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Wednesday, July 16th
If you're looking for gym-quality machines for your home workouts, Precor is known for being a favorite with professional gym spaces. All over the globe, you can find Precor in gyms and studios, showing that this particular brand is a trusted choice for those wanting to create a pro-level home gym.
Problems keeping machines in stock
However, one of the problems we've had and customers have noted is that Precor's machines, even the exercise bikes, are often not in stock. For example, there are 4 different models to choose from at Precor, and at the time of this review, one of those was completely out of stock and unable to be ordered online.
Equipment overview:
Basic model: UBK 600
The basic model at Precor is the UBK 600. The price for this model starts at a whopping $3,040, and this is the cheapest option from this brand. The UBK 600 line also offers three sub-models. The base model (UBK 631 P31) is the cheapest and stands at the $3,040 price point. The mid model is the UBK 665 P62 model which costs $5,390, and the top-tier sub-model is the UBK 685 P82 which costs $6,460. For this review, we're going to focus on the most basic model only: the UBK 631 P31. This professional-grade stationary bike offers a 500-watt single-stage drive system and a thoughtfully designed seating system (for challenging yet comfortable rides) that will last for years. The sleek P31 console provides advanced workout controls, readouts, and settings, displayed on a brilliant LED screen with a classic representation of peaks and valleys for your ride course. Enjoy your workout with entertainment using the integrated reading rack at the perfect height for your phone or tablet so you can keep the tunes, videos, or audiobooks flowing. Plus, with the mobile device charger, your devices stay powered throughout your session. However, when you compare the price of the UBK 631 P31 to other "base” models at other brands, this one seems both less technologically advanced and much more expensive, though it's unclear why the price is so high beyond the brand name.
Top-tier model: UBK 800
The UBK 800 model is the most expensive one available at Precor. There are three sub-models which range in price from $4,265 to $8,090. The most expensive sub-model, the one that costs $8,090, is the UBK 885 P82. This model has finely tuned ergonomics, durability, and a powerful 750-watt two-stage drive system, giving you that pro gym experience from the comfort of your home. This elite professional-class workout machine is designed with your fitness in mind. The P82 design helps your head, neck, and shoulders maintain an upright and natural position. The P82 consoles are part of a platform solution that automatically receives software updates, refreshed content, and new features, all without any effort or cost on your part. With the Preva operating system, you have user-friendly tools to personalize the cardio screens, communicate with fellow exercisers, integrate the EGYM app for prescriptive workouts, and enjoy entertainment with apps like RunTV. This upright bike also seamlessly supports various media technologies worldwide, allowing you to easily connect standard media systems and cable/satellite receivers, and enjoy a 15-inch LCD touchscreen.
Can't return your bike after delivery
There's one glaring problem when shopping with Precor (on top of the extremely high prices), and that's its complete lack of a return policy. Basically, you can't return a Precor machine after it's been delivered. According to Precor's policies, you can cancel before or after it ships and expect a full refund, but this is only if the item never actually makes it to your home. However, if the item gets delivered before you cancel, you can't return the bike at all. On the bright side, there's a lifetime warranty on the frame of the bikes, so if something goes wrong Precor will have it repaired or replaced at no extra cost, but we don't love the blanket "no returns” policy at Precor.
Solid ratings and happy customers
Precor has earned a strong standing in the fitness industry, holds an impressive "A+" rating from the Better Business Bureau, and has a solid 3.9-star average on third-party review sites like Trustpilot. Considering how expensive these premium exercise bikes are, it's only fair to expect top-notch service, and Precor seems to be meeting those expectations for the most part. Many customers who gave Precor a 5-star rating praised their exceptional customer service, highlighting their efficiency in resolving issues. The delivery service received accolades for almost reaching a white-glove level, including setup and the removal of old fitness equipment - an aspect customers loved. On the other hand, some customers raised concerns about slow shipping times, and one expressed frustration over the lack of an on-site technician for equipment repairs. Nevertheless, overall, customers appear quite content with their Precor experience.
The best option for gym-quality machines
While these are the top machines if you want the same items you can find in your local gym, there are some questions as to whether it's worth the price. Especially looking at the base model, which starts at almost 3x the price of some of the base models at competing brands, there aren't a lot of standout features that seem to justify this price when compared to similar bikes elsewhere. So, if you want to shell out for the name brand, the reviews are great and Precor does have a solid reputation, but if you're looking for top value for money, it might not be worth it to spend thousands on a Precor machine when other brands offer better features at a lower price.
If you're looking for a versatile machine easily accessible for a home gym, exercise bikes are a top choice. Exercise bikes offer motion that's ideal for individuals with sensitive joints, sore backs, bad knees (shout out to the crunchy knees gang), or other conditions that make high-impact exercises hard or impossible to do.
On top of being low-impact, one of the popular points for exercise bikes is the all-season approach. Picture this: you get to sweat it out whenever it suits you. No gym crowds, and no clock-watching. Convenience is your new fitness buddy. Plus, no more worrying about how you look or comparing yourself to others. Or whether the sweaty guy before you wiped down the bike seat (ew!). Basically, you get all the pros of a spin class without any of the ick of a public gym.
For athletes (especially you biking enthusiasts) who don't want to lose their form during the winter, nabbing an exercise bike can change your winter fitness regimen to more closely fit your regular training. But if you're not a tri-athlete (like many of us aren't), having an exercise bike at home is still a huge plus.
As you start browsing the different exercise bike brands, you'll realize that there's a lot of variety to choose from. Many modern exercise bikes come with cool features like built-in screens for virtual classes, fitness app hook-ups, and even virtual outdoor rides. So, exercise bikes aren't like one of those creaky metal contraptions from your grandma's basement anymore. They've got all the bells and whistles to upgrade your workout.
Imagine pedaling through scenic routes without leaving your living room or gamified paths to keep you engaged. These bikes aren't just tools; they're like your personal fitness sidekick, cheering you on and giving you all the stats you need to track your growth and celebrate your fitness level-ups. There are even exercise bikes designed to fit under your desk or that feature a built-in tabletop/desk, so you can work and work out at the same time.
But there's a lot to look at when you're shopping for the perfect exercise bike. Starting your search for the right exercise bike can be overwhelming. Studio style? Recumbent? Touchscreen or basic console? Fortunately, we've gone through the best options out there and put together some criteria to help you narrow down your choices and find a bike that suits you.
To make sure that your fitness journey takes off, Top Consumer Reviews has reviewed and ranked the best exercise bike brands available online today. We hope this will help you curate your perfect home gym and get back to the ride of your life on your new exercise bike. Pedal on, friend!
Select any 2 Exercise Bikes to compare them head to head