Buying a treadmill is a crucial step in your fitness journey. With so many options to choose from, it can be daunting to find the right at-home gym equipment.
The right treadmill should be easy and convenient to use so you’ll run regularly. The features and specs should align with your fitness level and goals.
If you live in an apartment or have a small space you can dedicate to your home gym, the budget-friendly ProForm City L6 could be a good match for you. Find out why in your ProForm City L6 review.
About ProForm
ProForm is a manufacturer of home fitness equipment. The brand focuses on the challenges people encounter when working out at home, especially in small spaces.
With treadmills, bikes, elliptical machines, and more, ProForm offers a wide selection of equipment. The brand has a positive reputation overall and offers quality products with innovative features.
This manufacturer doesn’t have the same footprint as other at-home fitness brands since it doesn’t prioritize marketing and has a limited online presence. However, ProForm machines have features comparable to what more recognizable brands offer.
ProForm City L6 Overview
The ProForm City L6 is the only entry in ProForm’s City series, a product line designed to provide consumers with treadmills that have a small footprint. As the name suggests, ProForm launched this product line with city dwellers in mind.
Even though the L6 sacrifices a few features you’ll find in other treadmills offered by ProForm, it shares many similarities with other treadmills from the brand, such as the Mach Z motor or the Bluetooth connectivity feature.
The ProForm City L6 treadmill immediately stands out as a machine that is easy to use and adapts to a wide range of needs. It’s ideal for walking workouts, running sessions up to 8 mph, self-directed workouts, and streaming workouts with iFit.
The compact size and convenient folding feature are the main selling points. The running area remains large enough to accommodate most runners, but the small footprint of the treadmill is ideal for small spaces.
In terms of quality, the product has received mostly positive reviews. Consumers are happy with the feel of the running surface and the cushioning of the treadmill. There are no widespread issues with the construction, and the machine fulfills its promise of delivering a convenient fitness experience to those who don’t have enough space for a full-size home gym.
Top ProForm City L6 Features
Is the ProForm City L6 the right treadmill for you? Let’s take a closer look at the top features of this compact treadmill.
Size and Design
With a width of 29” and height of 44.5,” the ProForm City L6 is a treadmill with a small footprint designed with apartment dwellers in mind.
In spite of its compact design, the L6 has a running surface of 45×17.5.” The treadmill is 70.25” deep. If you usually run on the gym’s treadmill, the surface might feel narrow at first. Most treadmills have a running surface with a width of 20 to 22.”
The frame collapses to form a flat object. The width is still 29,”, but the treadmill is longer in its folded state since the screen adds length. The total weight of the treadmill is 120 lbs with a weight capacity of 250 lbs.
Folding the treadmill is quick and easy. The frame pivots up and down in seconds with no effort required.
The ProForm CIty L6 treadmill comes with some small wheels so you can push it around. It’s convenient as long as you have hardwood flooring, but the small wheels make maneuvering the 120 lbs. treadmill difficult on plush carpeting.
Overall, the compact design and foldable frame are ideal if you want to store the treadmill under your bed or stash it upright in a closet or behind a door.
The potential downside of the compact design is the relatively small running surface. However, running on a small surface can force you to adopt smaller strides, which can reduce the impact of running on your joints.
Speed
The maximum speed of the treadmill is 8 mph. It’s not unusual to see a speed cap of 8 mph in the under $600 price range, but you should know that more expensive models can go as fast as 12 mph.
A comfortable jogging speed is 4 or 5 mph. The top speed of 8 mph won’t be an issue for a majority of runners, but it can be a downside if you’re into fast-paced HIIT workouts or need to train for sprinting.
The Proform City L6 deck features two buttons you can press to go faster or slower. The speed changes in increments of one mph, and the display uses a series of eight numbers to show your current speed. If you’re following an iFit workout, the app can use Bluetooth to automatically adjust the treadmill speed along with the workout.
The speed range allows you to run at a constant speed you feel comfortable, and it also gives you the possibility to alternate between slow and fast periods so you can increase your endurance.
You can also slow down the treadmill and enjoy a walking workout. Being able to operate the treadmill at low speeds makes it more versatile.
Frame, Deck, and Display
The Proform City L6 uses a simple frame without any noteworthy features other than the folding mechanism. However, the simple design of the frame results in a sleek and modern design.
The deck features a 5” display. It’s small but functional. You can use arrow buttons to cycle between different data points. The display can help you track your speed, distance, and how many calories you’re burning.
The deck also has two prominent start and stop buttons for the treadmill, as well as a red knob you can use to lock the treadmill for safety.
You’ll find a tablet holder on the deck. You can prop your tablet while following an iFit workout, or use this feature to stream your favorite show or listen to music while you work out.
Thanks to its built-in Bluetooth connectivity feature, the Proform City L6 treadmill can communicate with the iFit app and automatically adjust its speed based on the iFit workout you’re streaming.
iFit
The ProForm City L6 lacks advanced features compared to other models. If you’re willing to spend a little more, you can find treadmills with displays that help you track more data points as well as treadmills with built-in workout programs.
The iFit compatibility feature adds value to the treadmill since it unlocks advanced functionalities. iFit is a platform where you can stream walking and running workouts.
Some workouts take you through breathtaking landscapes and exotic destinations. It’s fun, but it can also help distract you from the discomfort you feel while running.
You’ll also find some great instructor-led workouts if you need some motivation, and you can join live events or participate in monthly challenges if you enjoy competition.
This platform has a huge library of workouts, and there is always something new to try. We also like the fact that iFit partners with fitness professionals to develop result-oriented workouts.
You’ll get a free 30-day trial when you purchase the ProForm City L6 treadmill. After that, you’ll have to pay $15 a month or $180 a year for an individual iFit plan. You can also opt for a more expensive family membership with several profiles.
Motor
What’s inside the ProForm City L6 treadmill? ProForm uses a Mach Z motor for this performing fitness machine. It’s a quiet motor, and there are a few noteworthy features.
The motor has a self-cooling mechanism. It prevents overheating and reduces wear and tear on the motor, even during long running sessions. This feature adds value since it extends the lifespan of the most important component of the treadmill.
The Mach Z motor also uses a design that reduces energy consumption. On average, a treadmill uses 600 to 700 Watts, which translates to a cost of approximately $14 a year. It’s inexpensive compared to other appliances, but this eco-friendly motor will contribute to lowering your energy bills.
Running Surface
The entire running surface of the treadmill features a comfortable amount of cushioning. It contributes to the quiet operation of the treadmill, and it delivers a comfortable experience.
Running can be a high-impact workout on your ankles, knees, and other joints. With a cushioned running surface and the proper running shoes, it’s possible to reduce the stress running places on your articulations.
With its cushioned running surface, the L6 is a beginner-friendly treadmill that feels forgiving if you haven’t found your ideal running posture or stride technique yet. It’s also ideal if your goal is to get back in shape after a period of inactivity and want to stay away from high-impact workouts.
The running surface uses 1.6” non-flex rollers. These rollers are quiet and provide additional cushioning.
However, the 1.6” size can result in more friction compared to larger rollers. Friction can cause a treadmill to use more energy and result in more wear and tear on moving parts.
Warranty and Customer Service
ProForm offers a ten-year warranty on the frame of this treadmill. However, the moving parts, including the motor, come with a one-year warranty.
Overall, the treadmill has received positive reviews, and there are no widespread issues with the machine.
However, a few shoppers ran into issues when attempting to obtain spare parts or contact customer service. It seems that it can take weeks to get a technician to service a ProForm treadmill, and some parts aren’t easy to find.
How Does the ProForm City L6 Compare to Other Treadmills?
Before comparing the ProForm City L6 treadmill to other models, it’s important to keep in mind that treadmills can cost thousands of dollars. Price usually reflects quality and features.
With a price in the $500 to $700 range, the City L6 is by far the most affordable treadmill from ProForm. However, you can find treadmills with similar features for a few hundred dollars less.
Does ProForm justify spending more in terms of quality? Yes and no.
Features like the quiet and energy-efficient motor as well as the excellent cushioning of the running area can be enough to justify spending a little more to get the L6 treadmill.
However, you can find treadmills in a similar or lower price range with some features the L6 doesn’t have.
For instance, the Welso Cadence G 5.9i is a slightly smaller foldable treadmill that works with iFit. Some retailers offer it for less than what the L6 costs and the incline feature is a plus if you want a workout that gets your heart pumping.
If you’re looking for an affordable and versatile treadmill, the GoPlus 2-in-1 is an excellent choice in the less than $500 price range. While you can’t operate the L6 treadmill once you fold it, the GoPlus 2-in-1 gives you the possibility to fold the frame and fit the treadmill under a desk to walk while you work. Plus, this innovative treadmill comes with a built-in speaker.
The 8 mph top speed of the L6 treadmill can be a drawback for HIIT and spring workouts. You can stay in a similar price range and get the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T7873 treadmill instead. This machine has a top speed of 11 mph, an incline feature, and some pre-set workouts.
Pros and Cons of the ProForm City L6 Treadmill
Let’s review the pros and cons of this compact treadmill.
Pros:
- The compact size and convenient folding feature are great for small spaces.
- The quality motor is quiet and reliable
- The treadmill is easy to use thanks to its simple interface
- The 1-8 mph speed range makes the treadmill versatile and adapted to different fitness levels
- You can get an iFit subscription to unlock more features
Cons:
- The L6 lacks features that other treadmills have, especially an incline mode
- The warranty on moving parts lasts only one year
- Some shoppers report issues with servicing and repairs
Conclusion: Is the ProForm City L6 Treadmill Worth Buying?
With its compact size and user-friendly interface, the ProForm City L6 is an excellent addition to your fitness routine. The no-frill design allows you to focus on running, and the display delivers enough data points to track your performance without turning your workouts into an advanced analytics project.
It really comes down to your fitness goals and how you plan on using the treadmill. If you’re short on space and want a treadmill mostly for walking or light jogging the L6 is perfect. If you plan on prepping for a marathon or intend to complete HIIT workouts and sprinting you may have to look at other options that will definitely be more expensive.
If you don’t mind spending money on an iFit subscription, the treadmill can support a wide range of fitness goals with engaging workouts.
We regret the lack of an incline feature or built-in speakers, but the L6 remains an excellent pick for small spaces and for those who want a treadmill with simple features.
