There is indeed a market for the under-$500 treadmill, and ProForm answers that demand with the Cadence 4.0. Available at online or at retailers like Dick’s Sporting Goods and Academy Sports, it’s as bare bones a model as a brand like ProForm is going to produce. In my experience trying out treadmills though, there is certainly a customer out there for this $400 to $500 unit. Built with just a 16″ x 47″ tread belt, as opposed to the 20″ x 60″ on most other units, this is clearly a treadmill for walkers. The 1.6 CHP motor is also an indicator that running is out of the question. But for some folks that might be just what the doctor ordered, literally.

The good news is the Cadence 4.0 does bring six built-in workouts, so you won’t necessarily be tied to ProForm’s iFit app, which brings with it automatic trainer control as well as live programming. And so if I’m looking for a small, folding treadmill I can wheel about the house with ease for simple walking workouts, the low-cost ProForm Cadence 4.0 could actually be a solid choice.

Why You Should Trust Our Review Of The ProForm Cadence 4.0

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 Cadence 4.0. 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

Right from the start, if you’re considering the ProForm Cadence 4.0, you are not a marathon runner looking to train year-round. This treadmill is priced under $500 and brings a tight little package to your home for the purposes of walking workouts. It’s not available through the ProForm corporate website, rather this is a model you might spot while at a sporting goods store or online. The unit does fold easily enough and only measures 61.5″ x 28″ x 50.5″ with a 16″ x 47″ tread belt. Equipped with a 5″ LCD screen, you can either use one of the six built-in programs, or ring your own screen. With a top speed of 10 miles per hour and a two-incline position choice of either 3% or 5.6%, there’s no question in my mind you can break a sweat as a walker with this unit.

ProForm Cadence 4.0 – Pros & Cons (2024) - Key Specs:

In-Depth Review of the ProForm Cadence 4.0

Why We Like It

The ProForm Cadence 4.0 comes in between $400 and $500 depending on the retailer and answers the question every walker asks: Why can’t I just buy a simple little treadmill without all the fuss? If that sounds like you, the Cadence 4.0 might be your jam. In my experience, treadmills built by the iFit family of units – NordicTrack, ProForm, and Freemotion – perform well and hold their value well. This isn’t necessarily the case with all basement-priced brands of equipment. But if you’re someone who just wants to walk on a treadmill in your home, keep reading, because another big benefit here is the built-in workouts which mean you have access to the $39 per month iFit program if you choose, but you’re not locked into buying it in order to use the affixed screen.

It Has A Simple Console

I have to assume if you’re shopping in the under-$500 range you’re not expecting a flashy 14″ screen. That said, the ProForm Cadence 4.0 offers a usable 5″ LCD screen with data readout for metrics like time, mileage, and calories. The screen is designed to be used with the six built-in programs that come with the treadmill, as well as the Bluetooth heart rate monitor you could opt to incorporate into the workout. Notice the console also features a media shelf for either a tablet or smartphone. If all you’re looking for is a simple walking treadmill, this is built for you. Like all iFit-produced treadmills, this does come enabled for that app and you can use it with your own screen. The good news is you’re not locked into it if you opt out.

The ProForm Cadence 4.0 features a 5″ LCD screen with media shelf. Photo by Dick’s Sporting Goods.

Purchase of the ProForm Cadence 4.0 does include a 30-day iFit plan to give you a taste of the program. iFit brings with it automatic trainer control and access to live and on-demand workouts. In addition to treadmill workouts, the program offers nutrition planning, strength training, yoga, biking, and just about everything else. Last I checked, there were more than 10,000 on-demand workouts with more coming every week. I’ve been using iFit for three years now and love it. If you do buy the treadmill, I’d strongly advise taking them up on the 30-day free trial to see what you think. Normally it runs $39 per month for a family plan. What’s unique here is how interactive the program is. If you’re used to programs you just watch and follow, give iFit a try. The program can sync with your heart rate monitor and control the incline and speed to match your target rates, all the while automatically following the workout paths, whether along the hills of Scotland or the jungle trails of the Amazon.

Take A Look At What iFit Can Do on the ProForm Cadence 4.0

Video Courtesy of iFit

A Very Compact Treadmill

Certainly on the smaller side of the treadmill world, the ProForm Cadence 4.0 measures 61.5″ x 28″ x 50.5″ with a 16″ x 47 tread belt. Just for comparison, consider that the ProForm Pro 9000 measures 77.3″ x 35.9″ x 59.6″ when in use and has a 20″ x 60″ belt. Notice that extra foot and a half in length, as well as five inches in width and 13″ in length for the belt. The treadmill itself weighs 110 pounds and yet only has a 225-pound weight maximum. Definitely a unit for walkers, the good news is it fits easily into most homes.

The ProForm Cadence 4.0 features two incline levels. Photo by Target

Two Incline Options

Instead of a full range of incline, the ProForm Cadence 4.0 offers two settings, the first at 3% and the second at 5.6%. With a maximum speed of 10 miles per hour, you’ll be able to do both fast walking and hiking workouts here, with some lighter users able to perform High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT). If you do opt for the iFit program, then this treadmill will sync with that and you can use 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.

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 concerned about a folding treadmill’s stability, that’s not the case anymore. With the touch of a 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 Cadence 4.0 folds up easily. Photo by Target

ProForm Cadence 4.0 Dimensions

The dimensions of the ProForm Cadence 4.0 treadmill are 61.5″ x 28″ x 50″ when in use. The good news about this treadmill is you won’t have a hard time moving it in and out of whatever room you choose. It takes up very little space, and considering it’s a folding unit, you can place it in front of a television if need be.

ProForm Cadence 4.0 Weight

The ProForm Trainer 14.0 weighs 110 pounds and supports up to 225 pounds in user weight.

What We Like:

• Low Price

  The ProForm Cadence 4.0 price will vary store to store, but we’re seeing it between $379 and $450. That’s tough to be beat for a brand name treadmill, in my experience.

• Compact Model

  A treadmill like this won’t take up the whole room. When I use treadmills in my house, space is the first consideration. If you’re living in an apartment or a small home, this is a key consideration.

• iFit Treadmill Workouts

  You don’t need iFit to use this treadmill, that said, 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.

• 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.

What We Don’t Like:

• Limited Buying Options

  This machine is available only in certain retail stores or from their website. This means you’ll have to shop around instead of going directly to ProForm’s site. Pricing will also vary.

• Smaller Motor

  With a motor of only 1.6 CHP, this machine won’t stand to as much use as a larger unit. Keep that in mind.

• Smaller Tread Belt

  The 16″ x 47″ tread belt is an odd size. If you find yourself needing to replace it for some reason, a new belt might be hard to find. This is one of the shorter belts you’ll see.

• Weak Warranty

  The warranty on this unit is one year for the motor, and 90 days on all other parts. Keep that in mind when using.

This Treadmill Could Be For You If You Want:

• A small, inexpensive treadmill
• A folding treadmill easily stored

Our Verdict:

The ProForm Cadence 4.0 is a low-cost treadmill for those seeking the bare bones. If you’re in the market for an under-$500 treadmill, this is one to consider. Given the short warranty, I’d also recommend taking a look at the Horizon T101, which isn’t that much more expensive but offers a number of better features.

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