ProForm 325 CSX Recumbent Exercise Bike Review

With what are consistently some of the best value for money fitness machines on the market Proform home fitness machines rarely fail to live up to the Proform name. Time and again they’ve delivered exercise bikes that pound for pound pack a serious punch. We’ve recently been impressed with what they’ve put to market so wanted to get up close and personal with their 325CSX Recumbent bike to see what it’s got to offer.

Assembly was a little fiddly but not difficult. The manual is very clear with good diagrams showing what needs doing and all the steps are simple enough. It took us just under an hour to unpack it and set it up (2 people). There’s nothing here to be scared of but, as always, if you’re unsure then ask the retailer if they can put it together for you.

Once built the 325 CSX looks good. Gone is the usual Proform machine grey which is replaced with a slick black and silver design. It looks a little imposing but not in a bad way. More in a ‘I’m here, I’m ready, go for it’ sort of way. It’s more rugged in the flesh than it looks in the pictures and that’s very reassuring.

Getting comfortable on the 325 CSX is quick and easy. The seat is extra wide and set vertically for a good riding position. It has a wide back which provides plenty of support in all the right places and there’s a quick release lever for horizontal adjustment closer/further away from the handlebars. There’s a step through design that provides a very easy way of getting on and off the bike so getting on and into position is very straight-forward, even for those with restricted movement.

The console is another area where Proform’s experience is telling. Simple and clear, it has a really bright LED display that makes seeing what’s going on while you’re working out nice and easy even in bright light conditions. The main focus point of this console is the the ‘power ring’. The power ring is there to help ensure you’re getting a proper workout and is designed to make you put the right amount of effort in. Your power output in real-time is displayed on the screen and this works in all of the modes including manual. There are 25 preset workouts that are divided into ‘Tempo’ for a steady session and ‘Interval’ for bursts of high intensity followed by a recovery period and then back again to high intensity. As you start a workout in a preset programme it shows you your power output target on the power ring and also your actual current power output. The mission in front of you is clear – work harder and hit your target power output. Hit the target and you know you’ve performed your workout properly. Simple and effective.

There’s also a cool feature which will be of interest to those who like their interval training hardcore. The ‘Work’ and ‘Recovery’ buttons. For Work, simply set the desired resistance to the setting that’ll make you seriously break a sweat. Press and hold the Work button until it beeps. Then set the resistance to a level that’ll allow you to recover, but keep working without cooling down completely. Press and hold the Recovery button until it beeps. Having done this, you’ve now programmed those two buttons to your own settings and all you have to do is press either one to revert back to the pre-programmed settings. Your target for each is displayed on the screen at all times. As long as you try to hit, and in a perfect world actually hit, the target shown on the screen, then you know that you’re getting an effective workout.

Standard live feedback information also includes distance, pulse, calories, time elapsed, RPM and so on. It’s all very simple to understand which is most welcome. The console is also Bluetooth iFit live ready so you can subscribe to the iFit Live service without having to purchase a separate iFit module. Also featured in the console are speakers, cooling fan, tablet holder and a built-in Bluetooth heart rate receiver for more accurate heart rate measurement than the hand pulse sensors.

It’s clear to see Proform’s know-how at work here from the style and size of the seat, through to the riding position, through to the console and the overall layout of entire set up. It also comes with Proform’s 2 years parts and labour warranty (if registered within 28 days of purchase)

Best Price

The ProForm 325 CSX Recumbent 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 325 CSX Recumbent bike is a cracking piece of kit, especially for something at this price point. Solid frame, good seat, good level of top-end resistance. It's got a tablet holder and it's iFit compatible. It's possible to argue that it's missing some heart rate control programmes but in truth, that's being picky given just how much this bike gives you for your money. It's more solid and feature-rich than any other recumbent bike we've seen at this price point and as such we're happy to recommend it. We do need to mention the DKN RB-4i at this point if you're looking to take the next step up in build and function as it's on offer making it superb value right now.

ProForm 325 CSX Recumbent Specifications

    • 7kg (15.4lbs) Inertia enhanced flywheel weight
    • 22 digital levels of SMR Silent™ Magnetic Resistance
    • Console with Round Watts LED display with Endurance, Tempo and Peak zones, also with Work and Recovery buttons for Interval Training
    • Feedback: speed, time, distance, calories, pulse, resistance, rpm and watts
    • 24 workout programmes (12 speed and12 calorie) + iFit Live compatibility
    • iFit® Bluetooth® Smart enabled
    • Heart rate measurement via pulse grips and a Bluetooth Smart wireless receiver (chest belt has to be bought separately)
    • Conveniences: Stereo speakers, music port for iPod/mp3, front moulded transportation wheels, CoolAire™ workout fan, water bottle holder
    • Adjustable, lumbar supported cushioned seat
    • Ergonomic, adjustable pedals with straps
    • Size (L x W x H): 137cm (53.9”) x 64cm (25.2″) x 127cm (50″)
    • Weight of the product: 60kg (132.3lbs)
    • 130kg (286.6lbs) maxiumum user weight
    • Warranty: 2 years parts, labour and frame (if registered within 28 days of purchase)

ProForm 325 CSX Recumbent Bike - Console / Display Unit

ProForm 325 CSX Recumbent Bike - User Reviews

The Pros

  • Feature rich and easy to use console
  • Comfortable seat and riding position
  • High resistance levels at the top end
  • Very sturdy
  • Wireless heart rate receiver
  • Interactive training options

The Cons

  • No heart rate control workouts (but that's being picky given the price)
ProForm 325 CSX Recumbent Bike Reviewer Ratings

 

Appearance - 8.5
Smoothness - 9
Comfort - 9.5
Programmes - 9
Ease Of Use - 9
Warranty - 8.5
Value for Money - 9
Best Price

The ProForm 325 CSX Recumbent 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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