ProForm Trainer 12.0 Treadmill Review 2023

Dimensions/Storability

The ProForm Trainer 12.0 is a compact treadmill for running. Its dimensions are around 75” long, 35” wide, and 64” tall. The foldable deck helps to cut down on the overall floor space that the treadmill occupies.

The deck folds and unfolds with a lift assist mechanism. This means that when you bend down to pick up the backend of the deck, the deck assist kicks in to help so you don’t have to lift the deck’s entire weight. Once picked up, you can push the deck up towards the console where it will lock into place. To lower there is a vertical metal bar under the deck. When pressing your foot against it and pushing the deck up slightly, the deck unlocks and slowly lowers to the floor on its own. This is standard for most folding treadmills, especially ProForm’s other models.

When folded, you can move this treadmill around. There are two transport wheels so you just need to tip back the deck to engage the wheels. This might not be realistic for everyone, but most people should be able to move the Trainer 12.0 around when needed. I wouldn’t move it from room to room or move it around often, but it should be pretty easy to move if you have to. It weighs 223 lbs in the box, which is similar to other treadmills in its class.

As far as floor space, we recommend factoring in the treadmill’s dimensions and a few feet surrounding the treadmill to use it safely. It’s a good idea to leave some space behind the deck for folding and unfolding as well as when you use the treadmill.

For the ceiling height, we recommend an 8.5-foot tall ceiling to use this treadmill if you are a 6’0” tall runner. The step-up height of the deck is most likely around 10” high or so.

Onboard Workouts & Apps

The ProForm Trainer 12.0 Treadmill comes free when you purchase a 3-year subscription to iFIT. Many treadmills on the market come with touch screens and subscription training content. iFIT is one of the most popular (and one of the best in our opinion), so this is a great deal if you love iFIT or want a treadmill that offers guided training videos.

Note: The ProForm Trainer 12.0 is only able to be purchased with a 3-year membership to iFIT. If you try to remove the iFIT membership from your cart, the treadmill is removed too. So both are included together when buying.

iFIT

Here’s what to expect with a membership to iFIT on the ProForm Trainer 12.0 Treadmill.

iFIT is an interactive training platform that’s available to stream on equipment from ProForm and NordicTrack. iFIT offers thousands of workouts led by over 180 instructors. The instructor guides you through the workout providing guidance and motivation throughout.

iFIT offers workouts in a variety of disciplines such as walking, jogging, intervals, running, and hiking. There are also workouts for other types of fitness equipment like exercise bikes and rowers. On the Trainer 12.0, you can access all of the treadmill classes as well as mat classes like yoga, strength training, and meditation.

All of the workouts are filmed either in professional studios indoors or in areas all over the world. The indoor workouts are formatted after in-person group workouts. The outdoor workouts are especially vast because they’re filmed on every continent on Earth.

The outdoor workouts are what set iFIT apart. You can take workouts led through cities, over glaciers, up mountains, and across beaches. Even real-life races like the Boston Marathon are available to take on iFIT. These events are filmed in different parts, so you can take different portions of the race or take them all together.

The Google Map feature allows you to create routes of your own when you want to explore and workout without being led by a trainer. You can draw routes on a Google Map on the 12.0’s screen. Once in the workout, Google Images are displayed to show the location.

iFIT also has a music feature. Music plays in the background of the iFIT workouts. There are different genres of music that are split into different stations kind of like on the radio. Each station has a preset playlist of songs that play. I think it would be nice in the future to see some of the indoor-filmed workouts incorporate music. Having music integrated into the workout lets you listen to it with the instructor so different songs can be utilized during different portions of the workouts to add to the overall energy.

Overall, when it comes to training content, iFIT has a lot to offer and makes using any treadmill a fun and interactive experience. We expect the ProForm Trainer 12.0 to be the same.

Onboard Workouts

The Trainer 12.0 can be used without a subscription to iFIT. Manual mode, which is also available with iFIT can be used. This is where a white track is displayed on the screen along with your workout metrics. You adjust the treadmill as you go in this mode. A featured iFIT workout is also available to stream without a subscription to iFIT. This gives you a preview of what iFIT is like to use.

Streaming from apps like Netflix and YouTube aren’t available and internet browsing isn’t available. You also can’t connect your device through Bluetooth to play content like Spotify through the 12.0’s speakers.

Console

The console features a 10” touch screen to stream iFIT from. This isn’t the largest touch screen, but it still should make streaming from iFIT enjoyable and easy to use. I can see everything and navigate iFIT’s library on other treadmills with this size screen like the NordicTrack EXP 10i and ProForm Carbon T10. 7” touch screens like the EXP 7i and Carbon T7 Treadmills are a little too small for some people.

The screen adjusts by tilting up and down very slightly. It doesn’t pivot from side to side or adjust super well. The tilting should help avoid overhead glare.

The overall layout of the console is very similar to other treadmills from ProForm. There are numbered quick-adjusting buttons below the screen. The top row adjusts the incline and the bottom row adjusts the speed. I like having these buttons. This isn’t the most streamlined layout. On other treadmills like the ProForm Pro 2000 and Carbon TLX Treadmills, I sometimes hit an incline button when I meant to adjust the speed.

The Trainer 12.0 will also auto-adjust to match the format of the iFIT workout. The speed and incline will adjust as you go. You can bypass this at any time by adjusting the treadmill yourself, but this is one of my favorite iFIT features. It makes for hands-free training.

The speakers should be clear and offer plenty of volume. You can adjust the volume based on the instructor’s voice and/or the music volume, too. Even though ProForm says that they are iPod compatible, I’m assuming the speakers are the same as other ProForm machines with touch screens. iFIT content should play through them and there’s an Aux input to plug in your own headphones. You might be able to connect your Bluetooth headphones, but I’m not entirely sure.

The fans should be well-powered and offer multiple airflow settings. We’ll update this review once we have the Trainer 12.0 to let you know how powerful the fan feels.

The console doesn’t have much storage, but it should support everything you could need nearby. There are two cupholders for your standard water bottle. There is also a ledge to put your phone or tablet to stream content of your choice, below the screen. A larger tablet might block the touch screen and numbered adjustment buttons on the Trainer 12.0, so keep this in mind. It’s nice to be able to have the choice to stream content from your device on this treadmill though.

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Build Quality

For a budget treadmill, the ProForm Trainer 12.0 has some nice specs. We anticipate that this compact treadmill should handle moderate use because of its motor size. Although you’re essentially getting it for free with iFIT, the Trainer 12.0 is a well-designed treadmill on its own.

It handles up to 300 lbs, which is the standard weight limit for ProForm’s Treadmills. This is a good weight limit for treadmills in this price range.

Frame

The ProForm Trainer 12.0 Treadmill has a steel frame that supports the deck, 2 steel uprights that support the console, and a steel crossbar mounted between the uprights. I really like this design for budget treadmills. The steel crossbar helps to make the overall construction, especially the console with the touch screen more stable.

I wish more entry-level treadmills had crossbars. I assume because of this, the Trainer 12.0 should feel stable and steady to use.

The handles appear to have a plastic coating over them. They should be within a good reach and I doubt they’re slippery. The front and side handles remind me of the ProForm Pro 9000 and Pro 2000 Treadmills. They should offer plenty of support when you need them.

Motor

The Trainer 12.0 has a 3.0 HP motor. This is the smallest motor size that we usually recommend for running. This is the same motor size as the ProForm Carbon TLX, Sole F63, and Horizon 7.0 AT. We assume it should handle moderate amounts of walking, jogging, and running.

The 12.0 has a 12 mph max speed range which is a 5-minute mile running pace. This is a typical maximum speed for most home treadmills. The NordicTrack EXP 7i has a 10 mph max speed, so you get a little more with the ProForm Trainer 12.0.

The deck inclines up to 12%, which is a good range for an entry-level treadmill. It doesn’t decline, but many treadmills in this price range don’t.

Deck

A big reason why we consider the ProForm Trainer 12.0 Treadmill to be a compact treadmill for running is the deck size. It is 20” wide and 55” long. This length should support all walking and jogging strides. 60” is what we have found to be ideal for all stride lengths when it comes to running.

If you have a shorter running stride like me, you’ll probably have enough room to run on the deck at the 12.0’s higher speeds. If you need more length though, I would check out the ProForm Carbon TLX, Horizon 7.0 AT, or Sole F63.

The deck cushioning should offer nice shock absorption. ProForm Treadmills overall tend to have deck cushioning that feels comfortable. The Trainer 12.0 probably doesn’t feel as cushioned as the NordicTrack EXP 7i, but not as firm as the Sole F63.

Warranty

ProForm doesn’t have the warranty for the Trainer 12.0 listed. This treadmill most likely comes with a 10-year frame warranty, a 1 or 2-year parts warranty, and a 1-year labor warranty. All of ProForm’s other treadmills come with these warranties.

Should You Buy The ProForm Trainer 12.0 Treadmill

When it comes to ProForm’s Treadmills, we have found them to be of high quality with good tech features and training capabilities in compact, yet foldable designs. The ProForm Trainer 12.0 has all this on paper which is a good indication that this treadmill will perform similarly to others from the brand. Once we get the Trainer 12.0 Treadmill into our studio, we’ll update you with more information on how it performs and held up during our testing.

For an entry-level treadmill that should handle running, the Trainer 12.0 has everything we are look for. Its deck makes it compact and storable and the steel design with the added crossbar should make it stable to use. It has a nice-sized 10” touch screen for streaming iFIT and you really can’t beat that it comes for free with a 3-year membership to iFIT.

If you’re looking for a great deal for a treadmill that comes with immersive training content, then check out the ProForm Trainer 12.0 Treadmill.

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ProForm Trainer 12.0 Treadmill Review FAQs / Q&As

Can you use the ProForm Trainer 12.0 Treadmill without a subscription?

The ProForm Trainer 12.0 Treadmill and ProForm’s other treadmills can be used without a subscription to iFIT. When you’re not logged into iFIT, manual mode is available along with a featured iFIT workout.

Considering the ProForm Trainer 12.0 comes free with the purchase of a 3-year membership to iFIT, we highly recommend utilizing iFIT workouts on this treadmill. With auto-adjusting, thousands of trainer-led workouts, and the ability to create your own routes in locations all around the world, iFIT is one of the best training platforms out there.

Are ProForm Treadmills reliable?

We have seen ProForm Treadmills perform well and withstand regular use for years. We recommend using a ProForm Treadmill, and any treadmill for that matter, appropriately. This means, regularly lubricating the belt, placing a rubber mat under the treadmill, and using the treadmill for as much use as the motor is said to handle.

What is the average life of a ProForm Treadmill?

The average life of a ProForm Treadmill can be upwards of 10 years or so. It depends on how it is used and kept. With proper maintenance and appropriate use, you should expect your ProForm Treadmill to last for years.

Is this ProForm Trainer 12.0 Treadmill review a paid review?

We were not paid to compile this ProForm Trainer 12.0 review. ProForm did not pay us. We hope they’ll send us this treadmill so we can thoroughly test and evaluate it, but in the meantime, we’ve created this full spec review to share how we assume this treadmill will perform. We create treadmill reviews so we can accurately recommend the best treadmills on the market. We also work with several different brands and test all kinds of models so the information that we provide you is meaningful to allow you to find your perfect treadmill.

We have affiliate links that allow us to get a commission if you purchase through them. This is how we make money and how we’re able to do what we do here at TRG.

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About the Author

Sydney Kaiser, ISSA-CPT, ISSA Nutritionist Certification
Sydney is a certified fitness instructor, personal trainer, and sports nutritionist who combines her passion for fitness, health, and wellness with her passion for writing. After graduating from UC Riverside with a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing, she began teaching indoor cycling and Lagree Fitness group fitness classes to people of all ages and abilities. Raised in Central Michigan, Sydney grew up training and competing on the Arabian Horse Association circuit through both Regional and National levels in Dressage and Sport Horse classes. In college, Sydney went on to compete at the collegiate level as a Division 1 equestrian athlete. Here at TRG, Sydney relies on her extensive background in fitness when reviewing and recommending all kinds of fitness, recovery, and health-related products.

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