. The treadmill folds easily when not in use and is suitable for small apartments or houses.
Performance *****
The belt action on the Proform Performance 300i Treadmill is very smooth, and the motor is quiet. The motor did not struggle at an incline or at speed, and there were no instances of belt slipping. The display is easy to read and operate, and the programs are a fun and effective way to exercise. The ProShox cushioning reduces the discomfort of heel strikes and serves to eliminate joint pain.
Design Quality ****
The Proform Performance 300i Treadmill features a nice design and is stable to use. The frame does not flex while in use, and this treadmill can withstand prolonged, intense usage.
Warranty ***
The parts and labor have a 90-day guarantee. The frame and the motor have a 5-year guarantee.
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Folds for storage when not in use
- ProShox cushioning reduces the discomfort of heel strikes
- Incline feature
- A maximum speed of 10 miles per hour
- Large LCD
- Good programs
Cons
- Small running deck
- Limited warranty
NordicTrack Commercial 1750
The NordicTrack Commercial 1750 is a standard treadmill. The unit’s footprint is 81.1 inches long by 39.2 inches wide, and it stands at a height of 70.9 inches. The running deck is 22 inches wide by 60 inches long. The unit features a 7 inch smart HD touchscreen and has an adjustable tablet holder. Purchase of the treadmill includes one year of NordicTrack iFit membership. The speed range is from 0 to 12 miles per hour, and the incline is from 0 to 15% incline. The treadmill comes with 38 workouts, and it also features dual AutoBreeze workout fans and Runners Flex Cushioning.
Price $$
The NordicTrack Commercial 1750 treadmill is a mid-tier treadmill available online and at select retail stores for around $1,500.
Ease of Use ****
This treadmill features a wider running deck than the Proform Performance 300i Treadmill which makes it slightly easier to run on. The unit also folds when not in use, but’s larger and takes up considerably more space. We didn’t like the interface and display. There are so many programs we found this machine complicated to use.
Performance ****
This is a mid-tier treadmill, and it shows. The running deck is wide and easy to run on. The Runners Flex Cushioning makes for a comfortable running surface. The cooling fans are a nice feature, but we’re not sure they’re worth the additional price of the unit. We were less impressed with the display interface which had unresponsive buttons. The NordicTrack has a higher top speed and top incline than the Proform Performance 300I Treadmill.
Design Quality ****
This treadmill features quality construction designed to withstand prolonged, intense workouts. The machine is heavy, so the folding feature is difficult, and folding does not save very much space. We didn’t like the interface.
Warranty *****
Lifetime warranty on the frame and motor. The parts and electronics have a 5-year warranty. The labor has a 2-year warranty.
Pros
- Large running deck
- Smooth action
- 12 mph max speed
- 15% max incline
- Excellent warranty
Cons
- Expensive
- Unit is very large and difficult to fold
- Complicated interface is difficult to use
LifeSpan TR3000e
The LifeSpan TR3000e is a standard folding treadmill with a digital display. The treadmill measures 70.3 inches long by 33 inches wide and stands at a height of 55 inches. The running deck is 20 inches wide by 56 inches long. There is an incline feature that offers 15 levels of adjustable incline. The easy-to-read display tracks: time, calories, distance, and speed. The console also includes 17 trainer programs which target: weight loss, healthy living, and sports training. The unit also includes heart rate programs and has Bluetooth connectivity for downloading user data.
Price $$
The LifeSpan TR3000e is a quality mid-tier treadmill available online and at select local retailers for around $1,500.
Ease of Use ****
The running deck for the LifeSpan TR3000e is slightly smaller than the NordicTrack Commercial 1750 but larger than the Proform Performance 300i Treadmill. The console has a USB plug so the user may attach his or her smart device. The unit is difficult to fold and does not take up much less space when folded.
Performance ***
The running action is not as good as the NordicTrack and it’s slightly louder than the Proform Performance 300i. The unit features 6 compression shocks to ease the impact of heel strikes, but we found this to be an uncomfortable treadmill.
Design Quality ***
The lack of a good shock absorption system led to joint pain with prolonged use. The console features a small display, and the buttons are too small. It was difficult to adjust the speed or the incline while running.
Warranty *****
There is a lifetime warranty on the frame and the motor. There is a 5-year warranty on parts. There is a 1-year warranty on labor.
Pros
- Large running deck
- 17 trainer programs with lots of features
- 15 levels of adjustable incline
- Folds for storage when not in use
- Good warranty
Cons
- Expensive
- Insufficient cushioning on the running surface
- Console difficult to operate
Sole F80 Treadmill
The Sole F80 is a professional gym-quality treadmill. The unit measures 82 inches long by 37 inches wide and stands at a height of 57 inches tall. The treadmill has a folding feature and comes with a 3.0 horsepower continuous-duty motor. The unit features a 7.5 inch LCD display with integrated speakers. The console features 6 standard workouts, 2 custom workouts, and has 2 heart rate controlled workouts. The Cushion Flex shock-absorption system allows for comfortable running. The unit has a maximum user weight capacity of 350 pounds and weighs 250 pounds.
Price $$$
The Sole F80 Treadmill is available online and at special discounts at a wide price range. This unit is available for anywhere from $1,400 to $2,700.
Ease of Use ****
The large running deck and overall size and weight of this unit make it easy to run on. The unit is stable; the motor is quiet, and the tread action is consistent. The unit features an easy assist folding deck design, but the unit’s size makes it difficult to fold. The console is Bluetooth capable and can connect with your preferred smartphone fitness app.
Performance ****
The Cushion Flex Shock absorption system makes for a very comfortable running surface, and the size and the stability of this unit make it a great choice for workouts. The console has a lot of buttons and features, and some buttons are too small. The incline feature offers a range from 0 to 15%. The powerful motor works well at high speeds and inclines.
Design Quality ****
This is a gym quality treadmill that features good construction materials. The unit is too large to fit into some small apartments and homes.
Warranty *****
The unit features a lifetime warranty on the deck, motor, and frame. There is a 5-year warranty on electronics, belt, rollers, and other wear components. There is a 2-year warranty on labor.
Pros
- Cushion Flex Shock absorption system eliminates the stress of heel strikes and reduces joint pain
- Large running deck
- Easy assist folding deck
- 15% max incline
- 12 miles per hour top speed
- Great warranty
Cons
- Expensive
- The unit is too large for some homes and apartments
- The console has small buttons
Conclusion
Purchasing a treadmill for the home is a great way to fit a workout regime into the schedule of a busy life. By working out at home, users will not have to accommodate their schedule to the business hours of a local gym. Also, working out at home allows users to avoid the elements and the dangers of traffic. Treadmills are a great option because running provides an efficient strength and aerobic exercise. Commitment to a workout program is the key to success and having workout equipment in the home makes it easy for athletes to achieve their fitness goals.
Treadmills are available on the market for anywhere from thousands of dollars to just a few hundred bucks. We compared the affordable Proform Performance 300i Treadmill to several other units available for around three times the cost. Although the more expensive units had desirable features not available on the Proform Performance 300i Treadmill, the workout quality of the Proform Performance 300i Treadmill made it a reasonable option. The ProShox cushioning of the Proform created a very comfortable running surface, and the motor had enough power to provide a consistent, silent workout.
The main disadvantage of the Proform Performance 300i Treadmill was its small running deck. However, its running deck was larger than other treadmills available at its price range. The smaller size is also an advantage for individuals who live in a small house or apartment with space limitations. At $500, the Proform Performance 300i Treadmill was less than one third the cost of the other treadmills tested. But it compared nicely to the more expensive treadmills in terms of the quality of workout provided.
The Proform Performance 300i Treadmill represents a quality entry-level treadmill available at an affordable price. The unit might not be a good choice for runners who are very tall with a long stride length, but for most individuals, the Proform Performance 300i Treadmill represents an economical way to pursue their fitness goals in the comfort of their own home. The entry-level price, compact size, and good overall functionality earn the Proform Performance 300i Treadmill our highest recommendation. We give it a 5 out of 5 stars.
