ProForm Studio Bike Pro Review

Our Rating

Rating: 89.0/100. ProForm Studio Pro exercise bike is a well-connected indoor trainer with WiFi for LiveCast studio classes and iFit Coach Plus personal training. It’s the entry point for the brand when it comes to indoor cycles, and the midrange of their entire exercise bike line overall. For a brief period ProForm had a higher spec version of this bike with a 22″ HD touchscreen, but this model has since been discontinued. Now, the next steps up in the line are Pro-Form’s Tour De France models, which add power-controlled incline and decline functionality for an additional $500-$700 depending on the model.

This indoor cycle is stylish in execution, and well equipped to challenge both novice and intermediate-level riders. built-in software allows you to track your fitness progress with ease. Using iFit—the thoughtful fitness software that delivers streaming workout programs and other features—you can keep track of your workouts on your mobile device as well as on the bike itself. The workout programming that comes with iFit (3-year Family Membership included) is available on-demand and designed to be immersive. A new LiveCast class is added daily, allowing you to soak up the motivation of an in-studio training session. In addition, iFit Coach lets you virtually experience real-life cycling routes that are powered by Google Street Views.

In terms of ergonomic adjustability, the Studio Bike Pro can accommodate a wide range of riders. Its seat has both vertical and horizontal adjustment, and its handlebars can be raised or lowered to suit your desired riding posture. The adjustment controls are a crank-style handle that free up the seat and handlebar stack with a quick half-turn, making setup pretty idiot-proof. That said, once you’re dialed in its the kind of thing you’re unlikely to ever touch again unless there are multiple riders in the household. The seat is slender and compact—true to road bike form as expected. This is the norm with indoor cycles, but worth noting that new riders may find the seating a bit uncomfortable at first. On the plus side, the seat can easily be swapped out for something more cushy should riders desire an alternative. The pedals come as cage clips but are common threading, so those could also be switched to SPD clips or other preferred pedals.

Assembly for this bike is fairly easy taking roughly an hour for 2 people. The bike is a touch long on account of its screen (56.6″), so maneuvering this bike can be tricky in small spaces. The overall weight of the bike is moderate and the flywheel is narrow, magnetic and quiet. It’s worth noting that this bike requires Wi-Fi to run its programs, so without a great connection your viewing experience could get choppy. The display comes with several great workouts and rides built-in, and even more features come bundled with an iFit Family Membership. The 3-year membership is rolled into the cost of the bike, and depending on what kind of rider you are (wanting to change things up vs. sticking to a set routine) you may see benefit in renewing the membership. Even without iFit, the system tracks all your workouts on a calendar so you can track your progress, previous rides and overall statistics including distance, calories, time, heart rate, elevation, average watts, etc. This data is also available on your mobile devices via the iFit app.

Overall the console of the Studio Bike Pro is user friendly and easy to navigate. Rides with Google Street View mapping are advertised with this bike, though the rides are not in real time but rather pictures of the selected road that change frequently. If you do want a real time video, you have the option to ride various terrains with a trainer as if you were riding behind them. This is a really neat feature to explore different areas, and one that quickly became a favorite of ours during testing. Resistance on these rides is automatically adjusted during the class too, so you feel the resistance changes that would come with the terrain you’re seeing fly by. The trainer also suggests what cadence/pace you should be keeping along the way.

When it comes to spin classes, there is quite the variety of different classes available, including glute work, cardio, fat burn, high intensity, hill training, and plenty of others. Some of the instructors are better than others in terms of motivation and entertainment, but effectively that’s the case no matter where and how you train. The music could be improved for these classes, as it’s barely audible much of the time. The real fun with these classes is the fact that you can see other people riding in the class, making it more interactive and immersive than a standard pre-recorded session. Much like the trail rides mentioned above, the instructor can actually change the resistance on your bike, pushing you to work harder. While you have the ability to override this option, it is a fantastic feature to challenge your fitness.

Overall, the best features of this bike are the options to ride along with a trainer as if you were outside either on the road or trail in different parts of the world. We also appreciate the design and ease of use of its console. In terms of shortcomings, a smart device holder would be a nice addition, as would a built in fan, but at this price point we can’t really expect the latter. The bike is well priced for the amount of feature it offers but is definitely designed for more avid riders who prioritize the inclusion of all the bells and whistles. For new riders looking to try out cycling the classes and variety of options will be helpful in finding a routine that suits them.

Pros:

• 10” high-definition monitor
• Monitor swivels and tilts for view from anywhere
• LiveCast bike classes on demand
• iFit Coach Plus
• Silent Magnetic Resistance
• Adjustable saddle and handlebars
• Pedals with toe cages and clips
• Universal seat and pedals
• Color-coded Watts display
• Water bottle holder
• Transport wheels

Cons:

• ProForm customer service gets low ratings

Introduction

The new Studio Bike Pro is equipped with a 10” HD touchscreen that can deliver studio workout sessions and scenic outdoor tours on-demand. Below are details about the on-demand training programs, as well as other features and warranty information.

Studio Pro Workout Programs

Studio bikes can access LiveCast studio classes and iFit Coach Plus personal training.

LiveCast classes are filmed in a good-looking studio gym, stocked with ProForm fitness machines. Every day a new spin class is made available to you on-demand. Instructors develop total-body workout sessions, so sometimes you’ll get off the bike to use light dumbbells (included), do pushups, and so on. To keep an eye on the class video you can flip the bike’s 10” screen; it swivels and tilts.

The Studio Bike Pro is sold with 3-year iFit Family Membership, as well as your HD bike screen. This innovative coaching program adapts to your activity to deliver customized recommendations for fitness, nutrition and sleep. As for workout programs, every day iFit Coach Plus delivers three options based on your ability and fitness goals. Workouts are filmed in scenic settings around the world to keep exercise choices fresh and motivating.