Precor EFX 835 Review, Pros, Cons, & Comparison
Precor EFX 835 Overview
People want to keep fit, regardless of their access to gyms or other personal equipment. When looking for personal indoor exercise equipment, you’ll generally want to look for the best available, regardless of the price. And when we say regardless of the price, we really mean that the price must not be an issue for the buyer. That’s what Precor were aiming for with their Precor EFX 835 elliptical machine.
Although the 835 is not the best elliptical in the 800 Line (the 885 is the best elliptical in the 800 and also the best overall elliptical by Precor), it is still one of the top ellipticals from Precor featuring the brand’s Converging CrossRamp technology. The Precor EFX 835 home elliptical has just about every element you could want from one of these machines. It tries to provide every customization option available, helping users of all types get comfortable while using it. These can be the handlebars, the incline foot pedals and so on. We’ll get into all of that further into the review. It has a whole host of resistance levels available, allowing for many different challenges to whoever is onboard.
All of this is without even mentioning the technological capabilities included with the Precor EFX 835 cross trainer. The console and network capabilities that can be found on the Precor EFX 835 will surpass nearly all others. Despite all of this, the EFX 835 is not perfect, and we’re going to go through the weaknesses of the machine. Now with all of that out of the way, let’s get running into our review of the Precor EFX 835 elliptical trainer!
Precor EFX 835 Review and Specifications:
In this section, we are going to go over some of the basic facts of the EFX 835. We’ll start with the weight capacity, as it is important to know how much the elliptical can hold. Fortunately, it sits at 350 lbs (159 kg), so a great many people can comfortably sit on it. Even if there is more weight put on it, it’s not as though the 835 will simply shatter at 355 lbs. It’s a good thing too, as the 835 itself actually weighs 340 lbs (154 kg) when fully assembled. Fortunately, it also has transportation wheels on the front of the elliptical for easier transportation.
As for how much space the EFX 835 takes up, it’s a fairly sizable machine. It is 80 inches (203 cm) long, 28 inches (71 cm) wide and 69 inches (175 cm) tall. That height can increase to 81 inches with the Personal Viewing System (PVS) installed. The EFX 835 is not foldable, so this space is not necessarily able to be reduced. Unless you have an extremely low ceiling, the maximum height of the elliptical should not be an issue for you.
The EFX 835 is self powered, so you don’t have to worry about finding any sort of plug for the elliptical. That means that there’s also no battery required for the console or anything like that. This is quite good for those who don’t want to spend a bunch more money on trying to access the tech available with the EFX 835.
P31 LED Monitor
The monitor is one of the most impressive features that comes with the EFX 835 elliptical machine. There are 15 different preset programs that are already installed in the machine by default. The monitor can display these programs in 7 different languages, including Dutch, Italian, English and Spanish. There’s also the option to display the statistics in both metric or U.S standard measurements. You will also be able to monitor which muscles are being used at different inclines and CrossRamp settings thanks to the “Muscle Monitor” that is included in the console.
The monitor of the EFX 835 also does the handy job of displaying plenty of statistics about the current workout. There are more than 20 different statistics that are able to be displayed, including distance, time, total calories, average speed, target heart rate and so on. You also have the ability to make a profile on the monitor in order to keep track of your statistics on a longer scale. All in all, a pretty thorough series of statistics that you can keep track of.
Your heart rate can be monitored thanks to the sensors located on the handlebars of the EFX 385. You can also use a heart strap if you prefer an accurate reading through telemetry. While the handlebar heart rate monitor might not be the most accurate of all time, it certainly does the job for a piece of home equipment. While there’s no Bluetooth or phone connection option, this monitor has so much in it, there’s no real need for it.
Stride and Incline
The stride length of the EFX 835 elliptical is 21 inches (54 cm) at the minimum incline, which is 10 degrees. At maximum incline (35 degrees), the stride length is 25 inches (63 cm). It is controlled automatically through the monitor. You simply have to set it at the desired incline and it adjusts for you.
The incline that they use is named “CrossRamp® Technology”, and it has 20 different settings in order to challenge different muscle groups. It can change anywhere between the two aforementioned incline limits. This makes it rather ideal for a variety of people to work out on it.
If you choose one of the preset workout programs like “Hill Climb”, then the bike will automatically change the incline throughout the workout in order to reflect this challenge. However, it does not do this automatically throughout all workouts, so it cannot be labeled as a “smart” system. However, we can label it a quite spectacular system, as it does just about everything asked of it in a smooth and prompt way.
Handlebar and Pedals
The handlebars of the Precor EFX 835 does a good job of making you feel comfortable and secure while you exercise. As we mentioned above, they have heart rate sensors built into them, which is more than many other ellipticals have. They also move smoothly and you’ll find no issues with how they flow during the workouts.
In terms of the pedals of the EFX 835, you will find that they are quite well suited to all people. They are oversized polypropylene foot pedals that are extremely easy to clean. It’s hard to find any sort of complaint whatsoever with these pedals. They are just well made and comfortable to work out on.
As you might expect from an elliptical of this quality (and cost, which we cover further down) the handlebars and pedals are of the highest quality. You’ve got technology, comfort and low maintenance in the EFX 835 handlebars and pedals. What else could you want?
Accessories and Assembly
The only accessory of note that comes with the Precor EFX 835 cross trainer is the accessory holder that sits right underneath the monitor. It can hold a tablet or phone for entertainment, as well as a water bottle for hydration. Otherwise you won’t find a whole lot of bonus addons or anything like that. Thankfully, there are so many other features that come with the EFX 835 that you won’t really notice that these “bonus features” are missing. After all, that’s why they are bonus features.
While the EFX 835 is a large elliptical with many parts, the assembly process is not terribly hard thanks to the in-depth manual and instructions that come with the package. Depending on how handy you are and how used you are to assembling such equipment, it probably shouldn’t take you upwards of an hour at most. Though this process could also go more quickly done with more people.
The accessories are not exactly the focus of the machine and should not be taken as such. The pocket for phones, tablets and water bottles does the job it is supposed to. Likewise, the assembly process isn’t too much of a pain thanks to the instructions provided.
Warranty, Price, and Shipping
The price of the Precor EFX 835 elliptical is the point that might give pause to many potential buyers. It has a normal cost of $7,845, though it has been known to drop to $6,495. That’s still quite a bit of money to drop on anything. There are options to pay it monthly instead of all at one time, which might make it somewhat more bearable. However, regardless of how you do it, there is still a price to be paid.
Fortunately, the warranty that comes with the EFX 835 is quite the guarantee of quality. The Residential Warranty has a 10 year warranty on the parts, 1 year on the labour and a lifetime guarantee on the frame. The Commercial Warranty has 2 years on the parts, 1 year on the labour and 7 years on the frame. For those looking to get help from customer service, their phone numbers and email can be found here.
The EFX 835 cross trainer is shipped in one, large package. The dimensions of said package measure out to 85 inches (216 cm) long, 30.75 inches (78 cm) wide and 28.125 inches (71.4 cm) tall. It maintains the massive weight of the elliptical itself, weighing 396 lbs (180 kg). Shipping shouldn’t take too long, so long as there’s nothing out of the ordinary going on in the world. Fortunately there’s nothing affecting the entire world that would cause a shutdown of various businesses or shipping points. Definitely not.
Precor EFX 835 Cross Trainer Pros:
- Extremely Generous Warranty: Precor has given the EFX 835 one of the nicest warranties you can find on ellipticals. Even if the machine itself doesn’t last as long as you’d like, the coverage certainly will.
- Great Adjustability To The User: Whether it is choosing the language, the program type or the way in which the statistics are displayed (metric vs imperial), almost anyone can hop on and set up the elliptical to their own preferences.
- Wide Variety of Workouts: With 20 different preset workouts, 20 different resistance levels, and 25 different degrees of incline available, you’ll have a hard time going through all of the options that the EFX 835 has. You might never feel inclined to explore them all, but you’ll still have them as an option.
- Those Workouts Are Comfortable and Smooth: Those many options wouldn’t be particularly useful if all of them felt wrong. The movements of the pedals and handlebars are both very smooth. The only reason you might know you are exercising is because of the sweat because the machine won’t be putting any extra strain on you if you don’t want it added.
- The Monitor: While the monitor isn’t the most advanced on the market, it will most certainly do a great job for anyone who uses it. It’s got plenty of programs, a profile maker, and stat tracking as far as the eye can see.
Precor EFX 835 Cross Trainer Cons:
- The Price: As quality as the Precor EFX 835 is, nobody can deny that it is a pricey piece of equipment. Even if you pay over time, that is still a lot of money per month going towards this elliptical.
- The Weight: Like the price of the Precor EFX 835, the weight of the elliptical is undeniable. It is a ridiculously heavy machine. One would even expect with such a weight, it could hold more weight. It does have wheels, so it’s not completely immobile, but it certainly isn’t something you’ll be looking to take on vacation with you.
The Final Verdict
The Precor EFX 835 elliptical machine is one of the best ones available on the market and is our top recommendation from the 800 series of these machines. It’s got everything you could possibly want in order to increase your own fitness levels. Customization, different levels of exercise and a comfortable design all brings this elliptical up to the next level. That level also happens to be the top one. The only hesitation that one might have about getting the EFX 835 comes in the form of the price and weight. But these are relatively minor negatives that shouldn’t stop those who are able from acquiring this elliptical.
| Review | Image | C.C.R | Price | Capacity | Display | Stride | Programs | Incline | Charger | Metrics | Handlebars | Resistance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Precor EFX 885 |  | Yes, With Converging Cross Ramp | Check on Amazon | 340 lb / 154 kg | P82 - 15" Touch Screen | 21-25 in (54-63 cm) | 22 | 10-35° Motorized | Yes | Workout Metrics 18 | Moving & Fixed | 720 Watts |
| Precor EFX 883 |  | Yes, With Converging Cross Ramp | Check on Amazon | 340 lb / 154 kg | P82 - 15" Touch Screen | 21-25 in (54-63 cm) | 22 | 10-35° Motorized | Yes | Workout Metrics 18 | Only Fixed | 720 Watts |
| Precor EFX 865 |  | Yes, With Converging Cross Ramp | Check on Amazon | 340 lb / 154 kg | P62 - 10" Touch Screen | 21-25 in (54-63 cm) | 22 | 10-35° Motorized | Yes | Workout Metrics 18 | Moving & Fixed | 720 Watts |
| Precor EFX 863 |  | Yes, With Converging Cross Ramp | Check on Amazon | 340 lb / 154 kg | P62 - 10" Touch Screen | 21-25 in (54-63 cm) | 22 | 10-35° Motorized | Yes | Workout Metrics 18 | Only Fixed | 720 Watts |
| Precor EFX 835 | | Yes, With Converging Cross Ramp | Check on Amazon | 330 lb / 150 kg | P31 - LED Display | 21-25 in (54-63 cm) | 15 | 10-35° Motorized | No | Workout Metrics 18 | Moving & Fixed | 720 Watts |
| Precor EFX 833 |  | Yes, With Converging Cross Ramp | Check on Amazon | 330 lb / 150 kg | P31 - LED Display | 21-25 in (54-63 cm) | 15 | 10-35° Motorized | No | Workout Metrics 18 | Only Fixed | 720 Watts |
Hi, my name is Sayed Hamed Hosseiny. I am a professional health and fitness trainer with nearly 20 years of experience using ellipticals, rowing machines, and spin bikes. I also have my own EU-based Rock Fitness Pro fitness brand where I design, import and sell exercise equipment such as rowing machines and spin bikes. I and writers on my team also often receive fitness equipment to review and evaluate their functionalities and performance from tens of different exercise machines manufacturers. Fitness equipment tips, guides, reviews, and comparisons on this website are my opinion (and opinions of my fitness expert colleagues) based on tens of criteria. I never accept payment to write reviews of products or say positive things about fitness equipment products. If brands are interested to have me review their rowers, ellipticals, or spin bikes, they can get in touch with me via email provided on the contact page and send a sample of their product.
