Proform Crosswalk Caliber Elite Treadmill Review

This is one of the many treadmills in the Crosswalk series.

The Treadmill, Deck, Belt and Console: what you need to know

• The maximum user weight is 300 pounds which is just about average for most of the home treadmills I see.

• It measures about 66 1/2 inches long by 33 inches wide by 57 3/4 inches high. Again these are average dimensions for most treadmills especially those by ProForm.

• The warranty is 90 days on parts and labor and 10 years on the motor. This 10-year warranty is one of the best if not the best put out by ProForm.

• ProForm is owned by ICON, which also owns brands such as Weider and NordicTrack.

• Unless you are very short the size of the deck and belt should be something you look at carefully. If one is too narrow or short it can make walking or running on it uncomfortable and even dangerous. The ProForm Elite’s belt is 17 inches wide by 52 inches long. The size of a belt should be at least 17 inches by 50 inches so this one just makes the cut in width. Seventeen inches is a bit narrower than I like. If you are a very large person you may find it too narrow. At just under 5’ 5” tall I prefer a wider belt – still this meets the rule of thumb.

• The Elite has the Impact Absorption system which we are told reduces impact on joints by up to 15%. You will find some models that we are told claim to reduce joint impact by 30%. The Impact Absorption system is fine, especially if you don’t have problems with your feet. It’s quiet enough for me not to call it noisy though I have been on quieter treadmills, especially those made by Sole.

• The Elite has integrated water, cell phone, and key holders as well as a magazine rack.

• The heart rate sensors are in a bar right below the sensors. When I put my hands on these sensors my heart rate shows up on the console.

• There is a key clip which is a safety feature. A cord is attached to the machine and the other end clips to your clothes or finger. If you fall the cord pulls and the machine stops immediately.

• What many will like are the movable arms. For those of you who don’t use weights this will get you’re your arms moving though I still recommend weight training for the best conditioning and to prevent osteoporosis. I could adjust the resistance of the arms which was a nice feature.

• The console's display showed me my time, speed, distance, incline level, calories burned and my pulse. The Elite has a calorie counter. I could input my weight (age as well) and the machine calculated the calories I burned during my workout. There is also an option for me to put in my calorie goal. So if you are determined to work off that donut you had for breakfast now is the time!

• The Elite goes from 1.5 to 10% incline and a speed of up to 10 miles per hour which is the norm. In addition it has my favorite quick buttons. QuickSpeed allows me to increase my speed or decrease it immediately. I don’t have to push the incline or decline button for each tenth of a mile per hour faster that I want to walk or for each level of incline I want to walk. If I am walking at 3 miles an hour and want to go to 4 rather than pressing the up arrow, which is what is usually done, I just press 4 and it immediately jumps to 4. There are QuickIncline buttons that do the same thing. at the touch of a button on the incline and 0 to 10 miles per hour on the speed. For those of you looking for a gift let me assure you that 10 miles per hour is more than adequate unless you are buying this for a marathon runner and most likely you won’t since they usually run outside. I can also use the arrows at any time during my workout if I prefer.

• The Elite has four pre-set programs. Two of them are speed and incline programs and two are distance programs – a 5k and a 10 k program. There are also two personal trainer programs – weight loss and fitness goals. Each program will automatically control the speed and incline of the treadmill but you can always use the up and down arrow buttons to change these while in the middle of the program.

Please check with your doctor before starting an exercise program. Please do not allow your children on or around your treadmill and that includes pets!

Jo's Viewpoint

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