The incline on your Proform treadmill lets you walk or run at a greater intensity without increasing speed. You can mimic hill walking or adjust the incline during workouts for interval training. Many of the preset programs must be able to automatically adjust the incline to work. If the incline doesn't work, one of the main features of your treadmill will be out of commission until you identify the problem and fix it.
Incline Limit
You should familiarize yourself with how the incline works on your machine and what its limitations are before concluding that it is not working properly. Different treadmills will only be able to incline to a certain height. Some go higher than others. If your treadmill isn't inclining as high as another Proform treadmill, check your manual to see if it's maxed out. Ten to 12 percent is fairly standard, but exact percentages vary.
Power Supply
The problem with the incline may be something as simple as a problem with the power. You should never use an extension cord when plugging in your treadmill, nor should any other appliance be on the same circuit. A surge suppressor, which does not come with the treadmill, should be used. The specifications for surge suppressors is very specific and you should check your manual for the exact requirements of your model.
Improper Assembly
When your treadmill arrives, you and a friend will likely have to attach the extension legs, hand rails and storage latch before you can use the machine. You may also have to feed an upright wire into the console. If any of the parts were not tightened fully or the leg heights are mismatched, the incline function or the console might not work. Look over all parts of the machine and use the wrenches that came with the Proform treadmill to tighten loose parts.
Foreign Objects
If you place objects under the front of the treadmill to try to increase the angle of elevation, the incline of the machine will not work properly. Remove any objects from under the treadmill and place it on a flat surface.
Automatic Adjustments
Some Proform treadmills are set to automatically lower the incline during the last 10 seconds of a preset program. You cannot prevent this and it is not a sign of malfunction.
Button may be Stuck
Occasionally the button on the older model Proform treadmills gets stuck and no matter how many times you press the button, the incline will not change. You will have to call Proform for instructions on replacing the button or the display.
References
- Proform 520x User's Manual; ICON Health & Fitness, Inc.; 2003
- Proform J4I User's Manual; Sears, Roebuck and Co.; 1998
- Proform 725TL User's Manual; ICON Health & Fitness, Inc.; 1996
- Proform 345 Cooling Breeze User's Manual; ICON IP, Inc.; 2004
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