The Proform 745 CS treadmill is a fairly run of the mill mid-range (usually sell for around $599) treadmill, though when the model was first released it was a pretty impressive.  The 745 CS comes with a pulse sensor, 6 built in certified personal trainer fitness programs, and inclines to a 10% grade at .5% intervals, as well as a quick speed selector up to 10 MPH. 

The design of the Proform 745 CS makes working out convenient with its built-in water bottle holder, book holder and extra spot for a TV remote or MP3 player (though there is no dock).  And when you’re not exercising, the 745CS can be folded up, requiring less than half the floor space of an open treadmill.  One of the best features of the 745 CS is the easy to read console that displays all you need to know during your workout, such as the amount of calories that you have burned, how far you’ve gone in miles, how long it has taken you to go a mile and more.

For the price, the 745 CS is a sturdy machine that lasts a long time with very few maintenance issues.  The warranty for the 745 CS is pretty standard and doesn’t last very long, but there are few reported problems with this machine with long term use. However, this is not a high-end treadmill and we wouldn’t expect it to stand up well to long term heavy use (i.e. long runs daily).   This treadmill does run very smoothly though and the variable speed control makes it easy to get a great workout.  If you choose one of the preloaded workouts, the incline and speed will change automatically.  These preloaded workouts will challenge you and make sure you have enough variety in your daily routine to get the results you desire.

One of the biggest drawbacks of the 745 CS is that its low price is because the manufacturers used cheaper parts which break down much more easily.  The space saver (fold-up) option is also very convenient, but it doesn’t lend itself to stability and those who will probably feel the most comfortable on this machine are smaller in stature and weight. 

Another downside to the Proform 745 CS is that it is not iFit compatible.  IFit compatibility is one of the biggest new things in home fitness equipment and one of the best new features to come out in recent years.  With iFit you have access to hundreds of different workouts that are programmed by professional trainers for your machine.  These workouts can be downloaded or purchased on discs and then uploaded right onto your treadmill.  After you’ve uploaded the workout, when you select that one your treadmill will automatically adjust speed and incline and some workouts come with sound recorded by the personal trainers themselves.  So, as you can see, not having access to iFit workouts puts you at a disadvantage when it comes to getting the most out of your treadmill and your time spent working out as you’re not able to constantly update your machine.  The Proform 745 does come with a handful of preloaded workouts, however, so that is something.

Overall, the Proform 745 CS is a decent machine for the price.  Long-term use has shown that this model stands up well in spite of having cheaper parts and mediocre warranties. 

Recommended: Yes, for those on a strict budget.

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