PROFORM HYBRID TRAINER PRO

It’s been a year. It’s a little squeaky. I do love the equipment but the screen is a little wonky.

I have had this hybrid for about 2 months and really enjoy it. First off let me say it is not perfect. Hybrid devices of any type rarely are. They are a trade off in one way of another that is what makes them hybrids. But while not perfect it is still an excellent machine.I will start with assembly. I am mechanical. From cutting the straps to completion, working alone, it took me about 2 1/2 hours to un-box, check for damage, carry the parts upstairs and completely assembly the machine. I would recommend having help if you are not mechanical, some parts were clumsy to handle. The grease packets left something to be desired, basically just some grease in a baggie. Instructions were adequateThe machine itself is nice and smooth in use. Relatively quiet. Resistance levels are easily adjusted.To address some of the criticisms in the other reviews:1) "The display cannot be seen" To me the display is quite view-able. I have not had to position it in any particular manner in regards to the windows or other light sources to see it. Using fresh batteries is always a must with LCD displays as they do tend to fade out if the batteries are weak. If you use a wall adapter maybe it is not putting out the rated or required voltage.2) "The pedals are a bit too far for shorter people" (my wife being one of those) I am going to make a mounting plate to address that issue.3) "The recumbent bike pedaling is more like doing leg presses" Well yes and no. I have found that while the motion is not circular like a real bike, this is one of the hybrid trade offs.The motion is elliptical and somewhat limited by the position and size of the flywheel, but for me, I have found that if you slide forward in the seat (sit in a slouching posture) the motion is better. This changes the angle of your thighs and knees.4) "iFit doesn't work" There is a version of iFit that is elliptical only and a version that is for recumbent and ellipticals, I have not yet gotten around to trying it but it is only fair to mention it.I like this machine a lot, but I think some improvement could be used in the user manual in regards to the connections and such, better adjustment on the pedals for reach and maybe even a heart rate monitor on the seat-side grips would be nice. AND as long as I am wishing, some fans would be nice.

Setup was easy and with in an hour it was running. Use the grease that is provided! Some reported that the machine was noisy, I say they didn't use the grease. No squeaks or noise while using it. Very well built with 10 preprogrammed exercises for the elliptical and 10 for the recumbent. I can not comment on the iFit for we don't care to use it, along with the mic in for use of iPod. We just turn on the stereo. The biggest complaint I have read is the recumbent is not usable. I am 6' and have no issues and my wife is 5'6" and has the seat about 2 " from the bottom so short people will not find it usable without a little modification. One way would be to remove the hardware from the seat frame and drill 4 more holes to make up the distance needed. As mentioned by others, the recumbent is more like leg presses. If ProForm made a modification to the position of the peddles so that when in use they were further back, they would be usable for short legged people and you would get that circular motion that is missing(I experimented a bit). The elliptical is a full 17". I measured it. Some say it is not a full stride but I say it's not a treadmill. We get a good workout with it. We don't have a separate heart rate monitor so we use the ones provided and works well, giving you the opportunity to stay within your desired range for the workout. The panel has two positions, one for the elliptical and one that adjusts closer and lower for the recumbent. One would think that it would be backlit, but it's not. Someone said that they had to keep a flash light on it, but I think that might be a bit exaggerated. Our room is well lit and have no issues reading the panel, but would be a nice touch if it was. In all it is a good machine, and with a few modifications would be a great machine.

My husband had no problem putting it together. We opened the large box outside and unpacked it and brought everything in a couple of pieces at a time. An excellent exercise machine. We love it. It is very quiet and very smooth. The electronic readout is not back lit, but is very visible in good lighting. The elliptical foot pads and moving handle bars are perfect. The seat is very comfortable, and at perfect angles. The bar with the electronics, stationary handlebars, and cup and tablet holder can be unscrewed and re-positioned when using it as a recumbent bike. You just loosen the big red knob and it comes down into place, so you can read the screen while pedaling. To pedal, you just have to raise the the foot bars with the gray pads. Is very simple and easy. It has 10 different preset workouts for each exercise (Elliptical and Recumbent). This is actually the middle machine of the 3 they had on their web site just about 6-8 weeks ago with the model number and price of the most expensive one with the 20" stride and red bumpers on the pedals. This one has the 17" stride of the middle one, has silver bumpers on the foot pads and does not come with the AC adapter like it states. ProForm now does not have the 20" stride machine on their web site anymore. The price is almost $100 less than what we we paid, so I guess they are coming out with new models. ProForm is sending 2 pieces that got damaged in shipping.

I purchased this item. First, I received it and the package was in poor condition. Inside, the packaging contents were in poor condition as well. However I proceeded with putting the product together and to use. Yes, it took me a few hours...but again, I am not a professional. Having said that, after it was assembled I was eager to use it. For the first 30 minutes of use, I realized it was a great purchase. The stride was fine ( I am 5' 8") for both the recumbent and elliptical position. I have to admit the stride for the elliptical is not as long as what I was used to with gym equipment but I did work up a sweat at about a level 4-5 resistance. I was loving it...and then it started making clicking noise. It just got louder and louder. I called customer service for proform and let her listen to the sound and she was thought it was the "bearing" and she would send me the part. It was difficult enough to pull off the panel for routine service to fix the problem but then to try and disassemble the entire wheel mechanism to change out the bearing is just to much work for a new machine that I have just paid over $600 dollars for. Plus, the bearing may not be the issue. Having said all of that, I am returning the equipment. I am very saddened but I cannot take the chance with this model with issues straight out of the box. I hope this review helps someone.