In many of the comments I read concerning home treadmills, it becomes obvious people want the best quality for the lowest dollar. I can certainly understand that, particularly when we’re talking about a treadmill they might only use a few times a week. The ProForm Trainer 8.7 is one of that brand’s online-only machines not always easy to find without a direct search for it at outlets like Costco. The great news is you’re looking at a top brand from the iFit lineup for perhaps $500 to $750 depending on the deal of the day. As a home fitness enthusiast, myself, I can see a lot of potential use for a ProForm brand treadmill that low-priced, particularly if you’re not planning on hard core marathon training.

Why You Should Trust Our Review Of The ProForm Trainer 8.7

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/decline, 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 Trainer 8.7. 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 Trainer 8.7 is an online-only treadmill which can be bought at a discount throughout the year. A solid little unit, it’s built for walkers and joggers and doesn’t come with a lot of bells and whistles. The big selling point though is it is indeed iFit-enabled meaning you can enjoy live trainer-led workouts or on-demand videos, as well as automatic trainer control and Bluetooth heart rate monitors. A smaller unit, it only comes with a 7″ high-contrast display, and a 20″ x 55″ tread belt. But if you’re looking for folding treadmills in the well-under-$1,000 range, this might be for you.

ProForm Trainer 8.7 Treadmill (2024) - Key Specs:

In-Depth Review of the ProForm Trainer 8.7

Why We Like It

The ProForm Trainer 8.7 answers a lot of my concerns with the iFit-enabled treadmills in that it provides a media shelf instead of a big, flashy screen that only works with one program. Priced between $500 and $1,000 depending on the online outlet, it’s a well-built machine with all the basics you’ll need. Most of the folks with whom I converse on this topic agree they use the treadmill for up to 30 minutes at a time, not much more. The ProForm Trainer 8.7 features a solid 2.75 CHP motor which will be plenty for that, particularly if you’re walking or jogging. The big selling point with ProForm units is their integration with iFit. In the case of this model, you can use either a television, phone, or tablet to access the program, or the smaller 7″ screen.

If you’ve never used iFit, you’ve never really experienced artificial intelligence (AI). This program not only brings live trainers to your home, but it allows them to control your treadmill’s resistance from remote locations. Incline, decline, as well as speed, can all be managed via automatic trainer control. The same is true for on-demand workouts, which happen to be my favorite. I can hike the walkways of Italy on this model and the program will automatically change the elevation and speed to match. This also syncs with their Bluetooth heart rate training program ActivePulse, which can also alter the resistance to match your heartbeat. 

It Comes With An Amazing 7″ Console

Unlike the other treadmills in this brand, the ProForm Trainer 8.7 comes with a smaller, more simple screen. One of the points I’ve noted in reviews past is the problem with big, iFit-enabled screens is they only work with that program. If you opt out of the $39 per month iFit program, you’ll have a really easy time using this treadmill anyway. Data readout is clear and bright. This console also comes Bluetooth-enabled and brings an audio auxiliary port with dual 2″ speakers.

The ProForm Trainer 8.7 features a 7″ screen for ready use.
Photo by Costco

The included 30-day iFit plan gives you a taste of the program. The great news about this treadmill is you can use the machine easily with, or without it. The app can be downloaded onto a smart television or any other mobile device. The individual plan is about $15 per month with a $39 per month family option. In addition to live trainers and on-demand programs, the program also features nutrition, yoga and workouts other than cardio. 

Take A Look At What iFit Can Do on the ProForm Trainer 8.7

Video Courtesy of iFit

A Great Media Shelf

Whether you want to use a tablet or smart phone, the media shelf on this treadmill is well-built and won’t allow for rattling. I like to use a variety of entertainment options when using a treadmill, and my own iPad fits well here. The value of a media shelf if you’re not distracted by a large screen. This also cuts down on costs I’ve noticed. One of the big price hikers in a treadmill is the interactive, high-definition television-like screens utilized.

The ProForm Trainer 8.7 comes with a handy media shelf.
Photo by Costco

Folding Treadmills Store and Move Easily

Measuring 54″ x 36″ x 73.5″ at a machine weight of 217 pounds, the unit folds up to 66″ x 36″ x 38″ and has convenient rollers. The value of having a folding treadmill is one which I’ve explained before here.. Easy to move and still quite sturdy, this machine can support up to 300 pounds. Whether you’re looking to fold the treadmill when not in use, or to better lubricate the belts. and maintain it, folding treadmills are also easier to get in and out of the house when it comes time to sell them. With the patented EasyLift Assist button, I can simply lift up the rear of the unit and watch it slide up into place. It’s also incredibly 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.

The ProForm Trainer 8.7 folds easily for quick storage.
Photo by Costco

Good Incline/Decline Features

The ProForm Trainer 8.7 has a 10% incline and speeds up to 12 miles per hour. Whether using one of iFit’s travel workouts or the iFit’s Google Maps, this incline really does mimic the hills and hollers of tracks in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, or even Anarctica. I particularly like mountain hiking when training for a bodybuilding contest as it emphasizes the quads while providing a great High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) workout.

ProForm Trainer 8.7 Dimensions

The dimensions of the ProForm Trainer 8.7 are 54″ x 36″ x 73.5″. When folded up, the treadmill measures 66″ x 36″ x 38″ and can be rolled off to a corner. When placing this unit in a room, be sure to factor in ceiling height and factor in at least 6″ of deck into the equation, plus your own height. When taking this units in and out of rooms, be sure to consider the door width as well. Be sure to plan plenty of room around the unit for movement.

ProForm Trainer 8.7

This treadmill weighs 217 pounds and can support up to 300 pounds in user weight.

What We Like:

• The Motor

  The ProForm Trainer 8.7 features a 2.75 CHP motor, which makes hitting speeds up to 12 miles per hour a breeze. It also powers the 10% incline quite well. Not quite what we’re seeking for a long-distance unit for heavy runners, it’s perfect for walkers and joggers.

• iFit Treadmill Workouts

  This treadmill’s 10% incline feature can syncs up with the elevations and dips of the landscape you choose to explore through iFit’s Google Maps feature, or to the beat of a live trainer. This feature is ideal for those of us who struggle to keep our mojo running while exercising alone. This machine’s incline is fast and quiet, going up and down at a rate of about 1 second each degree.

• 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.

• Tread Belt

  This 55″ x 20″ tread belt gives you plenty of space to walk, but not really run. I’m 5’10, and this is an easy machine to use for hiking and speed walking. Jogging is a little tougher but striding out would be tough. Also, this is a 2-ply belt which is the preferred type, as opposed to a cheaper 1-ply belt. A regularly lubricated 2-ply belt could last you 10 years depending on use.

What We Don’t Like:

• Fewer Bells and Whistles

  I have to assume you understand this when you’re looking at an online-only model, but it needs to be stated up front. This is a basic unit.

• Hard to Assemble

  The problem with an online-only model is you’ll probably have to assemble this yourself. Go ahead and figure on needing at least three friends and an hour. There’s really no way for you to do this alone. It’s no more complicated than building with Legos, if the Legos are big treadmills. I’ve assembled Echelon, NordicTrack, and ProForm units myself and found that a few friends make the jog so much easier. The instructions included are fairly to easy to follow.

This Treadmill Could Be For You If You Want:

• A basic treadmill for low cost
• A media shelf instead of a big flashy HD screen
• A quiet treadmill motor that can accommodate walking and jogging
• A folding treadmill

Our Verdict:

The ProForm Trainer 8.7 is a low-cost, online-only model that I’d happily recommend to any of my friends. If you’re not that into high-priced, fancy workout gear, this might be for you. ProForm has always been the budget-brand of iFit, as opposed to NordicTrack or Freemotion. That said, it does a good job. 

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