Precor EFX 225 Elliptical Machine Review (Pros + Cons)

Quick Summary

The Precor EFX 225 is among the best elliptical trainers that you won’t outgrow.

Whether you’re a newcomer to cardio training or have advanced experience, this crosstrainer with motorized incline can provide workouts with just the right challenge.

Expect it to serve you well for many years too: Owners take millions of strides before the machine needs maintenance!

Learn more from our complete Precor EFX 225 review below.

Specifications

Model	Precor EFX 225
Rating Our custom rating considers all of the elliptical's features, specs, warranties, and 100's of user & expert reviews, to save you time!	83.5%
List Price Suggested retail price, typically higher than the price you'll pay with our recommended retailers.	$3,599
Best Price Since prices change daily, this link goes to our preferred retailer for the best price we've found.	$3395
Resistance Resistance is what determines calories burned per stride. The more levels, the more precisely you can control the difficulty.	16 Levels
Resistance Type The type of resistance affects the performance of your elliptical. Magnetic and Eddy-Current are the most common types.	Magnetic
Stride Length Stride Length is important for comfort and smooth strides. A stride length of 18-21 inches is ideal for most heights (5'3 - 6'7).	n/a
Pedals Elliptical pedals can be cushioned and adjustable for maximum comfort and minimum impact on joints for injury prevention.	Heavy Duty Plastic
Incline Some elliptical trainers can be set at an incline to increase difficulty and burn more calories.	15° - 25° Elevation Range
Flywheel The flywheel controls the smoothness and resistance of your workout. In general, the higher the better.	Undisclosed
Programs Elliptical Programs allow you to complete a workout with changing speeds and inclines, without changing anything manually.	10
User Profiles For each profile the elliptical allows, you can create a custom user account with saved programs and goal settings.	2 Users
Heart Rate Heart Rate programs allow you to track how many times your heart is beating per minute (bpm), and some control the workout for you.	Pulse Grips & Chest Strap (Optional)
Display Elliptical Display refers to the screen you'll look at to monitor workouts. LED and LCD displays are similar to TV screens.	High contrast blue-white LCD
Max. Weight Max User Weight is the amount of weight, in pounds (lbs), that it can safely support, which can represent durability.	Undisclosed
Dimensions Dimensions are included to help you figure out if this elliptical will fit properly (Length x Width x Height and Height x Depth).	76" x 29" x 65"
Upper Body Most ellipticals have handles to hold while you're working out that provide an upper body workout.
Accessory Tray Some ellipticals include an accessory tray for holding items such as water bottles, wallets, keys, or MP3 players like iPods.
Speakers Ellipticals that include a sound system allow you to listen to your MP3 player/iPod through built-in speakers (without headphones).
Cooling Fans Cooling Fans are designed to help keep you cool during an intense workout on your elliptical.
Folding? Some ellipticals are designed to conserve space by folding up. This is a convenient option, but some features might be reduced.
Quick Controls Quick Controls allow you to select speed, incline and even workout programs with the touch of a button (usually on the handles).
Warranty The warranty is an important part of your investment. The longer the warranty, the longer you can get free/discounted repairs.	Frame: Lifetime Welds: Lifetime Parts: 5 Years Console: 3 Years Labor: 1 Year

Our Rating

Rating: 83.5/100. The rear drive Precor EFX 225 Energy Series Crosstrainer is among the top ellipticals in a world-famous lineup. Compared with home ellipticals from other brands, any Precor EFX is likely the winner in terms of delivering joint-friendly cardio training with just the right amount of challenge. One highlight of the EFX 225 in particular is its eight-level motorized incline, which can boost the famously smooth Precor stride from flat to a maximum of 25 degrees for supercharged calorie burn and targeted muscle toning.

Additional performance points are movable or stationary arm bars, preset workout programs for all challenge levels, and wireless heart rate monitoring. As for entertainment and multitasking, the EFX 225 console can support your tablet computer and has handy volume controls for your MP3 player or smartphone.

The EFX 225 sells for $2,999 online (full price $3,599) and carries a competitive warranty. Sound like a finalist in your search? Here are pros and cons to consider.

Pros:

Motorized incline (15 to 25 degrees, eight options)
Arm bars can be moving or fixed
Adjustable stride (Locks manually with a pin)
Reversible motion
10 diverse workout programs
16 resistance levels (10 watts to 550 watts)
Quiet performance (Magnetic resistance)
iPod/iPhone/Android compatible (Volume control)
Tablet computer holder
Wireless heart rate monitoring
Contact heart rate monitoring
Two user profiles
13 data points
Metric and standard data choices
Water bottle holder
Accessory holder
Competitive warranty
Great customer service from Precor

Cons:

Delivery costs extra
Not foldable for storage between workouts; footprint is 76″ x 29″

Introduction

Precor revolutionized cardio training in 1995 when it introduced the world’s first elliptical crosstrainer, the Precor EFX. (“EFX” means “Elliptical Fitness Crosstrainer.”) Today Precor remains a leader and builds various EFX models for health clubs and home gyms.

The Precor EFX 225 is a home elliptical trainer with a commercial feel. Just like Precor’s club trainers, it’s designed to fit about 95% of women and 95% of men in terms of height and weight. It offers a wide range of magnetic resistance options plus two dynamic options for each workout: 1) upper-body training with movable arm bars and 2) a motorized incline with eight settings. Diverse training programs are included, all adaptable for beginners, mid-level and advanced trainees. The machine is known for its durability and carries a competitive residential warranty.

Here are details about the workout programs and other specs for the Precor EFX 225 Energy Series Crosstrainer.

Workout Programs

Ready to support your fitness goals, the Precor EFX 225 has manual mode and nine preset workout programs. Each preset program is designed to especially support weight loss, cardiovascular health or endurance. The program titles are 1-1 Interval, 1-2 Interval, Weight Loss, Basic HRC, Aerobic, Hill Climb, Cross Country, Gluteal and Cross Trainer. Each has beginner, intermediate and advanced levels. Five of the programs display tips to help you enhance each training session.

Workout info is shown on an easy-to-read LCD. The 13 categories of feedback shown throughout each workout are: CrossRamp® (incline level), Time Remaining, Time Elapsed, Distance, Calories, Calories/Minute, Strides/Minute, Average Strides/Minute, Resistance, Heart Rate, Target Heart Rate, SmartRate® Zone and Percent Complete. (To get heart rate data you can wear a wireless chest strap or use the elliptical’s contact sensors.) Following each workout a summary is displayed. It shows the Time Elapsed, Total Distance, Average Strides/Minute and Total Calories.

Two users can save profiles to the console. For four user profiles and other upgrades, see the EFX 245.

Precor EFX 225 Features

Want a total body workout — or is today just a “leg day?” The Precor EFX 225 lets you train with or without moving arm bars. Unlock the bars to exercise your arms, back, chest and core body. Leave them stationary to focus just on your lower body and cardio training.

For even more calorie burn and toning the EFX 225 has a motorized incline with 15° to 25° range. Electronic controls let you easily alternate among eight incline levels within one seamless workout. This feature is a nice upgrade over other Precor crosstrainer ramps that can only be adjusted manually.

Digital perks can enhance workouts too. With that in mind Precor engineered the EFX 225 to securely hold your tablet computer for easy viewing. Additionally its console has volume control for your connected MP3 player or smartphone.

The console also has a convenient accessory tray (for your TV remote, for example) and a water bottle holder.

Warranty & Guarantee

The Precor EFX 225 elliptical warranty provides the following coverage:

– Frame: Lifetime

– Parts: 5 years

– Console: 3 years

– Labor: 1 year

Conclusion

Like any Precor elliptical for home use, the EFX 225 is just like Precor health club ellipticals in terms of beautiful biomechanics and hassle-free ownership. This model is a good choice for most shoppers seeking Precor’s famously smooth elliptical stride plus the boosts of a power incline and upper-body resistance.