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#1 Proform Endurance 520 E Elliptical Review

Chris L.
January 12, 2021

The Proform Endurance 520 E is a mid-range elliptical featuring high-quality construction and advanced tech features. This elliptical includes a Bluetooth-enabled subscription to iFit where users gain access to thousands of workouts and interactive training. It also has adjustable stride length and foot pedals, incline, and 18 different resistance levels.

Is the Proform Endurance 520 E Elliptical best for you?

Whether you're a beginner or seasoned athlete looking for guided workouts, or simply looking for a quality elliptical on a budget, the Proform Endurance 520 E is a great choice. This elliptical has thousands of workout programs to choose from with its included iFit subscription. iFit trainers lead you through fully immersive and interactive workouts for convenient and effective sessions. It has a maximum weight capacity of 300 pounds, providing a sturdy frame for heavier set people to feel comfortable on. Plus, it has 18 different resistance levels, 0 – 20 degree incline adjustability, and even adjustable stride length — all for under $1500. These features at this price point make the Proform Endurance 520 E one of the best mid-range ellipticals on the market.

Consider Proform Endurance 520 E if...

  • You need an adjustable stride length. If multiple different household members of various sizes use the Proform 520 E, the adjustable stride length on this elliptical makes sure that everyone can workout pain and worry-free. You can easily adjust how long you'd like your stride length to be to best suit your height and desired workout intensity.
  • You want adjustable pedals. This elliptical's cushioned, oversized pedals are adjustable, allowing for many different foot positions. You can adjust to where you're most comfortable to avoid any aches or pains.
  • You like listening to music via speakers. The Proform Endurance 520 E's auxiliary audio port and built in speakers let you plug in your device and select music through the smart touchscreen for a convenient listening experience.

Avoid Proform Endurance 520 E if...

  • You don't use incline settings. Many ellipticals don't feature an incline system, which makes the Proform Endurance 520 E different. If you prefer a traditional elliptical experience and don't like training on an incline, consider the Sole E95S instead.
  • You don't want a smart display. While many love using a smart display when working out, you may find it distracting or even discouraging. If you'd rather stay focused on your movements and not your metrics, opt for the Proform 6.0 ZE, which has a much smaller and simpler screen.
  • You want a built-in fan. Unfortunately, this model doesn't include a built-in fan to keep you cool while working out. If you want this feature, consider the Nordictrack Elite 10.9.

Proform Endurance 520 E pros & cons

Pros

  • Interactive personal training with iFit Bluetooth Smart Enabled technology
  • Adjustable incline ramp from 0 – 20 degrees
  • Growing library of 1000+ workout programs
  • 18 resistance levels
  • Auxiliary port with dual 2" speakers

Cons

  • Light flywheel
  • Lengthy setup process

Construction and design

  • Flywheel: The 15 pound effective inertia-enhanced flywheel provides a smooth and steady pedal stroke experience that delivers a more natural stride.
  • Pedals: Pedals are oversized, cushioned, and adjustable to allow for larger foot sizes and varied foot positions for improved comfort and stability.
  • Handlebars: Handlebars feature a soft, ergonomic padded grip for a comfortable full body workout. The two stationary handlebars features EKG grip Pulse Heart Rate Sensors for easy heart rate monitoring.
  • Console: The console includes 5" user friendly display that shows stats like mileage, heart rate, calories burned, and time elapsed. It's iFit Bluetooth enabled, so you'll be able to easily access the app through this display. The console also includes an auxiliary audio port, tablet holder, and water bottle holder for comfort and convenience.
  • Resistance: 18 different resistance levels provide smooth and silent intensity progression, powered by SMR technology.
  • Built-in Programs/Features: You can connect your smartphone to the Endurance 520 E via Bluetooth to access iFIT, where you can participate in immersive workouts lead by expert trainers.

Key Proform Endurance 520 E Specs

Reasons to buy Proform Endurance 520 E?

  1. You're heavy set. If you're much heavier than your recommended weight for your height, and have a tough time finding ellipticals that accommodate your size, the Proform Endurance 520 E is a great option. This elliptical has a max weight capacity of 300 pounds and has a sturdy steel frame. This machine won't shake, sway, or collapse if you're within this weight capacity range.
  2. You need guidance through your workouts. The Proform Endurance 520 E includes an iFit subscription, which comes with interactive personal training you can access through your bluetooth enabled display panel. You can select a program or session from a library with over 1000 options! It's a great bonus if you're a beginner and need some direction.
  3. You like switching up your workout intensity. With a variety of different iFit programs, a 0-20 degree adjustable incline, and 18 different resistance settings you can continuously switch up your workout routine!

Reasons to avoid Proform Endurance 520 E?

  1. It's heavy. If you're planning on moving this elliptical into a storage area when it's not in use, the Proform Endurance 520 E might not be the best choice. This model stands at about 5'9 feet tall, and its heavy duty steel frame makes it difficult to maneuver.
  2. It's flywheel might be too light for some. While it's a great budget choice, the 15 pound flywheel may not be heavy enough for whisper quiet use. If you're planning on using this machine in early or late hours of the day, consider the Sole E95S instead. This machine has a 30 pound flywheel and is whisper quiet!

What real Proform Endurance 520 E reviews say

We spent 18 hours scouring the web (reading over 253 customer reviews). Our conclusion? The Proform Endurance 520 E receives high praise! Our average consolidated user rating sits around a 4.6 - 4.8 (across several hundred reviews). The Proform Endurance 520 E scored higher, on average, compared to their closest competitors.

What reviewers like

  1. "The machine itself is awesome. Very quiet and smooth with not a single rub or grind. Runs like a much more expensive machine."
  2. "I was able to put it together myself in about 2.5 hours."
  3. "I have ours on a wood floor, it's super stable...I have really chugged some 'hills' and it's very solid."
  4. "Low or no impact, smooth as greased glass. So far, good value for what I paid."
  5. "I can hardly do 30 minutes on this one with the intensity at 6. It is so much better than the cheaper one that I had. It is silent as well. I feel the burn after a minute on this thing!"

What reviewers dislike

  1. "There are much cheaper options available."
  2. "I was angry for a moment when it seemed like I needed to buy into the subscription service to use it."
  3. "Be careful because it's very heavy. Build it where you'll use it."
  4. "If you are not pretty good with tools, and have a few basic tools to work with, assembly may be challenging for some."
  5. "It’s not quite as balanced as I’d like it to be."

Our verdict

The Proform Endurance 520 E Elliptical offers a great combination of performance and quality for ellipticals in a price-range under $1500. The Proform Endurance 520 E is smooth, quiet, and sturdy enough for a 300-pound person. The included iFit subscription gives you access to thousands of trainer-lead sessions for convenient, effective workouts. Most user reviews are positive although some complain about relatively minor issues that can be easily fixed.

if your budget is under $1500, and you're looking for a high-quality, high-tech machine, the Proform Endurance 520 E is a great price-performing elliptical.

This is a great choice for beginners who need structured, interactive training, those who like to diversify workout intensity, or anyone working with a $1500 budget.

Where to buy the Proform Endurance 520 E

You can find the Proform Endurance 520 E elliptical on Amazon for a great price! Use Amazon Prime to have your new machine delivered in just a few days. Amazon makes it easy to compare the Proform Endurance 520 E with other elliptical options, so you can decide which machine is ultimately right for you.