Customer Reviews

ProForm StrideSelect 825 Elliptical Trainer

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

I needed a replacement for jogging (my heel blew out) so I decided to check out exercise machines. My first thought was an exercise type bike, but after a tryout, my rear end got sore using those. The elliptical type that I tried out at Sears was just what I needed; it gives both the upper body and legs a thorough workout.
Assembly is straightforward; the instructions are in plain English and easy to follow. Better have 2 people to lug this thing into your house though; it's heavy.
This model with the magnetic resistance and adjustable stride is really good. The variation in resistance from easy to hard is very noticeable; unlike the cheap models. Stability is pretty good; although it rocks a little more than the expensive models.
The various "programs" aren't of interest to me; I just hop on, increase the resistance to a good level, go until I get tired, and then get off. No buttons to push. Very simple.
For the price this machine is a good deal.
This model is almost identical to Sears model XP110 except the Sears has 3 stride adjustments instead of 2.
For those not wanting to continue to use batteries, there's an unmarked outlet on the back of the console (Sears model) that accepts a 6 volt DC adapter plug.
Update after 12 months: no problems so far. It seems to be holding together without any parts breaking or unusual noises.

Great machine. Bought this to lose some weight and get started exercising, and it's perfect. I should have titled this "4 Months, 20lbs, and Happy!". I enjoy puzzles and am pretty handy, I put this together with a friend in about an hour. Its very straightforward and the instructions are clear. I do recommend having a friend help, it will make your life a lot easier as some of the pieces are pretty big.

Since then, I use the elliptical at least 3 times a week, usually 4 or 5, for at least an hour each time. I've had no problems except the occassional squeak with never lasts long. I think the screws holding the foot pedals in place could be stronger, but so far that's just a feeling -- nothing has happened to make me think they're weak.

Also -- this machine is really light for its size -- in the box it is HEAVY but honestly 1/3rd of the weight is the tremendous amount of cardboard its packed in. Once the machine was together, it can easily be moved from room to room by one person (if you have carpet -- I wouldn't try it by myself on hardwood!)

Not sure about the problems reported with other ProForm Ellipticals. Like I said, my 825 Stride Select works great. The price was unbeatable and it works just like it should -- its not a commercial elliptical, but it beats the heck out of the others I tried in the same price range. My one and only real complaint is the batteries (I buy Duracell) only last about two months or so if you use the built in fan.

GREAT MACHINE! And great price. I highly recommend it.

There were several negative reviews that I considered before my purchase. I am very happy with the ellpitical 825. It was easy to put together, smooth motion, doesn't need electricity, keeps time, calories, distance, etc. and has pre-programmed exercises with variable resistance. It doesn't make any noise and I'm very pleased.

I think I have the Stride Rite 825 as well. I like Proform.

Pros:
1. Unbeatable price
2. Gives you the workout you are looking for.
3. Light enough to move from room to room.
4. Has a fan to keep you cool.
5. Safe around kids - my 3 yr old daughter has used it too.

Cons:
1. Makes a clunking noise at times - does not bother me too much.
2. The resistance setting is not as obvious. I rotate the knob but I am not sure if it really increased the resistance until I start using it and feel the burn.

Ease of installation - I had Sears install it for me, so don't know.

I say it is a no-frills, great priced piece of equipment. I didn't want to spend more than this price on an equipment. It gives us the workout we need. My husband uses it almost everyday for close to 30 minutes. I am trying to get more regular. We have had it for several months now.
Even if I have a few minutes, I use it. Something is better than nothing.

I do not recommend buying this machine. It is wobbly at moderate to high speeds, the stride feels like you're plodding and there are few adjustments aside from increased difficulty. To its credit, your buns will get a fabulous workout due to the stride arrangement. If you have little monetary resources to allocate to a piece of exercise equipment, relatively low expectations on performance and few other alternatives then add to cart and proceed to check out. Be forewarned though, she's a rudimentary beast.

I just purchased this elliptical 2 weeks ago from Sports Authority and brought it home in my back seat and put it together in 3 hrs.alone. The screws that came with the bottle holder were the wrong size so I have never used it. I noticed immediately that the right pedal was making noises. Now even with the earphones on I can hear noise from the pedal and feel clunking. I tried to repair it but the screws are very small for the plastic pedals and no adjustmenats seem to quiet the crunchy squeak.Both pedals have a lateral rocking action as if they need tightened, although this did not exist when I first used it. In other words it progressed after 3 uses to this.The pedals sound like they're going to crack with each step.They are made of only light weight plastic which surprised me when I initially reviewed the parts because they deceptively appear to be very thick and sturdy reinforced rubber.I weigh 150 lbs. I have 3 other Proform equipments and all of them have worked perfectly. I really didnt expect any problems and thought the extra in home warranty would be a waste. I will try to return it if its not too late.I dont suggest buying this brand of elliptical.

Contrary to what many other reviewers have said, I did recieve my Pro Form 825 Elliptical with all of the necessary pieces. Some have mentioned that parts were missing. It did take me 2 hours to assemble it and I'm really good at assembling things. I wasn't impressed with that. What I was really concerned with is getting back into shape. I'm not sure that this piece of equipment will cut it. It feels like you are falling forward while you are on this machine. It doesn't feel like being on an eliptical and it doesn't have a smooth pedaling motion. It is actually very jerky. The manual also recommends that you only pedal forward. Using this piece of equipment feels like being on a bicyle, without a seat, that has bad geers, going down a relatively steep hill. It also feels as though the only muscles being worked are my hamstrings. If you ever fell in love with one of those expensive elliptical like a PreCore at the Gym, then do not buy this product. You will be left very disappointed.

From the first time I purchased this, it has been wobbly and makes cranking noises when I go backwards. Now I have had it for a few months and the monitor always kicks off and it's not the batteries. The handles are loose and make an obnoxious noise and they will not tighten anymore than I have them. For the price you pay, this piece of equipment should really be a 100x better than it is. I don't have the original box because I was not expecting this to be junk and I didn't purchase the extended warranty so I'm stuck with this thing til it falls to the ground and I'm sure it will.

The first 9 months that I owed this product it was unusable. The reed switch inside the hub was faulty so the display didn't work. The company sent a service tech out fairly quickly and at the time he discovered the faulty reed switch he discovered a screw inside the hub that had been put in crooked.

The technician informed the company of the parts he needed, exactly as listed on their diagram. The company sent out the wrong parts. This process repeated 5 more times. Parts come in, technician comes out to find wrong parts, new parts ordered, wash, rinse, repeat.

Finally the 6th time they sent parts out they sent the right parts. At this point my machine was outside the warranty period and I hadn't even used it yet. The machine worked fine for a couple dozen uses the it broke again. The reed switch once again moved out of alignment ad the display no longer works.

You get what you pay for with this machine. You are far better off spending more money on a Life Fitness or Precor machine or a gym membership for that matter.

This machine worked for about 9 months and The it was down hill from there..At first it developed a hitch and just kept getting worse and worse... I took it apart to discover that I had warn the sprocket out of square(Cheap sprocket) This also caused the flange on the drive side to start rotating out of round..( why wasn't this one piece?? it takes all the stress) As the hitch got worse it then started hitting the side of the frame makeing a loud racket...So I took lt apart again and this tine I drilled and Bolted the flange to the sprocket (again it should have been one piece, Cheep)..Then I sheared off (just snapped in half) the bolt that holds the flange onto the sproket and the whole side feel off the wheel. I was going to buy a new flange and sprocket but I can't find parts for it...Everyone just wants to sell me a new machine...
I'm going back to the bike or tread Mill..But not with this company...