So, you’ve narrowed your choice in treadmill to two and are having some trouble making the final decision. Here is our article comparing the pros and cons of the ProForm 505 CST treadmill and the Schwinn 830 treadmill.
ProForm 505 CST vs Schwinn 830 - The side-by-side difference:
Training Options:
The SchwinnConnect Goal Track capability of this treadmill allows you to set exercise goals and stay accountable. With 22 preset programs, a speed range of 0-12 MPH, and a 12% motorized incline you can customize your workouts to help you efficiently reach your goals.
With quick access speed and incline buttons, you can easily adjust your speed and incline with the touch of a button, allowing you to customize your manual workout or custom workout to meet your specific needs.
The ProForm 505 CST is iFit capable, meaning you can engage in the iFit community and access thousands of streaming workouts from your streaming device with the iFit app. Your treadmill data will be automatically loaded into iFit, if you have a subscription and the app, so you can track your workout stats.
If you choose not to use iFit, you will still have the option to use 18 preset programs, offering a speed range of 0-10 MPH and a 0-10% incline. There are quick access buttons so you can customize your workout with the touch of a button.
Winners:
Incline Range – Schwinn 830
Speed Range – Schwinn 830
Program Capabilities – ProForm 505 CST
Overall Training Features – Schwinn 830
For a more comprehensive review of the Schwinn 830you can read it here.
- Discover Trainer-Led Workouts; A 30-day iFit trial membership gives you access to interactive training sessions, on-demand studio & global workouts, and connected fitness tracking in your home
- 5” Backlit Display; Track speed, distance, and estimated calorie burn; Integrated Tablet Holder; Stream interactive iFit workouts to your own smart device to stay engaged and motivated as you train
- Self-Cooling Mach Z Drive System powers sustained speed, interval, and endurance cardio training; Trainer-led 0-10 MPH Digital QuickSpeed Control and 0-10% Digital Quick Incline Control
- 20” x 55” Tread Belt recommended for users under 6’2”; ProShox Deck Cushioning protects your joints for a more comfortable run and recovery; Dual 2” Speakers and Auxiliary Port for entertainment
- 325-pound user weight capacity; Protected by a 10-year frame warranty and 1-year parts and labor warranty; 61” H x 36” W x 73.5” L
While the iFit capability of the ProForm 505 CST is impressive, it does come with an additional monthly or annual cost. If this doesn’t bother you, and you don’t need the higher speed and incline options the Schwinn 830 has to offer, then the ProForm 505 CST would be the better option.
Most people who are shopping for treadmills like the idea of nixing their monthly gym membership, though, so we decided to crown the Schwinn 830 as the overall winner in the training features category. This also makes it a popular choice for treadmills under $1000.
Mechanics:
In this section, we will compare the mechanics of the ProForm 505 CST to the Schwinn 830 treadmill, including the cushioning, belt size, motor size, and weight limits for the machines.
As you know, cushioning is an important consideration for people who want to reduce their impact, absorb shock, and limit their risk for injuries. When it comes to comfort and preserving your ability to run with a natural stride, belt size is important to review.
Motor size is important because it impacts how long and hard you will be able to train. Also, motor size can impact the noise and vibration your machine generates when it is in use. Weight limits can be an important facet of your decision if you are large in size.
The 20” x 50” belt on the Schwinn 830 features 4 cell Soft Track cushioning technology. This machine is powered by a mid-sized 2.75 continuous horsepower motor that will provide a smooth, consistent workout. The maximum user weight is 300 pounds.
This machine is best used for walking or jogging, rather than sprinting or running, because of the shorter belt distance and smaller sized motor. For the average runner, this shouldn’t present much of a problem.
However, if you are over 6’ tall, your running stride may be too long for a belt of this size. Some people prefer the reliability of a larger motor when they are doing intense sprint and interval training.
The ProForm 505 CST tread belt is 20” x 55” and features ProShox cushioning technology. With a mid-sized 2.5 CHP Mach Z commercial motor, you will notice your motor runs smoothly and powerfully, even on your toughest runs. The maximum user weight is 325 pounds.
Winners:
Cushioning – ProForm 505 CST
Belt Size – ProForm 505 CST
Motor Size – Schwinn 830
Weight Limit – ProForm 505 CST
Overall Mechanics Winner – ProForm Power 995i
Although the ProForm 505 CST has a smaller motor than the Schwinn 830, it has a more spacious tread belt, higher eight limit, and more advanced cushioning. Users agree that the cushioning on the ProForm 505 CST is more luxurious and forgiving than the Soft Track cushioning on the Schwinn 830.
Though a 50” tread belt length doesn’t present much of a problem for most treadmill users, your workout will feel more natural and less cramped with the extra 5” on the ProForm 505 CST tread belt.
If you really want the extra space but want the iFit option, pop over and check out this comparison between the 505 and the Nordictrack 6.5
- Goal Track capability enables users to set individual exercise goals
- 12% motorized incline
- 20" W x 55" L running path
- 22 preset exercise programs: including manual, quick goal, train weight control, heart health, interval and custom workouts
- High resolution, blue backlit LCD screen offers increased visibility to programs and goal tracking
If you are someone who is planning to do intense interval, incline, or sprint training, you may be tempted to go with the larger motor.
The benefits of the larger motor on the Schwinn 830 are offset by the smaller belt size, which would impact your ability to comfortably exercise at fast speeds or with long strides. As far as comfort goes, the ProForm 505 CST is the clear winner.
Extra Features:
The 3” x 5” high-resolution blue backlit LCD on the Schwwin 830 screen displays your stats, such as time, distance, speed, laps, calories, and incline level for current workouts. You can also monitor your heart rate on the handlebars.
At the end of your workout, you’ll be able to review some of your past workouts to track your progress. Using the USB port, you can save your data and upload it to SchwinnConnect or the MyFitnessPal app.
Extra bells and whistles include a media stand, USB charging port, auxiliary port, speakers, 3-speed fan, and 2 water bottle holders. The Schwinn 830 Treadmill allows 4 user profiles for long term stat tracking.
The 5” backlist display on the ProForm 505 CST shows your mileage, speed, calorie burn, heart rate, and time. Your heart rate can be monitored on the EKG pulse grips or with the use of a compatible chest strap, sold separately.
Your ability to track your workout stats for the long term depends on whether or not you sign up for an iFit membership. Extra bells and whistles include a media stand, auxiliary port, built-in 2” speakers, a tablet holder, and two cup holders.
The tablet holder is especially impressive because it does not cover the display console. Plus, if you have an iFit membership, you can watch your fitness trainers from your tablet while it is on your machine. If you have an iFit membership, your treadmill will connect to your tablet via Bluetooth technology.
Warranty:
The Schwinn 830 Treadmill comes guaranteed with a 10-year frame warranty, a 10-year motor warranty, a 2-year mechanical warranty, and 90-days labor warranty.
The ProForm 505 CST comes with a lifetime frame warranty, 25-year motor warranty, and 1-year parts and labor warranty.
Conclusion: ProForm 505 CST vs Schwinn 830
As you can see, the ProForm 505 CST and Schwinn 830 treadmills offer many perks to their users. Although the Schwinn 830 has a larger motor, incline range, and speed range, you may be limited by its smaller belt size.
Despite its less impressive motor, incline range, and speed range, the ProForm 505 CST has iFit capabilities and advanced accessory features that make this machine more entertaining and engaging to use.
Most users will be satisfied with either machine, but if you are looking for personal trainer quality training, the ProForm 505 CST is better suited for your needs.
Hi, Jeremy Here,
I am the the guy behind Train for a 5K. On this site, I share everything that learned along my running journey. The content I create is the running training I wish I had before we started this journey. About Me.
Last update on 2023-09-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API