ProForm is advancing it’s terrific Carbon lineup of treadmills with the new TLX model, just out in time for the 2024 season. I’ve always liked the iFit brands, which include NordicTrack and Freemotion, as they tend to hit that sweet spot in terms of performance and price. The Carbon TLX comes in as the junior model to the Trainer 12.0, priced at $999 with a 30-day trial of iFit to boot. If I’m looking for a nice sized folding treadmill without a lot of frills, this model hits all the right marks.

Read below to see the complete machine breakdown. Rest assured, there’s a reason home fitness market is excited about this new machine coming into the market.

Why You Should Trust Our Review Of The ProForm Carbon TLX

At TreadmillReviews.net, we bring you comprehensive reviews of treadmills so you can decide which one is right for you. Our staff thoroughly test all the treadmills we review. We install them, walk on them, run on them, and try out all of the features. We get to know each and every treadmill we review extremely well. Our reviewers log miles on the deck. We listen and record the sound of the motor, we test and measure the incline, try out all aspects of the console and try the treadmill’s features, such as iFit.

Every treadmill we review undergoes the same rigorous process. That way we can compare and contrast them and give you an honest review of what we think. This particular treadmill has been around for many years, and we’ve done previous reviews of the ProForm Carbon TLX. So, in this review, we also compared it to the previous models.

Our reviewers are treadmill and fitness experts. Brian, the author of this review, is a competitive bodybuilder, and is a 7-time national qualifier in both men’s bodybuilding and classic physique within the NPC competitions. He has coached and been coached on cardiovascular training, HIIT, and nutrition, particularly as it pertains to weight loss for competitions. He is an expert at treadmills, has been on this treadmill, and you can trust his opinion on all of the treadmills he reviews.

In Brief

The 2024 ProForm Carbon TLX is a terrific budget-friendly treadmill at the $999 market. Equipped with a 20″ x 60″ tread deck and 3.0 CHP motor, it’s suitable for jogging as well as running or walking. As with other treadmills in this brand, the Carbon TLX comes iFit-enabled and features automatic trainer control as well as Bluetooth heart rate options. Given the lower price, I’m not surprised that it sports a 7″ high-contrast multicolor screen as opposed to the larger high-definition screens, but ultimately that’s the difference in dollars when it comes to treadmills. All other systems are go though, and in terms of performance, there’s no question you can earn the burn here.

ProForm Carbon TLX Treadmill – Pros & Cons (2024) - Key Specs:

In-Depth Review of the ProForm Carbon TLX

Why We Like It

The ProForm Carbon TLX features a nice sized motor and overall frame at a relatively low price, just $999. Very upscale compared to other models in this price category, I can see users of many levels wanting to get atop this. New for 2024, the Carbon TLX continues the brand’s tradition of budget-friendly fitness. As with other machines by this manufacturer, the treadmill comes iFit-enabled, meaning you can access live professional training sessions as well as let automatic trainer control take over the speed and incline. I happen to be a big fan of iFit and have used it extensively while cutting weight for bodybuilding shows. If you’re into streaming workouts, it’s hard to beat.

It Comes With A Nice 7″ Screen

No, this isn’t the big, 14″ model with pivot and swivel features, but let’s face it, if you’re wanting a $999 treadmill you’re probably not expecting that. And perhaps you don’t want it, either. Having had models like this in my own home, I can tell you the larger screens sometimes get in the way. If what you’re wanting is to focus on the workout itself, a 7″ screen is about the same size as a tablet and plenty big enough to use. The treadmill also comes with Bluetooth audio by way of dual 2″ speakers and a fan.

The ProForm Carbon TLX features a high-quality 7″ screen. Photo provided by ProForm

The included 30-day iFit plan gives you a taste of the program. A couple downsides to point out up front, since these are top questions about any NordicTrack or ProForm machine. Yes, you can use the treadmill without continuing the $39 per month iFit package, but, but, but, the screen is then only good for the manual workouts. Without iFit, you’ll lose the automatic trainer control and access to live and on-demand workouts. And no, unfortunately the Carbon TLX’s screen is not compatible with Hulu or Amazon Prime, just that iFit program. The good news is that as a folding treadmill, it’s easy to roll in front of a television if you want to combine a movie with the exercise.

Take A Look At What iFit Can Do on the ProForm Carbon TLX

Video Courtesy of iFit

Perfect Size for a Home Treadmill

When deciding upon a home treadmill, one of the first considerations is the size of course. Where you’ll place it makes all the difference in how often it gets used. The ProForm Carbon TLX is what I’d consider a smaller unit and only weighs 249 pounds in-box. Measuring 74.3″ x 35.1″ x 59.1″ and sporting a 300-pound user weight maximum, it’s easy to move around once folded up. This unit also sports a low 7.75″ step up height.

ProForm Carbon TLX fits easily into most home gyms. Photo by ProForm

Good Incline Features

The 2024 ProForm Carbon TLX features an incline of up to 12% with maximum speeds up to 12 miles per hour. Given the price of this unit I’m surprised there’s that much. Those options stack up well with significantly pricier models. Incline training is repeatedly found to be among the best ways to increase workout intensity. Whether you’re looking to improve cardiovascular training or cut weight, you won’t need much speed with an incline. And if you’re using one of iFit’s travel workouts or the iFit’s Google Maps, these incline settings really do mimic the hills and hollers of tracks in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, or even Anarctica.

The ProForm Carbon TLX features an incline of up to 12%. Photo provided by ProForm

Easily Folded Up and Stored Away

I’m a big fan of folding treadmills and have written quite a bit about them here. Whereas in the old days, people were concered about a folding treadmill’s stability, that’s not the case anymore. With the patented EasyLift Assist button, you can simply lift up the rear of the unit and watch it slide up into place. It’s really very simple to unfold thanks to the hydraulics, and you can read my step-by-step here with pictures. The whole process times out at about 8 seconds up, and 12 seconds down, per my own stopwatch. Folding treadmills roll easily about a floor on two front-mounted wheels. But they’re also easier to keep clean, repair, and lubricate the belts. If you do want to roll the unit to the side of the room when not in use, you’ll find the process easier than moving a bookshelf.

The ProForm Carbon TLX folds up easily. Photo by ProForm

ProForm Carbon TLX Dimensions

The dimensions of the ProForm Carbon TLX are 74.3’L x 35.1′ W x 59.1′ H. With a step-up height of 7.75″ you’ll need to factor that into the equation when placing this treadmill. Add that to your own height when estimating the required ceiling height. If you’re over 6′ tall, you’ll need more than that when running obviously. This size of treadmill is great for about any kind of home workout room.

ProForm Carbon TLX Weight

The ProForm Carbon TLX weighs 249 pounds and supports up to 300 pounds in user weight.

What We Like:

• The Motor

  The ProForm Carbon TLX sports a 3.0 CHP motor and reaches its top speeds without making much noise. This is a good motor size for running as well as smooth and steady interval training.

• 7″ High-Contrast Multicolor Screen

  A 7″ screen is plenty big enough for users to see while running. About the same size as a tablet, I have no trouble watching videos and reading out the data while using this model. The good thing about a smaller screen like this is it doesn’t get in the way of the workout.

• iFit Treadmill Workouts

  The iFit program is well worth the 30-day trial, after which it goes to $39 per month for the family plan. With more than 10,000 on-demand workouts as well as live trainer-led programming, the app also controls the treadmill’s automatic trainer control. In addition to treadmill workouts, iFit comes with nutrition counseling as well as strength training, yoga, rowing, and biking. You can use it anywhere as it downloads on both devices as well as television sets.

• iFit Data Tracking

  iFit keeps tabs on fitness stats with every session. Whenever a workout is completed, the data is logged into the treadmill and then paired with any other device on iFit. This makes getting exercise, nutrition, and lifestyle recommendations easier.

• Incline Abilities

  The ProForm Carbon TLX offers a 12% incline which is plenty to burn calories, increase the resting metabolic rate, ramp up cardiovascular conditioning level, and build muscle strength simultaneously. If you’re into High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), you can simply use an incline to complete your interval rather than having to run if you so choose. Those prone to injuries will also find that going on an incline is far easier on their body as even a 1-2% gradient can help take some of the impact off the joints. Best of all, with new and improved auto-adjust technology, incline/decline transitions are fast and smooth, great for HIIT training.

• Bluetooth Audio

  Bluetooth audio capabilities allow you to listen to your favorite workout playlists through Premium Audio Speakers wirelessly, as well as sync with any number of other devices. This also lets you connect instructor-led training to your Bluetooth headphones is a nice plus. I’ve never had a problem syncing with my unit and I even have satellite Internet. It usually takes about 5 seconds to connect.

• Tread Belt

  This 60″ x 20″ tread belt gives you plenty of space to move, and at 2″ wider than the industry standard, it easily accommodates larger individuals. What’s more, the belt’s thickness helps to minimize the amount of noise it makes while offering better overall longevity. Also, this is a 2-ply belt which is the preferred type, as opposed to a cheaper 1-ply belt. A regularly lubricated 2-ply belt could last you 10 years depending on use.

• Cushioning Preferences

  Prepping for a road on a cushy deck makes things too easy. This treadmill offers the ability to turn the cushioning on or off according to your preferences so you can save your joints and use the cushioning only when you need it. Keep in mind that by having it off, you’re adding 30% more impact to your joints, so you shouldn’t train this way in the long term.

• Cooling Options

  If you want to stay cool while you run or walk, the ProForm Carbon TLX dual AutoBreeze workout fans will do the trick. While this may seem like a treadmill luxury rather than a necessity, it’s definitely nice to have while you work out.

• Weight Capacity

  This is a very solid treadmill and can support users of up to 300 pounds.

What We Don’t Like:

• Short Warranty

  Yes, you get 10 years on the frame, but only 1 year on parts and electronics, and 1-year for labor. Rival treadmills offer 15 years to life for the frame and at least 5 years for the motor.

• iFit-Dependent

  Yes, the machine will work without the $39 per month iFit program, but you’ll lose all the features which make the treadmill a great buy. The treadmill effectively goes into a manual-only mode as there are no built-in programs.

This Treadmill Could Be For You If You Want:

• A budget-friendly treadmill with the option to stream workouts
• A folding treadmill easily stored
• A quiet treadmill motor that can accommodate long-distance running, interval training, and speeds up to 12 mph
• Cushioning for joint protection with an option to disable to mimic outdoor road running

Our Verdict:

The ProForm Carbon TLX is a new treadmill out for 2024 and I see good things for it. It’s priced right and built to answer a lot of questions in terms of performance. If you’re not wanting to spend a lot of money but still want a good workout, this would be one of my top picks for sure. The 3.0 CHP motor and 20″ x 60″ tread belt are a refreshing upgrade to some of this unit’s rivals which have reduced both variables in their models.

Check Price