Best Precor Ellipticals of 2023

Precor Ellipticals Buying Guide

Precor introduced the world to ellipticals in 1995 when it launched the Elliptical Fitness Crosstrainer, or EFX. Today its EFX lineup for home gyms includes the Precision Series, the Energy Series and Elliptical Fitness Crosstrainers. All Precor ellipticals have a low-impact rear drive design, which is the “gold standard” in elliptical engineering. (Precor patented the rear drive elliptical. Competitors either pay for rights to mimic the design or devise alternatives that tend to have shortcomings.) EFX trainers also feature CrossRamp technology for targeted muscle toning and some use the Preva network fitness app to deliver customized workouts. Precor ellipticals also have touch consoles and other conveniences. Here are some highlights from the selection.

Top-of-the-Line Precor Elliptical: EFX 835 Elliptical Fitness Crosstrainer

Bring the health club home. The gray and blue Precor EFX 835 is the same elliptical featured at fitness clubs and spas. This commercial trainer has moving handlebars for total body training, automated CrossRamp technology with angles from 10 to 35 degrees, and 15 preset programs. Twenty levels of resistance and Precor’s patented stride make the EFX 835 ideal for virtually any trainee.

Biomechanics stand out here, as they do on all Precor ellipticals. The patented elliptical path provides the industry’s smoothest low-impact motion and thus the lowest rate of perceived exertion; your workouts will be comfortable even when you’re training at top intensity. Precor’s patented motion reduces stress on muscles and tendons by keeping your heels in contact with the pedals at all times. The EFX 835 has reverse motion too, so you can enjoy more variety and engage different muscle groups.

This “green machine” is self-powered, so you can place it anywhere in your home regardless of where power outlets are located.

This commercial trainer sells for $5,999. If used at home it has parts protection for 10 years. Labor is free during the first year of ownership.

Best Mid-Priced Precor Elliptical: EFX 425 Precision

Precor sells three ellipticals in the Precision Series. While the lowest-priced Precor Precision has stationary handlebars, the 425 Precision featured here has movable arm bars. (They can also be kept in place.) This Precor elliptical trainer supports rapid calorie burn and fantastic muscle toning with a maximum 40 degree CrossRamp incline. It also makes it easy to stay online and in touch thanks to mobile device integration.

To personalize the workout experience, this Precor can save two user profiles and remember each trainee’s preferences for workout duration. Calorie burn and target heart rate metrics are specific to the user instead of being the more generic approximations used by cheaper elliptical machines. Among the 10 preset workouts are Weight Loss, Heart Rate, Interval-1, Interval-2 and Hill Climb. Enhancing your elliptical workouts are Android and iPod/iPhone compatibility and a tablet holder with SmartGrip™.

The Precor 425 Precision sells for $4,999. Its residential warranty includes parts protection for 10 years. (Parts are covered for five years in commercial settings.) Labor is free during the first year of ownership.

Lowest-Priced Precor Elliptical: EFX 221 Energy

The most affordable Precor elliptical is the $1,999 Precor 221 Energy. (Full price is $2,999.) The 221 Energy features the impressive ergonomics that set this brand apart from competitors. However, this unit is basic for Precor and won’t satisfy all shopper’s needs. Features that might be considered limiting are the manual incline adjustments and stationary handlebars. Other Precor ellipticals have automated incline control plus movable arm bars for full-body workouts.

The three-position CrossRamp can be set to 15°, 20° and 25°. The trainer has 16 resistance levels and 12 preset workouts with memory for two users. During workouts you’ll get 13 categories of data including heart rate info, which can be transmitted wirelessly. Each session concludes with a summary including the time elapsed, total calories, total distance and average strides per minute.

Parts are under warranty for five years, electronics are protected for three, and any required labor is free during the first year of ownership.

More Precor Ellipticals

Altogether Precor makes nine elliptical trainers for commercial and/or residential use. The following Precor ellipticals aren’t profiled above but might be your best match.

EFX 447 Precision, $5,299

EFX 423 Precision, $4,199

EFX 245 Energy, $3,999

EFX 225 Energy, $3,299

EFX 222 Energy, $2,599

EFX 833 Elliptical Fitness Crosstrainer, $6,495