ProForm Carbon EL Elliptical (2025) Review
ProForm Carbon EL Elliptical (2025) Rating
Detailed Overview
This is a front-drive elliptical, which makes it easy to lift from the rear and roll about the house on front-mounted wheels when you’re done. The elliptical measures 25″ x 68.5″ x 67.75″ and can hold up to 275 pounds in user weight. ProForm offers a 10-year frame warranty, as well as one-year for parts and labor. Oversized pedals and Soft Touch Upper-Body Grips are also afforded for user ease. With front-mounted transport wheels, the unit can be easily picked up and relocated about the room for storage. Meanwhile, an audio auxiliary port with two 2″ speakers also come with the package and the unit has integrated heart rate sensors built into the handlebars.
Meanwhile, true fans of the elliptical experience will be most interested in the high-quality steel construction with front-drive design, and the 19″ manual adjustable stride. With 18 levels of SMR™ Silent Magnetic Resistance controlled by QuickSpeed® Buttons, the ProForm Carbon El Elliptical offers a 20-degree adjustable ramp with five positions. The flywheel, at 15 pounds, is inertia-enhanced. In terms of workout programs, the machine doesn’t come pre-loaded with routines but is instead of iFit Bluetooth Smart Enabled, ready for activation. A subscription and Internet connection are required for the iFit program, which brings not only a virtual library containing thousands of workouts, but also live trainers who can adjust the machine’s controls from remote locations. In addition to maintaining the user’s workout data, the program can also take users around the world virtually by way of iFit Global Workouts using the included screen or their own tablet.
Why You Should Trust Our Review Of The ProForm Carbon EL Elliptical
At EllipticalReviews.com, we bring you comprehensive reviews of exercise equipment so you can decide which one is right for you. Our staff thoroughly test all the ellipticals we review. We install them, ride them, and try out all of the features. We get to know each and every elliptical we review extremely well. Our reviewers log miles riding. We listen and record the sound of the machine, try out all aspects of the console and try the machine’s features.
Every elliptical 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.
Our reviewers are 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 when it comes to ellipticals, has been on this elliptical, and you can trust his opinion on all of the machines he reviews.
In Brief
The Carbon EL Elliptical is a great budget-friendly workout buddy which reminds me a bit of the slightly larger Horizon EX-59. Built with a front-drive system, the elliptical uses Silent Magnetic Resistance to provide 18 levels of challenge by way of a 15-pound flywheel. The machine offers a 20-degree adjustable ramp with five positions, as well as a 19″ adjustable stride. There are no built-in programs, but the machine is designed to work with iFit, an integrated steaming program which offers automatic trainer control and Bluetooth heart rate programs. Equipped with a 5″ screen, it also comes with a tablet holder for your own screen if you want more than that. But the elliptical is only 25″ x 68.5″ 67.5″ and so it fits easily anywhere in the house. You can even roll it into the living room and watch television while you exercise if you’d like.
ProForm Carbon EL Elliptical (2025) - Notable Specs:
| Overall Rating: | 4-stars |
|---|---|
| Compact / Folding: | No |
| Incline: | 20-degree power adjustable |
| Stride Length: | 0-19" |
| Flywheel: | 15 lbs |
| Programs: | iFit only |
| Fan: | No |
| Weight Capacity: | 275 lbs |
| Dimensions: | 68.5" L x 25" W x 67.75" H |
In-Depth Review of the Carbon EL Elliptical
Why We Like It
As a budget-conscious guy, I have to tell you the price is right here. I look at ellipticals all day which cost significantly more than this $799 model. That said, I can break a sweat in no time using any of the 18 levels of magnetic resistance. If you’re worried about outgrowing this model, don’t. Even advanced athletes can max out their capabilities with just a few levels of the total body workout created by the integrated stepper and ski machine here.
It Has A Great Screen and Media Rack
If function is of value to you, you’ll like this unit. No, there’s no giant flashy high-definition screen, but that’s why the unit is lower priced. Also, you’re not necessarily tied to the monthly $15-39 iFit membership if you want to bring your own tablet. The 5″ screen provides simple data read-out for all of your workout metrics, and the resistance controls are easy to see and use. You’ll also notice the handy little shelf below the screen. I fit my own iPad into this as well as my iPhone.
Compact Size for Any Home
Whether you live in an apartment or a large home, you won’t have too much trouble moving the ProForm Carbon EL about the place. Less than 6′ in length, it’s only 25″ in width and that makes it easy to lift from the rear and roll around on the transport wheels. Unlike much larger, heavier models, this is a great machine to place in front of a television set, or perhaps a bedroom. Despite its size, it still supports up to 275 pounds in user weight.
Adjustable Stride of 19″
ProForm Carbon EL Dimensions
The ProForm Carbon EL measures 25″ x 68.5″ x 67.75″. To estimate ceiling height requirements, figure another 15 to 18 inches on top of your own height.
ProForm Carbon EL Weight
The ProForm Carbon EL weighs 202 pounds and can support up to 275 pounds in user weight.
What We Like:
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iFit-Enabled
The iFit workout app comes with a virtual library of tens of thousands of workouts, ranging from cardio to strength, as well as automatic trainer control and Bluetooth heart rate training. The program costs $15 per month for a single and $39 for a family. If you opt out of the program you can still use the elliptical in manual mode. What I like about this elliptical is thanks to the media shelf, you can always bring your own screen to watch Netlifx, Hulu, or any other program you want.
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Great Resistance
With 18 levels of silent magnetic resistance, there’s no chance you’ll outgrow this elliptical. Personally, I can get myself pretty worn out with even a few levels of magnetic resistance. What’s great about magnetic resistance, as opposed to the older friction models, is how smoothly you’ll transition from one level to another.
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19″ Manual Adjustable Stride
Irrespective of you height, you’ll not have a problem using this machine. Most ellipticals range from 18″ to 20″ so this one is right in the middle.
What We Don’t Like:
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Shorter Warranty
The 10-year warranty on the frame comes with a one-year warranty on parts and labor. This isn’t atrocious considering the price, but competitors do offer more.
This Elliptical Could Be For You If You Want:
- A high-quality elliptical under $800
- iFit workouts
- Built-in heart rate sensors and Bluetooth features
- 18 levels of silent magnetic resistance
Our Verdict:
If price is your driving point, then the ProForm Carbon EL is a great place to start shopping. At $799 you’re getting a solid little unit with 18 levels of magnetic resistance, no bells or whistles, but enough to make you sweat. Just for comparison, Horizon 7.0 AE does offer more features but costs $999, and the Bowflex Max Trainer M9 is priced at $1,999. What you’re getting with those machines is 20 levels of resistance, a heavier flywheel, and large screen. If high-quality and basic is your goal, this model is a great option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the ProForm Carbon EL Elliptical without iFit?
Yes, the machine works in manual mode. Fans of other apps can always park it in front of a smart television set of use a different screen.
How much does the iFit subscription cost?
The subscription cost is $39 per month or $396 per year for a family plan, and $180 per year for an individual.
Is it difficult to assemble a ProForm Carbon EL Elliptical?
Assembly is not particularly complicated, but it does help to have assistance as some of the parts are large. The process should take about an hour.
How much does the ProForm Carbon EL Elliptical weigh?
The machine weighs 202 pounds in-box.
What is the primary difference between the ProForm Carbon EL Elliptical and Carbon EX?
The Carbon EL Elliptical features a 15-pound flywheel whereas the Carbon EX has a 20-pounder.
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