Precor EFX 635 Elliptical Review, Pros, Cons, & Comparison
Precor EFX 635 Overview
Ellipticals can help anyone get fit. They are one of the staples of a modern gym thanks to their ability to give people a good workout, for both the upper and lower body. They allow for people to go at their own pace, or go for a real run, all while impacting the joints less harshly. All which sounds like a pretty good deal, right? All the benefits of a treadmill with significantly less impact pain to go along with it.
That’s why many people are looking at such pieces of equipment for their home. After all, why go to the gym when you could hop on one of these babies in your own house? However, not all ellipticals are created equal. That’s why we’re going through and taking a look at various pieces to see which ones offer the best value for what they have.
The ladies and gentlemen over at Precor happen to have quite a lot of these machines on offer. Today we’ll be looking at the Precor EFX 635 elliptical trainer. We’re going to examine the various elements that make it up, such as the monitor, handlebars, and stride length. Then we will look at the price and then give our evaluation on whether or not you should seriously consider investing in it. So with all of that out of the way, let’s hop into our review of the Precor EFX 635 elliptical cross trainer!
Precor EFX 635 Review and Specs:
First up, we’re going to look at what exactly the Precor EFX 635 elliptical machine is made of. How much space does it take up and how much does it weigh? Well, as to the former, you’ll find that it’ll take up at least a decent amount of space. Its dimensions when fully assembled are 82 inches (208 cm) long, 30 inches (76 cm) wide and 68 inches (173 cm) tall which is the exact measurement for all the machines including the EFX 665 and EFX 685 in the 600 Series. Is it the largest elliptical machine to ever exist? No. Will it still take up a decent amount of space in most people’s homes? Yes. Considering it cannot be folded either, that simply adds to the space it needs to fit comfortably at home.
As for how much the EFX 635 weighs, you’ll be glad to find that it isn’t exactly a mountain. However, it does come somewhat closer to the extremely heavy 800 series than we would have initially guessed. It’s official weight sits right at 308 lb (140 kg). The official weight capacity of the EFX 635 is about 40 lbs heavier, sitting at 350 lbs (159 kg). This doesn’t mean that 360 lbs will make the elliptical crumble underneath you, but it does mean that Precor tested it and found that 350 lbs were the limit where it would last the longest.
Interestingly enough, the Precor EFX 635 does not list how it is powered. Whereas other ellipticals in the 700 and 800 series are listed as “Self-Powered” or just “Powered” (as in they need plugs), such information is lacking here. Since it still has aspects like the P30 console and CrossRamp technology (see below), we are assuming that it needs a plug to work. The fact that it isn’t officially mentioned is a bit of an annoyance, as the more information available to the consumer, the better.
Precor EFX 635 Monitor
The monitors of some of the 700 series and 800 series are absolute quality, so we decided to take special interest in the ones of the 600 series. Fortunately, the Precor EFX 635 cross trainer’s P30 monitor does a pretty decent job of matching up. First up are the customization options. You’re able to pick from a good number of language options in order to make yourself feel most at home onboard. Specifically, you can choose from 8 different languages in addition to English (totalling 9). When looking at the statistics that the monitor tracks, you’ll be able to switch between metric and U.S standard measurements.
Speaking of such statistics, you’ll have a decent amount of choice to pick from in order to see how you are doing during the workout. There are 19 different displays that you’ll be able to track. You can see the distance, resistance level, time remaining, average speed and so on. There are simple options for those who do not care and more advanced options for those who want more in-depth tracking.
But that’s not all that the P30 monitor offers. There are 15 different preset workout programs available to the user through the program. You’ve got your basic manual mode, of course, allowing you to do as you wish. Then there are more advanced options, like hill climbs, fitness tests, cross country and weight loss programs. All of these combine for a nice choice of options that you’ll be able to pick from in case you don’t feel like doing your own manual workout.
Stride and Incline
The stride and incline of an elliptical are some of the other important bits that you’ll want to consider when looking at ellipticals. After all, you’ll want to make sure that you are comfortable while on board. Fortunately, there’s good news in this regard with the 600 series of ellipticals. The Precor EFX 635 elliptical has the technology that is included in the 800 series which is known as CrossRamp® technology (though the 800 series has a more advanced form of it called the Converging CrossRamp). Basically, what this means is that you can adjust the stride length and format of the pedals to more naturally fit your stride. It’s a definite plus for this elliptical.
As for the incline of the pedals, it also makes use of the CrossRamp® tech in order to provide different experiences during the workout. There are different levels of incline in order to provide a variety of challenges to whoever so chooses to use the EFX 635. The minimum level of incline is 10 degrees, while the maximum goes all the way up to 35 degrees. Thus, you’ll have plenty of choices to pick from in order to get different workouts and challenges.
By far, the best element of the Precor EFX 635 elliptical is the inclusion of the CrossRamp® tech. It’s exclusion from the 700 series of machines was highly questionable, and we’re glad to see it in the 600 series. The fact that both the stride and incline of the EFX 635 are adjustable is a great aspect of this machine. It simply gives more options to the user, which is always a benefit in our book.
Handlebar and Pedals
Now we’re going to look at the handlebars and pedals of the Precor EFX 635 home elliptical. After all, these are the two elements that you would be holding onto and interacting the most with, so it only makes sense to make sure they are quality. There are two sets of handlebars on the EFX 635, one on the outside and one on the inside. The outside pair are the ones that most people imagine when they think about ellipticals. They are moving handlebars and will allow you to workout the upper part of your body alongside your lower part. Then there’s an inner pair of stationary handlebars that have heart rate sensors in case you want to keep track of that during your workout.
With your upper body covered, let’s see about the pedals. Fortunately, there’s some good news here. The pedals themselves should have a good amount of room for the majority of people. They measure about 16 inches (40.6 cm) long and 8 inches (20.3 cm) wide. Plenty of space for many people. If you also have the desire to clean them after workouts, the polypropylene material that they are made of will certainly help with that.
There are very few complaints that anyone could have about the handlebars and pedals of the Precor EFX 635 elliptical. The moving handlebars allow for a more complete exercise, while the stationary ones can tell you your heart rate and allow for some rest for your arms. Meanwhile, the pedals are comfortable for the most part and can fit all sorts of people on it.
Assembly and Accessories
In terms of the accessories that come with the Precor EFX 635 elliptical trainer, there is less good news. If you were hoping for all sorts of little bonus features that will perform nifty tricks and connect to everything in the house, prepare to be disappointed. The closest thing to an accessory on this elliptical is the little holder that sits right beneath the monitor, able to contain a phone, tablet or something like a water bottle.
There is better news on the front of the assembly. While other ellipticals might be a nightmare to set up thanks to unclear instructions or complicated processes, the EFX 635 does not suffer from this problem. The manual that comes with this machine should allow just about anyone (even those who are rather less than handy) to set it up in a short amount of time.
Don’t be too disappointed with the lack of accessories, as the core features of the elliptical should be more important. Unless you were really banking on such accessories making up the value of the EFX 635, it should be mostly ignored. The assembly process, on the other hand, should most certainly be praised. It turns a process that could have been a nightmare into one that should at least be stomachable for the vast majority of people.
Price, Warranty and Shipping
The price is most likely what many people are looking for in order to see whether or not they can get the Precor EFX 635 elliptical. As much as we like this machine, the price point might still turn off some people, as it sits at $5,995. You’d be able to pay that in segments for as low as $193 a month, but that’s still quite a lot for many people. You’d better be sure that you can afford such a piece before investing in it.
The warranties that come with the 600 series of Precor’s ellipticals are most definitely positive ones. It has a lifetime warranty on the frame, a 10 year warranty on the parts and wear items, a 3 year warranty on the console and a 1 year warranty on the labour. We will always praise warranties that protect the user, especially after such a large initial investment.
The shipping process should not be a big issue, as it comes in about a week in many places. Of course, that’s assuming that there is no global (or local) event that might interfere with such shipping processes. Fortunately, there’s nothing like that going on currently. Right? When it does come, it will come in one large package that weighs 368 lb (167 kg) and measures out to be 85 inches (216 cm) long, 31 inches (78 cm) wide and 28 inches (71 cm) tall.
Precor EFX 635 Cross Trainer Pros:
- CrossRamp technology: The CrossRamp technology allows you to get even more variety in the workouts of the EFX 635, while also being more comfortable to the user themself.
- P30 Monitor: While not the biggest monitor, it allows you to pick from different languages, different workouts and see different stats. It’s very solid.
- Smooth Assembly Process: Everyone can appreciate an assembly process that will allow them to get up and get exercising as quickly as possible.
Precor EFX 635 Cross Trainer Cons:
- Pricey Machine: It cannot be denied that the EFX 635 costs a pretty penny. Just because it costs less than some of the 800 and 700 series doesn’t mean that it isn’t still a serious investment for a lot of people.
Final Verdict
Of the 600 series, the Precor EFX 635 offers the best value for money that you’re going to get. There’s CrossRamp technology, a very good monitor, moving handlebars and a series of warranties that will make sure you are guaranteed a quality machine for a while. However, you’ll want to make sure that you desperately want this elliptical and that you can afford it before you drop the $6,000 that it would require. If you do decide to, you should be quite happy with the elliptical that you have at your disposal.
| Review | Image | C.C.R | Price | Capacity | Display | Stride | Programs | Incline | Charger | Metrics | Handlebars | Resistance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Precor EFX 685 |  | No Converging Cross Ramp | Check on Amazon | 350 lbs / 159 kg | P82 - 15" Touch Screen | 21-24 in (53-61 cm) | 22 | 15-35° Motorized variable | Yes | Workout Metrics 18 | Moving & Fixed | 534 Watts |
| Precor EFX 665 |  | No Converging Cross Ramp | Check on Amazon | 350 lbs / 159 kg | P62 - 10" Touch Screen | 21-24 in (53-61 cm) | 22 | 15-35° Motorized variable | Yes | Workout Metrics 18 | Moving & Fixed | 534 Watts |
| Precor EFX 635 | | No Converging Cross Ramp | Check on Amazon | 350 lbs / 159 kg | P31 - LED Display | 21-24 in (53-61 cm) | 22 | 15-35° Motorized variable | No | Workout Metrics 18 | Moving & Fixed | 534 Watts |
