ProForm Smart Strider 735 Elliptical Trainer Review

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The ProForm Smart Strider 735 is the mid-range elliptical in this collection, with a number of important upgrades over the earlier 535 model.

But how does this rear drive elliptical compare to the features on the mid-range elliptical from their Endurance collection (720 E), and does the top-of-the-line Smart Strider 935 actually represent better value for money?

In this review we’ll be making comparisons between these 3 ProForm ellipticals, as well as other similarly priced designs from NordicTrack and Sole Fitness, to help you decide which is the best option for your own fitness goals and budget.

Design and safety features

The first feature to notice about the Smart Strider 735 is its folding design. This is the most significant difference between ellipticals in ProForm’s Smart Strider collection and those in their Endurance series.

Although both types of elliptical trainer are constructed from the same commercial-gauge solid steel, the folding design does slightly reduce the weight capacity. This means the Smart Strider 735 supports 300 lbs compared to the 325 lbs of its respective model in the Endurance collection (720 E).

You’re also getting a slightly lower maximum incline, with power adjust settings up to 10° instead of the 20° we’re used to seeing on their Endurance ellipticals.

But many of the remaining high-spec features are still present, including the oversized adjustable pedals, Silent Magnetic Resistance (SMR) system, 5″ backlit display, CoolAire™ workout fan, and soft-touch upper body grips.

The number of resistance levels is also the same between the two machines (20), but you’re left with slightly fewer options when it comes to choosing an onboard workout program (22 compared to 24 on the ProForm 720 E).

This isn’t something that really concerns us, as the onboard workouts are still available in the same categories, it’s an upgrade over the earlier Smart Strider 535 model (18 workout apps), and if you’re looking for more variation you can always purchase the iFit module and membership to download more programs.

At 18 lbs in weight the flywheel for the Smart Strider 735 is also 5 lbs heavier than that of the 535 elliptical, which helps to deliver a smoother running experience.

Because this is a rear drive elliptical, you don’t have the same power adjustable stride length that you do on the front drive Endurance series machines. Instead the stride length is fixed at 18″, which is enough to comfortably support users to 6ft in height.

The only other comparison that we wanted to make with the design features is that you don’t have the same in-handle resistance and incline controls that you do with their top-of-the-line 935 elliptical.

Display console design

If you’ve already read our review of the Smart Strider 935 then the console for the 735 model probably seems very similar. In fact the layout is identical, except for one major difference. You no longer have the option to select a workout app from the ‘Intensity’ category.

You do have an additional workout program in each of the Calorie and Performance categories, but no longer have the option of training with an Intensity workout.

Most of the remaining features are the same, with quick-select controls for adjusting the resistance, cooling fan speed, volume for your MP3 player or iPod, and quick-select controls for the iFit service.

Unfortunately the Smart Strider 735 isn’t iFit enabled, meaning you have the option to upgrade to iFit at an additional cost, but the module isn’t built into the console as standard.

This alone could be reason enough for you to ignore the 735 model completely in favor of the iFit enabled 935, as the price difference between the two ellipticals was around $150 at time of writing.

When you consider the iFit wireless module alone costs around $100, and that the 935 comes with a whole host of upgrades in addition to iFit, such as more onboard workout apps, more resistance levels, and a higher weight capacity, the 935 is definitely better value for money.

The console for the 735 still has all the basics that we’ve come to expect from a ProForm elliptical, such as the 5″ backlit LCD screen, cooling fan, water bottle holder, and EKG touch grips for monitoring your heart rate. But in our opinion it still doesn’t deliver the same high quality workout experience as the Smart Strider 935.

Heart rate monitoring
Being able to accurately measure your heart rate during a workout can be important for medical reasons, but it’s also useful to know if you’re training towards a specific fitness goal and want to stay within a range.

Unfortunately ProForm only seem to offer telemetry heart rate monitoring (chest strap) on their top-of-the-line ellipticals, such as the ProForm Smart Strider 935 and Endurance 920 E.

This means that the Smart Strider 735 only supports heart rate monitoring via the EKG touch sensors built into the set of static handles.

It’s certainly not our favorite method of heart rate monitoring, due to the fact that you have to maintain a specific grip position, which restricts you from using the larger moveable handles. Without using the moveable handles you’re unable to recruit upper body muscle groups, such as biceps, shoulders, core and chest, limiting the number of calories you burn.

This is another reason why we would prefer to stretch our budget and upgrade to the Smart Strider 935, as in the long term it delivers a more enjoyable and effective workout.

Workout programs and user profiles

Despite not having the Intensity category of onboard workout apps like the 935 elliptical does, the Smart Strider 735 still offers a wider choice of workouts than the earlier 535 model, with 22 workout apps in total.

This is a long way off the 35 onboard workouts that are available with ProForm’s top-of-the-line Pro 16.9 elliptical, but considering the difference in price it’s probably to be expected.

Also, you still have access to the 4 main workout categories that are available on the upgraded ProForm 935, including Manual, Onboard, iFit, and Set-A-Goal. We’ve included a quick reference guide below.

Ease of assembly and maintenance required

Although ProForm don’t appear to have a name for it, the folded style of the Smart Strider 735 is very similar to the SNAP assembly system used by NordicTrack on their SpaceSaver ellipticals.

This means that most of the elliptical is already pre-assembled when you take it out of the packaging, with very little required to complete the setup.

That being said it’s still a heavy piece of equipment to move around on your own, especially when ProForm only guarantee curb-side delivery.

If you would prefer an authorized service technician completed the setup for you, this is a service that ProForm offer, but only within certain locations. There’s also an additional cost involved, which varies based on the model of elliptical trainer you buy.

Amazon have also started offering a similar service for in-home elliptical trainer assembly (use the form below to check if your zip code is covered), but because there are so few steps and the quality of instructions in the user manual is high, we wouldn’t recommend them in this case.

For more complex assemblies it’s an excellent option to have, but with the ProForm Smart Strider 735, all you need to do is attach the base stabilizers, lift the console upright into position, and attach the upper body arms and covers.

Once you have the elliptical fully assembled, front-mounted transport wheels make it easier to move around, with oversized levelers attached to the base to compensate for slightly uneven ground. For storage with minimal footprint, it’s simply a case of lowering the console upright, rolling the elliptical to its storage location, and lifting it onto the supports at the back of the flywheel casing.

Maintenance required
Another advantage of buying a ProForm elliptical is the limited maintenance routine, which is still the case with the Smart Strider 735.

We’ve seen some cardio machines with maintenance routines on a daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and yearly basis. But for this particular model you simply need to wipe down the covers and outer surfaces with a damp cloth and mild soap solution on a regular basis.

You still need to inspect the machine for loose or worn parts from time to time, but this is really the simplest and cheapest maintenance routine you will find on any equipment.

The user manual also has a troubleshooting section for more specialist tasks that could be needed every so often, such as calibrating the incline system.

What’s covered by the warranty?