ProForm 8.0 EX Exercise Bike Review

Quick Summary

Built for newcomers to regular bike exercise, the ProForm 8.0 EX lets you train with 25 beginner resistance levels and infinite options for customized workout programs. Thirty programs designed by a certified personal trainer are included, and with iFit Coach the workout program downloads are unlimited. Ride somewhere new every day… on your stationary bike! iFit Coach lets you pedal with paced landscape views of your hometown and destinations worldwide. Read on for our full exercise bike review.

Specifications

Model	ProForm 8.0 EX
Rating Our custom rating considers all of the bike's features, specs, warranties, and 100's of user & expert reviews, to save you time!	85.5%
List Price Suggested retail price, typically higher than the price you'll pay with our recommended retailers.	$799
Best Price Since prices change daily, this link goes to our preferred retailer for the current best price. Note: MSRP stands for Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price.	$799
Resistance The flywheel in an exercise bike is what creates resistance. You can choose the level of resistance to increase your workout intensity.	18 Levels
Resistance Type The type of resistance shows what kind of flywheel is being used (if any), and its weight if the manufacturer provides it.	Silent Magnetic
Type Type refers to the style of the ride: Recumbent bikes allow you to lay back, while Upright bikes are more like road bikes (lean forward).	Upright
Drive System The bike's drive system is how your pedaling interacts with the rest of the bike (flywheel) to give you a good workout.	16 lb. Flywheel
Frame It's important to choose an exercise bike that will last, and the material of the frame determines how durable the bike is.	Upright
Seat The most important part for comfortability during your workout, the seat should be adjustable and have ample cushioning.	Adjustable, Oversized & Cushioned
Pedals Pedals are the driving force for an exercise bike, and should be comfortable, adjustable, and easy to control without slipping.	Extra Wide Ergonomic w/ Straps
Programs Bike Programs allow you to complete a workout with changing speeds and inclines, without changing anything manually.	30
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.	Dual-Grip EKG™w/ BLE Compatibility Wireless heart rate receiver
Display Display refers to the screen you'll look at to monitor workouts. LED and LCD displays are similar to TV screens.	5" Backlit LCD
Max. Weight Max. User Weight is the amount of weight, in pounds (lbs), that the bike can safely support, which can represent durability.	300 lbs
Dimensions Dimensions are included to help you figure out if this treadmill will fit properly (Length x Width x Height and Height x Depth).	61.5" x 23" x 42"
Accessory Tray Some bikes include an accessory tray for holding items such as water bottles, wallets, keys, or MP3 players like iPods.
Speakers
Cooling Fans
Portable? Some exercise bikes can fold up and/or have wheels that make it easy to roll them around for convenience and to save space.
Warranty The warranty is a very important part of your investment. The longer the warranty, the longer you can get free/discounted repairs by the manufacturer.	Frame: Lifetime Parts: 2 Years Labor: 1 Year

Our Rating

Rating: 85.5/100. Starting a new fitness habit – and keeping it going – is made easy with the ProForm 8.0 EX. This compact exercise bike is designed to keep you motivated, and the programming makes it easy to optimize your workout time. Like most ProForm fitness machines this bike works with downloaded scenic iFit Coach training programs and also has built-in routines.

Workout programs for the 8.0 EX take control of its resistance system to help you accomplish specific training goals, like riding five miles or burning 100 calories. Thirty basic programs (no fancy graphics) arrive with the console, which has a 5” data monitor… and by connecting your tablet computer, you can add iFit Coach to the bike. Get high-def landscape views as you ride! Partnering with Google Maps, iFit Coach makes it possible to virtually roll down highways, streets and natural paths worldwide. You can also exercise with a world-class personal trainer by using iFit’s interactive video programs; a celebrity coach will appear on screen to guide you through training. With iFit you can try a new program anytime, and get customized suggestions whenever you ride.

Other features of the new ProForm 8.0 EX bike are a wireless heart rate receiver, a smartphone-compatible sound system, and a two-speed cooling fan. Here are pros and cons to consider before inviting it home.

Pros:

Cushioned seat with adjustable height
30 built-in workouts
25 resistance levels
Display is backlit for easy reading of workout stats
Ready for iFit Coach
Has a tablet computer holder
Sound system with 2” stereo speakers
USB charging station
Supports wireless heart rate monitoring (Chest strap sold separately)
Contact heart rate sensors
Two-speed workout fan
Water bottle holder
Low price
Two-year parts warranty
Compact size (Footprint is 61.5″ x 23″)
Transport wheels attached

Cons:

Not powerful enough for stronger cyclists (16-pound drive)
Does not have incline or decline
Requires occasional light maintenance by owner
ProForm customer service can be slow

Introduction

A fun entry-level exercise bike, the ProForm 8.0 EX makes it convenient to access music and the Internet as you exercise. It’s also loaded with ready-to-go workout programs and is ready to connect with iFit Coach. Here are details about the programming, resistance and other features.

Workout Programs

ProForm fitness machines make it easy to spend your workout time efficiently. With the new 8.0 EX bike you can choose from 30 on-board training routines and let the bike lead you through a just-right challenge to reach your workout goal. The menu arranges your choices by goal category including Calorie, Incline, Intensity and Performance.

With WiFi and an iFit Coach membership, you can go far beyond 30 routines. Try a new path everyday! The simplest option is making or choosing a personal training program similar to the 30 choices built into the bike, but tailored to your workout data and goals.

Another iFit Coach option is downloading a Google Maps™ workouts. Virtually tour the world! Just draw a route on your tablet computer, and the bike will sync an immersive Google Street View to your workout intensity. You can also choose from recommended routes at five workout intensity levels. iFit Coach brilliantly matches beautiful paths to your exercise objectives.

And third, iFit Coach lets you benefit from exclusive interactive videos led by celebrity personal trainers. Filmed in HD, these let you get the benefits of ever-moving scenic views and an expert workout partner.

For all types of bike workouts, iFit Coach automatically logs your data. The mobile app can also help track your daily steps and other exercise you accomplish away from your exercise bike.

Stationary Bike Features

The ProForm 8.0 EX has a 16-pound flywheel, which is why we call it an exercise bike for beginners. You can work your way up through 25 levels of resistance, which are set digitally.

For quiet operation as you move among resistance levels, the bike uses magnetic braking instead of contact braking.

A removable tablet computer shelf can securely hold your computer, letting you ride with a movie, the web or interactive iFit Coach views.

There’s also a jack for your smartphone player. A set of 2″ speakers is built into the bike’s console.

For heart rate monitoring the ProForm 8.0 EX is equipped with a CardioGrip™ heart rate monitor and is compatible with Bluetooth Smart wireless chest straps.

To help you keep cool, ProForm has included a water bottle holder and a two-speed console fan.

Small wheels are attached for moving the bike after exercise.

Warranty & Guarantee

The ProForm 8.0 EX Upright Stationary Bike warranty includes:

– Frame: Lifetime

– Parts: 2 Years

– Labor: 1 year

ProForm exercise bikes also have a 30-day money back guarantee.

Conclusion

The ProForm 8.0 EX Upright Stationary Bike isn’t tough enough for experienced bike exercisers, but it can be a newer biker’s best buddy. It offers the comfort, training and entertainment to help novices reach higher levels of fitness. Full price ($799) for the newest version is fair considering the two-year parts warranty, but do search the ProForm website for older models. You could get a very similar bike for hundreds less.

For a more challenging ride, look for an exercise bike with a heavier flywheel. NordicTrack has lots of options that work with iFit Coach.