Precor EFX 5.25 Elliptical Fitness Crosstrainer Review

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(More customer reviews)As a person for whom hip replacement surgery is inevitable, this elliptical trainer is a huge blessing. Precor's EFX 5.25 Elliptical Fitness Crosstrainer is a sophisticated and attractive example of next generation home fitness equipment. It's so well built that it may be the last piece of fitness equipment we will ever need. Its attractive design is appealing and I find that I don't mind looking at it as it dominates the space I've dedicated to exercising.
The delivery of this machine involved a freight carrier. Those with non-traditional driveways like mine (low hanging branches and a gravel drive, making it impossible for the semi or a pallet jack to navigate) will need to plan in advance. As the freight company called a day before delivery, I was able to make sure that a pick-up truck was available. This allowed the driver to easily transfer the box from the back of the semi into the back of the pickup. After positioning the cargo closer to the house with the pickup, it was a simple matter of opening the box and carrying the equipment into the house piece by piece. It would be best if you had 2 strong and able people to carry the body of the Crosstrainer as it does not come with wheels and must be carried in one piece. (The freight weight of this equipment was over 240 pounds.)
After reading the enclosed instructions, my husband felt that assembling the machine wouldn't be a major challenge. It took him, and our 15 year old daughter, about 2 hours to put it together. While a single (strong) person could likely do the job, having a second available to hold things in place while they are bolted together makes the job much easier and faster. Precor furnishes the tools required for assembly (see the uploaded photo under "customer images") but we found that you also really need a socket wrench with an extension. It should be noted that one should not plug this equipment into a power strip or extension cord. The manual specifically requires a "properly grounded outlet" otherwise the user runs the risk of voiding the warranty. This machine draws 120V and should be properly installed most importantly for the sake of safety.
(Incidentally, before deciding to assemble the machine ourselves, I did contact Precor as well as their designated installer for our area to schedule an appointment. The representatives of both companies were extremely helpful and professional and I had no reservations about using their assistance had it been necessary.)
The 5.25 is one of the smaller in-home Crosstrainers that Precor engineers. It's extremely well equipped with moving handlebars, heart rate sensors, adjustable ramp (15 - 25 degrees) and adjustable tension/resistance. With a stride of 18.5 to 20 inches, the Precor 5.25 is best suited for those of us of smaller stature. At 5'5", it fits me very comfortably while my husband who is 6'3" does not get a "full" stride experience on this model. (Incidentally, the Precor 5.33 has a stride of 21 to 23 inches while the Precor 5.37's stride ranges from 21 to 24.5 inches, perhaps making these models better suited for those who have longer legs.)
Without regurgitating every bell and whistle already described by the manufacturer on the product page, let me note a few of the features that I find to be of benefit. There are 2 programmable user profiles that allow you to track your progress and record your settings. The ramp is self-adjusting and does so very smoothly and naturally so that it enhances your workout experience rather than interrupting it. There are several different programs to choose from so that you can benefit from a variety of challenging (low impact) elliptical workouts without endangering "problem" areas such as weak or disfigured hips, knees etc... You can also hop on and do a "quick start" and manually input your desired settings.
The actual performance of the machine is a dream. All movement is so well balanced and fluid the machine actually feels like an extension of your body. Nothing jerks or stutters, and there are no unpleasant noises coming from the depths of who-knows-where to punctuate your workout. I will note, however, that when my husband uses the machine (he's a big, well-formed guy, 225 lbs+) the wheels do squeak just a little in the track. The manual indicates that this is normal and to be expected but it doesn't happen when I'm working out. According to the manual, the "equipment has been durability tested to 250 lbs".
Without doubt, this is one of the most flexible and technologically advanced pieces of fitness equipment I've ever encountered. While my own experience is limited to the industrial equipment at my local gym, cheap models offered in the "free" gym at hotels and those shown on the floor at "big box" department stores, I am never-the-less extremely impressed by the quality, versatility and "smart" design of Precor's 5.25 Crosstrainer.

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The Precor EFX 5.25 home Crosstrainer offers a complete cardio and muscle-toning workout for the upper and lower body. CrossRamp technology for Variable Stride Geometry, and eight programs help you choose the workout that best fits your fitness goal. Advanced heart rate monitoring ensures you stay in your target zone while an intuitive console displays additional workout metrics (not compatible with optional wireless transmitters). With a warm color palette and smooth lines, the 5.25 fits your home and lifestyle.
Features:
Adjustable CrossRamp targets key muscle groups. The ramp angle is fully adjustable from 15 to 25 degrees and moves up and down at the push of a button, allowing you to individually target and work all major lower body muscle groups. Different ramp positions engage different lower body muscle groups. When moving the ramp from the bottom to the top, you’ll feel various muscles engage and disengage--the lower positions activate all muscle groups, while the higher positions isolate glutes, quads, and calves. A variable stride length, from 18.5 to 20 inches, offers even greater diversity to your workout.
Track your target heart rate. SmartRate offers instant display of your heart rate to help you stay in your target zone for a more efficient cardio and weight-loss workout. The 5.25 features touch heart rate with ergonomically positioned, touch sensitive grips.
Ergonomic moving handlebars help provide a total body workout, enabling you to tone and condition your entire body while maintaining comfortable posture and proper technique. You can also use the stationary handrails for more workout options.
Designed with your home in mind. With its smooth lines and subtle color palette, the EFX complements your home decor and suits your lifestyle.
Intuitive console is easy to read and adjust. Access Quickstart and programs at the touch of a button. The backlit LCD display shows your heart rate, calories burned and time/duration of exercise--to help you get the most from your workout.
Locking Pin: A locking pin secures the foot pedals, preventing movement, when not in use
16 consistent levels of electromagnetic resistance to customize your workout
Two User IDs allow two people to enter and store personal preference information, then quickly retrieve it for future workouts
Integrated storage shelf for water bottle, portable music player, etc.
QuickStart lets you begin workout with the push of a single button
Optimized biomechanics combining low impact with smooth natural motion
Direction of rotation is completely reversible from forward to backward to allow even greater use of different muscle groups

Specifications:
Resistance levels: 16
CrossRamp: 15 to 25 degrees
Stride: 18.5 to 20 inches
Programs: 8 total including 1 cross training, 1 gluteals, 1 heart rate, 1 hill climb, 1 interval, 1 manual, 1 weight loss
Dimensions: 76 x 29 x 62 inches (L x W x H)
Weight: 176 pounds

Manufacturer's Warranty Frame and welds - lifetime, parts and wear items - ten years, labor - one year
Note on AssemblyPrecor highly recommends that you consider a professional assembly and installation of your Precor exercise machine. If you would like to speak to someone about having your machine professionally installed, please contact Precor at askprecor@precor.com or by calling 1-866-593-5568.
About Precor Precor is passionate about fitness. It all started with a desire to create a better kind of exercise equipment, one that mirrored human movement: fluid, natural, and dynamic. Twenty-six years later the company's biomechanics and engineering experience have led to countless innovations that have captivated fitness enthusiasts of all ages and abilities. Precor has introduced many "firsts" to the fitness industry, including the Elliptical Fitness Crosstrainer (EFX®) in 1995 and the revolutionary, award-winning Adaptive Motion Trainer (AMT®) in 2007. Today, Precor is a celebrated top-tier brand preferred by fitness enthusiasts of all abilities and their machines are used every day in health clubs, hotels, facilities, and homes worldwide.
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