ProForm ZT4 Treadmill Review

If you are looking to start or expand a home gym but don’t have a lot of money, the ProForm ZT4 treadmill may be for you. Walking and running outdoors is great if you have healthy joints, live in a safe neighborhood, and have nice weather. But this is not always an option. The ProForm ZT4 is one of the best treadmills under $1,000 that’s easy to assemble and comes with a decent warranty.

About the ProForm ZT4 Treadmill

The Proform ZT4 treadmill is one of the best treadmills under $1,000 but it is not ideal for runners and other serious athletes looking to take their training to the next level. The best treadmills have at least a 3 horsepower motor, a weight limit of 400 pounds, and go up to 12 miles per hour for serious sprints. They also have decline functions and inclines of up to 15%. Many ProForm models are iFit Coach compatible and subscriptions start at just $9 per month. You can use Google Maps to simulate running outdoors, have personalized workouts designed to suit your needs, and watch HD videos by famous fitness experts.

Product Specs

The Proform ZT4 treadmill features a decently powered 2.75 THP (total horsepower) motor. The tread belt is only 18″ wide by 50″ long so if you have broad shoulders you may feel like you have inadequate elbow room and tall runners may feel a little cramped. If you have limited space in your home gym and only plan to walk or jog, this may be the treadmill for you. If you plan on running or sprinting, look for a less compact treadmill with at least a 60″ belt. The ProShox cushioning allows you to reduce the impact on your joints by 28% but this particular model does not allow you the option of turning off the cushioning.

Pricing

Prices are constantly changing for the best treadmills but there are some pretty consistent ranges depending on what type of treadmill you are looking for. Budget treadmills can be purchased for $200 to $500 and are pretty bare bones. They feel a little less stable, are made of cheaper materials, and generally, come with poor warranties. Budget folding treadmills can usually be purchased for between $350 and $600 but the running belt may be too short for taller runners.

The more expensive folding treadmills will come with hydraulics to make storage easier, have more powerful motors, and be more durable. They also typically have more extensive features such as media compatibility and preset workouts. The most expensive treadmills are durable, ergonomic, stable, and made out of high-quality materials.

How It Compares

We picked a few similar products available on the market to see how they compare.

NordicTrack T 6.5S

Bowflex TC100

ProForm 505 CST Treadmill

ProForm ZT4

Price: $$

You can purchase the ProForm ZT4 treadmill on Amazon for around $600.

Workout Programs: 4 stars

The ProForm ZT4 treadmill comes with 16 pre-set workout programs which is above average for models at this price range. The number of different pre-programmed workouts ensures you will not become bored with your workouts and the console automatically adjusts the gradient for you if you choose a pre-set workout.

Warranty: 4 stars

The ProForm ZT4 treadmill is backed by a five-year motor and frame warranty and a 90-day parts and labor warranty.

Design Quality: 3.5 stars

The ProForm ZT4 treadmill is fairly well designed. The running belt is only 50″ by 18″ so it is not suitable for running if you have a long stride. However, it is good for jogging.

Performance: 3.5 stars

Thanks to the heart rate monitoring through the grips on the handrails, you can use heart rate zone targeting to ensure you are getting the most out of your workouts. Whether your goal is to improve your VO2 max, endurance, or something else, feel confident that you can reach your fitness goals as long as those goals are not high-intensity interval training (HIIT) or pushing your short-twitch muscles to the max.

Pros

• Affordable
• 16 pre-set workouts
• Compact and foldable

Cons

• 300-pound weight capacity
• Small, basic display screen

NordicTrack T 6.5S

The Nordic Track T6.5S is one of the brand’s most introductory models. It features a 2.6 CHP motor that can handle users up to 300 pounds. The running belt is only 20″ wide by 55″ long so if you run you may feel a little cramped. However, this is par for the course for folding treadmills. The console is a mere 5″ so if you like tracking the statistics of your run in real time this may not be the treadmill for you.

Price: $$

You can purchase the NordicTrack T6.5S on Amazon for around $599.

Workout Programs: 5 stars

Unlike the Proform ZT4 treadmill, the NordicTrack T6.5S features 20 preset workouts and it is iFit compatible so if you have an iFit subscription, you have unlimited access to workout programs designed by trainers around the world.

Warranty: 4 stars

The ProForm ZT4 treadmill is backed by a five-year frame and motor warranty and a 90-day parts and labor warranty.

Design Quality: 3.5 stars

This is a mediocre basic treadmill. The controls are intuitive but not very convenient and it feels a little unstable when you run. There is also no place to store anything like a book, tablet, water bottle or your keys. What this treadmill has going for it is you can turn off the cushioning to make the running feel more realistic if you want. Many users subscribe to iFit and turn off the cushioning when using Google Maps to simulate real outdoor running.

Performance: 4 stars

The T6.5S is a decent treadmill if you are not a serious athlete. The cushioning, should you use it, ensures the comfort of your feet and joints so you fatigue less easily and your recovery time is reduced. The ability to turn it on guarantees you will not become bored with your workout as you experience a greater intensity when you run without shock absorption.

Pros

• Affordable
• Folding design
• Workout options
• FlexSelect cushioning
• Good for walking and jogging

Cons

• Loud motor
• Minimalistic console
• No storage space or fan
• Basic speed and incline features
• Poor for HIIT workouts

Bowflex TC100

The Bowflex TC100 TreadClimber combines the joint-healthy motion of an elliptical, the calorie-blasting capacity of a stair stepper, and the motion of a treadmill for a low-impact workout with incredible results just from walking. Burn 2.5 times the amount of calories as you would walking at the same pace on a treadmill.

The speed range on this machine is between 0.5 and 4 miles per hour and it tracks calories burned, time, speed and distance. It also features a media rack for your tablet, a USB charging port for your electronic device, and an interactive back-lit display. Many of us are motivated by progress and the TC100 embraces this idea through the G.O. (Goal-Oriented) Coach feature. It allows you to set your own personal fitness goals and track your results over time, turning your fitness into a game.

Price: $$$

You can purchase the Bowflex TC100 on Amazon for around $1,800.

Workout Programs: 1 star

The Bowflex TreadClimber TC200 comes with five pre-set workout programs but the TC100 has none.

Warranty: 4.5 stars

For your warranty to be valid you must register your purchase with Nautilus. The Bowflex TC100 is backed by a 10-year frame warranty, a two-year mechanical parts warranty, and a one-year electronics warranty. There is also a six-month warranty for wear items and a six-month limited warranty on labor. Finally, you get a six-week money-back guarantee.

Design Quality: 4 stars

The design of this fitness machine is incredible. It combines three workouts in one, and all you have to do is walk. However, the TC200 goes up to 4.5 miles per hour which makes a significant difference when pushing your fitness to the limit. The controls, however, are easy to use so you can quickly shift between levels of resistance or change pace.

Performance: 4 stars

If you are looking for a good introductory TreadClimber this is the purchase for you. It is easy on your joints and the 12 levels of resistance ensure you get an incredible workout even if the speed leaves a little to be desired. It comes with four functions and, with consistency, you will shed weight without realizing how much work you have been putting in.

Anyone who can walk up a flight of stairs can use a TreadClimber and lactic acid levels, which cause the achy sluggish feeling after a workout, are lower when using a TreadClimber than running on a treadmill. They are even lower than when you use an elliptical. This means you are much more likely to keep working out, keep seeing results, and stay motivated.

Pros

• Great for weight loss
• Great for rehabilitation
• Smooth
• Premium LCD display
• Accessory tray
• Can remember two profiles
• Easy to use
• Burns calories quickly
• Sturdy frame
• Good resistance variation

Cons

• No ability to run
• Two-year warranty
• Loud at high speeds
• No heart rate monitor
• No speakers

ProForm 505 CST Treadmill

The ProForm 505 CST treadmill features a 2.5 CHP (continuous-duty horsepower) Mach Z commercial motor. While not as powerful as the ProForm ZT4 treadmill’s motor, the lesser power is not really noticeable. It has a weight capacity of 325 pounds which is more than the ZT4 can say and includes 1.9″ balanced rollers so you feel stable enough when you run on it.

During your first month of ownership, you get free access to iFit Coach with expert trainers to customize your workout settings to your needs. The console connects to your cell phone, and incline and speed are automatically adjusted based on the pre-programmed workout you select.

Price: $$

You can purchase the ProForm 505 CST treadmill on Amazon for around $599.

Workout Programs: 5 stars

The ProForm 505 CST treadmill is iFit compatible, meaning if you pay for the subscription you have unlimited access to workout programs and other experiences. When you activate your treadmill, you get a free one-month iFit subscription and then you can pay for your membership on a monthly basis or enjoy 18 pre-set workouts.

Warranty: 5 stars

Unlike the ProForm ZT4 treadmill, the ProForm 505 CST treadmill is backed by a lifetime frame warranty, a 25-year warranty on the motor and a one-year labor and parts warranty.

Design Quality: 4 stars

The tread belt is only 20″ by 55″. The 20-inch width is roomy enough to give you plenty of elbow room while you are running unless you have very broad shoulders. The 2″ speakers are high quality but the newer models have 3″ dual speakers and auxiliary ports. The EKG grip pulse sensor does not come with a chest strap so to monitor your heart rate you will have to hold on to the handrail or use an activity tracker like Fitbit, Garmin, or Polar.

Performance: 4 stars

The 505 performs well for what it was designed to do, but it is definitely more of an entry-level treadmill than something you would find in a gym or health club. Top-tier treadmills will go up to 12 miles per hour, be durable enough to handle users up to 400 pounds, and have 3% decline to 15% incline options.

Pros

• Quiet
• Easily folds for storage
• ProShox cushion reduces joint impact
• EKG heart rate monitor
• Durable steel frame
• Easy to assemble
• Controls are easy to reach
• Feels sturdy and stable

Cons

• Must register your treadmill to activate the console
• Only 10% incline
• Only 10 mph maximum speed

Final Verdict

We have to give the ProForm ZT4 treadmill 3 out of 5 stars. It is a good entry-level treadmill but there are better ones out there. We found the running belt to be too short and narrow for comfort. The 2.75 horsepower motor is more powerful than others on this list and it is adequate for users up to 300 pounds but we still found it underwhelming.

The treadmill is not as ergonomic as it could be in terms of room given that the tread belt is only 18″ by 50,” but if you are narrow-shouldered and want to use the treadmill for walking, it is more than adequate. It manages to be both sturdy and easy to fold up to save space when not in use and the 16 pre-set workouts ensure you will not become bored with your workouts.

If you are looking for a treadmill for around $500 this may be the one for you, but if you want more bells and whistles, look at the ProForm ZT8. It comes with 22 pre-set workouts, iFit compatibility, a 325-pound user weight limit and many more features for only an extra $300. Whatever you decide, remember to keep ergonomics and function in mind before the bells and whistles of media compatibility and the sound quality of the speakers.