Proform Performance 400 vs. Nordictrack A2550 Pro

The treadmills we’ll be looking at today are the Proform Performance 400 and the Nordictrack A2550 Pro.

Ohiyo! It’s been a while since I’ve started with that. Well we’re getting closer to narrowing it down to the last of the little guys. This comparison will eliminate either a Proform or a Nordictrack which will help move our progress forward to choosing a best buy for this range. Currently the Proform Performance 400 is bit cheaper than the Nordictrack A2550 pro. The Nordictrack costs $799 while the Proform is only $599. So we’ll expect more from the Nordictrack to put these on level ground.

The Proform 400 is an impressive model for such a low price, and it attracts LOTS of sales. The actual treadmill is made with cheap materials obviously, in order to get it at such a low price, but the design should still handle most light runners without much trouble. The deck is rated at a 300 lb weight capacity which should be taken with a grain of salt, but does show a sign of more strength than most treadmills at this price range. The Motor is a questionable 2.25 CHP engine which may be too small for large and consistent runners. It goes up to 10 miles per hour. The length, intensity, and consistency of your running, as well as your size will determine if this treadmill will hold you up. It’s nice to have fun features, but before you get too into the extra features you want to make sure the treadmill will hold up to you without falling apart. In the case of the Proform Performance 400 you shouldn’t be over 250 lbs if you run a lot. If you’re light, and your treadmill only gets used about once or twice per day, it should be just fine.

The Nordictrack A2550 Pro is a bigger and bulkier design which can handle more weight and more intense running. The Motor is 2.5 CHP which doesn’t sound like much more, but actually gives me a lot more confidence in it’s durability than the Proform’s. The weight capacity has an extra 50 lbs making it a 350 lb limit which is much more standard, and even commonplace for very high-end treadmills. The frame has a lot of plastic in it which makes it not the quietest treadmill, and not the most solid, but you can’t expect much more at this price.

The Proform and the Nordictrack both have about the same extra features with an LED screen that shows the main statistics that you’ll need, as well as Ifit Live compatibility, a bunch of workouts, heart rate monitors, and Music ports. The cushioning on the two is about the same. Overall the designs are very similar to eachother. I think perhaps similar enough that the Proform’s $200 difference make it a better deal than the Nordictrack. Check out the specs and decide for yourself.

Here’s a little comparison table:

Really it’s a tossup between these two treadmills. It matters what you’re looking for and what you need. I would personally buy the Nordictrack A2750 Pro because it’s stronger, but if it’s strictly a competition of value over price, the Proform offers more value for the price. That being said, the Proform Performance 400 is the winner!