ProForm Carbon Pro 2000 Review: A Budget iFIT Treadmill?

Dimensions/Storability

Treadmills that can handle running are typically fairly large and require a decent amount of room to use. The ProForm Carbon Pro 2000 is a large treadmill compared to under-desk treadmills, but it’s pretty compact compared to non-folding and commercial treadmills. This one is a good option for most homes, especially because it folds up.

Its dimensions are 73.2” L x 34.6” W x 60.6” H. It takes up a chunk of floor space, but it’s on the smaller size of treadmills we test that are for running. In addition to these dimensions, you’ll want to leave a few feet around the treadmill clear, especially at the rear, to use it safely.

You’ll want to save room to fold and unfold the deck.

To fold it, you lift the back of the deck and push it up toward the console. To unfold, you push your foot against the vertical metal bar, and the deck slowly lowers to the floor. Not everyone can fold the deck, but it’s possible for most people.

When folded, the Pro 2000 can be moved around.

You have to tip it back to engage the two transport wheels. Unfortunately, there isn’t a bar or anything to hold onto to move it. I slip my hands over the tops of the side rails to get a grip on the Pro 2000 when I’m moving it.

It isn’t realistic to haul this treadmill up and down stairs because it weighs 249 lbs when delivered in the box, but you can move it a few feet here and there when needed.

Onboard Workouts & Apps

Anytime a treadmill or other fitness equipment has a touchscreen, it usually has subscription training content. The format of trainer-led workouts is all the rage right now. iFIT, which is ProForm’s subscription training platform, is one of the most popular for cardio training.

iFIT

The iFIT Pro membership is $39 per month and is available for iFIT-enabled fitness equipment, such as the ProForm Carbon Pro 2000. iFIT offers thousands of trainer-led workouts, which are on-demand and available to take whenever. There are studio-filmed and outdoor-filmed workouts.

An instructor leads each workout.

The indoor studio workouts feel more similar to Peloton’s workouts if you’re familiar with that format. A camera points at the instructor as they guide you through the workout on a treadmill. The outdoor workouts feature a camera that follows an instructor as they walk, hike, jog, and run through various cities, trails, beaches, and mountain terrain.

The outdoor workouts are what we love about iFIT. The variety alone is impressive. iFIT films on all continents. Plus, the iFIT instructor often provides fun information about the location during the workout, so you feel like you’re there and you learn some fun facts along the way.

Create Your Own Workouts

With the new version of iFIT, you can create your own workouts using the “Create” button on the left-side menu. This is where you can create customized intervals or set target distance, time, and calorie goals.

These workouts are without an instructor, so it’s nice to be able to change it up and do your own thing. You can do your own thing in manual mode, too.

We are unsure if Google Maps is going away or if it will be coming back. Right now, it isn’t available in the new version of iFIT, but we’ll update this review if it returns. Google Maps was cool because you could draw your own routes on the map, and then Google Images displayed on the screen showed the location of your route.

SmartAdjust and ActivePulse

During the create your own workouts and iFIT workouts, the Pro 2000 will automatically adjust with SmartAdjust and ActivePulse. SmartAdjust takes into account your prior workout history to recommend speeds, and it adjusts the incline to match the terrain of the outdoor workout. This is my favorite iFIT feature.

You can turn SmartAdjust on with the menu on the right side of the screen or click Follow Trainer on the left of the screen for default speed adjustments.

ActivePulse adjusts the treadmill using your heart rate. When you connect to the heart rate armband (sold separately) or a compatible tracker like a Garmin watch, you can use this feature. The Pro 2000 will adjust to keep you at specific heart rate training zones.

Unfortunately, my Apple watch isn’t compatible with the Pro 2000, so I can’t connect it and display my heart rate on the screen. Hopefully, Apple will make its watches more compatible with more fitness equipment in the future.

Streaming Apps

I am really excited about the inclusion of streaming apps with an iFIT subscription. Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Spotify are currently available to stream from the Pro 2000’s touchscreen. You just have to log into your account to stream while working out.

I’m especially excited about Spotify.

I’ve never been a big fan of iFIT’s music. It is just preselected playlists of songs split into different genres that play in the background of each workout, kind of like the radio. With Spotify, I can choose to be the DJ for my own workouts. Since I can’t connect my phone to listen to its content through the Pro 2000’s speakers, this is a nice compromise.

I like the integration of the streaming apps. I can easily toggle back and forth between iFIT and the streaming app I’m using. I can change my Spotify song easily in my iFIT workout, too.

AI Coach

iFIT has an AI Coach feature that will be available soon. It allows you to text with iFIT’s AI coach, “Tailor,” to get workout motivation and schedule your iFIT workouts. iFIT will also recommend iFIT workouts based on your training goals. Once this feature is available, we’ll update this section to let you know our thoughts.

Overall, the number of iFIT workouts and the quality of these features make it worth it if you love training content.

Onboard Workouts

If you don’t love training content, you can still use the Carbon Pro 2000. You can use manual mode without connecting to the internet. You can also access onboard workout programs and a few featured iFIT workouts. However, you must create a free iFIT account to access these workouts.

There aren’t many of these workouts, but they’re free. It is a little difficult to get into free onboard workouts, so just keep that in mind. ProForm equipment with touchscreens, the Pro 2000 included, was designed to work with iFIT, and iFIT has many features on the touchscreen that are integrated with the treadmill.

Without it, you miss out on features like automatic adjustments.

Console

The console is built around the 10” touchscreen, which is at the top of the console. It’s a good size for the Pro 2000’s price. Unfortunately, the touchscreen isn’t adjustable, so it doesn’t tilt up and down. Since it is positioned pretty upright, it’s harder for taller people to see.

It would be nice to angle it back a little bit.

I’m short, I’m only 5’1”, and this screen is right in my line of sight. Taller users, like Matt, who is 6’5”, often have to angle screens back a bit to see them better. So, this screen is a little hard for him to see. Just keep this in mind if you’re over 6’0” or so.

There is some screen glare. The piece to which the screen is mounted is reflective, but so is the touchscreen. It can only see my reflection on the screen on darker screens like Spotify and iFIT’s library as I’m scrolling through the workouts. iFIT is currently only available in dark mode, so I think that’s why the screen glare is more noticeable.

The screen is bright with less glare during outdoor iFIT workouts.

The console has limited adjustment buttons. The general start, stop, speed, and incline buttons are below the screen. The speed and incline buttons adjust the speed by 0.1 and the incline by 0.5%.

There aren’t any numbered quick-adjustment buttons.

This means you’ll use the touchscreen to switch between high and low speeds and inclines. It’s a little hard to do this because of the smaller screen size, and scrolling while running isn’t ideal.

In a future update, numbered adjustment buttons, switches, or dials on the handles would be nice for added functionality on the console. This design keeps you locked into the touchscreen, so I encourage you to try iFIT.

The speakers are forward-facing. I wish they were a little louder. I can hear music just fine, but podcasts on Spotify are a little harder to hear when I’m running. Fortunately, you can connect Bluetooth headphones to listen to the Pro 2000’s content. You can’t connect your phone and play your own content through the speakers, though.

The fan has good airflow and multiple settings. Unfortunately, you can’t adjust the position of the vents. They’re a little high for me; they barely hit my forehead. Like I said, I’m pretty short, so the fans are more effective for taller people.

There is a small ledge just above the fan where you can place your phone or smaller tablet.

It has a little lip to help hold your device. I didn’t have problems putting my phone here, but this isn’t as secure as other treadmills with designated device racks. A large tablet probably wouldn’t fit here because of the angle of the screen.

The cup holders are pockets on either side of the console. They hold my 40-oz HydroJug. I didn’t experience any shaking or wobbling of the console or touchscreen. My water stayed in place, which is really nice. Larger users running at higher speeds might experience a little shake, which is to be expected. Overall, though, the Pro Carbon 2000’s console is stable.

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Build Quality

The overall build quality is stable for running. It’s similar to the previous model of the ProForm Pro 2000. The Carbon Pro has a similar design but a larger weight limit: 350 lbs versus 300 lbs.

The Pro 2000 feels more solid for handling more weight.

Frame

The frame is steel to support the base under the deck. From there, two steel uprights extend up and hold the console in place. The side handles extend on either side of the treadmill, and a front horizontal handle is below the console to hold onto. The front handle helps to add more stability to the console and treadmill.

The handles (front and sides) are steel with a powder coating over the top.

They’re simple and don’t feel slippery as you get sweaty.

Motor

The motor is 3.0 CHP, which is the lower size we recommend for running. It should handle moderate running (around 5-7 miles per day) well. I wouldn’t plan to do marathon training or spend hours running at high speeds on the Carbon Pro 2000.

It’s designed more for casual to moderate training.

Walking, jogging, and running are best for it. It goes up to 12 mph and has a 12% incline, which are common training variables for midrange treadmills. The 12 mph is a 5-minute mile running pace, so it’s a fast speed for most people.

I wouldn’t use the Carbon Pro at its maximum speed for long periods of time, but it should perform well for interval training. The motor is responsive and adjusts the speed evenly and swiftly. This isn’t the fastest-adjusting motor we’ve tested, but it adjusts moderately quickly. It takes 24 seconds to go from 1 mph up to 12 mph.

I never feel like I’m waiting for the belt to increase or decrease speed. However, I do feel like I’m waiting for the incline to adjust sometimes. It takes 45 seconds to go from 0% to 12% incline, which is slower than most treadmills we test.

The incline is also a little louder than the speed.

The loudest the Pro 2000 was during our testing was 70 dB at 12 mph. This is about the equivalent of a washing machine. The Pro 2000 isn’t the quietest treadmill we’ve tested, but it isn’t overly loud. It’s important to keep in mind that treadmills, in general, aren’t the quietest pieces of cardio equipment.

Deck

The deck is compact yet should handle all running strides. It’s 20” wide and 60” long, which is the length we prefer for all heights and abilities. 20” isn’t the widest deck we see on folding treadmills; 22” is the widest, but this deck helps cut down on the overall space that the Carbon Pro 2000 occupies. Because of its deck size, this treadmill can fit in more homes.

I was surprised at how low the deck was on the floor. It is only 7.5” tall from the floor up to the top of the side rails. It is easy to step up onto, which is helpful if you have mobility issues. It is one of the lowest decks I’ve seen on a treadmill of this size.

The give in the deck, when your feet land, is called the deck cushioning. This is the shock absorption you get on your joints that you don’t get from running outside on cement. The Carbon Pro’s deck cushioning isn’t the firmest deck we’ve run on. The Peloton Tread is firmer and has less cushioning.

It feels pretty firm underfoot.

I normally experience some discomfort from running but don’t when I run on the Pro 2000. If you prefer a soft-cushioned treadmill, I would look into a NordicTrack or Horizon. If you have joint issues and sensitivity, this could be you. For most people, the ProForm’s deck should suffice.

It does its job, which is to help reduce the impact on your joints. Even road runners and those looking for a firmer surface comparable to running outside should like the feeling underfoot of this deck.

Warranty

ProForm includes a standard warranty with the Carbon Pro 2000. It includes ten years for the frame, two years for parts, and one year for labor and the tablet. Because this is a fairly large and heavy treadmill, it is best to set it up with two people.

Should You Buy The ProForm Carbon Pro 2000?

The ProForm Carbon Pro 2000 has many appealing features for home use. Its folding deck, compact design, and well-powered motor make this a good treadmill for running. One big aspect of the Pro 2000 is iFIT.

If you want engaging training content and the ability to stream apps like Netflix from the touchscreen, you’ll need to subscribe to iFIT. You can use the Pro 2000 without iFIT, but with all of the features, like SmartAdjust, which adjusts the speed and incline automatically, I would consider subscribing.

To me, iFIT is what makes the Pro 2000 worth its price. Plus, iFIT’s features are unique.

There are plenty of other treadmills without subscription training content if that is what you prefer. Plus, this is around the lowest price for a treadmill with a touchscreen and subscription training content.

Taller users over 6’0” and those needing a large deck might want to look elsewhere, but if you don’t have a ton of space and want an interactive treadmill for running, I would check out the ProForm Carbon Pro 2000.

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ProForm Carbon Pro Treadmill Q&A / FAQ

Does the ProForm Pro 2000 work without iFIT?

Yes, you can use the ProForm Pro 2000 without a subscription to iFIT. Without iFIT, you can access manual mode and a featured iFIT workout. Manual mode doesn’t require Wi-Fi. The featured iFIT workout and the full library of iFIT (if you’re subscribed) require an internet connection. These also require logging into a free iFIT account to access.

With all of the workout classes and training features that iFIT offers, we recommend checking it out on the Pro 2000. It can definitely provide an immersive training experience.

How much does the ProForm Pro 2000 Treadmill weigh?

The ProForm Pro 2000 weighs 249 lbs when it is delivered in the box. It’s a good idea to have at least two people for assembly.

What is the difference between the ProForm Carbon Pro 2000 and Pro 9000?

The ProForm Pro 9000 has a larger motor and touchscreen, is the premium treadmill in ProForm’s lineup, and is also priced higher. Both treadmills are the same size, but if you want a larger touchscreen for streaming iFIT versus the 10” screen on the Carbon Pro 2000 and more motor power, check out the Carbon Pro 9000.

The Pro 2000 is cheaper, so it’s a good choice if you want to save some money.

Is this ProForm Pro 2000 Treadmill review a paid review?

ProForm sent us the treadmill, but we were not paid to compile our review. All the information reflects our team’s experience using the Pro 2000. We do have affiliate links that allow us to make money. We work with several different treadmill brands, so we’re able to test all kinds of models to accurately determine which treadmills are the best on the market.

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