The Precor TRM 211 is a Solid Gym-Quality Choice

The TRM 211 is the entry-level and also the lowest priced treadmill in Precor’s Energy Series, a more affordable line of commercial-grade machines built for home use.  If you're looking for something that's just like what you'd find at the health club, this one is worth considering.

The Machine

The TRM 211 features a fully-welded steel frame and a maintenance-free, phenolic laminated deck.  Its sleek blue and white console offers workout feedback such as calories, distance, time, heart rate, speed, pace and incline.

Let's take a look at some of the best features...

• 3.0 HP Continuous Duty Motor
• 0.5-12 mph speed
• 0 to 15% Incline
• 20" x 57" running area
• 6 Preset Workouts
• Energy Stride Technology
• SmartRate® Heart Rate monitoring
• Wt / Dimensions: 227 lbs / 81" x 32" x 54"
• Warranty: Lifetime on frame, 5 years parts, 1 year labor

See the TRM 211 on sale now at the Precor online store!

The Buzz

The Precor TRM 211 has received very positive reviews since its introduction, as it brings all of the commercial gym quality to the home environment.

Set up is much easier than you might think. The treadmill comes with an instruction manual which explains the assembly process in great detail. Each step of the process is clearly explained with illustrations. The tools you need to assemble the machine are also provided with the package. The entire process should not take you more than 30 minutes.

The build quality of the TRM 211 certainly deserves a mention. The machine is non-foldable and feels very solid and stable once you set it up. The mechanical as well as electrical parts are of the highest quality. There is nothing about this machine that feels cheap, despite the fact that it is an entry level model.

The TRM 211 features the patented Energy Stride cushioning technology, which is used in Precor’s commercial grade treadmills as well. The running deck has plenty of underfoot cushioning to reduce the amount of impact on your joints while you train. It is comfortable to run on and easy on your joints. If you are used to running outdoors, you can feel the difference right away.

The TRM 211 can incline up to 15%, which is quite steep, particularly for an entry-level treadmill. Incline training is a great way to build your cardio and work different groups of muscles in your legs. The impact on your knees is also much lower, when compared to training on a level surface.

Most importantly, you can burn a lot more calories by training on an incline rather than by doing so on a level surface. Word to the wise – if you are a beginner, stay in the 0% - 5% incline range until your body gets acclimated. If you start at 10% incline level straight away, you will be sweating bullets and out of breath in no time.

The 3.0 HP motor is sturdy, durable, and can generate enough power to support your training routine day in and day out. It can speed up and slow down in a jiffy. Powerful motors in general tend to be noisy, but Precor has managed to come up with an exception. The continuous duty motor runs very quiet, even during high-speed, high-intensity workouts.

 One of the biggest selling points of the Precor TRM 211 is that the belt is lubricated with dry silicone. Unlike standard treadmill belts, it does not require periodic lubrication or maintenance. The belt also features a PVC non-slip surface for increased comfort and safety.

 The machine has short handlebars that contain grip sensors to measure your heart rate. It also features the SmartRate technology, which not only displays your heart rate, but also tells you which heart rate zone you are in. Studies show that you can achieve your fitness goals – whether it is cardio, weight loss, or general fitness improvement – much faster by staying in the appropriate heart rate zone while training. So, it is an extremely useful technology for goal-specific fitness workouts.

Precor is known for its long warranties and the tradition continues with the TRM 211 as well. The machine comes with a lifetime warranty on frame and welds, five-year warranty on parts and wear items, three-year warranty on the console, and one-year warranty on labor.

Any negatives with this one?  Not too many, but if we had to mention something it would be the limited number of workout programs.

The TRM 211 only has six preset workout programs, which does not give you much of a choice. Also, you cannot save your user profile. So, it is difficult to customize your workout routine as well. If there are multiple persons in your household, it is a good idea to opt for the TRM 223 or better yet the top-of-the-line TRM 243, which have more preset workout programs and allow you to store multiple user profiles as well.  The latter also has Preva workout tracking.

Also, the machine has an LCD console which displays nine different workout metrics. While you can understand the rationale behind Precor’s decision to go with a basic LCD console for an entry level model, you cannot help but notice that the console lacks many features that you are used to seeing in treadmills at this price point.

The console is not compatible with iPhone or Android devices. It does not have an MP3 output, tablet holder, or workout tracking facility. A couple of music and entertainment options would have been nice, especially given the machine’s price tag.

What We Say About the TRM 211

The TRM 211 is a welcome entry into the residential treadmill market. The look and feel of the machine is similar to that of the high-end treadmills you find in fitness clubs. It has an impressive set of features – good deck cushioning, steep incline, powerful motor, and a top speed of 12 MPH. It also comes with one of the best warranty packages at this price point. Moreover, the treadmill belt does not need any maintenance at all.

The only notable downsides are the lack of bells and whistles and the small number of preset workout programs, which could be a concern for some of you. In which case, you can opt for the next machine in the series – the TRM 223 – or the TRM 243, which is the most advanced machine in the series.

On the whole, the TRM 211 is an excellent entry-level machine designed for fitness club-quality workouts at home. It is slightly more expensive than some other machines in its class, but with Precor you always get what you pay for. The company is known for making for some of the highest quality machines on the market today and is well worth spending your money on.

Get more info and special sale pricing on this treadmill here!