There are many different cardio machines currently available on ProForm. From excellent treadmills to sleek stationary exercise bikes, you can find the right machine for your personal fitness needs, all at a lower price when using our ProForm promo code.
One popular exercise machine is the elliptical. ProForm offers several variations, from the front-drive ellipticals to their rear-drive folding ellipticals. But there are also the HIIT Trainers, which offer a similar experience to an elliptical. So, we’re here to try and answer what the differences are and whether you should go with an elliptical or a HIIT Trainer.
What Is A ProForm HIIT Trainer
If you have never heard of the ProForm HIIT Trainers, you may not be sure why we are comparing them to ellipticals. Pictured above is the ProForm SMART HIIT Trainer Pro, which is one of the two currently available on ProForm. Likely, the first thing you notice is how compact the machine is when compared to an elliptical.
That’s not to say that the HIIT Trainer isn’t a well-built machine. But instead of long gliding motions, the HIIT Trainer provides more focused up and down motions, similar to a stair-stepping machine. More of your leg muscles are engaged when engaged in the gliding up and down movement of the HIIT Trainer, which is often why those who love high-intensity cardio are drawn to these machines.
Why Compare Ellipticals vs. HIIT Trainers
So, why compare ProForm ellipticals vs. ProForm HIIT Trainers? Well, when you are looking for a low-impact cardio machine that allows you to stand comfortably, these are the two machines that come up. Also, due to the similar gliding mechanics, HIIT Trainers are often compared to ellipticals to explain what it is like to use one of these machines.
But there are some clear differences between ellipticals vs. HIIT Trainers, and these differences may be enough to help you decide which machine is right for you.
Main Differences Of ProForm HIIT Trainers vs. Ellipticals
It is a little difficult to compare all ProForm ellipticals to the ProForm HIIT Trainers, as there is more variability among the ellipticals than there are with the few HIIT Trainers. However, no matter what model of elliptical you are talking about, there are some clear differences from a HIIT Trainer.
Type Of Motion
Now, we have described the motion of both machines as gliding, and that is true but not the whole story. On an elliptical, you will have a longer stride, which may or may not feel natural. Most ProForm ellipticals have auto-adjusting stride lengths, allowing you to comfortably stretch out your legs.
While on a HIIT Trainer, the gliding motion isn’t much of a forward stride as it is an upward slide. The smooth motion is comfortably low-impact, but it is a much shorter range of motion, as it focuses on an up and down glide, like a smooth-moving stair stepper machine.
Footprint
The footprint of HIIT Trainers vs. ellipticals is a major point of difference between these two types of machines. To give an example of the difference, let’s take the ProForm SMART HIIT Trainer Pro and the ProForm SMART Pro 16.9 elliptical.
On the HIIT Trainer Pro, it measures 29.25″ wide, 52″ long, and 66.7″ tall, while on the other hand, the Pro 16.9 25.75” wide, 79.75” long, and 72.25” tall. So, while the Pro 16.9 is a little smaller width-wise when compared to the HIIT Trainer Pro, the HIIT Trainer is considerably less long and tall. For those who have limited floor space may find the HIIT Trainer Pro easier to bring home than an elliptical.
Weight Capacity
When it comes to weight capacity, it can be a little tricky to spot the differences, depending on what elliptical you are comparing to the HIIT Trainers. With ProForm ellipticals, starting max weight capacity is 300 pounds, and some machines can go up to 375 pounds max user weight.
With the HIIT Trainers, the starting max user weight is 325 pounds—ProForm Carbon HIIT H7—and goes up to 350 pounds. So, both types of machines are pretty generous with their weight capacity caps.
Incline Ability
One feature that most of the ProForm ellipticals have than the HIIT Trainers completely lack is the ability to incline. While not all of the ellipticals can incline, there are many that can, and it can add a layer of complexity and engagement to your workouts. Due to the design of the HIIT Trainers, it wouldn’t make sense to have them incline since you’d probably fall off the back.
Which Machine Is Right For You
There is a lot to recommend both ProForm HIIT Trainers and ProForm ellipticals and which machine is best for you will depend highly on your exercise needs and preferences. Price points are also important, and the ProForm ellipticals offer more range than the HIIT Trainers.
Whether you choose to go with a ProForm elliptical or one of the ProForm HIIT Trainers, be sure you click on our promo code to help you save on your future purchase!