Home gym equipment giants NordicTrack and ProForm both have a well-respected line up of treadmills. These treadmills lines include the budget treadmills NordicTrack C700 and ProForm Performance 400i.
Purchasing a budget treadmill is less of a gamble if you select a treadmill from a manufacturer known for its quality, which both NordicTrack and ProForm are known for excellence. If your budget treadmill search has reached the point where it comes down to choosing between the Performance 400i and the C700, trust your treadmill review experts and choose the C700.
If you want to see how we came to that conclusion, we have developed this in-depth comparison so you can see exactly how each feature on these treadmills compared to each other.
NordicTrack C700
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ProForm Performance 400i
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NordicTrack C700 & ProForm Performance 400i General Spec Comparison
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$500-$800 price range |
$500-$800 price range |
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300 lbs |
300 lbs |
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20 |
18 |
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67.5” height, 73” length, 36” width |
59.75” height, 73.25” length, 35.5” width |
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20” wide by 55” long, 2-ply |
20” wide by 55” long, 2-ply |
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Yes |
Yes |
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2.5 CHP |
2.5 CHP |
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0% to 10% |
0% to 10% |
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10 mph |
10 mph |
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Yes |
No |
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Handlebar pulse Grip |
Handlebar pulse Grip |
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202 lbs |
200 lbs |
Cost – A price difference around $200 usually exists between the C700 ($799) and the Performance 400i ($599). This difference exists only when these treadmills are at their sale pricing. At their MSRP, the C700 would cost $1,299 and the 400i would cost $999.
Category Winner – ProForm 400i
Weight Capacity – An overall max weight capacity of 300 lbs exists for both the Performance 400i and the C700. This capacity is standard for both the NordicTrack and ProForm treadmill lines.
Category Winner – Tied
Available Programs – There are 18 available exercise programs on the Performance 400i and 20 on the C700. Beyond the two-program difference, there is a greater variety of exercise programs on the C700. The Performance 400i only has the manual setting, tempo workouts, and interval exercises for users to choose.
While on the C700, users can choose from the standard manual setting, speed workouts, incline exercises, and calorie burn focused workouts. There is also the Weight Loss Center on the C700, allowing you to set how many calories you are looking to burn in a session.
Category Winner – NordicTrack C700
Dimensions – Bigger than the 400i, the C700 treadmill dimensions are 67.5” tall, 73” long, and 36” wide. Compare these measurements to the 400i, which measures 59.75” tall, 73.25” long, and 35.5” wide, which allows you to clearly see that the 400i has slimmer dimensions.
Category Winner – ProForm 400i
Running Surface – The running surface area on these treadmills is identical, measuring 20” wide and 55” long. While this length won’t work for taller runners who are over 6’2”, those under this height should find the running surface area comfortable.
Also, both of these treadmills have a 2-ply belt, which thickness will help protect the belt from wearing down too quickly under continually use.
Category Winner – Tied
Folding – A key security difference between these two treadmills is the lack of an easy lift hydraulic system on the Performance 400i while the C700 has this system. On the Performance 400i, users will need to use a spring-loaded pin to secure the treadmill deck in the upright position. The maneuver needed to hold onto the deck while operating the pin can be awkward and difficult if the user has low upper body strength. Also, the Performance 400i deck will need to be lowered by hand or it will crash to the floor when released.
In contrast, the easy lift hydraulic system on the C700 makes raising the treadmill deck up a simple task. The locking mechanism in the hydraulic system will engage when the deck is raised up high enough, which task is easy as the weight of the deck is reduced thanks to the hydraulic system. Also, users can allow the deck to lower hands-free after they release the locking mechanism, and the treadmill deck will slowly lower to the floor on its own.
Category Winner – NordicTrack C700
Motor Size – Equipped with small, 2.5 CHP motors, both of these treadmills runs quietly while in use. The user’s footsteps can often drown out the sounds of the motors on these treadmills.
Category Winner – Tied
Incline Range – Identical incline ranges can be found on the C700 and Performance 400i, which ranges go from 0% to 10%. While these ranges aren’t the most generous, they are significantly better than some budget treadmills, which have no incline range at all.
Category Winner – Tied
Speed – Along with several identical features, the Performance 400i and the C700 share the same speed range, which is 0.5 MPH up to 10 MPH. As neither of these treadmills is built for heavy-duty running, this speed range is adequate.
Category Winner – Tied
Fans – No fans are built into the Performance 400i while the C700 comes with a multi-speed set of fans.
Category Winner – NordicTrack C700
Heart Rate Monitoring – Users can find handlebar pulse grips on both the C700 and the Performance 400i to be used for heart rate monitoring. These grips are fairly useless and we would advise users to find a different way to track their heart rates.
Category Winner – Tied
Treadmill Weight – The weight of these treadmills is so similar, with the Performance 400i weighing in at 200 lbs and the C700 weighing 202 lbs. With only a 2 lbs difference, that is not enough of a contrast to matter.
Category Winner – Tied
Look and Feel Of The Treadmill
Materials – As NordicTrack and ProForm are sister companies, it is not surprising that the materials used on the C700 and 400i are very similar. While they are constructed a little differently, these treadmills have an even mix of metal and molded plastic parts.
Category Winner – Tied
Sturdiness – While the materials may be similar, the overall sturdiness is not. This variance in sturdiness is likely due to the way these treadmills are constructed. The 400i console tends to shake when the user is operating the treadmill on an incline. The shaking can be unsettling and rattle anything in the cupholders. Compared to the steady operations of the C700, the Performance 400i is uncomfortably shakey.
Category Winner – NordicTrack C700
Moving the treadmill – Thanks to the hydraulic locking mechanism on the C700, moving the C700 is more secure feeling and easier. The 400i with its pin locking mechanism allows the deck to rattle around as users move the treadmill.
Category Winner – NordicTrack C700
Cushioning – The Performance 400i comes with ProShox cushioning, which is decently implemented on this treadmill. However, the C700 has FlexSelect cushioning, which allows the user to change the cushioning level on the C700. There are six cushion points under the deck of the C700 and by turning these six cushion points, the level of deck cushioning will change.
Category Winner – NordicTrack C700
Assembly – Putting these treadmills together follows a similar pattern and difficulty level. They are not as complex as some of the more expensive treadmills, making them easier to assemble.
Category Winner – Tied
User Interface
Speed and Incline Controls – Both the Performance 400i and the C700 have easily accessible speed and incline controls. The C700 controls are aligned along the sides of the treadmill console, while the Performance 400i controls are laid out along the base of the console. Both sets of buttons are responsive to light touches so users can quickly change their speeds and inclines.
Category Winner – Tied
Fan Controls – As there is no fan on the Performance 400i, the C700 automatically wins this category. Along with having a fan to control, the C700 has a multi-speed fan which users can easily adjust. Also, there is an auto breeze function which will allow the C700 to adjust speeds to match the user’s intensity.
Category Winner – NordicTrack C700
Program Selection – Aside from the manual setting on the Performance 400i, the 18 workout programs break down into two types of workouts – tempo and interval. Users will have to repeatedly press the tempo or interval button to scroll through the exercise programs, with no feedback other than a number and letter (ie – T3 to represent “Tempo workout #3”) being displayed.
On the C700, the 20 workout program selection is somewhat similar but more options exist on the C700. There is the expansive calorie program, which allows users to choose how many calories they are looking to burn. Other workout programs are speed and incline, which the users choose a program by scrolling via the button. There is also of course a manual workout setting.
Category Winner – NordicTrack C700
Visual Display – The display on both of these treadmills are fairly basic, with LED lights used to display workout information. However, the visual display on the C700 appears more cluttered, as there is a lot of things surrounding the LED screen which can be distracting. The round LED watts display on the Performance 400i is less busy and easier to read as a result when compared to the C700.
Category Winner – ProForm 400i
Entertainment Features
Speakers – Both of these treadmills come with two speakers to allow users to run headphone-free. The speakers are of decent quality on both of these treadmills but the crispness for both of these treadmills begins to deteriorate once the user pushes the volume beyond the mid-level volume range.
Category Winner – Tied
USB Port – There is no USB port on either of these treadmills.
Category Winner – Tied
Other Entertainment Features – On budget treadmills, there are often no entertainment options. All that the C700 and 400i have to offer in the way of entertainment features is a mounted tablet holder so users can secure their tablet to enjoy media.
Category Winner – Tied
Data Tracking
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Data Display – Users will receive basic workout feedback from both the C700 and the Performance 400i. On more expensive treadmills, more data feedback can be available.
Category Winner – C700
Fitness Apps – Both of these treadmills are able to sync with iFit. For $39/month, users can sync either of these treadmills with iFit to virtually run around the world, accept or issue challenges to other iFit users, access an unlimited library of workout videos which are constantly being added to on a regular basis.
Category Winner – Tied
ProForm & NordicTrack Financing Options
NordicTrack Financing
- No money down purchases
- No interest if paid in full in 18 months
- Standard APR of 29.99% after 18 months. Interest will be charged starting from the purchase date. After 18 months, interested is backdated to the purchase date and also charged from the current date on the remaining balance (+backdated interest).
- So this is a great option if you’re able to pay the treadmill off within the promo period (18 months). But you’ll get hit with outrageous interest fees if you do not pay the treadmill off within 18 months.
- You are required to make minimum payments each month. BUT the minimum payment is not calculated to pay off the treadmill in 18 months. You’ll need to make a higher payment than the minimum in order to avoid interest fees. This calculation will vary depending on the original purchase price.
- Subject to credit approval.
ProForm Financing
- No money down, no interest if paid in full in 18 Months; Interest is charged from the purchase date if the purchase amount is not paid in full within 18 months. Standard APR 29.99%. Advertised payment is greater than required minimum payment.
- The ProForm Financing program account is issued and administered by TD Bank, N.A.
- All non-UPS shipments are curbside delivery and require a customer signature. Return shipping and a 10% restocking fee will apply.
- Products being returned must be disassembled and packaged in the original box or comparable package. If you do not have a box, we can provide one for you.
- You can expect a refund in the same form of payment originally used for the purchase within 30 days of our receiving your returned product.
NordicTrack and ProForm Warranties
NordicTrack Warranty
- 30-day trial period. Full refund minus 10% restocking fee and shipping fees unless the machine is damaged or defective on arrival.
- Treadmill must be returned in good condition, including original packaging and paperwork. If these things are missing, you will also pay an additional 10% fee.
- Lifetime warranty on motor and frame, 5-year parts and electronics, 2 years labor
- Service can be performed in your home for a fee. You may also be asked to ship your treadmill for service, then being charged for the shipping.
ProForm Warranty
- A 30-day trial period for a full refund (minus shipping and restocking fees)
- Lifetime warranty on motor, deck, and frame; 5 years for parts; 2 years for labor.
- The warranty extends only to the original purchaser.
- Repairs first need authorization. Shipping to service centers for repairs is at customers cost. Shipping for replacement parts sent to your home is also at your cost. For in-home service, the customer pays a minimal trip charge.
Overall Favorite
Total Categories Compared: 28
Total Ties Between the C700 and the Performance 400i: 17
Total NordicTrack Favored Categories: 8
Total ProForm Favored Categories: 3
As you can see from the 17 category ties, the Performance 400i and the C700 are incredibly similar treadmills. However, in outright category wins, the C700 outperformed the 400i, with the C700 winning eight categories and 400i only netting three wins. With usually $200 difference, some people may still choose the 400i treadmill, but if you have the ability to pay a little more, the C700 is the better treadmill of these two budget treadmills.
We hope this treadmill comparison was helpful and assisted you in your search for a new treadmill. Be sure to use our treadmill coupons on your purchase to help you receive the best deal on your new equipment.
