Proform Carbon EL Elliptical Review – How Does It Rate?

 

Benefits of the Proform Carbon EL Elliptical:

 

The Proform Carbon EL elliptical is the most affordable trainer in Proform’s Carbon series.

These are more affordable front-drive trainers that keep things simple – but with the option to add on extra entertainment features like iFit if you want them.

 

The Proform Carbon EL is more pared-down than the other Proform models – but it’s also super-affordable – coming in for hundreds less.

You get a front drive design on this trainer – which many people feel is more comfortable and compact than a rear-drive elliptical design.

It carries a 15-pound flywheel – which is not the heaviest flywheel out there – but it’s still pretty good for the price point.

Is it the right choice for you?

Here’s a quick review of the main pros and cons of the Proform EL Carbon Elliptical trainer:

 

 

 

Console Review:

The console on this trainer is pretty basic – one 5-inch window toggling back and forth between your workout stats, along with one-touch resistance buttons for quick, on-the-fly changes.

There’s also a port with speakers to plug in your phone. So you can play your favorite workout music from your phone or other device through the built-in console speakers.

The saving grace of this console is really the media shelf.

You can use it to hold your tablet or phone – and surf the web or stream Netflix or Youtube videos while you workout.

 

 

You can also connect with iFit Coach – Proform’s online streaming service – through your tablet and stream in-studio workouts or even run trails all over the world.

If you do it this way you will get an expanded view of your workout stats on your tablet – and can track your workout stats that way as well.

 

 

5 Levels of Ramp to Challenge Yourself

The Proform Carbon EL comes with 5 different levels of Ramp or Incline. This changes the slope of your running path and helps your work different lower body muscle groups.

This can give you a more optimized training experience. With this model you get up to 20 degrees of incline.

 

 

Travel the World with iFit Coach

The Carbon EL crosstrainer is iFit Bluetooth-enabled. iFit is an online service that you can connect to through your tablet.

You can then choose from a library of thousands of different workout videos to watch – everything from guided tours to solo runs.

These videos include runs through exotic world trails – from the villages of Santorini to the mountains of Switzerland. You can either run alone – or watch a workout where a personal trainer coaches you through the workout – pointing out landmarks along the way.

 

 

You can also take a high-energy fitness class right from you elliptical console. iFit has everything from yoga to high-calorie-burning to strength training workouts and more.

The cool thing is that iFit can communicate with your elliptical.

The class instructor can actually increase or decrease the resistance on your machine for you during the workout (you can override this feature if you wish).

iFit Coach will also track your workouts for your and send you new, personalized workouts based on your fitness goals. It’s really a smart-fitness technology that you can use as much or as little as you want.

Note that iFit is completely optional – you don’t need it to use this elliptical. It’s just an add-on if you want it.

(Note however that you will need your own tablet or phone to connect with iFit as you can’t do it through the console on this model.)

 

 

Stay in Your Target Heart Rate Range

Don’t want to work your arms? No problem.

Rest them on the stationary handlebars which also have a built-in EKG heart rate grip sensor.

So you can get a heart rate reading anytime you wish and make sure you’re staying in your target fat-burning zone.

 

 

 

Proform Carbon EL Review – Any Downsides?

As stated above, the console is very basic on this machine – and the toggling back and forth between your stats can be annoying for some people (you can get around this if you have your tablet and iFit subscription.)

Also, the ramp/incline feature is a great way to crosstrain, it’s manual incline (vs other ellipticals with power incline).

So you have to get off the machine if you want to change the ramp – you can’t do it from a button on the console.

Finally, this is a small thing, but if you’re going to use your tablet on the media shelf, the tablet can cover up some of the one-touch resistance buttons. This isn’t a deal-breaker, but it can be annoying if you change resistance levels alot.

 

 

 

Is It Right For You?

If you’re looking for a super-affordable, front-drive trainer from a good name, the Proform EL Carbon elliptical may be right for you.

It’s a bit simple in areas like the console and the ramp option – but it has the basics you need for a good workout. Plus, it comes in at a fantastic price.

Also, with the media shelf and the iFit Bluetooth-enabled option, you can always use your tablet to add a whole new world of entertainment features if you want them – like streaming your favorite Netflix shows or running world trails with iFit.

 

 

Where to Buy and Save:

You can get the Proform Carbon EL elliptical direct from the Manufacturer and even get Free Shipping here. You can also see the latest user reviews, compare it to other models and see the full machine specs before you buy.

 

Click Here To Save on the Carbon EL Elliptical

 

 

 

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