ProForm Performance 300i Treadmill

If someone is looking for a treadmill at a mid-ranged price, a really good option available is ProForm Performance 300i Treadmill. It’s equipped with a 2.0 CHP motor with which its belt can attain the speed of 10 mph and up to 10% incline. Users can easily adjust both, the speed and incline, by just touching a button that also allows an increase or decrease in intensity without hassle. This quality treadmill has a running surface cushioned with ProShox cushioning system that is typically found on all ProForm treadmills. This system can absorb almost all sudden impacts, thereby relieving stress from the users’ knees, ankles and hips.

ProForm Performance 300i Treadmill Specifications

Unit dimensions are height 55”, length 64.7”, width: 28.9” and it weighs 203 pounds (~92 kg). ProForm 300i is not the smallest and certainly not the lightest treadmill on the market. Most parts are made using steel, for strength and durability, hence the weight.
Weight: 203 lbs.

Maximum allowed user weight is 300 pounds (~136 kg), which is very good maximum user weight in this price class.

Running deck is 16” x 50” (~41 x 127 cm) and it is large enough for walking and jogging. Fast and tall runners should be careful regarding their stride length - better safe than sorry.

ProForm Performance 300i Treadmill Features

Console

The ProForm Performance 300i Treadmill is equipped with a console with 6” LCD display offering all the bells and whistles to make the workout experience fun for users. There are 16 programmed workouts, 8 for performance and 8 for weight loss each having its individual keys. Users can power through these exercises and at the same time they can connect their iPod and listen to their favorite music. The machine comes with 2” speakers compatible with most MP3s, smartphones and tablets, a tablet holder and accessory trays. Users will need their own 3.5mm jack and cable to connect with their device. Also, sound volume adjustment cannot be done through the console; it should be done through the user’s device.

The 16 workouts are particularly aimed at burning fat and improving users’ cardiovascular health. Users can get even more exercise options or compete with their friends by connecting to iFit and Bluetooth. iFit can also allow users to track their exercise data so that they can see their achievements over time. Users don’t need an iFit module but will need iFit membership. With iFit users can get a new workout every day, imitate real-life runs with Google Maps and also tailor their training to their particular goals.

Display readouts include covered distance, incline, heart rate, elapsed time, speed, calories burned and ¼ mile (400 m) track.

All in all, ProForm Performance 300i Treadmill has almost everything a fitness enthusiast needs for a great exercise experience.

Heart Rate Monitoring

Users can also monitor their heart rate through the stainless steel contact sensors fitted in the dual handlebar grips and also through their own compatible chest strap heart rate monitor via Bluetooth.

Frame

Frame of ProForm Performance 300i Treadmill is made of steel and its parts are coated with scratch-resistant and anti-corrosive paint, silver for the upright posts and black for the base of the frame.

Motor

ProForm Performance 300i Treadmill has a 2.0 continuous horsepower Mach Z Motor that generates high levels of inertia that offer a smooth feel and a peaceful in-home experience. Being continuous duty motor, its performance is great for prolonged exercise without choking or overheating.

Quick Adjustments

ProForm Performance 300i Treadmill offers quick adjustments with just a touch of a button. Users can do running, jogging or walking with speeds up to 10 mph.

There are '+' and '–' keys available for slow speed adjustment and arrow keys for slow incline adjustment. However, keys for quick speed and incline selection from 1 to 10 are also available.

The keys feature dual press functions. Upon pressing the key once, the belt’s speed increases or reduces by 0.1 MPH and upon pressing and holding the key, speed is adjusted by 0.5 MPH. This enables users to find the pace that perfectly fits their workout.

Manual mode too has its own key.

And if users want to stop workout to do some other task or alternate treadmill with some other exercise, there is a “Stop” button available too.
And also, there is a magnetic safety key.

Because it’s a motorized treadmill, it needs to be connected to a power circuit. Its classic U.S. plug needs to be connected to a 120 V AC 15 amps power circuit. The power cord can be connected to the treadmill near the front base just near the motor.

Deck

The deck area of ProForm Performance 300i Treadmill has 1.9” balanced and precision machined rollers, featuring sealed ball bearings, aimed to last for several years of use. It also features ProShox cushioning to absorb up to 20% of users’ workout impact and avoid any stress on users’ joints and back as they walk, run or jog.

The 1-ply heavy-duty belt of ProForm Performance 300i Treadmill is flexible and strong enough to lessen power consumption. It is low-noise, low-friction and comes prelubricated from the factory.

Incline

Though ProForm Performance 300i Treadmill is considered a basic machine by many users due to only 10% incline it features, it should be remembered that many basic models don’t have any incline at all or have manual incline. While the 10% incline is far from the 45% or more incline offered by a commercial grade machine, the consistency of jog or walk at 10% incline will be remarkable and a superior workout can be achieved. Plus users can adjust incline in increments of 1%.

The set-up height of the deck is around 17 cm (7”) at 0% incline and will elevate by a few inches at 10%. In short, if users want to stay away from any ceiling height issues, they should make sure before ordering to add 12”-13” to their own height and compare the outcome with the ceiling height of the room where they will set and use the treadmill.

Convenient Storage

ProForm Performance 300i Treadmill comes with innovative EasyLiftTM Assist telescoping shock with which users can lift and fold the deck of the treadmill out of the way for convenient storage and cleanup. Thus, when fully set up, the treadmill take up 165 x 74 cm i.e. 65”L x 29”W, while after folding, its footprint remains around 66 x 74 cm i.e. 26”L x 29”W.

Warranty

ProForm Performance 300i Treadmill comes with a massive warranty of:

Frame: Lifetime
Motor: 25 years
Parts: 1 year
Labor: 1 year

Shipping

Users may have to pay for shipping depending on from where they buy the treadmill and they can also get it for free if they buy from retailers like Amazon.com.

Assembly

The deck of ProForm Performance 300i Treadmill comes pre-assembled with rollers, motors and belt in place already attached to the base of the frame. Users have to add the console and its lateral posts, joining the cables. An Allen wrench and two hex keys are provided with the treadmill and there are 12 steps to assemble it as per the instruction manual. But users may also need their own needle-nose pliers and Philips screwdrivers for the purpose. A little more than an hour will be needed to completely assemble the treadmill.

Maintenance

Maintenance of ProForm Performance 300i Treadmill is pretty easy. Users only need to lubricate the belt once in several months.

Pros of ProForm Performance 300i Treadmill

Console

The console of ProForm Performance 300i Treadmill is by far its best feature. The 16 workouts programmed in the console are a good number as compared to other treadmills in the same price range. Above that, the machine provides iFit compatibility too because of which users can get access to unlimited workout options. Plus, Google MapsTM offers users to train literally anywhere in the world.

Heart Rate Monitoring

The heart rate monitoring offered by ProForm Performance 300i is another great feature. While most other treadmills in this price range offer the ability of heart rate monitoring through contact sensors, ProForm Performance 300i Treadmill offers chest strap heart rate monitoring too. This may be the cheapest treadmill that users can get with this option. Chest strap monitor are way more precise than contact sensors. If users are aimed at burning fat or improving cardiovascular health, tracking heart rate during workout is the best way for that.

Cons of ProForm Performance 300i Treadmill

Running Surface

While the running surface of ProForm Performance 300i Treadmill comes with a great option of ProShox cushioning system, its size is a big issue since 16” x 50” is typically very small. Thus, for a tall person with a more than average height, may not be able to take a full stride on this treadmill. 16” is also too narrow and so, a keen attention should be paid to footfalls while running hard.

Also, the model is overall considered best for walking or light jogging, but not for running at 10 mph, especially if you weigh more than 90 kg (200 lbs). Here, it should be mentioned what experts say – if its smaller 2.0 HP motor is used to produce a top speed of 10 MPH, it will cause reduction in the motor’s durability and eventually breakdowns and shorter life. Moreover, the 50-inch length of its belt is also not ideal for running.

Summary

ProForm Performance 300i Treadmill is a great exercise machine for such a low price, especially for those who have a limited space because it takes a small space and can be shifted easily from one room to the other through narrow doorways because of its small size. It comes with tons of exercise options and great heart rate monitoring options, and only one drawback of inability of accommodating taller users because of a small running surface. But for average users who are looking for walking and jogging, it’s indeed great, while taller, heavier users planning to run have to spend a little more on a treadmill with a larger running surface.

For more reviews and recommendations, check ProForm Performance 300i Treadmill Amazon link (link opens in the new window).