Proform 740 ES Recumbent Review

17/05/201517/09/2019 FitnessEquipmentGuide

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Proform 740 ES Exercise Bike – A Good Buy For You?

proform 740 ES recumbent bike review — Proform 740 ES Recumbent Bike

The Proform 740 ES recumbent is Proform’s premium recumbent bike this year with something you don’t usually see on a recumbent bike – a full color web browser in the console.

So you can surf the net, catch up with Facebook friends or watch YouTube videos in full color as you cycle. This can make workouts a lot more fun and productive.

You also get an easy step-thru design for ease of getting on and off the bike, up to 26 levels of resistance and a media shelf to hold your tablet.

Is the Proform 740 ES recumbent bike a good buy for you?

Here’s a review of what to know before you buy:

Basics:

Price: $799 + Free Shipping

Resistance: 26 Levels

Built-In Workouts: 34

User Weight Capacity: 350 lbs

Footprint: 52″ x 22.2″ x 58.9″

iFit Compatible with Web Browser

iPod Dock

Warranty: Lifetime Frame & Brake, 3-Year Parts, 1-Year Labor

Proform 740 ES Recumbent Bike Review – Pros:

Full Color Console With Web Browser

You get a touch-screen web browser built right into the console with this bike. So you can surf the net as you cycle, watch YouTube videos or catch up with your Facebook friends. This alone will make your workouts much more enjoyable and fun.

It also makes the iFit LIVE scenery come alive as you can watch the actual road your travelling on in full color for a more virtual-reality feel.

20 Pound Flywheel

The heavier flywheel helps to anchor the machine and add extra stability to your ride – great for longer workouts. This isn’t the heaviest flywheel on the market – but it’s very good, especially at this price point.

Adjustable Seat with Lumbar Support

The Proform 740 recumbent comes with an Easy Glide adjust that moves forward or back to help you find a customized fit. There’s also lumbar support for your lower back for a more comfortable workout.

Also, the mesh back helps air to circulate and keep you cooler as you cycle.

Easy Step-Thru Design

This bike is built with a simple step-through design, meaning there’s not large barrier to trip over when you get on the bike – as you sometimes get with other recumbent models. This makes it a lot easier to get on and off the bike.

iFit LIVE Compatible

iFit connects your bike to the Internet and from there you can track your workout stats online to see how far you’ve come. You can also download new workouts to your bike from celebrity trainers like Jillian Michaels.

You can also bike famous world trails – from Paris to Hawaii and watch real life landmarks pass you by in the console screen. Again, something that few bikes give you that adds a lot of fun to your workouts.

Media Shelf

There’s a built-in media shelf in the console to hold your tablet (or a magazine or a book). So you can watch your favorite shows or movies as you workout.

iPod Dock with USB Charging Station

Plug in your iPod to the console and listen to your favorite tunes with this bike. You can also charge your phones or tablet as you workout with the USB charging post on the console as well.

EKG Heart Rate Sensors

You can stay in your target fat-burning heart rate range with the EKG hand sensors on either side of the console. The bike is also compatible with a wireless chest strap heart monitor (not included.)

Proform 740 ES Exercise Bike Review – Cons

You should be aware that in order to use the iFit LIVE, you have to purchase the iFit LIVE subscription (around $144 a year as of this writing). You don’t need iFit to use the bike (there are 34 built-in workouts plus an iPod dock for entertainment. And the web browser works just fine without it).

But if you tend to get bored easily and want more challenges, you may want to try it out to see if you like it.

Also, while this bikes works with a wireless heart rate monitor, you don’t get one included with the bike.

Bottom Line?

If you’re looking for a well-made recumbent that won’t break the bank, the Proform 740 ES is definitely worth checking out. You get a solid design with a strong flywheel and cushioned, adjustable seat.

Plus to get a bike for under $800 with all of the entertainment options this one gives you (web browser, tablet shelf, iPod dock, iFit LIVE) is extremely rare. Great value for the money.

Where to Buy and Save:

You can get the Proform 740 ES bike direct through the Manufacturer here. Plus they are also offering Free Shipping to your home which can save you about $150.