Perfect ProForm: A Review of ProForm's Stationary Bikes

The stationary bike market is a crowded one, and it’s easy to see why. A stationary bike is a great option when you can’t get to the gym, the weather is bad, or you’re short on time. It’s a low impact workout that’s easy on your joints. Plus, if you add a set of dumbbells, you’re working your whole bod.

ProForm, owned by fitness giant iFIT Health and Fitness (which also owns NordicTrack and Freemotion), is known for balancing quality with price, which means it’s a popular choice if you’re not willing to sell a kidney (but maybe donate plasma?) for a piece of exercise equipment. The company sells six stationary bikes that range from entry-level to feature-packed AF.

We’ve reviewed ProForm’s line of stationary bikes, including its recumbent bike/elliptical hybrid. Get the pros, cons, and ins and outs of models that range from affordable to high end.

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Pricing guide

When it comes to price and features, ProForm bikes fall right in the middle of the stationary bike market.

They’re definitely more feature-packed and heavy-duty than Sunny Health & Fitness’s ultra-affordable bikes and many of the brands popular on Amazon. But at the same time, none of ProForm’s bikes have premium features like the Bowflex VeloCore’s tilt mode or the NordicTrack S22i’s incline feature.

Still, although the most expensive ProForm model costs (much) less than a Peloton, the S22i, or the VeloCore, users get a pretty similar riding experience. Cheaper ProForm models offer a quality bike with access to a similar (or the same) library of workouts as you’d get with more expensive models.

Each bike will be marked with one of the following to help guide you with pricing:

• $ = under $600
• $$ = $600–$1,200
• $$$ = over $1,200

Best ProForm bike for taking classes

Studio Series Bike Pro 22

• Price: $$$
• Dimensions: 21.9 W x 56.5 L x 54 H inches (in.)
• Weight capacity: 250 pounds (lbs.)
• iFit package: 1-year family membership included
• Resistance levels: 24
• Extras: dual 3-lb. weights, water bottle holder

The Bike Pro 22 is ProForm’s most expensive bike, but it comes packed with features that make it competitive with major players like Peloton.

It has 24 resistance levels and a 22-in. touch screen that makes it easy to take advantage of everything iFit has to offer, including non-cycling classes like yoga and strength training. It also has an adjustable seat and handlebars, and you can even change out the seat for another bike seat that your booty likes better 🍑.

The Pro 22 costs only about $100 more than its older sis, the Bike Pro. The biggest differences between the two are the screen size and the number of resistance levels — the Pro has a 10-in. screen and 22 resistance levels. Other than that, the two bikes are nearly identical, so it really comes down to whether your biggest priority is the feel of a larger screen while you’re taking classes.

Users love this bike for the iFit access. They appreciate the extra ride options and love the automatic tension adjustments during classes. Just remember that you’ll have to pay for the iFit membership after your 1-year free trial if you want to keep access to what makes this bike so great.

ProForm bike with the best iFit deal

Studio Bike Pro

• Price: $$$
• Dimensions: 21.9 W x 56.5 L x 52 H in.
• Weight capacity: 250 lbs.
• iFit package: 3-year family membership included
• Resistance levels: 22
• Extras: dual 3-lb. weights, water bottle holder

Again, the Studio Bike Pro is super similar to the Bike Pro 22. It includes a universal seat (trade it out for any bike seat that fits your backside) and allows both horizontal and vertical adjustments. The handlebars are adjustable and include multiple positions.

The biggest difference? The Pro’s 10-in. display is less than half the size of the Pro 22’s 22-in. screen, and the Pro has two fewer resistance levels. But the price difference between the Pro and Pro 22 is pretty minimal, so if you’re planning on using this bike as your all-purpose home gym, it might be worth the extra investment for the Pro 22’s larger screen.

The best part about this bike is that it comes with a 3-year iFit membership that gives you access to coaching, nutrition info, and (obvs) hundreds of courses and classes. So while you’re only saving about $100 on the bike itself, you’re also saving 2 years’ worth of iFit membership fees (currently $396 per year).

The proof is in the pudding on this one. Users love the quiet ride and variety of workouts through iFit. And, like the Pro 22, it’s far less expensive than a Peloton or the NordicTrack S22i.

Best ProForm bike for small spaces

Carbon CX

• Price: $
• Dimensions: 21.9 W x 52.5 L x 51 H in.
• Weight capacity: 250 lbs.
• iFit package: 1 year included
• Resistance levels: 16
• Extras: dual 3-lb. weights, water bottle holder

The Carbon CX’s narrower width makes it a great option for smaller spaces, and it’s the most affordable of all ProForm’s bikes. It comes with adjustable handlebars and an interchangeable seat. And it’s quiet, so you won’t disturb roommates or neighbors.

This bike doesn’t have a built-in screen, so it might not be the best bang for your buck. It comes iFit-enabled, but you have to use either a phone or a tablet to take classes. But if you already own a tablet, the Carbon CX saves you some serious cash by ditching that built-in screen. (Bonus: You still get automatic resistance adjustments with the iFit classes taken on your tablet.)

Users who want to save a few bucks (and inches) end up pretty happy with this bike. But a few users who fell in love with iFit wish they’d bought a model with a built-in screen. Only you can decide how you want to balance that price-to-screen ratio.

Best recumbent ProForm bike

440 ES

• Price: $$
• Dimensions: 22.25 W x 52 L x 68.25 H in.
• Weight capacity: 350 lbs.
• iFit package: iFit-enabled (no membership included)
• Resistance levels: 25
• Extras: water bottle holder

For those with back, joint, or mobility issues, ProForm’s 440 ES offers many of the same benefits as the ProForm upright bikes but in recumbent form. The seat adjusts horizontally (which is all you need in a recumbent bike), and the bike is iFit-enabled — including the automatic resistance adjustments — so you get the same workouts as you would on an upright bike.

But (there’s always a “but” somewhere) this bike doesn’t include any free iFit membership with purchase, so you’ll have to factor the membership cost into the price if you want to use iFit. You still get some preset workouts, but if you want that fully immersive experience, you’ll have to sign up for iFit without testing it out first. Ugh.

Even without the iFit membership, users like this bike. Users who didn’t invest in iFit still say they love the bike’s presets and resistance levels. Soooo, there you have it. Yes, iFit is awesome, but it isn’t absolutely necessary to get a great workout.

Best value ProForm bike

8.0 EX

• Price: $$
• Dimensions: 23 W x 42 L x 61.5 H in.
• Weight capacity: 300 lbs.
• iFit package: iFit-ready (no membership included)
• Resistance levels: 25
• Extras: water bottle holder

The 8.0 EX straddles the line between the Carbon CX and ProForm’s more expensive Pro series. It has a built-in display that shows your workout stats and a media holder for a tablet or phone so you can hook up to iFit using your own device. But like the 440 ES, it doesn’t come with a free iFit membership, so you’ll have to pay extra $$$ right off the bat to access those workout classes.

The 8.0 EX has 25 resistance levels compared with the Carbon CX’s 16. If you like to fine-tune your workouts, that could make a difference — but if not, it’s def not a deal breaker. This model also includes EKG heart rate monitor grips, which are nice if you don’t have a fitness tracker or another heart rate monitoring device.

The 8.0 EX’s design has a higher maximum weight capacity than any of the other upright ProForm bikes. If your weight is more than 250 lbs., take note that this bike might be a better choice for you.

Users appreciate the heart rate monitor, the iFit option, and the fit of the 8.0 EX because it’s a bit more upright than the average… upright bike.

Best ProForm bike for cross-training

Hybrid Trainer XT

• Price: $
• Dimensions: 24.5 W x 70.5 L x 60.5 H in.
• Weight capacity: 350 lbs.
• iFit package: iFit-ready (no membership included)
• Resistance levels: 16
• Extras: water bottle holder

If you easily get bored doing cardio, it’s time to meet the ProForm Hybrid Trainer XT. It transitions from a recumbent bike to an elliptical and works with iFit workouts too. It includes a built-in LCD screen, heart rate monitor grips, and 16 onboard workouts in case iFit isn’t in your budget. If you do opt for an iFit membership (it isn’t included with the purchase), you’ll need to BYO tablet.

You have a few position options for the foot pedals, which means you should be able to get comfy whether you’re in elliptical or bike mode. The Hybrid also has the highest weight capacity of all ProForm’s bikes, so folks up to 350 lbs. can get the benefit of two cardio machines in one.

Users say that the Hybrid is quiet in either mode and prevents easily distracted users from getting bored. Plus, they say it’s easy to transition from one mode to the other. One downside: The Hybrid has only a 5-year frame warranty in comparison with the other bikes’ 10-year warranties.

Warranty

All the ProForm stationary bikes except for the Hybrid include a 10-year warranty on the frame and a 1-year labor warranty. There’s some variation in the parts warranties among models: 1 year for the 440 ES, 8.0 EX, and Carbon CX and 2 years for the Studio Bike Pro and the Studio Bike Pro 22. Also, keep in mind that ProForm warranties extend to only the original purchaser.

Any repairs that fall under the warranty have to be approved by Icon through an authorized service center. If you don’t live close enough to the service center to deliver the bike yourself, you have to pay shipping to send it there. The warranty also doesn’t cover damage due to abuse, freight damage, misuse, or improper use.

Shipping

ProForm requires a customer signature for all non-UPS shipments. Three delivery attempts will be made, with notification before delivery, before the bike gets shipped back to the warehouse. If it does get shipped back, you’ll be charged a $250 shipping fee.

While the warranty doesn’t cover freight damage, the shipping policy states, “If you receive a machine that is damaged beyond repair, we will be happy to send a replacement machine or give a full refund.” But to get coverage for freight damage, you may need to refuse the delivery or call ProForm while the delivery company is still present.

Unfortunately, not all freight damage is visible from outside the box, soooooo this could be a problem.

Return policy and trial period

You’ve got 30 days from the delivery date to return your ProForm bike. BUT you’ll have to pay the $250 return shipping cost. ProForm also reserves the right to add charges for damage caused by improper use, incorrect assembly, or accidents.

Customer experience

Before we jump into the customer experience, let’s check out ProForm’s BBB record. The BBB not only reviews company policies but also tracks how well companies fulfill their own policies and respond to customer complaints.

Icon Health and Fitness isn’t BBB-accredited, but they still get an A+ rating. What does that mean? They pretty much practice what they preach in their policies. They stick to ’em, so read through them before you buy.

Even though the BBB gives Icon an A+, the company’s customer review rating is a pretty low 1.2 out of 5. Many complaints stem from Icon’s other brands, like NordicTrack, but that’s still not an amazing sign.

There are also reports of customer service being less than responsive. Reviewers say it can be difficult to get through to a rep and that making arrangements with an authorized repair center isn’t fun if you have to get repairs.

Stationary bikes are a great low impact workout for just about anyone, from seasoned veterans to fitness newbies. We consulted Katelyn Barrons, NASM-CPT and ACE Health Coach, to get a pro’s rundown on stationary bikes.

Display

Barrons recommends (at the very least) getting a bike with a screen that gives you basic stats like cadence, heart rate, power, speed, and distance. These stats give you more control over your workout, helping you determine whether you’re working hard enough to get the physical benefits you want.

All the ProForm bikes get kudos for displaying the right stats, though not every model includes cadence. It’s up to you to decide what kind of display extras (like that biggie 22-in. screen on the Pro 22) you want to jazz up your ride.

Seat and handlebar adjustability

“Look for a bike that’s sturdy but has lots of adjustments,” says Barrons. She adds that adjustable handlebars, pedals, and bike seats are crucial to working your hardest and limiting aches and pains.

Each ProForm bike has solid seat adjustability, with the Studio bikes offering the most adjustability (vertical and horizontal) and compatibility with standard bike seats. The Carbon CX, Bike Pro, and Studio Bike Pro 22 also offer multi-position adjustable handlebars for an even more comfortable ride.

Noise

Barrons notes that your neighbors or roomies may not want to ride along with you, so quiet bikes are a plus. ProForm does well here too. Their magnetic resistance is known for a quiet ride.

Upright vs. recumbent

Upright or recumbent — which do you need or want? Barrons says, “Recumbent bikes are the most beginner-friendly. They’re especially great for people with back pain or limited mobility.” Basically, the seat’s backrest provides posture support during the ride.

But “if you have the mobility to get on an upright bike, you’ll be able to push yourself a little harder (like standing on the bike), and you get the benefit of more core engagement,” adds Barrons.

Not sold on any of ProForm’s bikes? Here’s how the Studio Series Bike Pro 22 stacks up against the competition.

ProForm bikes are a great option for those who want a premium bike but may not have the budget for one. Even though the bikes are more affordable than the other guys, they really perform — from the Pro 22 that gives you a Peloton-like experience to the affordable but smooth-riding Carbon CX.

When weighing the costs, don’t forget to factor in whether and when you’re willing to pay for an iFit membership. You can still get a good workout without iFit, but you’ll def be limited to more traditional stationary bike sessions. But TBH, this is the case with basically any stationary bike, so you’ll be saving money in the long run (er, ride) either way.