Looking for an elliptical/stepper combo that is big on features and small on footprint and price? In this review of the ProForm Pro HIIT H14, we outline why it is the best option for elliptical and stepper combo machines on the market.
The ProForm Pro HIIT H14 is a killer elliptical and stepper combo machine designed for people serious about interval training.
The increased difficulty of the stepping stride, combined with the low-impact nature of the elliptical stride path, make it an absolute monster for doing sweaty HIIT workouts and melting those calories.
But is the Pro HIIT H14 the right elliptical machine for you and your workout goals?
After all, this machine isn’t going to be for everyone.
In this review of the ProForm Pro HIIT H14, we take it for a ride/stride, discuss the things we love about it, our call-outs, and compare it to the competition.
By the end, you will have a crystal-clear idea of whether this compact ProForm elliptical is the right cardio machine to help you crush your fitness goals.
Let’s jump right in.
ProForm Pro HIIT H14 Elliptical Trainer – Key Specs
- Price: $1,799
- 30lb flywheel
- 26 levels of resistance
- 325lb weight capacity
- Machine weight: 224lb
- 30-day iFIT subscription included ($39 per month after)
- Warranty: 10 years (frame), 2 years (parts), 1 year (labor)
- Room-of-choice delivery and assembly option ($199)
- Financing available
ProForm Pro HIIT H14 Elliptical Trainer – The Pros
Here is what made the ProForm Pro HIIT H14 stand out against the competition in our testing:
✅ The ProForm Pro HIIT H14 is a killer workout.
As you can guess by the name of the machine, it’s designed for HIIT workouts. The increased vertical path on the stride makes it a stepper and elliptical combo machine that takes the best of both types of machines.
You get the low-impact nature of an elliptical trainer with the increased difficulty of a stepper. While this ProForm steeper/elliptical combo isn’t for everyone–particularly those with bad knees or who want to be able to adjust the incline–it’s an excellent workout.
For people who are ready to chase down their fitness and health goals in a serious way, the Pro HIIT H14 will give you a legit workout each time you step on it.
✅ The screen on the H14 is perfect for classes.
Cardio machines have come a long way in recent years with screens and programming options, and the Pro HIIT H14 is a sterling example of this.
The Pro HIIT has a massive 14” HD touchscreen that is crisp and delivers all of the online training options you can think of with an iFit subscription. The interactive training includes virtual courses, with options to explore various locations, including creating your own routes across cities and landscapes around the world.
iFit does require a monthly subscription, but it includes thousands of workouts that can be done on the H14 and off. iFit has trainer-led classes as well as strength training, yoga, and other types of workouts that can be done via the iFit app on the Pro HIIT or from your smartphone or tablet.
The real-time feedback with trainer-led classes, goal challenges, tracking, virtual courses, and social interaction and community with iFit provides a dynamic and engaging exercise experience that is highly motivating.
✅ Compact size.
One of the key benefits of elliptical and stepper combo machines is that they have a much smaller footprint compared to regular elliptical trainers and other cardio machines for weight loss like treadmills and rower ergs.
The footprint of the Pro HIIT H14 is just 52” x 29”, which is about 30” inches less in depth compared to regular-sized ellipticals (and also makes it one of our choices for best compact elliptical machine).
For people who are short on space for their workout gear at home, and want to be able to easily move the elliptical around their home via two front-mounted transport wheels, the Pro HIIT H14 is a killer choice.
✅ Less expensive compared to competitors.
Elliptical and stepper combo machines are not cheap. Compared to the cost of other elliptical machines, they trend towards the higher end of the price bracket.
The ProForm Pro HIIT H14 is significantly cheaper than comparable machines on the market, making it a budget-friendly stepper and elliptical combo for home gyms.
And the best part is that the Pro HIIT actually outperforms more expensive machines in terms of features, as well.
(More on how the Pro HIIT compares to similar machines in a bit.)
✅ Exceptionally sturdy ride.
The first thing that I noticed when hopping onto the ProForm Pro HIIT H14 was just how sturdy it was. The thing is built like an absolute tank, with the machine weighing in at 224lbs.
More noticeably, the flywheel on this machine is a whopping 30lbs, which is one of the heaviest on the market. I recommend people, especially larger individuals such as myself, opt for ellipticals that have a flywheel of 20lb or heavier.
The Pro HIIT H14 easily exceeds that recommendation, and coupled with silent magnetic resistance (SMR), the result is a noticeably smooth and stable striding experience, no matter how hard you hit those HIIT workouts.
Additionally, the ProForm Pro HIIT H14 has steel stabilizers with adjustable feet that level to eliminate any shaking or wobbling.
✅ Comfort features
The ProForm Pro HIIT H14, in our testing, was exceptionally comfortable. Comfort is crucial as no one is going to use a cardio machine that doesn’t allow for proper range of motion, leaves our feet feeling sore, and is generally uncomfortable.
The ProForm Pro HIIT H14 knocks it out of the park when it comes to the “basics” of the elliptical experience:
Oversized, cushioned foot pedals – Get the proper foot stance, distribute weight evenly, and reduce pressure and foot fatigue.
Multi-grip handles – Use a hand position that is most comfortable for you. The P-shaped moving arms and fixed handles (with heart rate sensors) allow you to work the upper body or isolate the legs.
Fan to keep cool – While the fan is not an industrial gym fan by any means, it does generate a slight breeze to keep cool when crushing calories.
Being comfortable while exercising sustains longer workouts, ensures proper form, and minimizes injury and strain.
The ProForm Pro HIIT H14 has everything you need to stay focused on your goals instead of shifting around trying to minimize injury and discomfort.
ProForm Pro HIIT H14 Elliptical Trainer – The Cons
While there are a lot of things to really like about the HIIT H14, it’s not going to be the perfect machine for everyone.
Here are the main things that people should know before investing in this machine:
The ProForm Pro HIIT H14 is not ideal for people with bad knees.
The Pro HIIT H14 is not a machine for people with bad knees.
One of the main reasons I recommend elliptical trainers to people with bad knees is that the low-impact nature combined with the gentle horizontal path doesn’t place undue stress on the knees.
This benefit largely evaporates with elliptical/stepper combos.
The Pro HIIT H14 is mostly a stepper (it has 10” of vertical stride path and just 5” of horizontal stride), making it less ideal for people who have bad knees, and who are better off with a purely horizontal elliptical machine.
And because you cannot adjust the incline, it will activate the same set of muscles each time you use the ProForm Pro HIIT H14.
Not really worth it if you aren’t using the iFIT subscription.
If you plan on using the online classes and programs, the Pro HIIT H14 is awesome. But if you don’t want to spring for the monthly subscription, the Pro HIIT is not worth the investment.
At nearly $1,800, having a big HD screen that just shows you striding around an oval track on a manual training program is a bit of a waste of tech (and money).
There are cheaper machines that can give you the same robust workout experience with a basic LCD screen to track your workout.
No media tray.
Finally, one of the things that really surprised me about this machine is that it doesn’t have a media tray or ledge for propping up a smartphone or tablet.
For people who want to use the manual mode and watch a movie or read a book on their tablet (or read a paper book), they will be disappointed to see that the Pro HIIT doesn’t have a media tray or ledge.
Storing my smartphone on the machine during workouts and keeping it within reach meant using the single-cup water bottle holder.
ProForm Pro HIIT H14 vs. ProForm Carbon HIIT H10
The Pro HIIT is the premier stepper/elliptical machine in ProForm’s line of elliptical machines. ProForm also makes a slightly paired-down version, the Carbon HIIT H10.
The footprint and maximum user weight are identical, but the Carbon HIIT has a smaller screen (10” vs 14”), less resistance levels (24 vs 26), and costs about $300 less.
Here is a closer look at how the two machines perform and differ:
| Pro HIIT H14 | Carbon HIIT H10 | |
| Price | $1,799 | $1,403 |
| Screen | 14” HD touchscreen | 10” HD touchscreen |
| Footprint | 52” x 29” | 52” x 29” |
| Resistance levels | 26 | 24 |
| Max user weight | 325lbs | 325lbs |
ProForm Pro HIIT H14 vs. Bowflex Max Trainer M9
The closest competitor to the ProForm Pro HIIT in terms of price and functionality is the Bowflex Max Trainer M9.
Although the Pro HIIT is $200 cheaper, it actually outperforms the M9 in several key feature categories, including a way bigger screen (14” vs 10”), more resistance levels (26 vs 20), and increased maximum user weight (325lbs vs 300lbs).
The Pro HIIT H14 is also significantly heavier than the Max Trainer M9, giving larger users more stability when exercising on the H14.
Here is how the Pro HIIT and Max Trainer M9 stack up against one another:
| Pro HIIT H14 | Max Trainer M9 | |
| Price | $1,799 | $1,999 |
| Screen | 14” HD touchscreen | 10” HD touchscreen |
| Footprint | 52” x 29” | 49” x 30” |
| Resistance levels | 26 | 20 |
| Max user weight | 325lb | 300lb |
| Machine weight | 224lb | 148lb |
ProForm Pro HIIT H14 — FAQs
How hard is it to assemble the ProForm Pro HIIT H14?
Assembly of the ProForm Pro HIIT H14 is relatively straightforward. The assembly manual is clear, with step-by-step instructions.
The machine is quiet heavy, however, and will likely require two people to fully assemble. It took me about two hours to put together the ProForm Pro HIIT H14.
ProForm also offers an in-home assembly option for $199 at the time of ordering.
Can you fold the ProForm Pro HIIT H14?
The ProForm Pro HIIT H14 is not foldable. The footprint of the machine is very small, however, making it an excellent option for people looking for a compact cardio machine for home use.
People looking for a folding elliptical will want to consider the Horizon Fitness Evolve 5 or the YoungFit Folding Elliptical Machine.
The Bottom Line
Anyone who has tried working out at home knows how difficult it can be to stay on track and motivated.
Especially when there are countless distractions at home, from the dog giving you puppy eyes to chores that need to be done to family members vying for your attention.
But when you have the right cardio machine that aligns with your workout goals, things can quickly start to fall into place.
The ProForm Pro HIIT H14 is a serious elliptical/stepper machine that means business. It gives you the accelerated calorie burn of using a stepper with the huge array of online classes and workouts via iFit and that glorious and crisp 14” HD touchscreen.
The person that loves doing online classes, wants the added challenge of a stepper/elliptical combo, and doesn’t want to pay a premium for the bells and whistles of an elite elliptical, will love and get the most use from the Pro HIIT H14.
To recap…
The ProForm Pro HIIT H14 is perfect for people who:
- Love doing interval training
- Want a compact-sized cardio machine
- Get motivated by online classes and workouts
- Want a premium stepper/elliptical combo without the premium price tag
+ 14" HD touchscreen
+ Perfect for HIIT workouts
+ 26 levels of resistance
+ Heavy-duty flywheel for smooth stride
More Elliptical Guides and Reviews
Elliptical Buying Guide – Everything You Need to Know to Buy with Confidence. Want to buy an elliptical but don’t know where to start? Arm yourself with the knowledge to choose the perfect elliptical for you and your workout goals.
How Much Do Ellipticals Cost? (44 Different Models Compared). Ellipticals can be a costly investment in your workout goals. Here is a look at how much each type of elliptical costs and how much to spend on one.
