ProForm Exercise Bike Review: A Complete Guide to ProForm’s Exercise Bikes
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If you’ve started the process of shopping around for an indoor cycling bike, then you know how many stationary bikes there are to choose from. In an oversaturated market, it can be tough to find the perfect exercise bike for your home gym that meets your fitness goals, budget and interests.
ProForm is a leading fitness brand that offers one of the biggest assortments of indoor cycling bikes in the industry—their current lineup features six bikes—and is a great place to start searching. In addition to exercise bikes, ProForm also offers affordable treadmills, ellipticals and rowers.
They sell a diverse array of cardio bikes that range from simple and structured to high-tech and high-end. These include several styles, such as indoor cycling bikes, recumbent bikes, upright bikes and even a hybrid trainer that blends cycling with elliptical workouts.
Whether you’re a beginner or experienced rider, ProForm offers equipment for all fitness levels. Our in-depth ProForm exercise bike review will dive into what sets each bike apart in terms of specs, features and technology. We also cover how ProForm models stack up against competitors, plus important information on ProForm policies.
Studio Bike Pro
ProForm
Key Features:
- Dimensions: 56.5 inches L x 21.9 inches W x 52 inches H
- Weight: 140 pounds
- Weight capacity: 250 pounds
- Resistance levels: 22
- Monitor: 10-inch smart HD touchscreen with SmartSwivel
- Warranty: 10 years frame, two years parts and one year labor
- iFIT: Free for three years, then costs $396 per year
- Price: $1,403
ProForm Studio Bike Pro is the brand’s entry level high-tech spin bike, even though it costs more than the ProForm Studio Bike Pro 22—and we’ll explain why shortly. This beginner-friendly bike has a 10-inch smart HD touchscreen display, a 30-pound inertia-enhanced flywheel and 22 levels of silent magnetic resistance. It offers a moderate challenge for new bikers who are just starting cycling or building up their fitness level, but may not be challenging enough for very experienced cyclists (and the mid-grade flywheel likely won’t support very high speeds).
With a 250-pound user weight capacity, the ProForm Studio Bike Pro runs on the lighter side, but has a commercial-grade solid steel construction to help boost stability. It also has an ergonomic, padded seat with a narrow, racing-style design. One of perks of this bike is that it comes with optional toe cages for the pedals, so you can use either cycling cleats or regular training shoes while you exercise. (This is a major bonus for many, since cycling shoes can be expensive.) In addition, the bike seat and the handlebars are adjustable to suit riders of different heights.
The Studio Bike Pro offers a quiet ride thanks to its silent magnetic resistance. The welded steel build also helps keep this bike steady, but because of the mid-grade flywheel and low product weight, it might feel a little shaky during intense workouts. With the touchscreen’s SmartSwivel design, you can also turn your screen 180 degrees in either direction, or tilt up or down for floor-based workouts. You’ll also find one-touch digital quick resistance buttons on the console for all 22 levels of resistance. Lastly, there’s a water bottle holder near the pedals and an audio auxiliary port, plus three-pound dumbbells for upper-body workouts while you cycle.
Like all ProForm bikes, the Studio Bike Pro is iFIT-enabled for live and on-demand workouts that you can follow on the touchscreen display. Your purchase includes a three-year family membership that will renew at the then-current price following the trial period (right now, it’s $396). Since an iFIT membership is required for purchase, the price of this spin bike actually includes iFIT in the overall cost; otherwise, you can buy the bike on its own on Amazon for around $749 with a free 30-day iFIT family trial. While having an iFIT subscription will unlock a number of cool features on this bike, like cross-training programs and interactive cycling sessions taught by iFIT coaches, you can still use the bike without iFIT and cycle on a manual setting.
Best for:
- Beginner cyclists
- Cross-training
- Those who want live and on-demand workouts
- Riders who need a quiet exercise bike
Studio Bike Pro 22
ProForm
Key Features:
- Dimensions: 56.5 inches L x 21.9 inches W x 54 inches H
- Weight: 144 pounds
- Weight capacity: 250 pounds
- Resistance levels: 24
- Monitor: 22-inch smart HD touchscreen with SmartSwivel
- Warranty: 10 years frame, two years parts and one year labor
- iFIT: Free for 30 days, then costs $39 per month
- Price: $1,299
ProForm’s higher-end studio spin bike is the Studio Bike Pro 22, an upgraded version of the Studio Bike Pro with a 22-inch smart HD touchscreen that includes the same SmartSwivel design. This bike may cost less than the Studio Bike Pro, but it includes only a 30-day iFIT trial rather than a year, so you do end up paying more for this spin bike if you continue your iFIT subscription.
Like the entry-level model, the Pro 22 has an upright frame with a welded solid steel construction and an ergonomic, racing-style padded seat. Similarly, it has a lighter 250-pound weight capacity and a mid-grade inertia-enhanced flywheel, which may create some of the same shakiness that you’ll find on the Studio Bike Pro if you pedal at very high speeds.
That being said, beginner to mid-level cyclists will enjoy this quiet bike for the low price point, sleek design and cinematic touchscreen display. It has adjustable handlebars and an adjustable seat, optional toe cages with straps for multi-footwear use and silent magnetic resistance with a slightly higher resistance range than the Studio Bike Pro that includes 24 digital levels. Plus, if you want to move your bike or keep it in storage when it’s not in use, front-mounted transport wheels make that easy to do with just one person. While this spin bike doesn’t have any built-in workout programs, it’s iFIT enabled for iFIT classes, and you can also cycle on a manual setting.
You’ll find many of the same accessories and features that are found on the lower-end Spin Bike Pro, such as a water bottle holder, audio auxiliary port to plug your headphones into and three-pound dumbbells that you can store on the mini weight rack on the backside of the bike. While this studio spin bike has a similar-sized touchscreen as the Peloton bike, it’s a budget-friendly alternative that nets comparable studio cycle classes and interactive training.
Best for:
- Beginner to intermediate cyclists
- Those who want live and on-demand fitness classes
- Those interested in a Peloton bike alternative
- Riders who need a quiet exercise bike
Studio Bike Carbon CX
ProForm
Key Features:
- Dimensions: 52.5 inches L x 21.9 inches W x 51 inches H
- Weight: 125 pounds
- Weight capacity: 250 pounds
- Resistance levels: 16
- Monitor: Large LCD display window
- Warranty: 10 years frame, one year parts and labor
- iFIT included?: Free for 30 days, then costs $39 per month
- Price: $599
ProForm offers three budget exercise bikes that each cost $599, and first on the roster is the Studio Bike Carbon CX. Unlike the two previous spin bikes, this basic bike doesn’t come with an HD touchscreen display, but rather a large LCD display window that tracks metrics. Still, if a touchscreen isn’t important to you, this might not be something you miss (and you can stream the iFIT app from a smartphone or tablet that you can rest on the integrated tablet holder).
Like the other spin bike models, the Studio Bike Carbon CX has a welded solid steel frame, the same racing-style seat and optional toe cages. It also has a mid-grade inertia-enhanced flywheel that can support light to moderate workouts while remaining stable. Still, for $599, it’s hard to beat 16 levels of digital resistance, adjustable handlebars and seat and front wheels for easy transport. As one of the brand’s lighter exercise bikes, it weighs 125 pounds, but manages to maintain a user weight capacity of 250 pounds. Silent magnetic resistance also means that you can enjoy a quiet ride, which is helpful for those living in apartments or large households. The 10-year frame warranty is also a rare find among budget bikes like the Carbon CX.
Related Post: The Best Affordable Exercise Bikes to Crush Your At-Home Cardio Workouts
Best for:
- Users with compact spaces
- Riders who want spin classes on a budget
- Those who want an excellent warranty value
C Series Pro C10R
ProForm
Key Features:
- Dimensions: 56.8 inches L x 25.4 inches W x 49.8 inches H
- Weight: 149 pounds
- Weight capacity: 300 pounds
- Resistance levels: 25
- Monitor: 10-inch smart HD touchscreen
- Warranty: 10 years frame, one year parts and labor
- iFIT: Free for 30 days, then costs $39 per month
- Price: $799
You’ll typically find high-tech features like touchscreens on traditional spin bikes, but ProForm offers this same interactive experience with its recumbent bike, which is something we love. The ProForm C Series Pro C10R is the brand’s standalone recumbent bike, and should be your top choice if you have knee injuries or back pain, since recumbent bikes have a reclined seated position.
Still, that doesn’t mean that the C10R is an easy workout. With 25 levels of digital resistance, you can crank up the challenge while enjoying a quiet ride thanks to silent magnetic resistance. It also has a built-in CoolAire fan to keep you cool throughout more challenging exercises. And, you can follow your favorite iFIT classes on the 10-inch smart HD touchscreen.
This bike comes with a recumbent frame built in a Step-Thru style, which means it’s easy to get on or off of. It also has an adjustable oversized, roomy ergonomic cushion seat that can support users of most heights, plus large foot pedals with adjustable straps. The C10R has a water bottle holder in easy reach, plus Bluetooth connectivity that includes dual two-inch Bluetooth speakers and Bluetooth headphone compatibility. Since the spin bikes don't come with Bluetooth functionality, we appreciate that the C10R is equipped with this technology.
While most recumbent bikes tend to be noisy, the silent magnetic resistance eliminates the whooshing sound that you’ll hear on many recumbent bikes, making this product a great choice for those who live in apartments or share homes with other people. The quiet workout is a major perk, as is the moderate warranty that includes 10 years for the frame and one year for labor and parts.
Best for:
- Heavier users
- People with injuries or back pain
- Those who need a quiet ride
C Series Pro C10U
ProForm
Key Features:
- Dimensions: 34.5 inches L x 21.2 inches W x 58 inches H
- Weight: 77 pounds
- Weight capacity: 275 pounds
- Resistance levels: 25
- Monitor: 10-inch smart HD touchscreen
- Warranty: 10 years frame, two years parts and one year labor
- iFIT: Free for 30 days, then costs $39 per month
- Price: $599
Like the C10R, the ProForm C Series Pro C10U brings an immersive touchscreen experience to a class of exercise bike that often doesn’t get this luxury: the traditional upright bike. As ProForm’s only upright bike, this high-tech machine is an excellent choice for small home gyms thanks to its mostly-vertical design and compact dimensions. The iFIT-powered bike has an upright frame with sturdy construction and an inertia-enhanced flywheel. It also has some of the same comfort features as the C10R, such as a CoolAire fan, roomy foot pedals with adjustable straps and an oversized cushion seat that can be adjusted up or down to fit users of different height levels.
You’ll also get the same Bluetooth connectivity that includes dual two-inch Bluetooth speakers and Bluetooth headphone compatibility. Similarly, the upright bike includes a water bottle holder in easy reach, front-mounted transport wheels for hassle-free movement and one-touch controls on the console to change resistance, volume and fan speed. Silent magnetic resistance also gives this bike a quiet workout, but because of its low product weight of just 77 pounds, you may find that this upright bike gets slightly shaky at higher speeds. For the low cost, however, this is a small price to pay in exchange for a fully-equipped high-tech bike at just $599.
Best for:
- Those with small home gyms
- Riders who prefer upright cycling
- Shoppers who want to spend less than $700 on an exercise bike
Hybrid Trainer XT
ProFrom
Key Features:
- Dimensions: 70.5 inches L x 24.5 inches W x 60.5 inches H
- Weight: 135 pounds
- Weight capacity: 250 pounds
- Resistance levels: 16
- Monitor: Five-inch, high contrast, multi-color display
- Warranty: Five years frame, one year parts and labor
- iFIT: Free for 30 days, then costs $39 per month
- Price: $599
If you’re on the fence between buying an elliptical or an indoor bike for your home gym, you don’t have to be faced with a tough decision to buy one over the other (or spend even more money and buy both). For just $599, ProForm sells an elliptical and recumbent bike hybrid trainer that offers the best of both worlds at a fraction of the price.
The unique ProForm Hybrid Trainer XT has a console that pivots to match elliptical or recumbent bike positions, and has both elliptical pedals and a recumbent seat. It’s definitely a larger and bulkier machine than the rest of the bikes on our list, so be sure to carefully measure your space, especially the length.
While the hybrid trainer itself isn’t ultra high-tech and has a five-inch, high contrast, multi-color display rather than touchscreen, you can stream iFIT classes from your tablet or smartphone that you can rest on the integrated tablet holder. The trainer comes with a durable steel frame and adjustable oversized cushioned seat, plus oversized and adjustable cushioned pedals. Its comfort-first design is a standout feature that this hybrid trainer offers, in addition to its longer stride length of 15 inches (which makes elliptical movements easier for taller users). Although there’s no Bluetooth audio integration, you can connect to a Bluetooth heart rate monitor.
Like the rest of the ProForm models, the Hybrid Trainer XT comes with a water bottle holder and inertia-enhanced flywheel, which helps create a quiet ride. It also has front-mounted transport wheels that let you easily move this trainer if needed. While the five-year warranty for the frame is half of that offered on other ProForm models, the low price tag makes this hybrid trainer a steal.
Best for:
- Diverse home fitness options
- Biking and hiking
- Value shoppers
iFIT
iFIT is a subscription-only fitness platform compatible with ProForm and NordicTrack cardio machines. Most products come with a free 30-day trial, but you can subscribe to iFIT for $15 per month for an individual membership or $39 per month for a family membership that supports up to five users. iFIT has a robust library of trainer-led fitness classes that are live or on-demand, and includes both cycling and off-bike programs like yoga, strength training and bootcamp. iFIT also offers scenic rides that let you bike through destinations worldwide from the comfort of your home. An iFIT subscription will also unlock helpful features like automatic trainer control (which automatically adjusts resistance to match that recommended by your fitness class) and connected fitness tracking that customizes your fitness plans with your stats and preferences.
If you’re a fan of Peloton app workouts, iFIT offers a strong alternative at a lower price point with many of the same great features, like scenic rides, live and on-demand trainer-led classes and enhanced metrics tracking. Our bottom line is that iFIT is definitely worth it if you’re able to have a monthly membership, because not only does it net you interactive cycling programs, but it lets you get the most use out of your exercise bike or hybrid trainer; otherwise, your only option is exercising on a manual setting.
Many customers give iFIT rave reviews and particularly praise the quality of the scenic rides, but the platform does come with a few downsides. It can get pricey if you have a family membership plan, and the platform isn’t very user-friendly. As someone who has iFIT on my treadmill, I spend a lot of time scrolling to find what I want.
Pros of ProForm Exercise Bikes
The biggest pro that ProForm exercise bikes offer is their extremely low price points. Typically, a high-tech exercise bike can cost double the price of what you’ll pay for a ProForm bike. The designs also have comfort top of mind, and you’ll find ergonomic features integrated in different areas like pedals, handlebars and seats. Most bikes, with the exception of the ProForm Hybrid Trainer XT, are also very compact and can easily fit home gyms of almost any size, which makes them a more accessible option for those with smaller workout areas. The iFIT integration is another major perk that lets you enjoy interactive cycling programs and off-bike exercises.
Cons of ProForm Exercise Bikes
With the perks come a few downsides to ProForm exercise bikes, the biggest of which is the lower user weight capacity on most models. This means heavier users are automatically excluded from being able to buy many ProForm bikes, and the low user weight paired with the mid-grade flywheel makes these bikes slightly less sturdy than other competitors on the market. While it’s highly unlikely that your bike will topple over if you cycle at a high speed, you may notice some shakiness that will be more of a nuisance if anything. You’ll also need to make a tough choice to either use your bike on a manual setting or subscribe to iFIT for a monthly fee, since none of the ProForm exercise bikes come with built-in or pre-programmed workouts.
ProForm Policies
Being informed on (often-overlooked) policies from any fitness brand you buy from can keep you up-to-speed on your options in the event that something goes haywire with your purchase, like your bike breaks down or you need to return it. Taking time to understand policies can also help you learn about financing options, shipping costs and warranties. Be sure to brush up on these six areas before buying an indoor cycling bike for your home gym from ProForm.
Returns
ProForm stands by their products and customer satisfaction. If you’re not happy with your bike purchase for any reason, you have 30 days from the day your machine is delivered to submit a return request. However, you’ll lose a big chunk of money in the long run, so it’s important to be as confident as possible in your purchase (carefully measuring your workout space, reviewing specs and features, etc.) before making a purchase. All ProForm bike returns will include a non-refundable return shipping charge of $250 and a 10 percent processing fee. Any completed upgraded services also aren't refundable. Depending on which bike you purchase, you can easily expect to lose one-quarter or more of the price you originally paid. As one of the more aggressive return policies we’ve encountered, we think ProForm could improve in this area.
Assembly
Unlike its sister brand NordicTrack, which is the more high-end of the two, ProForm doesn’t offer any in-home assembly options, which many customers find worth the extra price. Instead, you can expect to assemble any ProForm bike purchase on your own unless you outsource the assembly through a third-party app like Taskrabbit. Assembly generally takes two people and you can access more detailed assembly instructions on BILT, an app that offers 3D instructions.
Contact info
ProForm has a dedicated “contact us” page on its website with phone numbers for different departments such as sales, order tracking, customer service and iFIT support. This is a nice feature to have on hand because if you’re ever called one main customer service line and spent the next 20 minutes sifting through different options until you reached the right department, you know how tough it can be to get questions answered. If you don’t feel like waiting on the phone, ProForm also offers a live chat option, or you can contact each department with a dedicated email address. Having contacted iFIT support via live chat, I can vouch for the responsiveness of the service, and had my question answered almost immediately.
Warranty
Depending on which ProForm bike you choose, you’ll encounter a different warranty window. Bikes have anywhere from a five- to 10-year frame warranty, one- to two-year parts warranty and all have a one-year labor warranty. Overall, these warranties are just OK. While a lifetime frame warranty is arguably the holy grail, you’re not going to find these on budget-friendly buys like ProForm. Still, for the low price tag on most ProForm exercise bike models, it can be tough to argue with a 10-year frame warranty. If you’re looking for extra coverage, you can purchase a ProForm extended service plan, but you’ll need to contact ProForm to get a custom quote.
Financing
If you’re not able to pay for your exercise bike up front, ProForm offers a flexible financing option with zero percent APR for 12, 36 or 39 months of equal payments. The amount you can finance excludes taxes, delivery or other charges, so it’s important to keep this in mind as you budget.
Shipping
One thing we love about ProForm bikes is that they all come with free shipping. Other brands charge a one-time shipping fee that can hover around $100 or climb to nearly $200, so this is a great cost-saving measure that new and existing ProForm customers can take advantage of.
ProForm vs Other Brands
Comparing brands can help you determine if one brand is a better fit for your needs, budget and interests over the other. Here’s how ProForm stacks up against other leading fitness brands.
Peloton
ProForm’s touchscreen studio bikes, particularly the Studio Bike Pro 22, are budget-friendly Peloton alternatives that can net you the same cinematic experience and trainer-led classes at a much lower price point. However, that’s where the similarities end. Peloton bikes are a much higher-quality build with 100 resistance levels, sturdier frame and Bluetooth connectivity. While the iFIT and Peloton app will get you many of the same interactive options, the price and build will probably be your major driving factors in deciding between these two exercise bike brands. For more information, check out our in-depth Peloton bike review.
NordicTrack
NordicTrack is the higher-end sister brand to ProForm. NordicTrack exercise bikes are also iFIT compatible, but come in at higher price points with swankier builds and features like incline and decline. These bikes tend to have premium steel construction and corrosion resistance, which helps prevent rust. However, because these brands are owned by the same parent company (iFIT Health and Fitness), you’ll get similar warranty options and a 30-day free iFIT trial with most purchases. If you’re looking for a luxury buy, NordicTrack will be your best bet, but cyclists on a budget or people looking for more affordable exercise bikes may want to consider ProForm.
Related Post: NordicTrack S22i Studio Bike: Is this the Exercise Bike for You?
Schwinn
Schwinn, like ProForm, is a popular budget-friendly fitness brand that produces a variety of exercise bikes. Schwinn also has one of the more diverse assortments of indoor bikes that include the full spectrum of spin bikes, recumbent bikes, air bikes and upright bikes. While Schwinn bikes have similar price ranges to ProForm bikes, they lack one main feature that ProForm has: touchscreens. Schwinn bikes have a basic LCD display and are more simple variations of their ProForm counterparts, but they do have built-in training programs, which ProForm doesn’t have. Therefore, you’ll want to consider if a touchscreen or preset workout options are more important to you if you’re on the fence between the two brands.
ProForm Exercise Bikes FAQs
Does ProForm make good exercise bikes?
ProForm makes well-built, sturdy bikes that often rival more expensive high-end competitors. Home gym enthusiasts gravitate towards ProForm exercise bikes for their trustworthy build, affordable price points, comfort features, integrated technology and cycling experience.
Is ProForm owned by NordicTrack?
ProForm is owned and manufactured by the parent company iFIT Health and Fitness, which also manufactures NordicTrack. ProForm and NordicTrack are sister brands, with ProForm being the more affordable option and NordicTrack being the top pick for high-end, luxury buys.
Can you use ProForm bikes without a subscription?
Yes, you can use all ProForm bikes without a subscription, but your options will be more limited. You’ll be able to cycle on a manual setting, or you can use your own smart device to stream third-party fitness apps for following classes (you just can’t stream them on ProForm screens).
Can you lose weight with a ProForm bike?
You can lose weight on any ProForm bike if you exercise regularly and keep to a consistent workout schedule, in addition to maintaining a healthy diet. Research shows that a combination of indoor cycling and a healthy, balanced diet promotes weight loss, improves blood work and reduces blood pressure.
Final Thoughts
One of the things we love most about ProForm is that the brand sells a diverse assortment of exercise bikes that go beyond just spin bikes and also includes recumbent bikes, upright bikes and even a bike and elliptical hybrid. For this reason, ProForm is one of our top picks when it comes to trusted fitness brands that offer high-quality bikes at low price points. With bikes for all riding styles, interests, budgets and experience levels, we recommend making ProForm one of the first brands you consider if you’re in the market for a new indoor bike. Before locking in a purchase, be sure to read our ProForm exercise bike review for tips, specs, features and more.
Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.
