ProForm Carbon Pro 9000 Treadmill Review | Personalized Workouts

Dimensions/Storability

It’s no trouble to fold the deck on the ProForm Carbon Pro 9000 Treadmill.

The ProForm Carbon Pro 9000’s dimensions are 73.2” x 34.6” x 60.7”, and it folds to reduce its footprint. When folded, the treadmill is 44” long and 67.5” tall. It gets a little taller but is about 40% shorter in length. With a maximum deck height of 13” when inclined, the Carbon Pro 9000 needs a 7.5’ minimum ceiling height for 6’ runners.

A hydraulic arm assists the folding process, allowing the deck to softly lower once released from its upright position. The deck has a higher weight capacity than before, but it doesn’t feel too heavy to lift. Most of you should be able to manage it.

You must first tilt the ProForm Carbon Pro 9000 onto its transport wheels before rolling it around.

The treadmill has transport wheels and must be tilted to activate them. It is fairly easy to roll along a hard surface, but thick carpet or softer treadmill mats may be harder to maneuver the treadmill over. It weighs over 200 lbs, so I do not recommend moving it up or down stairs if possible.

Onboard Workouts & Apps

iFIT Subscription

An iFIT workout consists of a video workout led by a professional coach, with automatic incline and speed adjustments.

iFIT is a fitness platform with thousands of trainer-led classes. It is fully integrated into the ProForm Carbon Pro 9000, so you need an iFIT membership to unlock most of the training features on the 9000. We love working out with iFIT and think this treadmill is perfect for anyone who wants a quality subscription training platform.

All iFIT’s treadmill workouts are available on the touchscreen display. A coach guides the workout through trails or along road routes in locations all over the world. The treadmill speed matches the coach’s instructions, while the incline replicates the real-world terrain as closely as possible.

Classes take place in locations all over the world to keep things interesting.

iFIT workouts don’t just follow preset levels. With SmartAdjust and ActivePulse, the workouts will adjust to your fitness level.

SmartAdjust accounts for any adjustment you make to iFIT workouts. It will adjust the rest of the workout and future workouts accordingly, making them harder or easier. The more you train with iFIT and override the presets, the more accurate SmartAdjust becomes.

ActivePulse works with a Bluetooth heart rate monitor. Simply pair a Bluetooth HR monitor to the treadmill and turn on ActivePulse. The treadmill speed and incline will adjust to keep you in the heart rate zone prescribed by the workout. You can calibrate your heart rate zones in the settings for more accurate training.

You can toggle SmartAdjust and ActivePulse on and off from the menu within an iFIT class.

The third way to personalize iFIT is to use the iFIT AI coach, Tailor. Once you are invited to the AI Coach program, Tailor will text you. After evaluating your goals, Tailor schedules appropriate daily iFIT workouts. Your next workout will show on the Carbon Pro 9000’s screen.

iFIT workouts are often available as part of a series. You can join a series and take consecutive workouts to progress along a training goal or explore a location. iFIT also has training challenges to encourage you to make regular progress.

The “Create” section ensures you have plenty of other non-iFIT class training options on the Carbon Pro 9000.

If you ever want an alternative to these iFIT classes, you have options. The “Create” tab allows runners and walkers to set target workouts for distance, time, or calories. You can also make an interval workout with custom speed and incline settings. While custom heart rate training isn’t available, it is a feature I would love to see iFIT add.

You can also set up a Google Maps workout, also located in the Create tab. You can draw a route anywhere in the world that Google has data. Then the treadmill will adjust automatically along the route to mimic the incline grades as closely as possible. An indicator on the screen will show where you are along the route.

Searching the world for just the right route with the Google Maps feature.

For runners and walkers who want more entertainment, the ProForm Carbon Pro 9000 has entertainment apps: Netflix, Prime, PlutoTV, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, and Spotify. You can use these apps in manual training mode, a custom workout, or an iFIT class. They require an iFIT subscription to access. These apps have greatly improved my training, especially for long runs!

The ProForm Carbon Pro 9000 has Feed.FM radio, in addition to Spotify. This radio gives you multiple genre stations with new music. You can skip up to six songs per hour.

Netflix, Prime Video, and Spotify are my go-to apps, but the Carbon Pro 9000 also has PlutoTV, Amazon Music, Audible, and iHeartRadio.

Onboard Workouts

Without an iFIT membership, you can access the manual training mode, an iFIT featured class, and a few structured workouts. You need a free iFIT account, but if you previously subscribed to iFIT, you should retain free access to your account. Without iFIT, you can use manual training mode without connecting the treadmill to Wi-Fi.

A few of these template workouts are available with a free iFIT account.

Console

The ProForm Carbon Pro 9000 has fewer buttons on its console. It has a more streamlined look, with most of the buttons appearing on the touchscreen instead. The buttons at the bottom of the console include the fan, volume, incline, and speed adjustment buttons. There are also treadmill start and stop buttons with a safety key between them.

The touchscreen is front and center on this ProForm’s console, and it, unfortunately, blocks the tablet rack.

The screen is 16 inches. The screen has a little more glare than I would like. However, the loading times and quality have been improved. Overall, the tablet quality seems to have improved.

Bluetooth enables the ProForm Carbon Pro 9000 Treadmill to connect to heart rate monitors and headphones. Connecting a heart rate monitor is essential for the ActivePulse feature. My Garmin connected easily, but Apple watches do not connect to iFIT treadmills, unfortunately.

You couldn’t enjoy iFIT half so well if it weren’t for the speakers and Bluetooth audio option.

The Carbon Pro 9000 has front-facing speakers. They do not connect to your phone for Bluetooth audio, but they do play any of the onscreen content, including Spotify, loud and clear. We have had no trouble hearing the audio over the noise of the motor or our foot noise.

There are two cup holders on the treadmill console. You could place your water or other small items inside.

There is a USB-C charging port to keep your devices charged, though you have to store them in a cup holder.

Lastly, the ProForm Carbon Pro 9000 has a fan. The fan has multiple speeds and is strong enough to cool you off.

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Build Quality

The ProForm Carbon Pro 9000 has a quality build. The screen shook very little while I was running, indicating just how sturdy this treadmill is.

Frame

The ProForm Carbon Pro 9000 has a nice folding frame with a sturdy steel construction.

The frame is steel. That includes the uprights, handles, stabilizers, and deck reinforcements. The footrails are plastic and textured. I like the plastic footrails more than steel or aluminum ones because they are not slippery. The uprights and handles are sturdy enough to support you as you step onto the treadmill, and the footrails should provide room for standing.

The Carbon Pro 9000 has a 350-lb weight capacity. This capacity is above the industry standard.

Motor

The ProForm Carbon Pro 9000’s 3.6 CHP motor is great for walking and running.

The motor is 3.6 continuous horsepower. We look for a motor with a 3.0 horsepower rating or higher for running. A motor above 3.5 HP should be even better for long-distance running. The Carbon Pro 9000 supports everything from easy walks to long runs. Households with multiple serious runners might consider a more powerful treadmill with a 4.0 HP motor or higher.

Our tests revealed that the Carbon Pro 9000 changes speed at a moderate pace and changes incline levels slower. The speed adjustment takes about 24 seconds from 1 mph to 12 mph. For reference, the range we have seen is 14 to 41 seconds. The incline took 46 seconds, making the Carbo Pro 9000 one of the slowest. Yet, this gradual adjustment makes it feel smooth and safe.

The incline is smooth and slow for extra stability.

The ProForm Carbon Pro 9000 has a maximum speed limit of 12 miles per hour. It has an incline range of 0 to 12%. It does not decline like the previous Pro 9000. If that is a must-have feature for you, I recommend checking out the NordicTrack Commercial series treadmills.

Deck

The 20” x 60” running deck is firmer than most, replicating outdoor running better than ProForm’s sister brand, NordicTrack.

The belt is 20” x 60”. The length is adequate for training at the full speed range. Whether you have a long stride or a short one, you shouldn’t run out of room on the Carbon Pro 9000. Motorized residential treadmill belts come in one of two widths: 20 or 22 inches. The 20” width of the Carbon Pro 9000 should be comfortable for most.

The cushioning is firmer than previous editions of this treadmill. I recommend it for runners who want an indoor experience that more closely resembles road running. Your outdoor and indoor paces will be more similar with this type of cushioning. Still, it is a little more shock-absorbing than the concrete.

Warranty

The ProForm Carbon Pro 9000 has a 10-year warranty on the frame, a 2-year warranty on the motor and parts, and a 1-year warranty on labor and repairs. This warranty length is pretty standard.

Should You Buy the ProForm Carbon Pro 9000?

The ProForm Carbon Pro 9000 Treadmill combines a solid build with a smart training platform for walkers and runners. iFIT is essential to the Carbon Pro 9000, providing all of its onscreen training and entertainment content. iFIT perfectly complements the treadmill’s 0 to 12 mph speed and 0 to 12% incline range with automatic adjustments, preset or tailored to you.

The Carbon Pro 9000 is a folding treadmill with a steel frame and cushioned running deck. It has a 350-lb weight capacity and a 20” x 60” running surface, making it suitable for most walkers and runners.

iFIT’s thousands of trainer-led videos guide your training on the Carbon Pro 9000. iFIT further enhances the treadmill with Netflix, Prime Video, and Spotify apps. So, whether you want to be coached or entertained, this treadmill is a solid choice.

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ProForm Carbon Pro 9000 Q&A / FAQ

Can I use the ProForm Carbon Pro 9000 without iFIT?

Yes, you can use the ProForm Carbon Pro 9000 without iFIT. I recommend that exercisers who don’t want to use iFIT not connect their treadmill to Wi-Fi. You can then access a manual training screen. If you create a free iFIT account, you can connect to Wi-Fi, log in, and access a few preset and featured training classes.

Can you play Netflix on the ProForm Carbon Pro 9000?

You can play Netflix on the ProForm Carbon Pro 9000 if you have an iFIT membership.

How long do ProForm treadmills last?

ProForm treadmills’ longevity depends on following the treadmill maintenance schedule, which includes lubricating the belt and keeping the area around the treadmill clean. A treadmill’s life will vary due to how often it is used, what kind of use it sees, user weight, and more. We have seen ProForm treadmills last over ten years, but your experience may vary.

Does the ProForm Carbon Pro 9000 have built-in workouts?

The ProForm Carbon Pro 9000 has built-in workouts. Without an iFIT account, you can access the manual training option only, but if you create a free iFIT account, you get additional featured iFIT classes and preset programs.

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