The Precor EFX 222 Offers a Full Body Workout

Overview: The Precor EFX 222 elliptical presents a small step up from the base model EFX 221. Precor has a long history in the home fitness market and the EFX 222 reflects that. The upgraded model in the Energy Series comes with all of the features of the 221, plus the addition of moving handlebars. Currently priced at $2,599, the EFX 222 is the first true entry into Precor’s full-body workout offerings.

Here are some of the main highlights of our Precor EFX 222 review…

Workout Accelerators

Precor’s patented Workout Accelerators make another much appreciated appearance here. Pushing your maximum heart rate or efficiently burning calories both come much easier with customized suggestions pulled directly from your workout history. The Workout Accelerators work together with the built-in workouts to help you get every last bit of usefulness out of your workouts. Plus, they help keep the workouts fresh.

CrossRamp

All EFX models come with Precor’s patented CrossRamp technology and the 222 is no exception. By allowing you three different settings for both your foot’s travel distance and the shape of the elliptical path, you have a great way to target specific lower body muscle groups. This means that you can customize each session beyond the built in programs and get a balanced, total lower-body workout.

Heart Rate Monitoring

Like the base model, the EFX 222 comes with built-in compatibility with Polar 5KHz heart monitor products. Heart rate readings help keep your workout within your target zone. The addition of the SmartRate, standard on all Precor ellipticals, give context to your workout. Staying in your target cardio zone helps you burn more calories with more efficient workouts.

Multiple Users

The ability to save settings for multiple users is a great feature for households with more than one indivudual. Your User ID will save your age, height, and weight and use them to calculate a more accurate calorie burn in conjunction with the SmartRate feature. Retrieving your last workout and using it for your default settings is also something a multiuser household will appreciate.

Precor EFX 222 Test Drive

The main reason to go for the Precor EFX 222 over the base 221 model is the addition of moveable handlebars. I really appreciated CrossRamp giving me a varied lower-body workout every time I stepped onto the elliptical, but the inclusion of my upper body in the workouts really helps push the enjoyment factor. Every workout felt more inclusive and intense even though I was spending the same amount of time exercising as I was with the entry level 221. The moveable handlebars mean that your range of motion is closer to true running form. That will go a long way towards helping you maintain a balanced development in your muscle groups as you get stronger and fitter.

I have very little to complain about when it comes to build quality in the EFX 222. Precor has a reputation for producing solid machinery and it shows through here. I didn’t experience any rocking during my time with the 222 which was pleasantly surprising, especially for home ellipticals in this price range. Considering the price jump from the base model, I do wish that Precor had included the touchscreen present on some of their other machines, but the 7-inch, high-contrast display on the 222 doesn’t have any problems displaying the metrics you need during your workouts. Precor’s generous lifetime warranty on the frame makes a welcome return on the 222.

The same shortfall of the EFX 222’s little brother makes a return here. The machine comes with 10 presets, which I found to be a little lacking. You need to bump up to at least the EFX 245 to get a nice array of workouts. Precor’s Workout Accelerators really help cover this shortcoming. Though the Workout Accelerators ended up being one of my favorite features, the price of the 222 would be hard to justify without them.

BMW EFX 222 – Final Thoughts

The EFX 222 represents the true entry point in the Precor elliptical line. It has a lot of the same great features introduced on the base model, but the addition of the moving handlebars really makes it feel like a more complete package. With CrossRamp, Workout Accelerators, and moving handlebars all working together, it’s hard to find a reason not to make the 222 your choice for home workouts if you have the budget for it. The EFX 222 is quiet, well-built, and fun to use. Anyone looking for a way to challenge themselves and freshen up their elliptical workouts needn’t look farther than this.

If you’re interested in the new Precor EFX 222 elliptical you can check it out and compare it to the other models on the official manufacturer site.