The ProForm Performance 1450 Treadmill – Great Concept, But We Wouldn’t Buy It

The ProForm Performance 1450 treadmill features a large 20" x 60" running surface, the new ProShox Plus™ cushioning system, and a 10" full-color touch screen with a built-in web browser.

The Machine

The 10" full-color touch screen has a browser powered by Android™. The display also tracks your time, speed, distance, incline, pulse, calories, and heart rate. There are 26 pre-set programs including 7 high intensity, 7 incline, 6 speed, and 6 calorie burn.

The full specs of the ProForm Performance 1450 treadmill are:

• 3.25 CHP DurX™ Commercial Pro Motor
• 0-12 mph 1-Touch™ Speed Control
• 0-15% 1-Touch™ Incline Control
• 20" x 60" Tread Belt
• ProShox Plus™ Cushioning
• 26 Workouts
• Browser by Android™
• iFit® Live Compatible*
• Interplay™ Music Port for MP3
• Intermix Acoustics™ 3.0 Sound System
• CardioGrip™ Heart Rate Monitor
• AutoBreeze™ Workout Fan
• 350 lbs User Weight Capacity
• SpaceSaver® Design
• Machine Dimensions: 81"x 36.8" x 58.5" (LxWxH)
• Warranty: Lifetime frame & motor, 5 yrs parts, 2 yrs labor

The Buzz

UPDATE:  The  Performance 1450 treadmill is no longer available for sale.  To find a comparable treadmill check out the new models from ProForm to see which one is best for you.

The Proform Performance 1450 treadmill is designed to be smooth and quiet with a 3.25 CHP commercial grade motor and a heavy-duty 2-ply commercial tread belt. It also features an air-based shock cushioning system, a 350-pound user weight capacity, 3-speed fan, mp3 music port and built-in speakers with 3" high excursion drivers, and good warranty including 5 years on parts and 2 years for in-home repairs.

The iFit Live features training workouts with Jillian Michaels as well as workouts powered by Google Maps™ - a virtual experience for running trails all over the world. The non-removable Android browser allows you to view the maps, as well as have full access to the worldwide web, check email, watch news, and more (if a WiFi network is available).

There are no reviews on this 2011 model available, but to judge the Performance 1450 by the reputation of other ProForm treadmills with the same parts and specs, it seems to be a strong treadmill, but the customer service at ProForm is awful, unfortunately, and the failure of many of these touch screen displays indicates a design problem. You can get the latest iPad for $600 or less, and use it on any cardio machine plus take it with you anywhere, and not have it stuck at home on a $2500 treadmill.

We would also like to see how well these touch screen displays handle sweat, spills, static electricity, and all of the other evil things you wouldn’t want around a laptop or iPad, but aren’t supposed to worry about on a cardio machine.

What We Say

The ProForm Performance 1450 seems to offer everything you dream of in a treadmill, but the reviews on the ProForm touch screens have been a red flag, enough to make this wonderful precision-engineered treadmill a questionable buy.

Features like an Android tablet are going to be standard on treadmills in the years to come, but right now – the technology mounted on a treadmill console has too many bugs.

Plus, with software evolving every 18 months if not faster, your treadmill display will quickly become outdated. On sale for $1,499 (MSRP is $2,499), the Proform Performance 1450 treadmill is a great concept, but we wouldn’t buy one.