ProForm ZT4 Review (2024): An Older Model With No Frills

ProForm has been around since the 1980s and still produces affordable, quality cardio machines to this day. With such a storied history, it’s no surprise that the company has retired products to make way for the latest and greatest. The ProForm ZT4 is one of those machines. 

The ProForm ZT4 treadmill is an entry-level machine that was sold by the brand in the mid 2010s. It’s been discontinued, but we’re sure there are still some floating around out there. So if you’re looking to replace your ZT4 or find a similar product, check out this ProForm ZT4 review to learn everything you’d want to know about this piece of exercise equipment. 

We’re Like, Famous, For Our Fitness Equipment Reviews 

Team GGR has expertise in all things fitness equipment, and we can rattle off lists of the best treadmills, the best ellipticals, the best barbells, and more at the drop of a dime (You checked out our Fitness Most Wanted Awards, right?). As certified personal trainers, CrossFit Level 1 Trainers, and former college athletes, we know what products deserve all the kudos, and what’s effective to help ourselves, and our clients, meet fitness goals. 

Looking for an Alternative to the ProForm ZT4?

Since the ProForm ZT4 is discontinued, we recommend two alternatives: the ProForm City L6 or the Horizon T101. If you want to stick with ProForm, the former is a similar price, albeit a slightly different machine. The latter option from Horizon is also similarly priced, and has almost identical specs to ZT4. (Editor’s note: On October 27, 2023, two models of the Horizon T101 treadmill with serial numbers starting with TM 734 and TM 486 were recalled due to the machine unexpectedly changing speed or stopping.)

Best Alternative to ProForm ZT4

ProForm City L6 Folding Treadmill

GGR Score: 3

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Product Highlights

• Foldable treadmill 
• 0-8 MPH
• 125-lb product weight 
• 250-lb user weight capacity

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Foldable design
• iFIT programming with trainer-controlled speed
• Tablet holder
• Free shipping
• Bluetooth-enabled
• 0-8 MPH speed

Cons

• No built in screen for iFIT programming
• 30-day return policy with $250 shipping + 10% restocking fee
• User weight capacity 250 lbs
• No incline or decline ability

Bottom Line

The ProForm City L6 folding treadmill is an affordable and compact treadmill to add to your home even if you don’t have a dedicated home gym.

Best Alternative to ProForm ZT4

Horizon Fitness T101

GGR Score: 3.75

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Product Highlights

• Foldable treadmill
• Best suited for walkers, joggers or cardio newbies
• Compact, sturdy and easy to use
• Console fan, Bluetooth speakers, device holder, and a rapid-charge USB port

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Easy assembly
• One touch keys to quickly shift speed and incline
• Integrated Bluetooth speakers
• Device holder
• Affordable
• Easy to use
• Great for beginners
• Financing available

Cons

• 2.5 continuous horsepower motor will not support heavy running
• Smaller running surface is not ideal for tall runners

Bottom Line

The Horizon T101 Treadmill is a compact, durable and quiet no-frills folding treadmill ideal for walkers or joggers offered at an unbeatable price.

A Quick Look at the ProForm ZT4

ProForm offers cardio equipment at a more affordable price range than its sister company, NordicTrack, and the discontinued machine we’ll be talking about in this treadmill review is no exception.

The ProForm ZT4 is a budget-friendly, simple-to-use folding treadmill best-suited for walkers and casual runners. While this machine does have a cushioned deck, the tread belt is only 50 inches long and the motor is 2.75 horsepower, so it won’t work well for anyone who wants to log serious miles.  

ProForm ZT4 Specs

Footprint, Portability, and Durability

One shining characteristic of the ProForm ZT4 is its spacesaver design; the deck folds up toward the console with ProForm’s EasyAssist folding mechanism, which we’ve used before and enjoy. There are transport wheels, too, so you can move it more easily once it’s folded up. Even though this machine does have a small footprint of only 70 inches long by 33 inches wide by 53 inches high, it’s nice to have the extra flexibility for a small home gym.   

Now, because this is a budget machine, sacrifices have to be made, starting with the short running area at 18 inches wide and 50 inches long. Next, the motor, at only 2.75 CHP, won’t be great for people who want to run long and hard, but should be fine for those who just want to walk for short bouts daily. 

However, the 300-pound weight capacity of the ZT4 is right at industry standard, and makes it more inclusive for exercisers of varying sizes. I’ve tested the ProForm Carbon T7, a successor of the ZT4 that has very similar mechanical specs, and did experience some shaking when I was running. I’m nowhere near the weight limit, so that’s something to consider if you’re looking to replace your ZT4 with a similar machine from the same company.  

Ergonomics

While we haven’t personally tested the ZT4, we can make some assumptions on how it feels to use this machine because of our experience with other cardio machines that showcase similar specs. 

We like the ZT4’s ProShox cushioning, a cushioning treadmill system we’ve experienced before—and enjoyed—on other ProForm models like the Pro 5000. There are short handrails on each side of the ZT4’s deck, which walkers may appreciate, as well as quick-select buttons for speed and incline on the console.

Because the running surface is on the smaller side—at 18 inches wide by 50 inches long, it’s suitable for walkers—tall people or runners should consider a different model with more room to stride. 

The ZT4 does feature a Coolaire workout fan at the bottom of the console area, but some Amazon customer reviews from shorter users said the placement was less-than-ideal, blowing air directly into their eyes.  

Technology Benefits and Conveniences

There aren’t too many tech benefits on the ProForm ZT4. Because it’s an older model, the only thing you’ll see is iPod compatibility (do you still have one of those?) so you can play music from the two built-in speakers. 

There’s a basic LCD display screen on this treadmill from which you can view stats like time elapsed, distance, and calories burned, or follow along to one the 16 built-in workout programs. While these built-in workouts are a nice touch, if you’re interested in iFIT or Bluetooth capabilities, you should look at a more recent model like the ProForm Carbon T7. 

The ZT4 also comes equipped with pulse grips on the handrails for heart rate monitoring—while these aren’t the most accurate, for an older-model treadmill, you take what you can get. There’s a media shelf to store your phone, or iPod, while you’re walking, and there are dual water bottle holders on the console as well to help you stay hydrated. 

Final Verdict of Our ProForm ZT4 Review

The ProForm ZT4 treadmill has been discontinued by the brand, but the ProForm City L6 or Horizon T101 are good alternative options. If you’re looking for a machine with similar specs to the ZT4, consider this:

• The ZT4 is an entry-level machine that would be most effective for walkers.
• It is foldable and has a small footprint, so it’s suitable for those looking for compact exercise equipment. 
• Tech capabilities are almost non-existent, so if that stuff is important to you, consider a more recent treadmill model. 

ProForm ZT4 Rating

ProForm ZT4

The ProForm ZT4 is an older-model treadmill from a respected brand. See how this entry-level machine stacks up in our ProForm ZT4 review.

Product Brand: ProForm

Product Currency: USD

Product In-Stock: InStock

Editor's Rating:
2.9

ProForm ZT4 FAQs

Nicole Davis, CPT, PN1-NC

Nicole is the head of content at GGR. She's been a journalist for the last 13 years and a CPT/group fitness instructor for the last 10 years. She grew up playing tennis, became an avid runner in college, competed in a bikini competition in her mid-twenties, and even completed a triathlon. Her workout of choice nowadays is strength training, plus logging her daily steps. After her first daughter was born six years ago, she became especially passionate about prenatal and postnatal fitness, teaching stroller bootcamp classes and working with expecting moms as clients. Post-journalism school, Nicole worked in print media as a magazine editor for eight years, then went freelance for a while, writing for fitness websites and manufacturers in the industry. Now, as the the head of content at GGR, she brings her expertise in fitness to writing and editing honest reviews on everything you might need for your home gym.

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