When testing out treadmills it occurs to me that not everyone wants a high-dollar model complete with the fancy fittings. If you’re interested in a brand-name treadmill at a budget price, the ProForm Carbon TL might be for you. Available at online retailers only, you won’t find this model on the ProForm website, but rather Amazon.com or perhaps CostCo. Priced at only $599, the treadmill is designed to work with iFit, like its peers, but also comes with preset workouts. The big downside right off the bat is the size. The belt is only 18″ x 55″ as opposed to 20″ x 60″ in terms of the deck, so this definitely a walker’s unit with little value for jogging let alone running.

That said, if you’re into connected fitness and want a high-quality walking treadmill for the home, this TL is certainly worth a look. Read below to see the complete machine breakdown.

Why You Should Trust Our Review Of The ProForm Carbon TL

At TreadmillReviews.net, we bring you comprehensive reviews of treadmills so you can decide which one is right for you. Our staff thoroughly test all the treadmills we review. We install them, walk on them, run on them, and try out all of the features. We get to know each and every treadmill we review extremely well. Our reviewers log miles on the deck. We listen and record the sound of the motor, we test and measure the incline, try out all aspects of the console and try the treadmill’s features, such as iFit.

Every treadmill we review undergoes the same rigorous process. That way we can compare and contrast them and give you an honest review of what we think. This particular treadmill has been around for many years, and we’ve done previous reviews of the ProForm Carbon TL. So, in this review, we also compared it to the previous models.

Our reviewers are treadmill and fitness experts. Brian, the author of this review, is a competitive bodybuilder, and is a 7-time national qualifier in both men’s bodybuilding and classic physique within the NPC competitions. He has coached and been coached on cardiovascular training, HIIT, and nutrition, particularly as it pertains to weight loss for competitions. He is an expert at treadmills, has been on this treadmill, and you can trust his opinion on all of the treadmills he reviews.

In Brief

The 2024 ProForm Carbon TL is a small, online-only treadmill offered in the $600 range depending on specials. Measuring 68″ x 32″ x 57″ when in use, the 196-pound unit folds up to a storage size of 65.7″ x 32.1″ x 32.9″. Equipped with a 2.6 CHP motor and an 18″ x 55″ tread deck, this is clearly a walker’s treadmill. In my experience, treadmills with smaller decks can actually be a lot of fun, but there’s really no point if you’re looking to stride out. Meanwhile, the unit comes with a small 5″ high-contrast display which provides workout data from either built-in workouts or just your own usage. If you’re wanting to utilize the iFit app you’ll need to bring your own device. With a top speed of 10 miles per hour and incline up to 10%, there’s little question I can get a solid High Intensity Interval Training-style workout with this via hiking and walking workouts if that’s all I want.

ProForm Carbon TL Treadmill – Pros & Cons (2024) - Key Specs:

In-Depth Review of the ProForm Carbon TL

Why We Like It

The ProForm Carbon TL is a very budget-friendly treadmill best used by walkers and hikers. For just $599, I can see a wide range of potential customers, from senior citizens to high school athletes. Available only at online retailers, this isn’t designed to be a mass seller, but rather a discount unit for those who want a low-priced treadmill with fewer bells and whistles. That said, it’s iFit-enabled and Bluetooth to boot. So if low-price and high-value is your sweet spot, the ProForm Carbon TL could be for you.

It Comes With A Nice 5″ Screen

No, this isn’t a big cinematic screen, but I hear more and more customers say that’s what they don’t want. If what you’re not into watching movies or television shows on the treadmill screen, these smaller units are more your style. This screen will display your own workout metrics such as speed and incline. And while the treadmill does come iFit-enabled, you’re not locked into using that app or else suffering a worthless screen. Sometimes simple is better.

The ProForm Carbon TL features a small 5″ screen.

Purchase does include a 30-day iFit plan to give you a taste of the program. iFit brings with it automatic trainer control and access to live and on-demand workouts. In addition to treadmill workouts, the program offers nutrition planning, strength training, yoga, biking, and just about everything else. Last I checked, there were more than 10,000 on-demand workouts with more coming every week. I’ve been using iFit for three years now and love it. If you do buy the treadmill, I’d strongly advise taking them up on the 30-day free trial to see what you think. Normally it runs $39 per month for a family plan.

Take A Look At What iFit Can Do on the ProForm Carbon TLX

Video Courtesy of iFit

A Smaller Sized Home Treadmill

When deciding upon a home treadmill, one of the first considerations is the size of course. If you’ve been scared off from other treadmills due to their sheer mass, consider the ProForm Carbon TL. Measuring 68″ x 32″ x 57″ when in use, the treadmill only has an 18″ x 55″ track making it best for walking and hiking workouts. Normal treadmill belts are 20″ wide, with larger models at 22″. This 18″ wide belt didn’t give me too much trouble when I stepped on it, but I’m 5’10 and only about 195 pounds. I actually like the narrow belt for walking workouts as it feels like you’re tightly secured within the unit. That said, larger users might feel cramped, and a 55″ long track just isn’t enough to really stride out. But in terms of storage, the unit folds up easily enough leaves plenty of room for the rest of your house. This machine would also be most easy to move out of the home if you ever want to sell it.

The ProForm Carbon TL is smaller treadmill best for walking and hiking workouts. Photo provided by Amazon

Good Incline Features

The 2024 ProForm Carbon TL features an incline of up to 10% with maximum speeds up to 10 miles per hour. It also features ProShox cushioning which reduces impact greatly. If you’re worried about the impact of treadmill use, I strongly advise getting a unit with cushioning. This reduces stress on both the hips and knees. For as low a price as this treadmill has, frankly I’m surprised it comes with these levels of features. Incline training is repeatedly found to be among the best ways to increase workout intensity. And considering the smaller tread belt here, you won’t necessarily be able to run faster, but you can spike intensity by walking faster higher uphill. Whether you’re looking to improve cardiovascular training or cut weight, you won’t need much speed with an incline. And if you’re using one of iFit’s travel workouts or the iFit’s Google Maps, these incline settings really do mimic the hills and hollers of tracks in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, or even Anarctica.

The ProForm Carbon TL features ProShox cushioning.

Easily Folded Up and Stored Away

I’m a big fan of folding treadmills and have written quite a bit about them here. Whereas in the old days, people were concered about a folding treadmill’s stability, that’s not the case anymore. With the patented EasyLift Assist button, you can simply lift up the rear of the unit and watch it slide up into place. It’s really very simple to unfold thanks to the hydraulics, and you can read my step-by-step here with pictures. The whole process times out at about 8 seconds up, and 12 seconds down, per my own stopwatch. Folding treadmills roll easily about a floor on two front-mounted wheels. But they’re also easier to keep clean, repair, and lubricate the belts. If you do want to roll the unit to the side of the room when not in use, you’ll find the process easier than moving a bookshelf.

The ProForm Carbon TL folds up easily.

ProForm Carbon TL Dimensions

The dimensions of the ProForm Carbon TL are 68″ x 32″ x 57″ when in use, and 66″ x 33″ when folded. With a step-up height of 7.75″ you’ll need to factor that into the equation when placing this treadmill. Add that to your own height when estimating the required ceiling height. If you’re over 6′ tall, you’ll need more than that when running obviously. This size of treadmill is great for about any kind of home workout room.

ProForm Carbon TL Weight

The ProForm Carbon TLX weighs 198 pounds and supports up to 300 pounds in user weight.

What We Like:

• The Motor

  The ProForm Carbon TL sports a 2.6 CHP motor and reaches its top speeds without making much noise. This is a good motor size for walking and hiking workouts.

• 5″ High-Contrast Multicolor Screen

  A 5″ screen is the right size for simple data readout. You’re obviously not looking for much in terms of training videos here, but just miles run, time elapsed, and calories burned. About the same size as a smartphone, I have no trouble reading the data on this screen. The good news here is you’re not locked into the iFit program if you don’t want it.

• iFit Treadmill Workouts

  That said, the iFit program is well worth the 30-day trial, after which it goes to $39 per month for the family plan. With more than 10,000 on-demand workouts as well as live trainer-led programming, the app also controls the treadmill’s automatic trainer control. In addition to treadmill workouts, iFit comes with nutrition counseling as well as strength training, yoga, rowing, and biking. You can use it anywhere as it downloads on both devices as well as television sets.

• iFit Data Tracking

  iFit keeps tabs on fitness stats with every session. Whenever a workout is completed, the data is logged into the treadmill and then paired with any other device on iFit. This makes getting exercise, nutrition, and lifestyle recommendations easier.

• Incline Abilities

  The ProForm Carbon TL offers a 10% incline which is plenty to burn calories, boost the resting metabolic rate, spike cardiovascular conditioning level, and build muscle strength simultaneously. If you’re into High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), you can simply use an incline to complete your interval. Considering this track is relatively small and you won’t be able to stride out, being able to incline up to 10% is the next best way to increase intensity. You can get the same benefits as running by simply walking harder uphill.

• Bluetooth Audio

  Bluetooth audio capabilities allow you to listen to your favorite workout playlists through Premium Audio Speakers wirelessly, as well as sync with any number of other devices. This also lets users access instructor-led training. I’ve never had a problem syncing with my unit and I even have satellite Internet. It usually takes about 5 seconds to connect.

• Cushioning Preferences

  Prepping for a road on a cushy deck makes things too easy. This treadmill offers the ability to turn the cushioning on or off according to your preferences so you can save your joints and use the cushioning only when you need it. Keep in mind that by having it off, you’re adding 30% more impact to your joints, so you shouldn’t train this way in the long term.

• Weight Capacity

  This is a very solid treadmill and can support users of up to 300 pounds.

What We Don’t Like:

• Short Warranty

  Yes, you get 10 years on the frame, but only 1 year on parts and electronics, and 1-year for labor. It’s a lower cost treadmill, so keep that in mind.

• Smaller Belt

  At only 18″ x 55″ this treadmill’s belt will really only allow for walking and hiking workouts. Smaller users might be able to jog, but at only 198 pounds, the machine won’t be as solid as larger units.

This Treadmill Could Be For You If You Want:

• A very budget-friendly treadmill with the option to stream workouts
• A folding treadmill easily stored
• A simple treadmill without the flashy bells and whistles
• Cushioning for joint protection with an option to disable to mimic outdoor road running

Our Verdict:

The ProForm Carbon TL is an online-only treadmill out for 2024, and if you’re shopping for a low-dollar, high-quality machine, this could be it. This is definitely not a “Cadillac” unit, but rather one for the bargain shopper who wants to use it a few times a week for walking or hiking workouts. Whether or not you continue with iFit, you can always rely on the machine itself to provide a good basic workout.

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