ProForm 210 CSX Exercise Bike Review

Proform has been on a roll of late. We shouldn’t be surprised that one of the best known and oldest manufacturers of home fitness equipment keeps producing good machines, but their consistency has been quite impressive . The last few Proform bikes that we’ve reviewed have been good so we opted to take a look at an entry-level model to see if it maintains the sort of standards we’ve come to expect. Here’s what we found when we took a close up look….

Like all modern home exercise bikes, the 210 CSX comes in parts and needs to be assembled. Thankfully, the instructions are clear with good diagrams to show what goes where. Assembly of this bike can be a one person job, though while attaching the main post at the front, a second person would make that particular part quite a bit easier. Overall assembly took us just under an hour with no major hiccups along the way. 

The 210 CSX is a battery operated model that can also run on mains power with the power supply coming as an optional extra. While mains power is definitely preferred for this type of bike as power supply it’s not affected by the amount of resistance changes, the default battery-only option does have one upside, as it means you can put the bike in any location without having to consider how/where you’re going to plug it in. Battery life is OK on a set level of reisstance when perfrorming a manual workout is but if you’re into lots of HIIT training then you can expect the length of uptime to be affected so we’d say that rechargeable batteries  are the way to go here. 

Looks-wise this is a very standard looking home exercise bike. There’s nothing about it that stands out in any particular way and aesthetically it’s not going to win any awards. That being said, the design is neat and tidy and at 79cm x 61cm (31.1″ x 24″) the 210 CSX not a large bit of kit. Not large, but it is well put together and Proform’s choice of silver and dark grey with a splash of burgundy combined with the overall size results in a non-offensive, neat little package that’ll sit comfortably in most homes.

As in the case of many of its competitors, there is a good range of adjustments that can be made to the saddle, which we noted looked not just wider, but also more padded than we usually see on this type of bike. The seat is adjustable both horizontally and vertically so it’s possible to find a good riding position that’ going to be comfortable for a wide range of users. Our testing team vary greatly in size and shape and they were all able to get a sensible riding position without much trouble. One let down is that it’s not possible to adjust the handlebars, which did result in some testers finding the position good but not great, though always serviceable.  

The console display is a silver-tinted LCD display that shows the intensity, speed, time, distance, calories and pulse in real time as you workout and there’s a tablet holder located on the top. It’s nice and easy to read and understand making this a good choice for those who want a simple bike. There are 14 preset workouts divided into 7 intensity workouts designed to improve fitness and 7 weight loss workouts. In addition, there’s a dedicated 8-week weight loss training programme and a target Watt program.

For more training options, the 210 CSX is Bluetooth smart enabled so it’s compatible with the iFit service (30-day iFit family subscription included). You can use this bike in a simple way, but as a subscriber, you can also take advantage of the many high-tech features offered by iFit. With iFit you get the ability to map out your own custom running routes on Google Maps, access to a huge library of thousands of high-definition workout videos led by professional personal trainers, and get personalised advice for nutrition, exercise routines and sleep schedules.  There’s also a daily updated map based workout that takes you on a different ride each day just to keep things interesting. Just install the iFit app onto your tablet or other smart device, set up your iFit account and you’re ready to go. It’s worth noting that iFit is a paid-for service so if you want to keep using it after the first 30 days, you’ll need to take out a subscription.

On board workouts that don’t require iFit include an 8-week weight loss training programme we mentioned earlier. This is a weight loss training regime designed by a personal trainer and each week there are 3 workouts to perform, each one different from the last. The way it works is straightforward and with just a little manual input to set it up, you’re ready to go. To get started just press the ‘select week’ button to select week 1, then press the ‘select day’ button to select day 1 and start pedalling. The next time select week 1, day 2 and perform the workout, then next time week 1, day 3 and that’s your first week completed. Continue like that for the following 7 weeks and you’ll have participated in a full on 8-week weight loss programme. It is basic in the way it works but if you follow it, it does work.

Unusually for an exercise bike the console is fitted with stereo speakers and a music port to plug in your mp3 player, and there’s a workout cooling fan, a Bluetooth wireless heart rate receiver and a there’s a water bottle holder which is always nice to see.

In terms of the warranty, the 210 CSX is covered by Proform’s 2-year parts and labour warranty (if registered within 28 days of purchase).

Best Price

The ProForm 210 CSX is not currently available from any retailers we're aware of in the UK.
It may be worth looking for a used machine on ebay

Review Summary - In Brief

The Proform 210 CSX is a well-built bike that performs better than it looks. It's got a large, padded saddle and a reasonable amount of adjustment while there are plenty of training options once you take iFit into account, though a subscription is needed for this. Without iFit there are still some features that we'd not expect to see such as speakers and a music port, but be aware that if you want to get the most out of this model a paid iFit subscription is the only way to go. If that doesn't sound like your cup of tea then we'd suggest taking a look at one of our top picks this month, the DKN AM-E, which benefits from a heavier flywheel and a wireless heart rate receiver and will also save you a fair bit of cash in the process!

ProForm 210 CSX Specifications

    • Flywheel: 6kg (13.2Ibs) inertia enhanced flywheel
    • Resistance: 16 levels of digital SMR Silent™ Magnetic Resistance
    • Console: Large LCD display with Watts meter
    • Console Feedback: Speed, RPM, Watts, time, distance, calories, resistance, pulse
    • Programmes: 17 (1 manual, 16 pre-set workout apps)
    • Heart Rate Measurement: EKG hand pulse sensors, Bluetooth Smart chest strap optional
    • Seat: Oversized, cushion seat adjustable vertically and horizontally
    • Pedals: Ergonomic pedals with adjustable straps
    • Transport Wheels: Yes, front-mounted
    • Levellers: Oversized quick levellers
    • Additional features: iFit® Bluetooth® Smart Enabled (30-day family subscription included), water bottle holder, oversized levellers, tablet holder, stereo speakers, music port for iPod/mp3,
    • iFit workouts: Thousands of on-demand video workouts streamed via iFit (subscription required).
    • Dimensions: Length=96cm (37.8”), Width=57cm (22.4”), Height=143cm (56.3”)
    • Maximum User Weight: 125kg (275.6lbs)
    • Product Weight: 28kg (61.7lbs)
    • Power Supply: Battery operated (requires 4 D cell batteries; 9 Volt DC 2 Amp transformer optional extra)
    • Warranty: 2 years parts, labour and frame (if registered within 28 days of purchase)

ProForm 210 CSX Exercise Bike - Console / Display Unit

ProForm 210 CSX Exercise Bike - User Reviews

The Pros

  • Comfortable seat
  • 8 week dedicated weight loss programme

The Cons

  • Not the prettiest bike to look at that we've come across
  • iFit Subscription needed to get the most out of this bike
  • Battery powered with mains supply an optional extra
ProForm 210 CSX Exercise Bike Reviewer Ratings

 

Appearance - 7
Smoothness - 8.5
Comfort - 9
Programmes - 10
Ease Of Use - 9
Warranty - 8.5
Value for Money - 8
Best Price

The ProForm 210 CSX is not currently available from any retailers we're aware of in the UK.
It may be worth looking for a used machine on ebay

Also see our Exercise Bike Comparison Table

Whilst every effort is made to give you accurate information we cannot guarantee the technical specification. Models change on a regular basis and may differ slightly from the above review. We recommend you contact the retailer if you have a question regarding technical data. Please read our Legal Disclaimer

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