The best treadmill reviews you can trust
The ProForm Carbon Pro 2000 is the perfect entry point into the iFIT training and subscription model for runners and walkers alike.
Updated: October 31, 2024
Testing the most advanced home treadmills has spoiled me, but I am happy to return to the basics with the Carbon Pro 2000. It has all my most used features and brings them to the modern day with iFIT technology. I feel like I'm getting the best of both worlds at a price I can justify.
Treadmills are typically more expensive when they support running and high-tech video training content. The ProForm Carbon Pro 2000 Treadmill does both, making its price impressive. Runners who want the iFIT training experience on a budget will be happy with the Carbon Pro 2000.
ProForm enters a new era of affordability and performance by combining the strengths of its Pro and Carbon series in this new treadmill. Keep reading to find out what makes the ProForm Carbon Pro 2000 exciting.
The Carbon Pro 2000 is part of the Pro Series and has a better build than the Carbon Series treadmills. Its weight capacity is 350 lbs, exceeding the industry standard. The warranty is standard: ten years for the frame, two years for parts, and one year for both the tablet and labor.
The steel frame feels sturdy. ProForm stuck to a traditional treadmill construction with slightly angled uprights and a crossbar for reinforcement. The Carbon Pro 2000 has a charcoal powder coating to protect the frame. It feels rough and a little gritty to touch, but you won't lose your grip if you need to grab onto the treadmill handles. I like the treadmill handles and crossbar texture.
The ProForm branding along the side doesn't look cheap. It's painted onto the powder coating. While the branding may seem insignificant, I've seen many treadmills come with branded stickers, which fall off over time and make the treadmill look cheaper and shabbier.
The footrails are a textured plastic. There is plenty of room to stand on the sides when getting on and off the treadmill.
The motor is 3.0 horsepower. The speed adjustments are mid-range for a home treadmill. It's not super slow, so you won't be waiting for the speed to adjust. It's also not so fast that walkers or runners should worry about getting tripped up. It took 24 seconds to go from 1 mph to 12 mph compared to the fastest treadmill we've tested at 14 seconds and the slowest at 41 seconds.
The motor noise isn't as quiet as Sole or Horizon treadmills, but it also isn't an outlier compared to most popular home treadmill brands. The noise ranged from about as loud as a microwave to a washing machine. At its loudest, it was comparable to a kitchen exhaust fan.
The ProForm Carbon Pro 2000 has a 20" x 60" running surface. While home treadmills also come in a 22" width, this narrower width won't affect most users' training. Unless I have these two different treadmill widths side by side, I don't notice, even as an experienced treadmill tester.
The ProShox Cushioning is firmer than what I wanted from ProForm but a touch softer than I expected after using the ProForm Carbon TLX. Runners and walkers specifically looking for soft cushioning will be better off with a NordicTrack treadmill or, if affordability is also a priority, a Horizon treadmill.
The deck is only 7.5" tall, so stepping up is easier than with other treadmills in its category. We don't often see treadmills with step-up heights below 8".
The deck thickness is excellent at about 1". This design choice makes the treadmill more durable and gives it a 350-lb weight capacity instead of the old Pro 2000's 300-lb weight capacity.
The ProForm Carbon Pro 2000 is a folding treadmill with hydraulic assistance. The kick-released bar will release the deck from its position. You just have to press it with one foot while slightly pushing back on the deck. Then, you can step out of the way as the treadmill softly lowers to the ground without further assistance.
The hydraulic arm also helps you fold the deck up because there is resistance to it falling back down. I didn't find the Carbon Pro 2000 too heavy to fold up. Sole and NordicTrack treadmills have much heavier decks, which may be a hassle for some users, but the Carbon Pro 2000 is perfectly reasonable for daily folding and unfolding. You should be fine if you can lift 20 to 30 lbs without help.
When unfolded, the treadmill's dimensions are 60.6" x 34.6" x 73.2". I recommend giving yourself extra room around you for safety. You also want to account for the incline and your ceiling height.
Since the treadmill has a 7.5" step-up height and 12% maximum incline, you need a ceiling at least 1.5' taller than you. However, that only leaves you with a few spare inches for vertical motion while walking or running. Most walkers and runners will be more comfortable with 2' of space about their height. So, a 6' runner will need an 8' ceiling.
The ProForm Carbon Pro 2000 Treadmill weighs 249 lbs as it comes shipped in its box. Unfortunately, we cannot weigh the treadmill ourselves, but we estimate it to weigh over 200 lbs. You can tilt and roll the treadmill or push it on its transport wheels. It doesn't turn easily, and though moving over hard floors isn't too bad, carpet would be much more challenging.
The incline range is 0 to 12%. Although the lack of decline disappointed me, I'm not completely heartbroken, considering the lower price.
The incline adjustments are very slow. Many iFIT workouts have quick incline intervals, and I don't think the Carbon Pro 2000 will always be able to incline to the suggested level before the incline adjusts again.
The incline is also slightly noisy compared to the treadmill's drive motor. I hate to be so negative about this treadmill's incline capabilities, and I think all of these points could be a little nitpicky. However, I think ProForm could improve the incline overall. Still, it's a solid value for its price, and if I'm honest, even as a long-time runner, I don't use the incline half as much as I should.
The ProForm Carbon Pro 2000 is a balanced treadmill with all the necessary features for a successful workout. The console design highlights the touchscreen and other features necessary for delivering the impressive iFIT experience.
The console is very stable while running. I was very impressed with this stability, and it's an excellent sign of the improvements ProForm made to the Carbon Pro 2000 compared to its predecessor, the Pro 2000.
Though I am mostly pleased with the console, I missed one feature: speed and incline buttons. The small screen size made it difficult to choose the correct speed and incline buttons while on the move. I didn't have this issue with larger iFIT-compatible screens, but it seems that 10" is a bit too small for complete comfort with the new iFIT layout.
The screen is ten inches. When I had content in fullscreen mode, I could see iFIT or entertainment content without a problem. It's when you have everything—buttons, metrics, charts, widgets—on the screen that it starts to get crazy. Fortunately, it is very easy to toggle to and from fullscreen mode.
The screen does not rotate or tilt. The viewing angle should be suitable for users under six feet tall. Walkers and runners above six feet may have more difficulty seeing the screen, and we wish it tilted up and down to suit a greater range of heights.
I like the Carbon Pro 2000 more when using the automatic iFIT features. When iFIT makes all the adjustments for you, you don't notice the small screen size as much. However, users who want to train in manual mode may not have as fluid of an experience.
The front-facing speakers are loud enough to hear the audio over the motor and your foot noise. To create a custom audio mix, you can adjust the iFIT, radio, and app volume separately. If the treadmill audio ever seems too quiet, check if the individual audio levels are too low.
You can turn on closed captions in the iFIT classes. You can also change the language for iFIT classes. The language options for the class audio include English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, German, Norwegian, Chinese, Dutch, Italian, and Russian.
The ProForm Carbon Pro 2000 is Bluetooth-compatible. You can pair headphones with the treadmill to listen quietly.
Bluetooth also allows the treadmill to pair with compatible heart rate monitors. My Garmin watch paired with the Carbon Pro 2000, but Apple watches do not currently pair with iFIT treadmills. If you do not already own a compatible Bluetooth heart rate monitor, you can purchase the SmartBeat Forearm Heart Rate Monitor from ProForm. Using a heart rate monitor unlocks the ActivePulse training feature.
The console has two cup holders. They will each hold a large water bottle. Our team did not run into any issues storing items in them because the console is so sturdy. There is also a tablet rack. However, the screen positioning blocks it. It has enough room for a phone, but a tablet may not fit securely.
The fan is powerful enough to cool, but the angle wasn't to my liking. If I was close to the console, the fan hit me in the eyes or forehead. If I stood farther away, the air didn't reach me. For reference, I am 5'4". You cannot change the vent angle, which will be too vertical for most users.
My first run on the ProForm Carbon Pro 2000 was seven miles. I completed a 30-minute iFIT workout and watched Netflix for the remaining time. The treadmill made a positive first impression on me with that run. It felt sturdy and offered slightly more cushioning than I expected. It's not super soft, but it is more forgiving than running on the pavement.
I don't recommend this treadmill for apartments or rooms you share with others. Your roommates or family may not appreciate it if you are training on this treadmill in the living room while they are watching TV or having a conversation, but if you are in a separate room, you will be just fine.
What impressed me about the Carbon Pro 2000 was its durability and stability. It feels like a significant improvement over the previous model.
As an iFIT treadmill, the ProForm Carbon Pro 2000 requires a subscription to unlock its full training and entertainment features. While you can use the treadmill in a limited capacity without iFIT, I don't recommend it. I think the ProForm Carbon TLX is a better option for runners and walkers who don't want to subscribe.
Without an iFIT account or Wi-Fi, you can only train in manual mode. With a free iFIT account and Wi-Fi, you can access a few featured iFIT classes and a selection of preset workouts. You cannot use the entertainment apps or personalized training features.
You want an iFIT subscription with this treadmill. If you have no idea what iFIT is, don't worry! It's a digital training platform with thousands of treadmill class videos. An instructor leads each class, exploring a route somewhere beautiful. You get to explore the route virtually, too, as the treadmill automatically adjusts to mimic the incline grade covered by the instructor in real life.
In iFIT classes, there are three different speed options. You can follow the preset levels the class prescribes or use one of two features that tailor the class to your fitness level.
SmartAdjust starts with the preset levels and makes adjustments based on how you override the class using the onscreen buttons to make it harder or easier. It also remembers your adjustments from past workouts, reducing the number of adjustments you have to make over time. SmartAdjust optimizes the current workout and future workouts.
ActivePulse is my favorite option for controlling the treadmill speed. You must pair a compatible heart rate monitor with the Carbon Pro 2000 to enable this feature. Then, the treadmill can adjust the speed (and incline to a lesser extent) to keep you in the heart rate zone prescribed by the workout.
I recommend setting a maximum speed in your profile settings for ActivePulse. This safety feature prevents ActivePulse from adjusting the speed too much if your heart rate is unexpectedly low. You should also calibrate your heart rate zones to reflect your capabilities.
iFIT recently introduced a new training feature that uses AI technology. AI Coach Tailor can schedule iFIT classes for you. The coach talks to you over text, learning your goals and taking your feedback. You can access the classes Tailor schedules by navigating to the calendar tab on the treadmill screen.
I recently gained access to the AI coach feature. The amount of texts are annoying, and I think I need to talk to Tailor more often to get a better personalized experience. You can provide feedback to the iFIT team over text at any point. Hopefully, Tailor will become more refined as time passes, but the feature is easy to opt out of if it isn't right for you.
You have a few options if you want a break from iFIT classes. The basic manual mode is always an option, but you can also customize your own interval and target workouts.
I was so close to writing a personal thank-you letter to iFIT when they added Netflix, Prime Video, and Spotify to the iFIT platform. You can stream any of these apps while in an iFIT workout, custom workout, or manual mode. I've been flying through miles using these entertainment features. You just need your own subscription.
iFIT also offers classes for other cardio equipment, strength training, yoga, and more. The Carbon Pro 2000's screen is not ideal for viewing these classes since it does not tilt or rotate like NordicTrack treadmills. I recommend viewing non-treadmill classes on your phone, tablet, or smart TV.
iFIT is a fantastic platform. The latest iFIT update, referred to as iFIT 2.0, stepped it up a notch. I recommend the ProForm Carbon Pro 2000 for anyone who wants to use iFIT.
The ProForm Carbon Pro 2000 Treadmill caught my attention with its reasonable price. It has all the iFIT features I love and a powerful build for running. It feels more durable than ever with its sturdy console and higher weight capacity. Walkers and runners who want an iFIT treadmill should strongly consider the Carbon Pro 2000 as a contender.
ProForm only made a few concessions with this treadmill to get it to its low price. The incline is slow to adjust and lacks a decline option. The screen is a little small, especially for the lack of offscreen buttons. However, I still enjoyed my training experience and found the pros to outweigh the cons at this price point.
This treadmill is easy to fold and not too heavy to move. Yet, it still provides a stable console and running deck. The ProForm Carbon Pro 2000 is a folding treadmill I know I will return to again and again.
