ProForm Carbon EL
A compact, quiet elliptical under $800 with 18 resistance levels, adjustable stride, 20-degree incline, and iFIT Bluetooth connectivity.
Budget shoppers who want a capable elliptical with incline and iFIT connectivity without breaking the bank
Our Verdict
A compact, quiet elliptical under $800 with 18 resistance levels, adjustable stride, 20-degree incline, and iFIT Bluetooth connectivity.
Rating Breakdown
Why Trust This Review
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Pros & Cons
Pros
- Affordable price under $800 with incline and iFIT connectivity
- 20-degree incline is impressive for the price range
- Quiet magnetic resistance suitable for apartments
- Compact design fits in smaller workout spaces
Cons
- No built-in screen — requires your own tablet or phone
- 15-lb flywheel is lighter than industry standard (16-20 lbs)
- 19-inch max stride may feel short for taller users
- Best iFIT features require $39/month subscription
Full Review
Overview
The ProForm Carbon EL is a budget-friendly elliptical that delivers surprising performance for its price point. With 18 levels of silent magnetic resistance, an adjustable stride up to 19 inches, and 20 degrees of incline capability, it offers features typically reserved for machines costing significantly more.
Resistance and Stride
The 18 digital resistance levels provide adequate range for beginners through intermediate users. The stride length is adjustable up to 19 inches — shorter than the 20-inch standard on premium machines but sufficient for most users under 6 feet tall. The 15-lb flywheel ensures reasonably smooth pedal motion.
Incline Capability
The 20-degree incline capability is impressive for this price range, allowing you to change the angle of your elliptical motion to target different muscle groups. This is a feature many budget ellipticals lack entirely.
iFIT Integration
The ProForm Carbon EL does not include a built-in touchscreen, but it connects to iFIT via Bluetooth. You can stream workouts to your own device (tablet or phone) placed on the integrated device shelf, with the machine auto-adjusting resistance during iFIT sessions.
Space and Build
The compact design fits in smaller spaces, and the machine weighs approximately 150 lbs. The 300 lb weight capacity is standard for this price range. Built-in heart rate sensors on the handlebars provide contact heart rate monitoring.
Alternatives to ProForm Carbon EL
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The Carbon EL works in manual mode without any subscription. You can adjust resistance and incline manually and use the basic console display for metrics. iFIT adds guided workouts and auto-adjusting resistance but is not required.
Users under 6 feet will find the 19-inch stride comfortable. Taller users may feel somewhat restricted and should consider the NordicTrack FS10i (32-inch adjustable stride) or Sole E95 (20-inch stride) for a more comfortable fit.