Precor 9.23 Treadmill
Precor are one of a handful of major treadmill manufacturers and have one of the best reputations, particularly for consumer home-treadmill products. The Precor 9.23 takes the standard Precor approach to treadmills, offering quality rather than glamour. With this in mind, let’s take a look at whether or not the Precor 9.23 is worth buying.
Key Specs For The Precor 9.23 Treadmill
- RRP: $1,599.00
- Maximum Weight Capacity: 350 lbs
- Top Speed: 12 mph
- Incline: 15%
- Number of Programs: 6
Precor 9.23 Treadmill: The Pros
High Quality Parts: When the Precor 9.23 arrives in your house and you open the box, one of the first things you’ll will notice is the quality of the parts. Even someone who has nothing to compare this to will probably get a sense that these are parts built to last, not to be thrown away 12 months down the line.
Many home treadmills make big sacrifices on quality. The Precor 9.23 seems to maintain the high standards of gym-quality machines, feeling like it’ll last forever, no matter how much you throw at it. Cheaper machines usually have cheaper parts, so although the Precor costs a bit more than the low-end home treadmills available, it will stand the test of time much better.
Easy Assembly: Almost all home treadmills require assembly. However, some assemblies can be harder than others. Most of the time, an assembly that takes less than 2 hours is considered pretty good. Fortunately, the Precor 9.23 should take you nearer to the 1 hour mark than 2.
One of the best things about the Precor’s assembly is just how nicely the pieces fit together. There’s none of the hassle that you get with cheaper machines where parts just don’t seem to fit. Sometimes it can be so difficult that the parts seem like they’re for different machines altogether! Putting the 9.23 together is as near to a dream as it’s possible to get when it comes to treadmill assembly.
Low Maintenance: Thanks to the Precor 9.23’s excellent quality parts there is very little maintenance required. You can pretty much use and abuse this machine as you please! This is mostly thanks to the strong belt, which holds up to almost commercial-level use. There is also a great motor running inside this machine, and the running deck is thick and durable.
Warranty: Perhaps one of the most comforting things about the Precor 9.23 is its warranty. Precor are clearly confident of their product’s durability, and this is reflected in the 5 year parts warranty and 1 year labor warranty. This machine is built to last, and this is Precor’s way of showing it. You may save yourself a lot of money in the long run by buying this machine instead of a cheaper model.
Design: Many consumer treadmills have relatively small running surfaces. This is both a cost-saving exercise on the part of the manufacturer and, to a degree, a space-saving exercise for the home. However, small belts can feel uncomfortable to run on. Being small, you can never fully relax into your exercise, constantly having to worry that you don’t let your feet slip off the back of the running surface.
The Precor 9.23 uses belts of the same size as their commercial models. While this may mean a little more space is taken up in the home, the benefit of running at ease on a large surface easily outweighs the drawback. Plus, the machine really isn’t that big, so you shouldn’t have any problem getting this in the same place as models with smaller running belts.
The parts also fit together very well, and are solidly built. This makes the experience of running on this machine all the better. The frame is very stable, showing no signs of wobble or vibration when in use. Again, this probably comes down to the quality of the parts, which are made to last.
Soft Running Deck: If you’re serious about your running, then you need to take care of your legs and feet. Running produces a lot of impact on your joints, and if you’re not careful this can cause problems. One of the main ways to care for your joints during running exercises is to use thick, soft-soled shoes. In the case of a treadmill, the best way to keep safe is to have a soft running deck. The Precor 9.23 has one of the best quality running decks on the consumer market, helping to ensure you maintain good health throughout your exercise.
Quiet: If you intend to use exercise equipment at home, one of the most important considerations is the level of noise the machine generates. Disturbing the household every time you take a workout is likely to cause a lot of stress for all involved! Fortunately the Precor 9.23 is a very quiet machine. You’ll be able to use it even as you watch TV.
Precor 9.23 Treadmill: The Cons
Few Programs: If you’re really big on preset programs, then you may find the Precor 9.23 somewhat limited. It comes with 6 preset programs, including fun run, hill climb, interval, manual, weight loss and walk. If these aren’t enough for you then you may have to look for an alternative. However, preset programs don’t really make a big difference to the user experience. For most users, this won’t be a big deal.
Heavy: Whilst the weight of this machine is one of its strengths (it’s weight is due to the fact that it’s built to be sturdy and durable), it might cause you a few problems if you ever want to move the machine. You may also need to be careful about setting this machine up above the first floor.
No Speakers: Some people want to be able to play their music through their treadmill. If you’re one of those people, then you’ll be disappointed with the Precor 9.23. If you want to listen to music, you’ll have to have an audio system set up in the same room as your running machine, or otherwise run with an iPod!
No Touch Screen: For those who like their treadmills to incorporate the latest fancy technology, the Precor may not hold up. This machine, unlike machines released by companies like Nordic Track, has no touch screen.
Is The Precor 9.23 Treadmill Worth Buying?
The Precor 9.23 is one of the best treadmills on the market. Unless you’re absolutely desperate for extra bells and whistles, then there’s no reason not to choose this machine. It more than delivers on all the key aspects of a treadmill, making it highly recommended.
