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You can combine three years of free content from one of the top fitness training platforms and a powerful elliptical-stair-stepper hybrid. This review of the ProForm Carbon HIIT H10 Elliptical takes a closer look at how this unique elliptical moves and what features it offers.
Updated: November 30, 2023
Traditional ellipticals have long horizontal tracks and take up tons of space in your home. Yet, they provide upper-body, lower-body, and low-impact training that you can’t match on a treadmill or an exercise bike. I’ll review the ProForm Carbon HIIT H10 Elliptical to provide more insight into its unique vertical elliptical path. This design allows this cardio machine to have a more compact footprint while offering a great workout. The H10 pairs with iFIT content for smart subscription-based training for users looking for a digital fitness platform with trainer-led content.
The ProForm Carbon HIIT H10 Elliptical has a sturdy frame with substantial stabilizers on either side of the machine. The H10’s compact size takes up at least 10% less room than ProForm’s traditional ellipticals when not moving. When in use, its compact size becomes even more apparent.
ProForm does not disclose the weight of the Carbon HIIT H10’s flywheel. While I have not had the opportunity to try the H10 in person, its sister machine, the Pro HIIT H14, creates a smooth elliptical motion with its flywheel.
The pedals are cushioned and oversized. You should have plenty of room regardless of your shoe size. They are also roomy enough to narrow or widen your stance based on your comfort. The pedal motion can take some time to get used to it, because the pedals angle down at the lowest point and up at the highest point of the elliptical route.
The stride length is not adjustable. The pedals travel upwards 10 inches and only 5 inches horizontally, so the motion is much more comparable to a stair-stepper than to a traditional elliptical. Because this stride is so unique, most users should not have any trouble with the required range of motion.
The H10 has multiple grip options. There are stationary handles where you can rest your hands if you want to concentrate on your legs. The moving handles have looped textured handles and metal lower handles. This multitude of grip options should satisfy the needs of most exercisers.
The ProForm Carbon HIIT H10 will require a dedicated space. The HIIT H14 was pretty easy for me to move around short distances, and it does have transport wheels, so it won’t be too hard to place in a corner and bring out when you want to move it. Not all users will be able to do this on their own, so try to limit the distance you need to move this elliptical around on a regular basis.
There are 24 magnetic resistance levels on the H10. The elliptical I tried, the H14, has 26 magnetic resistance levels, so they are slightly different in what they offer. Given my experience with the H14, I believe that the H10 should be challenging for users of all ability levels. Unlike traditional ellipticals, the H14 felt smooth when I increased resistance and increased my speed to create a harder workout.
The ProForm Carbon HIIT H10 is compatible with the iFIT fitness app. The features and accessories are best used with an active subscription. They also complement the subscription platform very well.
The H10’s console is fairly simple. There are large easy-to-use buttons beneath the screen. These buttons control the fan, volume, and resistance level. Not every single resistance level is represented by the numerical buttons, but there are large plus and minus buttons for making finger adjustments. I think this is just fine for the style of training the H10 offers.
The screen is 10 inches. This is just large enough to provide a comfortable viewing and navigating experience. You also stay pretty close to the screen while training unless you are a taller person. If you are tall, then you will have to look down at the H10’s screen which may not be the most comfortable. At 5’4”, I was very comfortable watching the screen on the H14.
The ProForm Carbon HIIT H10 has built-in speakers to allow you to hear the iFIT trainer and the Feed.FM radio. I can’t say for certain if the speakers are great, but every other piece of ProForm equipment I have tried has met my expectations in audio quality, so I have no concerns here about the H10.
Bluetooth allows user to connect their headphones to quietly listen to the audio and to connect a heart rate monitor. Setting up a Bluetooth device is very easy with the iFIT platform.
There is one cup holder. It is situated just below the console. It can hold a regular-sized water bottle or a phone. There is not a lot of storage on the H10. There is a ledge in front of the screen that may be able to hold a phone or tablet. The H14’s console is very sturdy, so I wouldn’t have a problem storing my device here if I needed to.
The H10 has a built-in fan. It has only two speeds and lacks the automatic feature many other ProForm machines have. I can’t speak to the strength of the H10’s fan, but in general, I have been happy with the fans on ProForm equipment. However, if you tend to run really hot, I would recommend a ceiling fan or floor fan.
The H10’s vertical elliptical motion combines the movement of an elliptical and stair-stepper. I really like this range of motion, because it is easier to reach a higher intensity level. Many traditional ellipticals are not made for fast speeds/high rotations per minute. The H10 works well for going fast and upping the resistance.
The ProForm Carbon HIIT H10 is a part of the ProForm Plus program. This program gives you 3 years of an iFIT family membership and the machine for one reasonable price. It is a great deal for users who want both a smart training platform and an elliptical.
iFIT’s trainer-led classes are led by professional trainers. The content for ellipticals is the most varied. The H10 works with running, hiking, skating, skiing, and studio elliptical content. The training content automatically controls your resistance level, so you can focus on your workout rather than pressing a bunch of buttons. The content will adjust to your fitness level if you make adjustments to the resistance level. It’s smart, fun, and partially customized.
With iFIT, you can listen to Feed.FM radio. It provides genre and decade radio stations that are regularly updated with the most current music. There’s also the Google Maps integration. You can create a route almost anywhere in the world. There are challenges and series you can join to enhance your training options.
Without an active iFIT subscription, your training options on the Carbon HIIT H10 are very limited. You can work out in manual mode, and there may be a few featured iFIT workouts available to try. I recommend the H10 if you plan to subscribe or if you do not want built-in content. If available, I recommend making use of the ProForm Plus program.
The ProForm Carbon HIIT H10 Elliptical is a compact elliptical with a vertical stride. The machine combines the movement of a stair-stepper with an elliptical for intense training. The 24 levels of magnetic resistance are great for new or experienced users. iFIT offers smart classes guided by trainers. The content is fun and regularly updated with new experiences filmed around the world. The ProForm Carbon HIIT H10 is great for exercisers with small spaces who want a low-impact, full-body workout.
