Customer Reviews

Precor 240i Commercial Series StretchTrainer

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Excellant product that offers outstanding lower back releif. Only problem is the price, which tends to be far more than what is should take to manufacture and sell at a profit. Nonetheless, if you have lower back disk and muscle pain, and have found little other relief, this is worth exploring. I used it at my gym for over a year before purchasing.

My wife had been after me for the past few months to start doing yoga classes (but who has the time?) to help with some chronic neck and shoulder pain that I have, I saw this on Amazon as a daily deal and since it was discounted about 15% from the regular price I decided to go ahead and buy it.

Assembly was a little difficult (in fairness the manual warns you that two people should be involved, but I did it by myself), I found that actually tilting it up so that the front of the frame was lying on the ground made it much easier to put the main bolts through the two primary supports. From that point onward the assembly is pretty routine. A step that you might miss but is important is to leave some slack in all bolts until you are fully assembled, then you can tighten everything up.

I should also point out that at the premium price for this device, I was surprised that the metal parts were only painted instead of being powder coated, for the price Precor is charging they should be using the same power coated steel they use on their home Elliptical and other high dollar fitness machines.

Now, on to the use of the StretchTrainer itself... as other reviewers have mentioned, the device allows you to do many of the same deep stretches you would get on a mat, doing yoga or something similar, but it makes it much easier to do these. I don't know about others, but I tend to have a very hard time stretching properly on a mat, and there is very little motivation to crawl around on the floor doing stretches. With this machine, I can simply walk over to it and get a good pre-workout stretch in about 10 minutes. Since I am sitting on the machine I can watch a bit of TV while doing it and I'm not rolling around on the ground (sweating profusely).

I have observed less soreness since I started using this before all of my workouts. To give a specific example, if I do incline bench presses, and butterfly lifts, I am usually pretty sore for one or two days afterwards... to the point that I might have to take some muscle relaxers in addition to non steroid anti inflammatory medication. This is due to the problems with my neck. Since using this machine, I have not observed this level of soreness following a workout. In addition I notice a little less pain when seated for long periods at a chair in the office doing computer activities, so, as far as I am concerned, the machine is worth the hefty price. I saw a similar machine at a fitness store that was a non Precor model and it was $599 so the price I paid was pretty reasonable compared to the competition. In all honesty though, this is something that should probably be sold for more around the $399 price point.

Do you need this? Maybe, maybe not. There's nothing that the StretchTrainer does for you that you could not do for yourself with an exercise mat, some patience and practice. However, I feel that it does a good job of more or less goading me into stretching before every workout and the machine more or less enforces the proper posture to get a deep stretch without hurting yourself (you control the intensity of the stretch with your body weight).

Also, this is not a miracle cure for back pain. I still have back pain. However, if you are somewhat fit, are interested in staying fit, then this will probably help you as it will keep you more limber during workouts, increase your flexibility (there was a study I saw online where this was proven to increase flexibility in test subjects) and probably reduce the pain you are feeling to some degree.

I use a Precor Stretch Trainer every time I visit the gym. It is a great way to stretch, especially if you are a drone like me--I need order in my workout. The Stretch Trainer has a panel with instructions on how to do the stretches. You just follow the instructions and the machine does the rest. This is not for athletes or yoga instructors, but for average Joes that just want a good stretch with minimal chance of injury and ease of use.

$800+ --you have to be kidding! I'm glad the gym has two of them, I couldn't afford one.

I added scans of the stretching guide to the product images above so you can see the eight different stretches you can do with this trainer.

The Precor StretchTrainer is very well-built with the exception of the internal screw sockets used to anchor the handlebars. The metal is rather soft and if you don't have the bolt aligned correctly, you'll ruin that socket quickly. Just keep in mind (when assembling) that those bolts should spin in with almost no resistance in the beginning. If you feel the least bit of pressure, back off and try again. I had one socket that was slightly misaligned and just a bit of pressure trying to get the bolt in mangled the threads beyond repair.

A call to Precor customer service showed part of why the trainer is so expensive. I was able to almost immediately speak with a representative who was located in America, spoke clear English, and most importantly, was familiar with this exact product. (I'm not being racist in those comments, I'm applauding a company that didn't outsource its service. Whether or not someone speaks English is irrelevant except when I need to communicate.) The replacement handlebars were shipped two-day express and worked perfectly, the bolts screwing in like butter.

The primary stretch is supplemented by seven additional stretches using various combinations of leg positioning and methods of holding the handlebars. I also subtly change the hand positions to reach slightly different areas in stretching (you do this just by how it feels when you stretch).

The primary stretch "Lower Back" is great and as simple as it seems, it'd be very hard to replicate as effectively and safely without the machine. The other stretches are effective to a lesser extent and to varying degrees. While you can certainly feel the different stretches hitting different areas, you are also keenly aware during this that the trainer was built with the primary stretch in mind and then they started thinking about what else could be done with it so that the use could be expanded.

My least favorite stretches are the "Hamstrings" and the "Hips, Legs, Back". In these you have to hold your leg either extended straight or extended across your body while performing the stretch. While this is a good exercise, it hampers the effectiveness of the stretch tremendously. I wish they could figure out a way to have the leg supported in that position while doing the stretch. To get an idea of what I'm talking about, consider how good of a stretch you can get with (a) sitting on the ground with your leg out straight in front of you and leaning forward to touch your toes versus (b) sitting on the edge of a chair, holding your leg out straight in front of you and trying to touch your toe.

I really wish I had a lot of adjustment possibilities with the handlebars (tilting, raising, lowering)...that would add a lot to what I could get out of it.

I'm 185cm/6'1" and feel I'm getting close to the limit of being able to get the most out of it. I would guess that 190cm/6'3" is about the limit before you'll feel like you can't stretch far enough, but I can't say for sure. The lower end seems to be around 165cm/5'5" depending on arm length based on what others have told me when trying it out. A track to let the seat move forward or back would be nice to tailor the fit, but that would probably add $100+ to the cost.

... But how does it work?

It's not a miracle machine. Like any stretching, you won't notice effects right away. About three weeks in is when I started being able to tell. I wish Precor could design some way not have your grip strength be such a factor...when stretching I feel like I could get so much more if I just relax my arms and just let gravity do its work.

I cannot quite rate it as five-stars due to the grip strength and handlebar adjustment wishes outlined above, but it is a very solid four stars and remains a no-regrets purchase.

If you have a workout room/garage and have room for this, you won't be disappointed, but you have to use it and stick to it. If your space is at a premium, you'll probably want to use it for other things unless stretching your back is extra important to you (injury or whatnot).

The trainer takes up a little more space than an exercise bike (wider). It is heavy, but if you pick up the back end far enough (rolling it forward until the black "feet" come off the ground), it will slide on carpet very easily. When you put the back end down, it isn't going to move.

I am age 59 and do cardio or weights almost every day and have problems with my lower back and tight hamstrings if I don't stretch.

This machine is designed to use your body weight to allow you to do advanced stretching without another person assisting.

I like it because you get a better stretch for the same amount of time and effort than just getting on the floor by yourself.

Con: it is expensive. I bought mine used.

I am getting ready for a hip replacement, and can no longer do the standard yoga stretches for my lower back, without my hip clunking around in the socket. Without being able to stretch, I started to have lower back problems.
After doing the research on the various manufactures of stretching equipment, I purchased the Precor version.

It is well made, has a great company behind it if anything happens to go wrong ( also have a Precor 5.46i elliptical that came off lease from a health club, and it has no issues ).

Aside from being able to stretch correctly, the 240i reduces the amount of time to stretch out completely. This makes stretching every day something that can be fit into any busy schedule.

Some complain that the 240i is overpriced. It is correctly priced for something made in the USA by people making a living wage ( not minimum wage ).
Want cheaper, by the other manufactures that have their equipment made off shore, that is meant to be used for 24 months and put in a land fill.

Want something that with correct usage you will be able to pass on to the next generation, get the Precor 240.

I know this sounds nuts, but I didn't want to pay $69.00 a month for a gym membership and was not going to join, then on my 6th day of a trial membership I used this device. I am VERY inflexible and tight and I didn't even know this machine existd and now that I have a way to get a good stretch before I start working out I am hooked. It works great for stretching everything. My only concern is that, even though it is bolted down at the gym, it does tend to rise up when I am stretching my shoulders.

This stretcher is a lifesaver, literally. It's great for highly-trained athletes and it's also great for people who desperately need to stretch in order to stay mobile and flexible, to be able to do the things you need to do in everyday life. I have friends who can barely walk across a room and they are much younger than I am. They would greatly benefit from this StretchTrainer, if they would. The price for this equipment is well worth it for increased flexibility and range of motion if it gives a person the ability to do things they otherwise couldn't or wouldn't physically be able to do.

You just get on it and it uses your body weight to get many of the stretching benefits that I get from yoga. In fact, I like to use it before yoga, because I'm able to do more and better. A person with stiffness problems would really benefit from this machine. I've had mine for years and every time I go back to it after neglecting it for a while, I'm amazed at how good it feels to R-E-A-L-L-Y Stretch effectively. Ahhh!

It comes with a placard, little metal plate, which demonstrates 8 different stretches. I like to just start at the beginning and do all of them. They are EASY to do.

When I bought my StretchTrainer, the owner of the store told me that he uses this every day. I really didn't understand why at the time, but I do now. It's a great piece of equipment that I suspect people will use according to how much stretching is important to them. Athletes and/or people with stiffness problems will probably use it more than the rest of us. It can be used before, after, or instead of exercising on other machines. It's my loss when I get in a hurry and don't use it before and after using other machines, because it is effective and easy!

The person who earlier stated that it's like yoga stretches is right. It's very similar in increasing your range of motion, and possibly your ability to move around easier and with less pain if you have a problem with stiffness.

It's great to use before and/or after aerobic exercise or alone, for those who just need a great stretch. The machine is flexible enough so you can be a little creative in how you do the stretches. You do need to be cautious. It comes with a safety strap. You wouldn't want to tumble off or have the machine plop on top of you. It isn't terribly heavy (I can move it and I'm a smaller-sized woman), but you don't want to get careless with it.

All-in-all, this is an excellent way to stretch, for whatever reason you are stretching, before, after, or instead of other exercise. I recommend it highly! It's also cheaper now than it was when I bought it a few years ago. That's a good thing too.

EDITED to say that I'm going to move it from the gym upstairs to my office downstairs so I can use it during the work day to stretch out a little when I don't have time or I'm not motivated to go upstairs for a full workout. It only weighs 60 lbs. I could improve on my use of it if I spent 30 seconds or a minute on each stretch. I don't. I usually just do about 5 seconds because I'm always in a hurry. Even with that short time, it's a great stretch and feels wonderful, but having it downstairs and handy to jump on throughout the day, I can actually give it the stretching time it deserves. I know after having it for years now, this one is a keeper!

This wonderful machine creates Yoga-like results without all the poses. The easiest way I know to limber up and loosen up. The Precor is ten minutes of feeling great -- as a warm up pre-sports, a cool-down after work-outs, or just a quick fitness-fix on its own.

Our machine came with a split foot rest ( urrgh!) but the supplier quickly replaced it without hassle. Do check the equipment carefully before assembly . . not all machines arrive in perfect condition.

As a golfer, I have had back problems since I had a back operation in 2008. I blew out a disk and all the jelly squirted out. I have been in constant pain since and could only play an occasional round of golf and then would hurt myself again.

On a baseball spring training trip to Arizona this spring the hotel had the precor stretch machine. I used it everyday with the end results as being able to play 3 days in a row. This is something that I have never been able to do before. I had been going to the gym and did exercises to help make my core strong.

I decided to purchase a precor stretch machine in April. I have used it every day to stretch. I do the 8 stretches outlined on the machine. I can say it was the best purchase I have ever made. The back pain is at a minimum and I feel great. No joke if you have back pain I highly recommend this............