If you want power or automatic incline, upper body workout using your treadmill that’s even in-expensive, lightweight, compact and foldable, then the Proform 6.0 RT makes a good option. To be specific it’s the PFTL39115 model having resistance cords.
But, being a pocket-friendly treadmill, it has some flaws or limitations as well that may or may not be important for you depending on your workout requirements and fitness goals such as it’s not a good option for serious training and athletes.
So, does this functional valued treadmill over flare a good option for you? Let’s find out in this detailed review.
Proform 6.0 RT Construction, Core Features, Benefits
Frame and Design
Even though the Proform 6.0 RT is a light treadmill, its frame is still designed with steel whereas the console and some other parts are made up of plastic and rubber, like other treadmills. The base of the frame, the deck, and the console have a black finish while the upright poles are white.
The overall design is clean and sleek and the console is equipped with all the essential buttons that are good sized and labeled.
When it’s fully assembled it measures 65-inch long, 29-inch wide and 55-inch high that makes it comparatively a compact treadmill on the market. Also, it’s vertical folding frame design comes handy when you can’t afford a full-time floor space for your treadmill.
Though it doesn’t fold completely (only 60 to 70 percent) it still saves you more than half of the floor space. So, you can store it in a corner or push against the wall using the transport wheels equipped at the front base of the frame. But you have to fold/unfold it manually.
And if you’re considering using this treadmill for weight loss, it can accommodate users weighing up to 300 pounds.
So, it’s a compact, foldable, lightweight and very easy to use treadmill.
Motor
As know the Proform 6.0 RT is a low-cost treadmill, we can’t expect a high power motor on it. But the 2.0 continuous horsepower or the drive system on it is fairly enough for walking and light jogging for normal users. It’s actually a competent motor power for the price and when compared to other treadmills in this price range.
So, you can rely on this for smooth and consistent light workouts such as walking but if you’re a professional athlete or hardcore trainer, it probably can’t handle serious and intense workouts and you better opt for a treadmill with a powerful motor such as Proform SMART Pro 2000.
Tread Belt & Cushioning
The running area measuring 16 inches wide and 50 inches long delivers a fair enough stride area to the short to average height people with short to average length footsteps. Actually, short heightened people will not need to modify their stride and can enjoy a comfortable workout.
Moreover, the deck has two TreadSoft Cushioning cells on either side that may reduce the impact on your joints and bones and may decrease the risk of injury when your feet fall on the belt. In other words, it may make your exercise friendlier to your joints and back throughout your workout session but not in the best possible way like the high-end treadmills.
Speed & Power Incline
Though this machine is a beginner-level treadmill, it still goes up to 10 miles per hour or 6 minutes per mile. Which is more than enough for most beginners, walkers, and probably some joggers as well.
Moreover, the Proform 6.0 RT features power incline up to 10%, allowing you to automatically adjust the deck height at the touch of a button. This is quite an impressive feature over the other low-budget treadmills where your workout gets interrupted because you have to get off the treadmill to manually change the incline level, but not with this treadmill because it offers auto incline that’s of good intensity.
So, when you walk or jog at an inclined surface it may not only decrease the impact on your joints, but also facilitates you burn extra calories much rapidly while engaging different muscle groups, increasing strength, and improving cardiovascular health.
And with the 10 mph and 10% incline, you can try different workouts of different settings such as high speed, low incline or low speed, and high incline or anything in between. Both the speed and incline may give you your desired workout intensity that perfectly matches with your beginner to moderate fitness-level.
Quick Controls for Speed and Incline
Adjusting the speed and/or incline gradually by pressing the button quite a few times can be irritating sometimes, especially when you’ve to reach a high speed and/or incline. Instead, changing your speed and/or incline at the mere flick of a finger is effortless and quick.
For this, the Proform 6.0 RT console features Quick Control buttons for both speed and incline. These buttons are good sized, labeled with numbers, and are easy to access and press. You can press the button to hop to the specific speed/incline quickly and smoothly.
However, you also get the traditional plus, minus, and up, down arrow keys to adjust your speed and incline. It comes handy when you have to find your perfect pace and need to make small gradual changes.
Resistance Cords
One interesting addition to this treadmill is resistance cords that other treadmills usually don’t offer. There are two elastic resistance cords with handles attached at the lower end of each upright pole or console mast.
What they do is, they give a nice workout to your upper body including your arms that tones your arms muscles effectively, and burns more calories while walking on the belt.
The resistance is adjustable which means you can increase or decrease the tension by reducing or increasing the length respectively. So, it offers you a full-body workout from upper body toning to your cardio fitness, however, it might take some learning to get used to it.
Built-in Workouts
Almost all treadmills come with some preset workout programs, so do the Proform 6.0 RT. There are 16 in-built workout programs on this machine to get you started your fitness journey. They’re categorized into 8 weight loss and 8 performance workouts.
All these programs give you virtual personal training by following preset speed and incline settings that change automatically during the workout without your input.
Apart from this, there is a manual training option as well where you can set the speed and incline based on your personal fitness needs. Accessing all the preset programs and the manual mode is pretty straight-forward with their dedicated keys on the console.
Heart Rate Monitoring
To keep track of your heartbeat, the Proform 6.0 RT features EKG dual grip sensors built into the handlebars. When you hold them for a few seconds, your pulse is detected and the heart beating rate can be seen on the in-built window display.
However, the reading may not be accurate sometimes. So, take the readings with a pinch of salt, or you can opt for an external heart rate tracker for more accurate and reliable insights, but if you want to connect the tracker with the machine, you can’t because it’s console isn’t telemetric or Bluetooth enabled.
Speaker
Though the Proform 6.0 RT is a pretty basic treadmill, it still comes with basic in-built speakers and an audio jack to connect your sound device to listen to your favorite music, audiobook, or any audio. This eliminates the hassle of tangled wires while working out.
But there are no volume control buttons on the console, so you’ll have to adjust it from your device. Moreover, the sound quality and reliability are skeptical.
Storage Cubbies
The console also features 2 storage cubbies or cup holders on either side. You may keep your water bottle in one space and other accessories in the other space.
Know More About Proform 6.0 RT Treadmill
Things to Consider
The best thing about Proform 6.0 RT is its price. It has every basic thing that you would expect on a pocket-friendly treadmill, but you’ll have to compromise on some points for the price and it’s important to know them beforehand.
Deck might be Short and Narrow
Although probably most people will find the deck area fair for themselves, if you’re somewhat tall with long stride or have a wide body, you might feel constrained and might need to compromise on your natural stride.
However, this deck size isn’t a surprise for a budget-friendly treadmill. While, the plus point is, the smaller deck makes it a compact machine; suitable for limited workout areas.
Display Screen
It’s not fair to expect an advanced full-color HD smart on a treadmill at this price. So the Proform 6.0 RT’s console features a small LCD display window to display only the essential workout stats such as speed, distance traveled, current incline, elapsed time, heart rate, and an approximate number of calories burned.
You can set up the speed in either mile per hour (mph) or kilometer per hour (km/h) whichever you prefer. There is a track function as well that shows the distance in laps of about ¼ miles (400 m)
But what’s worth noticing is it’s too small and doesn’t have any backlight. So reading it in low light from some distance can be difficult. Moreover, all the stats are not displayed as a single screen, so you’ll have to toggle between them to view them.
Overall, it’s the bare minimum screen that informs you how you’re doing on the machine.
Noisy Machine
It’s seen that this treadmill emits a very loud sound that may irritate your ears and disturb other members of the family. The faster you go, the higher the noise level becomes. Moreover, the buttons also make a high beep sound.
So, it’s going to give a little hard time to your ears while making hearing your music or television a struggle.
No Cooling Fan
Usually, most treadmills on the market, even some cheap ones, feature an air fan, but this doesn’t. However, the console area is quite large, so you’ll be able to put a small external fan there if you really need it.
Assembly & Warranty
According to most customer reviews, putting it together is so simple and easy taking somewhere between 1 to 2 hours or so. It comes partially assembled means the deck and belt, the motor are attached to the lower frame.
So, you’ll need to connect the wires, assemble the upright masts, the arms, the console, and lastly the resistance cords. For this, you get the user manual with detailed instructions to follow, and all the essential tools and hardware present in the box, but you might need another pair of hands.
If you don’t want to assemble it yourself, check whether or not free assembly is available in your area while making your purchase to save you from all the process.
Talking about the warranty, the Proform 6.0 RT has 5-year coverage on frame and motor that is fairly long but the 3 months or 90 days warranty on parts and labor seems very short to add any value. For many treadmills, you get at least a 1-year warranty for parts and labor but not with this model.
Pros
- A crosswalk treadmill giving full-body workout
- Very budget-friendly option
- Lightweight, compact and folding design
- A good number of preset workout programs
- Cushioned deck
- Powered incline up to 10%
- Quick Controls for instant changes in speed and incline
- Whopping 300 pounds weight capacity
- In-built speakers
- Reputable brand
- Easy to assemble and use
- 5 years warranty on frame and motor
Cons
- Might be narrow and short for people with a wide and long stance
- Small and no-light LCD display
- Can be quite noisy
- Doesn’t have a cooling fan
- Only 90 days warranty on parts and labor
The Bottom Line
So, the Proform 6.0 RT is a treadmill for beginner-level users having average height and weight who want a treadmill for their routine lightweight exercises such as walking, light jogging and upper body workout including arms muscle toning, to be used in their small homes and apartments with a compact and folding design which is simple to use as well but can only afford to spend nearly $500 or so.
If you don’t want to engage your upper body effectively and primarily want a treadmill for lower body workout through walking and light jogging, there is another good option by proform which is one of the most popular treadmills by proform, the Proform 505 CST Treadmill that offers a cooling fan, tablet holder, iFit technology among other perks, though it can cost more than the Proform 6.0 RT.