ProForm Carbon TLX Review (2024)

You’re in the market to build out your home gym, perusing the best treadmills to support your cardio goals. But then, after seeing price tags that leave you wide-eyed and shocked — like when you found out Santa didn’t exist and your parents had been lying to you for YEARS — you stumble upon the ProForm Carbon TLX, a budget-friendly treadmill with high-end capabilities.

This ProForm Carbon TLX review goes into detail about this sub-$1,000 treadmill’s offerings, from a robust 3.0 CHP motor, 12% incline, max speed of 12 miles per hour, and a spacious 60-inch long running deck — ideal for avid runners on a budget. While you won’t find a screen for streaming — a large reason for the low cost — it’s still iFIT compatible. One of our testers, a collegiate strength and conditioning coach, put this treadmill through its paces to bring you everything you need to know to help you decide if this home treadmill is the right fit for you.

Check out our BarBend equipment testing methodology page for more information on how our team tests and rates products for our reviews.

ProForm Carbon TLX

Adjusts up to a 12% grade so that you can feel like you’re hitting real hills. With an iFIT subscription you can hit trails around the world from the comfort of your own home.

Main Takeaways

• The $999 Carbon TLX is the most affordable ProForm treadmill, with similar training capabilities to higher-priced ProForm machines, just without a touchscreen for streaming.
• This treadmill is iFIT-compatible, providing over 17,000 classes you can stream on your own device and automatic speed and incline adjustments with the SmartAdjust feature.
• ProForm stands behind its equipment with a 10-year frame warranty.

ProForm Carbon TLX Specs

The ProForm Carbon TLX — one of the best treadmills under $1,500 we’ve tested — comes loaded with impressive features, which may be surprising given its budget-friendly $999 price tag. To start, you’ll find a workhorse 3.0CHP motor, which helps to power the 12% incline and max speed of 12 miles per hour. “For the motor, continuous horsepower (CHP) is ideal, and runners who train at a high volume will want to look for a CHP of 3.0. However, that may be really tough to find in a budget lineup,” says BarBend expert contributor and certified personal trainer Amanda Capritto. Tough to find, but we found it.

Runners of various heights will be pleased to find a spacious 60-inch tread belt, allowing for longer strides and faster paces. “You’ll want a running deck at least 60 inches in length to accommodate the length of a typical running stride,” adds Capritto. “As for width, 20 to 22 inches is ideal in order to accommodate arm motion while running and potential side-to-side movement that can occur when sprinting.” With large decks come large frames, and at 18 square feet, this machine takes up a little more floor space than a standard 16.6 square foot two-seat sofa. (1)

However, one of our testers, a certified personal trainer, found the ProFlex cushioning left her wanting more. “Because it’s a relatively affordable treadmill, I didn’t expect much cushioning underfoot,” they say. “However, the running surface wasn’t very comfortable, especially for longer jogs, quick sprints, or those with knee issues.”

If your top want is an affordable treadmill that’s iFIT-enabled, you may have met your match. While the best smart treadmills tend to cost upwards of $3,000, our tester was impressed with the Bluetooth pairing capabilities on the Carbon TLX. “There isn’t a screen to stream programming from, but I was able to pair my phone to this treadmill and take an iFIT workout,” they say. It’s worth noting that, unlike other treadmills with iFIT compatibility, you don’t need to feel locked into a monthly subscription to use the touchscreen since there is no built-in HD touchscreen.

In place of a touchscreen, you’ll find a basic multi-color display that allows you to adjust your training intensity. “The display is easy to read and navigate, but it was a bit difficult to make adjustments to my workout when sprinting since there aren’t any easy-to-reach adjustment knobs on the handrails,” says Jarret Evans, collegiate strength and conditioning coach and BarBend tester. You will, however, find QuickSpeed button controls on the console that allow you to adjust your speed and incline instantly.

Who Should Use / Who Shouldn’t Use the ProForm Carbon TLX

While the ProForm Carbon TLX is among the best ProForm treadmills, it may not be the best choice for you and your home gym. Below we’ve detailed who we’d recommend this folding treadmill for and who we think should continue their search elsewhere. 

Recommended for:

• Those with a tight budget
• Runners who live in apartments or shared spaces
• Individuals looking to take virtual, trainer-led workout classes

Not Recommended for:

• People wanting a treadmill with a built-in screen for streaming
• Those who don’t want to be saddled with a monthly iFIT membership fee
• Serious runners needing decline training capabilities or speeds over 12 miles per hour

Our Experience Training With the ProForm Carbon TLX

We utilized four testers of varying heights and sizes, with backgrounds ranging from CrossFit athletes to collegiate strength and conditioning coaches, to dial in our notes and thoughts concerning the ProForm Carbon TLX. Not only that, but we’ve tested over 50 treadmills, so we know a thing or two about how a treadmill should perform based on its specs. 

To convey our training experience aboard the Carbon TLX, we’ve scored areas such as tech capabilities, dynamic programming, durability, footprint, and more on a scale of 1 (not great) to 5 (we love it). While it’s one of the best budget treadmills we’ve come across, we didn’t hold back with our testing notes in an effort to give you the total picture of what you can expect your training to look like should you choose to bring home this ProForm Carbon TLX treadmill. Below you’ll find key areas we focused on during testing.

Training Intensity Capabilities

The 3.0 CHP motor, 12% incline, and max speed of 12 miles per hour (that’s a 5-minute mile pace) may sound good, but how did our testers feel it actually performed? Well, we got mixed reviews. One tester, a CrossFit Level-1 coach who’s about 140 pounds, gave durability a 4.5 out of 5 when sprinting at its top speed and incline. “It’s super sturdy, and I didn’t feel any shake or wobble, even when I was going as fast as I could,” they say. 

However, Jarret Evans, a collegiate strength and conditioning coach, worried about its ability to provide a sturdy workout experience for heavier athletes. “I think anyone over 250 pounds might experience some instability on the treadmill belt, especially at higher speeds,” he says. “When I was running, the treadmill was shaking.” He scored durability a 2 out of 5.

Regardless of the shake (or lack of one),  the 3.0 CHP motor size is far more robust than the HP motors we tend to see at this price point and should keep the treadmill (and you) running for years to come.

iFIT Programming

“I wasn’t thrilled about having to connect my phone to this treadmill in order to access iFIT programming, but it ended up being super simple,” says CrossFit coach tester, who scored the TLX’s dynamic programming a 4 out of 5. “I love iFIT, plus the off-treadmill workout options are great.” With an iFIT subscription, you’ll have access to thousands of trainer-led running, walking, and hiking workouts across a variety of scenic backdrops. Outside of treadmill workouts, you’ll also find strength training, studio classes, HIIT workouts, and more to keep your fitness routine feeling fresh.

While you’ll need to access this programming from your own device, you will have the option to utilize SmartAdjust, which can automatically control your speed and incline depending on your chosen workout. “SmartAdjust took control of my resistance and really made me feel like I was climbing the hills I saw on screen,” says BarBend editorial member and certified personal trainer Kate Meier while doing an iFIT workout set in Hawaii.

iFIT offers a variety of membership tiers, however with connected equipment you’ll need the iFIT Pro membership, which will run you $39 a month. An iFIT membership isn’t required to use the Carbon TLX, but without one you’ll only be able to use the treadmill in manual mode since you won’t find any onboard workouts on the center console. A 30-day iFIT trial included with your purchase will allow you to see if you’re keen on paying for this membership.

Footprint and Portability

Our tester found moving this treadmill around when folded to be rather manageable, ideal for those living in tight quarters like an apartment, shared living space, or your childhood bedroom in your parent’s home which they’re slowly turning into their home gym while they say without enthusiasm, “You can stay with us as long as you want.” (As we’ve established, their words can’t be trusted).

Taking up 18 square feet of floor space and weighing 249 pounds, this thing weighs as much as a grand piano. (2) However, the SpaceSaver design — a reason why it earned a place on our best compact treadmills list — allows the deck to fold up via EasyLift Assist, which uses gas shocks to help lift and lower the deck with ease.

“When folded and tipped onto its transport wheels, the treadmill only places 67.3 pounds on your hands when moving it around,” says our tester, who utilized a luggage scale for this test. Footprint and portability scored a 3.75 out of 5.

What to Consider Before Buying the ProForm Carbon TLX

Bringing a treadmill into your home requires you to understand exactly what you’re looking for. While testing the ProForm Carbon TLX, we kept in mind some focal factors regarding what each user should consider before choosing (or passing on) this machine. 

• Budget: Keep in mind that in addition to the $999 sticker price, you’ll also want to invest in the monthly $39 iFIT Pro membership to fully utilize this treadmill.
• iFIT Programming: Consider if you truly want iFIT programming, or if you’d rather have a treadmill that provides on-board workouts or doesn’t need a subscription.
• Training Intensity: The 60-inch belt deck, 12 miles-per-hour max speed, and 12% incline should be suitable for most athletes. However, if you want a larger incline or max speed, or decline capabilities, you’ll want to look elsewhere.
• Screen Time: Unlike the best treadmills with screens, you’ll need to be comfortable using your phone or tablet to stream workouts since there isn’t a built-in touchscreen.

ProForm Carbon TLX Vs. Competitors

While we’re fond of the sub-$1,000 price tag on the ProForm Carbon TLX, especially considering it’s a machine with a 3.0 CHP motor and is iFIT-enabled, the following chart details some treadmills you’ll also want to consider, especially if you’re willing to spend a little more on your investment.

Ordering and Assembling ProForm Carbon TLX

When you check out online from ProForm’s website, you’ll have the option to choose between three delivery methods.

• Standard Delivery (free): This option delivers your equipment to the first place at your home that’s out of the weather, if possible. However, they will not deliver this treadmill up or down any stairs.
• Room of Choice Delivery & Assembly ($199): Your treadmill will be delivered to whichever room you’d like your treadmill to live in. From there, a team will unbox and assemble your treadmill.
• Delivery, Assembly, and Disposal of Old Equipment ($298): Delivery into a room of choice, assembly, and then the team will complete everything by hauling out your old treadmill or cardio machine.

Once you’ve settled on everything you want, and entered your credit card information, you can expect your order to ship in about a week and a half.

“This was the easiest treadmill to put together,” says one of our testers, a CrossFit Level-1 coach, who scored delivery and assembly a perfect 5 out of 5. “The instructions are clear, and I was able to assemble everything all by myself and in less than an hour.”

Places to Buy ProForm Carbon TLX

You can buy the Carbon TLX directly from ProForm’s website, as well as BestBuy, Walmart, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and Amazon. 

Brand Reputation and Customer Reviews

ProForm offers a wide variety of mid-range training tools, including treadmills, ellipticals, strength equipment, and some of the best rowing machines on the market. To get in touch with the brand, you can reach a sales associate by calling 1-888-742-0128. The average response time to speak with an associate is about 10 minutes, however, when we’ve called, it’s only taken about two minutes to get on the line with a living, breathing, person.

Reviews for the ProForm Carbon TLX online are resoundingly positive, with 4.5 out of 5 stars out of 181 reviews on Google, and 4.5 out of 5 stars out of 178 reviews on Best Buy, Walmart, and Dick’s Sporting Goods. “It’s a sturdy piece of equipment that, despite its initial weight during setup, proved easy to maneuver,” says one 5 star review. “Walking at snail-like speeds, say 1.0 to 2.5 miles per hour, caused a bit of belt lag,” says another reviewer, who gave 4 out of 5 stars. “Not ideal for rehab or older users, but speeds above 2.5 miles per hour were glitch-free.”

Warranties

The warranty package with the Carbon TLX covers the frame for 10 years, parts for two years, and labor for one year. If you have some extra coin to spare, and like protecting your investment, you can also opt for a 3-year or 5-year warranty boost for $159.99 and $289.99, respectively. The 3-year extended warranty provides a 5-year parts and 4-year labor warranty. The 5-year extended warranty extends your parts and labor warranty to five years, plus includes an annual 15-point maintenance check upon request.

[Related: Treadmill Warranty Guide]

Final Thoughts on ProForm Carbon TLX

If you’re a coupon king, queen, or royalty, or finding a good deal brings you almost as much joy as playing with puppies, the $999 ProForm Carbon TLX may be the right choice for you. While it doesn’t feature an HD touchscreen, the high contrast display is Wi-Fi capable and can pair with the iFIT app so you can stream workouts from your own phone. However, you can use a ProForm treadmill without iFIT, if you so choose.

Our testers closer to the 300-pound weight capacity noticed some shake during their runs, but our team members under 200 pounds felt the machine to be sturdy and stable. With a 3.0 CHP motor, the 12% incline and 12 mile-per-hour max speed allow for a good deal of training variety. When you’re done with your workout, you can cool off with the CoolAire fan, then utilize the foldable mechanics to roll and stow it out of the way.

ProForm Carbon TLX FAQs

References

1. Jaramillo, C. (2022). A guide to sofa dimensions & Sizes. SeatUp, LLC. https://seatup.com/blog/guide-to-sofa-dimensions/
2. Weight, V. O. (2023). Surprising things that weigh 250 pounds – voice of weight – medium. Medium. https://medium.com/@weightofthings6/surprising-things-that-weigh-250-pounds-eaf6dc883a85