ProForm Pro C10U Upright Exercise Bike Review

Quick Summary

The 2022 lineup of ProForm bikes introduces the C Series, and with it the ProForm Pro C10U. An upright stationary bike which offers solid support for the spine and knees, this machine’s design still allows a bit more total-body movement than the traditional recumbent like the Pro C10R. Priced at just $699, or $18 per month with financing, the bike comes with 30 days of the iFit workout app valued at $39 per month. Free shipping and a 30-day money back guarantee are just a couple additional benefits which make this a hot item for those on a budget.

Read our full review to decide whether it’s the best upright exercise bike for your budget.

Specifications

Model	ProForm Pro C10U
Rating Our custom rating considers all of the bike's features, specs, warranties, and 100's of user & expert reviews, to save you time!	95.0%
List Price Suggested retail price, typically higher than the price you'll pay with our recommended retailers.	$699
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.	$699
Resistance The flywheel in an exercise bike is what creates resistance. You can choose the level of resistance to increase your workout intensity.	25
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.	Inertia-based 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.	Commercial-Grade Steel
Seat The most important part for comfortability during your workout, the seat should be adjustable and have ample cushioning.	Adjustable, Oversized Seat with Lumbar Support
Pedals Pedals are the driving force for an exercise bike, and should be comfortable, adjustable, and easy to control without slipping.	Extra Wide Ergonomic Foot Pedals with Straps
Programs Bike Programs allow you to complete a workout with changing speeds and inclines, without changing anything manually.	iFit
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.	no
Display Display refers to the screen you'll look at to monitor workouts. LED and LCD displays are similar to TV screens.	10" HD Smart Touchscreen
Max. Weight Max. User Weight is the amount of weight, in pounds (lbs), that the bike can safely support, which can represent durability.	325 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).	21.1" x 34.5" x 58"
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: 10yrs Parts: 2 Years Labor: 1 Year

Our Rating

Rating: 95/100.

In terms of value for the purchase, the ProForm Pro C10U comes into the 2022 lineup of exercise equipment quite strong. With an upright design, the machine brings a terrific low-cost, high-quality indoor bike for those simply looking to earn the burn. As with most ProForm and NordicTrack machines these days, the bike comes iFit-enabled with 30 days of the app included with purchase. Built with a 10-inch HD Smart Touchscreen, the bike offers 25 levels of Silent Magnetic Resistance (SMR) by way of an inertia-enhanced flywheel and has ergonomic pedals with adjustable straps. The bike features two 2-inch Bluetooth speakers compatible with headphones, front-mounted transport wheels, as well as water bottle holders, and a cooling fan.

The 10-inch screen is a pro-and-con in its own right as no, it doesn’t work with apps other than iFit. That said, the machine itself does work without iFit, and with the bike as compact as it is one can easily place it in front of a television set or use the Bluetooth headphones. Meanwhile, bikes with larger screens are equally obsolete with the affiliated app and could get in the rider’s way.

Measuring 21.2″ x 34.5″ x 58″ with a shipping weight of 77 pounds, the bike has a 325-pound user weight maximum. ProForm also offers a respectable warranty of 10 years for the frame, two years for parts, and one year for labor. Here are pros and cons to consider about choosing the ProForm Pro C10U.

Pros:

Oversized cushioned seat adjustable both vertically and horizontally
25 levels of Silent Magnetic Resistance
10-inch HD Smart Touchscreen
30 days of iFit included in purchase
Bike iFit-enabled for automatic trainer control from remote locations during workouts
Compact design and front-mounted transport wheels
Two 2-inch Bluetooth Speakers, headphone compatible
Workout fan
Water bottle holder
275-pound user weight maximum
Budget-friendly price
Respectable warranty

Cons:

No built-in programming
Screen does not work with other apps

Introduction

A new bike in the ProForm lineup, the ProForm Pro C10U sides up next to the Pro C10R to for the 2022 C Series. At just $699, it comes in cheaper than the Echelon GT+ Connect Bike and is the best deal we can find among upright exercise bikes. With compact measurements and front-mounted transport wheels, the bike fits easily inside a home and can be moved in front a television if need be. With 25 levels of Silent Magnetic Resistance, even the most advanced of fitness fans can earn the burn easily.

ProForm Pro C10U Workout Programs

Like many bikes coming online these days, the ProForm Pro C10U comes without pre-loaded programs and instead relies on its company app, iFit. Purchase includes 30 days of the iFit Family Membership which is normally priced at $39 per month. The good news is, we’ve found iFit to be a great program and if you’re into interactive programming, you really can’t go wrong here. One unique element to this program is that it allows live trainers to control the bike’s resistance and speed from remote locations. This means you can literally follow the instructor as they put you through the paces without having to handle the controls yourself.

In addition to live training, the app comes with a virtual library of workouts and routines for just about any exercise machine, yoga, pilates, and weights. Downloadable onto both iOS and Android devices, users can take it anywhere. Dock your tablet computer, for example, and get interactive scenic views of landscapes and cityscapes with infinite possibilities for Google Maps workouts. The app automatically logs your session statistics, and you can connect iFit with phones and a wearable device for 24/7 stats tracking like steps, calories, distance, and heart rate.

While the bike comes with just a 10-inch screen, keep in mind that as small as it is one can easily place it in front of another screen or television, with or without the iFit app.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use other apps with the ProForm Pro C10U?

The machine comes iFit-enabled but you can always use another screen to access other apps. The machine does have Bluetooth speakers for headphones.

Do I have to subscribe to iFit to use the ProForm Pro C10U?

No, the bike can be used in manual mode.

Does this machine automatically adjust resistance?

Only if used with the iFit app. In that case, either live trainers or the program itself can control the machine.

Does this bike have a comfortable seat?

Yes, that’s one of the points of this bike’s design.

How difficult is the assembly of the ProForm Pro C10U?

It’s not particularly difficult in concept, but the parts are heavy if you’re trying it alone. I’d strongly recommend letting the delivery team assemble it per their offer.

Warranty & Guarantee

The standard ProForm Pro C10U warranty is respectable for a $699 bike. It includes:

– Frame: 10 years

– Parts: 2 Years

– Labor: 1 year

ProForm also provides a 30-day money back guarantee and free shipping.

Conclusion

There’s lots to love about the ProForm Pro C10U. In fact, if you’re looking for an upright exercise bike under $700 here you are. There’s really no better bike on the market for that kind of money. With 25 levels of SMR you can’t fail to get a solid workout irrespective of your ability, and even if you don’t like iFit, the bike’s screen is only 10 inches and won’t get in the way of a television set or other device. Being Bluetooth headphone-compatible means you’re really not tied to the iFit program unlike other bikes. A solid build and limited bells and whistles means you shouldn’t have any mechanical or technical problems and you can ride to your heart’s content. Rival upright bikes on the market are nearly double the price, and yes, they have bigger screens, but for those who value price and performance over show, the ProForm Pro C10U is the way to go.

Trainer’s Tips for the ProForm Pro C10U

As I’m writing this review in the spring of 2022, I happen to be preparing for an NPC Bodybuilding contest and have fat-loss on my mind. To achieve fat loss, one needs to burn more calories than they consume, and as everyone knows, there are about 3,500 calories in a pound of fat. The good thing about this bike is that when combined with the iFit program, one can use the automatic trainer control to let professionals from remote locations adjust the resistance and speed in conjunct with the routine. I also took advantage of the SmartBeat heartrate monitor which allows iFit-enabled machines to match your pace to your cardio zones. This takes away all temptation to simply cruise along at a leisurely pace. One doesn’t burn fat easily at a leisurely pace. One tip I’d strongly recommend when first getting this bike is to fully explore the live training programs and see if the automatic trainer control works for you. It could really make a difference in helping you push yourself through plateaus full of lactic acid and better explore your fitness potential.