The ProForm 590E Elliptical – Decent Buy for Small User on a Budget

The budget priced ProForm 590E elliptical is a front wheel model with features heavy on entertainment and expandable workout programs, and light on durability.

What You Get

The ProForm 590E elliptical offers 14 Performance workouts, an 18" stride length, and a ClearView™ display console that shows time, distance, resistance, pulse and calories burned,

Other features include:

• 18" Stride Length
• 14 Programs
• 16 Digital Resistance Levels
• Intensity Ramp
• iFit® Workout Card Technology
• iPod® Compatible port
• Intermix Acoustics™ 2.0
• Oversized pedals
• Dual grip EKG™ Hear Rate Monitor
• Upper body workout arms
• CoolAire™ Workout Fan
• 300 lb weight capacity
• Warranty: lifetime frame, 1 year parts & labor

UPDATE:  The ProForm 590E is no longer being sold.  It has been replaced with the all new 520E elliptical.

The Word on the Street

The ProForm 590E ($999 MSRP) is selling for $599 to $699 at several online retailers. It has some decent features such as the intensity ramp, upper body workout arms, and the 18" stride length (which feels too oval rather than elliptical).

One questionable issue is the user capacity, which states it has a capacity of 300 pounds. That’s a stretch — by at least 100 pounds. If you weigh under 200 pounds, you shouldn’t have too much of a wobble problem on this ProForm model, but larger individuals will need a sturdier machine.

As for workout programs, the 590E elliptical trainer can use iFit® cards (for an additional purchase) which expands the number of workouts substantially.

There aren’t many elliptical reviews on this 2010 model yet but there are have been dozens of sub-$1000 ProForm ellipticals put on the market the past few years and they all seem rather wobbly (even on a solid floor) with some serious quality control issues among the budget machines.

Our Thoughts

The ProForm 590E is a decent buy for a small user on a budget, but if we had to buy a ProForm, for the same $599 we’d go with the ProForm 10 ZE elliptical instead.

However, in terms of value/price ratio and because it has better components, we would definitely recommend the Schwinn 431 over the ProForm 590E elliptical since the Schwinn has magnetic Eddy Current Brake resistance, as well as articulating footplates, a heavy flywheel, better warranty, and the superior BioGlide motion.