Last Updated on December 2, 2022 by Jeff
ProForm 520 ZN Treadmill Overview
The ProForm 520 ZN Treadmill is at the lower price range for home treadmills but still has a good belt size and a solid warranty. Keep your workout fresh with 18 programmed workouts and watch your progress with the grip pulse heart rate monitor. Four shock absorbers along the frame keep you from feeling the impact no matter how fast you are running. As a bonus, this affordable treadmill has an additional port that is compatible with the Apple iPod (not included).
The ProForm 540 ZN treadmill has a 2.5 horsepower motor, 10% incline and speeds up to 10 mph. A fan keeps you cool while you run.
Click here to see the latest price on the ProForm 520 ZN Treadmill.
Technical Info:
Dimensions:
- Height: 68.11”
- Width: 35.74”
- Length: 73.5”
- Item weight: 195 lbs
- Max user weight: 300 lbs
- Belt length: 55”
- Belt width: 20”
Features:
- Additional port compatible with the Apple iPod means you also have all of your favorite music and playlists at your fingertips.
- LCD monitor and grip pulse heart rate monitor
- 18 programmed workouts keeps your runs interesting and lets you work toward different goals.
Monitor Features:
- Grip pulse heart rate monitoring.
- Tracks speed, distance and calories burned.
Warranty:
- Frame: Lifetime
- Motor: 25 years
- Parts and labor: 1 year
Shipping and Assembly
ProForm treadmills and other fitness machines are sold by a number of sellers, so free shipping should be easily found. Coupons, special offers and other deals can also be found which should let you not only get your treadmill to your door as inexpensively as possible, but at a pretty good price as well.
One of the biggest advantages of the ProForm 520 ZN treadmill is the ease of assembly. All of the parts are clearly labeled, and the directions are very clear. It should take no time at all to get this treadmill together. You will only need a Philip’s screwdriver, which is not included.
What We Love About the ProForm 520 ZN Treadmill
Super Easy Assembly
Oftentimes, trying to assemble new fitness equipment can become a painstaking process. Sometimes, the difficulty of such as task can make for a case of buyer’s remorse. The ProForm 520 ZN treadmill delivers on its promise of super easy assembly and two people had it up and ready to roll in less than 45 minutes according to some reviews.
Shock Absorbers
Customers who have purchased the ProForm 520 have seemed to enjoy both the appearance and function of the shock absorbers. When running on the belt, customers noted that they were pretty pleased with how much impact the shocks managed to block, and how much quieter it was to run on this treadmill than others that had tried.
Solid Warranty
A company that does not back its products is not one that you should fully trust. Most people choose a treadmill with the intention of having it for at least 5-10 years or longer. The warranty on this treadmill will ensure that you can count on the frame and motor for even longer.
Other Considerations
The Monitor
There are some reports of some issues with the monitor. Apparently it’s somewhat hard to read. Second, reports are that the heart rate itself is inaccurate. Yes, everyone knows that touch sensors are not exactly on the dot accurate, but they are usually close enough to give you a range—you know that you are at least in the ballpark when you get your reading. Users report that this monitor is so far off, it almost defeats the purpose of having it in the first place.
Speed Issues
The speed that you choose may not always be the speed that you are getting with this treadmill. Many trainees are finding that they have to manually change the speed several times during a run because the belt has either sped up or slowed down on its own. This is not only frustrating, but it can also be a safety hazard, especially if the belt speeds up for more than you are capable of handling.
Belt Slips
In addition to the weird speed issues, some users are finding their belt sliding to one side or the other, leaving them off center and causing additional issues. If the belt does not feed through smoothly it can jam and may stop altogether at some point. If the slip happens during a run, you could be thrown to the side and potentially injured.
How the ProForm 520 ZN Compares to the ProForm 6.0 RT Treadmill
Overall, the 520 ZN is the larger of the two with a longer/wider belt and a much better warranty. It has nearly twice the workout programs with the same speed and incline capabilities. Unless you need a smaller machine or one that folds, the 520 ZN is the better choice at a slightly higher price tag. Even with the risk of some of the listed problems, it is a solid treadmill and many people will never have a single one of these issues. Still, it is good to be aware of them so that you know what to watch for with your own treadmill.
Final Word on the ProForm 520 ZN Treadmill
The ProForm 520 ZN Treadmill is an easy-to-assemble, comfortable treadmill with plenty of built-in programming to keep you focused on your goals. Although a fairly simple treadmill with incline and speed adjustments available, this is not a state-of-the-art, gym-caliber treadmill. Trainees have reported safety issues with it repeatedly. However, given the solid warranty, if you decide to try it out, you should be able to receive some help with repairs or returns. All in all, this is an okay option for beginners to intermediate runners looking for a simple, at-home treadmill.
Click below to see the latest price on the ProForm 520 ZN Treadmill.
