ProForm Pro HIIT H14 Review – 2024

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Last Updated: May 8, 2023

The ProForm Pro HIIT H14 is ProForm’s premium model in their lineup of elliptical trainers. We are impressed with the stride that moves horizontally and vertically to move kind of like an elliptical and a stair-stepper to really target your posterior muscles, effectively. The 14” touch screen streams iFit with a monthly subscription to keep you entertained as you sweat.

The handles and pedals move together to work your entire body from head to toe all while being a low-impact movement.

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The oversized pedals, multi-grip handles, and 325 lb weight capacity makes this an appreciable option for most users. It also is pretty compact compared to other elliptical machines and can be moved if needed. I’ll give you all the details about the ProForm Pro HIIT H14 in this review below.

Best Elliptical Awards

The ProForm Pro HIIT H14 is on our best elliptical machines of 2024 list. We’ve given it a 4.5 out of 5-star rating because of its solid, compact construction, console functionality, touch screen, and ability to work for a wide variety of users.

Why Trust Our Review Of The ProForm Pro HIIT H14

We work to test a large variety of home fitness equipment in order to bring you these reviews. We have the ability to test all kinds of home elliptical machines and compare them to other models. The ProForm Pro HIIT H14 is kind of in a category of its own since it functions not quite like a treadmill or stair-stepper, but more as both. Because of this, we compared it to a wide variety of machines that we feel are comparable. These include the NordicTrack FS14i FreeStride Trainer, Sole E95 Elliptical, BowFlex Max Trainer M6, and the Sole CC81 Cardio Climber.

Our ProForm HIIT H14 Video Review

In-depth Review of ProForm Pro HIIT H14

iFit

Typically, when you purchase a piece of home fitness equipment that has a touch screen attached, it most likely comes with subscription content integrated on it. The ProForm Pro HIIT H14 comes with iFit. iFit is an interactive fitness program that includes all kinds of workouts for the entire body and mind. iFit is free for the first month with the Pro HIIT H14, so you can try it out before you subscribe.

With over 16,000 classes and counting, iFit has an incredible amount of training options. Most classes are led by an instructor so you get guidance and motivation. Classes are filmed in studio settings and in beautiful locations all around the world. If you’re familiar with taking in-person studio fitness classes, iFit’s indoor lineup of classes has a similar feel. The camera faces the instructor and often you can see participants surrounding them.

These classes are engaging, and really let the instructor’s individual personality shine through. There are over 180 instructors so you’re bound to find at least a few that you vibe with. I know I have some favorites.

iFit’s outdoor classes are also led by instructors that take you through areas on every continent. These classes are like having your own tour guide who takes you through cities, beaches, trails, mountains, and more.

The instructor will often provide some fun facts about the location.

If you want to do your own thing though, you can create your own routes in the Google Map feature, too. This lets you draw a route in any location around the world.

One of my favorite iFit features is the smart adjust. As you’re working out in a class, the Pro HIIT H14 will adjust the resistance with the trainer’s cues and the predetermined format of the class. With a compatible heart rate monitor, you can utilize iFit’s ActivePulse feature which displays your heart rate for targeted heart rate training, too. Unfortunately, The Pro HIIT H14 doesn’t come with a heart rate tracker.

What’s really nice about the ProForm Pro HIIT H14 is that you can take specific classes that use a HIIT trainer, as well as walking, running, hiking, ice-skating, elliptical classes, and more. You aren’t limited to taking classes that use the HIIT trainer, or even just elliptical classes. When you’re looking through the iFit library on the Pro HIIT H14, you’ll see a wide variety of classes that you can use the search bar and filters to find specific ones.

iFit also has other class types that are available on enabled equipment and the app, like rowing, cycling, and treadmill classes. There are also classes off the equipment like strength training, yoga, and meditation. TED Talks and other content are available too and are nice to view on their own or during a cool down.

Preprogrammed Workouts

You don’t have to subscribe to iFit to use the Pro HIIT H14 though. There are preprogrammed workouts and a few trainer-led iFit classes available without an iFit subscription. These require a connection to the internet to access, as does iFit’s full library. Manual mode, which lets you just hop on the Pro HIIT H14 and go, is available with and without the subscription and can be used without wifi.

All your metrics are displayed at the top during manual mode where you have full control of your workouts.

Console

The console on the ProForm Pro HIIT H14 primarily consists of the 14” touch screen. The screen can be tilted slightly in order to view it from a better angle.

I think this screen size is plenty sufficient to display the iFit content clearly.

I do wish the screen had more adjustability to be easier to see for taking classes off the Pro HIIT H14. It’s not impossible to take Bootcamp and mat classes from this screen, but I have a hard time seeing the screen when I’m down on a mat next to the Pro HIIT H14 following along to an iFit core workout.

The touch screen is where you can access iFit and the other workout modes. It’s also where your workout metrics are displayed. You’ll see a white banner at the top of the screen that shows your time elapsed, cadence, resistance level, and estimated calories burned.

You can adjust the speaker settings on the screen, too. iFit lets you choose from preselected playlists that are listed by genre. Music plays during class, but the music isn’t built into each class. On the screen, you can adjust the master volume and adjust the music and trainer’s voice volume levels. This lets you even mute one or the other. Below the screen is up and down volume buttons as well.

If you aren’t feeling the music available through iFit, you can press the button that says “audio” to connect your device through Bluetooth in order to play your own music. I really like that this is included on this console because sometimes the music on iFit can get a little generic. The speaker volume goes up pretty high and can be heard well on the Pro HIIT H14. You can also connect compatible headphones through Bluetooth.

The resistance can be adjusted on the console and on the screen. It will only be shown on the screen which level you’re at though. I like that the resistance can be changed on the console below the screen. It makes it easier to use, in my opinion.

There isn’t any storage on the ProForm Pro HIIT H14 besides a single cupholder that holds my 22oz water bottle or my phone, not both. This is similar to what is included on the NordicTrack FreeStride FS14i Trainer. There isn’t a device rack, unlike the Sole E95 and Sole CC81 which both have them built-in.

With no device rack, you’re more locked into using the screen and iFit on the Pro HIIT H14.

I’m a little disappointed by the fan on the Pro HIIT H14. It makes noise and has a weak air output no matter which setting you have it at. When I’m in the position to use the H14, I can barely feel the air. I can only feel it when I place my hand in front of the vent.

Construction

The ProForm Pro HIIT H14 isn’t like a standard elliptical because of the way it’s designed and its stride movement and length, which I’ll get into below. Overall though, we’re impressed with its construction.

Frame

The Pro HIIT H14 has two long, steel stabilizers that attach to the bottom of the machine to keep it stable. There are adjustable leveling feet under each stabilizer to ensure that it doesn’t rock. The Pro HIIT H14 can be moved too by grabbing each stabilizer at the rear in each hand. Once you lift the back part of the stabilizers, you can push or pull the Pro HIIT H14 and wheel it to where you want it to go.

It weighs about 225 lbs, so it’s sturdy and solid, yet easy to move.

Pedals

The pedals are cushioned and oversized to work with any athletic shoe and for pretty much any size user. They’re 15” long, so most users will be able to position their feet on them multiple ways. I like that they’re large, yet textured so my feet don’t slip when I’m using them.

The lip at the front also helps keep your feet from slipping off.

What makes the Pro HIIT H14 a more hybrid machine is its stride. When pedaling, your feet move 10” vertically, and 5” horizontally. Typical ellipticals have stride lengths ranging from 15” to over 20” horizontally. The Sole E95 Elliptical has an adjustable 20” to 22” stride length, while the NordicTrack FS14i has a larger 32” adjustable stride length.

The stride on the Pro HIIT H14 isn’t adjustable like these models and doesn’t go nearly as far laterally. Instead, it is closer to the Sole Cardio Climber which pedals move 12” vertically. Although the Pro HIIT H14 does have some forward motion to the stride, I can really feel it work the backside of my legs similarly to a stair-stepper or climber like the one from Sole that I compared it to.

In addition to working my posterior leg muscles, the Pro HIIT H14 also lets you pedal backward to target the front sides of your legs even more, too. The pedals are attached to drive belts which makes them quiet to use.

Handles

I have to say that the handles make this machine feel the most like an elliptical because they move pretty laterally, as opposed to strictly vertically like the Sole Cardio Climber. The Pro HIIT H14 also has two sets of handles. The inner handles are stationary and are there if you just want to work your lower body. The outer handles move in conjunction with the pedals and allow you to work your upper body.

These handles have multiple grip options that accommodate a wide variety of heights.

I’m 5’1” and the lower half of these handles work best for me, whereas the upper half of the handles work best for our 6’5” reviewer, Matthew.

Having different grip choices can target your muscles differently. I like having choices and wish the NordicTrack FS14i had more options like these handles.

The handles feel sturdy because they’re steel, although a smooth, plastic covering is placed on the top part of the handles. Neither handles seem to get slippery with use though.

FlyWheel

One factor that makes the ProForm Pro HIIT H14 more compact than other machines is its front flywheel drive system. With a similar design, footprint, and functionality as the BowFlex Max Trainer M6, the Pro HIIT H14 gets its resistance from its front flywheel. However, the BowFlex uses a servo motor instead of a flywheel for resistance.

The Pro HIIT H14 performs well because the flywheel weighs 30 lbs. This adds to the stability of the machine and makes the stride feel really smooth, steady, and even. This is the heaviest flywheel out of the other machines with flywheels that we compared it to.

Resistance

The ProForm Pro HIIT H14 has 26 levels of adjustable magnetic resistance. This is a big reason why the Pro HIIT H14 is so quiet to use. It is practically silent, actually. The resistance doesn’t use friction, which can create noise and require more maintenance. The magnetic resistance adjusts quickly and smoothly while pedaling. I find that the range of tension it provides is plenty sufficient for me to work up a sweat and feel my muscles burn. All of our reviewers found the max level of 26 to be tough and it should be plenty for most users to be challenged.

Performance & Functionality

The Pro HIIT H14 is a sturdy machine that feels somewhere in between a stair-stepper and an elliptical trainer. I personally like the stride motion and find it pretty challenging to use, especially for my legs. It provides a low-impact, full-body workout so it’s suitable for users who don’t want the impact that comes from a treadmill, and who might not have the mobility to sit low to the ground on a rower. It’s also perfect to use for short bursts of high-intensity training.

The Pro HIIT H14 from ProForm allows you to keep your spine neutral, and posture correct while you workout in a standing position. The stride should work well for users up to the 325 lb weight capacity. Our reviewers ranging from 5’1” up to 6’5” were able to get a lot of use out of the Pro HIIT H14 and found it to provide a challenging workout.

The large pedals and multi-grip handles made all of us feel comfortable on it.

One thing to be aware of is that even when it’s unplugged, the pedals and handles can be moved. This can make getting on and off challenging for some users. The NordicTrack FS14i is the same way, but I think the Pro HIIT H14 is a bit easier because it has two stationary handles to use if needed. The step-up height is also pretty low at 7” from the floor when one of the pedals is at the lowest point.

The touch screen really enhances the experience on the Pro HIIT H14, and I find that it’s handy to have access to iFit on it. When I’m on ellipticals and stair-steppers I definitely like to have some entertainment, and with the variety of content that iFit has to offer, I highly recommend subscribing when you use this machine.

Warranty

ProForm includes a nice warranty package with the Pro HIIT H14. It is protected with a 10-year warranty for the frame, a 2-year warranty for parts, and a 1-year warranty for labor. We recommend two people assemble it together.