Merit Fitness 715E Elliptical Trainer Review

Tuesday, January 4th, 2011 at 2:29 pm

Merit Fitness 715E Elliptical Trainer
Average Rating:

The Merit Fitness 715E Elliptical Trainer is a machine that has you questioning your gym membership due to the low cost of this machine. We couldn’t give up the opportunity to test out this machine because we know how much our readers are looking for affordable and sturdy elliptical trainers.

What We Experienced:

The Merit Fitness 715E Elliptical Trainer offers a few good features for its price range. Overall, it does offer limited features compared to what you may see in an elliptical trainer in the $1000+ range. For being a trainer with an approximate price tag of $350, you won’t find another trainer that offers what this does in the same price range.

The display consists of two LCD windows that display time, calories burned, distance, and speed. It’s not the fanciest display for an elliptical trainer, but it has the most important things handy on the display.

The stride length is only 16 inches. Some users may find this to be uncomfortably short. Most trainers have a stride length of 17”-20”. We wouldn’t recommend this to anyone who has long legs because the stride length simply will be too short. However, to people of a shorter height, the 16 inch stride may not be something to worry about.

The Merit Fitness 715E Elliptical Trainer is super compact measuring 57 x 24 x 66 inches. It’s not one of those huge bulky machines that seem to take up an entire room. This machine will still leave room for weights or a bike in a room, if need be.

The flywheel is only 10 pounds. Now, this is a lot less weight than you see on other machines of a higher price tag. Again, keep in mind that for approximately $350, you get what you pay for. Even though the flywheel is only 10 pounds, it still provided us with a good workout that wasn’t wobbly or too hard on the joints.

The weight capacity on this machine is only 275 pounds, a lot less than what you see on other machines. If you’re someone who weighs more than that, this machine isn’t for you. For anyone under, this machine will do just fine!

Features:

Resistance: Manual, with 1 to 8 range

Flywheel: 10 pounds

Step-on height: 9 inches

Stride length: 16 inches

Crank arm length: 8 inches

Pivoting footpads

Pedal spacing: 6.9 inches

Weight capacity: 275 pounds

Warranties: 5 years on the frame, 3 years on the brake, 90 days on parts and labor

Would We Recommend?

It’s not very common to see a machine in the $300-$400 price range that is quality made. Even with the 10lb flywheel, this machine still gave us all a great workout. Keep in mind that the stride length is only 16 inches which is quite short compared to a lot of other machines. Would we recommend? Yes. But only to someone who is of the petite height and smaller weight due to the stride length and weight capacity.

Rating:

List Price: $499.00
Sale Price: $328.00
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Eligible For Free Shipping

Product Description

Merit Fitness 715E Elliptical Trainer with Heart Rate Monitor and EZ-For-One Assembly

Details

Compact elliptical trainer for working both legs and upper body
8 levels of manual resistance; smooth 10-pound flywheel
2 LCD windows show time, distance, speed, and calories burned
275-pound weight capacity; thumb pulse EKG monitor
Integrated calorie converter; 5 year warranty on frame

LifeCore CD400 C-Drive Center Drive Elliptical Trainer Review

Monday, January 3rd, 2011 at 1:12 am

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LifeCore CD400 C-Drive Center Drive Elliptical Trainer
Average Rating:

7 total customer reviews...

The LifeCore CD400 is a center drive elliptical trainer…not something you see too much around anymore! Center drive elliptical trainer’s have two smaller flywheels on each side of the machine, as opposed to one large center based flywheel.

What We Experienced:

Naturally, we have to start by reviewing the unique feature of the machine…the center drive technology. Having the center drive technology in the LifeCore CD400 makes working out a lot more comfortable! The bouncing motion that you may experience in other elliptical trainers is non-existent here. You stand more upright and get a more natural and comfortable workout, which still burns the calories and gives you a quality cardio workout.

The size of the machine is perfect for everything it does. The CD400 measures 42”x64”x31” which is super compact for this great quality of a machine. Even though it’s compact, it’s still incredibly sturdy. If you’re trying to fit multiple machines in a small room or simply don’t have enough room for one of those long rectangular-like machines, this will certainly do! We love how small and compact this elliptical trainer is.

The stride length is 21” on the CD400. Having a 21” stride is great for some, not great for others. For tall men that can’t seem to find a stride over 20”, this machine is great for you! For a lady with a petite frame, the 21” stride may be too long for you. All of us (5’4”-6’1”) found the machine to be comfortable, but we’re not sure how someone 5’0” would feel on the machine.

There are 18 built in workout programs on the CD400. They are similar to what you would find on any other machine. 4 heart rate programs, 12 pre-set, 1 user designed program, and a heart rate recovery program.

Specifications: (as per website)

Weight capacity: 300 pounds
Assembled dimensions: 42 by 64 by 31 inches (W x H x D)
Live area: 68 by 64 by 31 inches (W x H x D)
Optional accessories: Heart rate chest strap, equipment mat
Weight: 227 pounds
Residential warranty: Lifetime on frame, 5 years on parts, 1 year on labor (transferable)

Would We Recommend?

Of course we would recommend the LifeCore CD400! We absolutely loved everything about it and couldn’t find one thing that any of us disliked. The center drive technology made this one of the most comfortable experiences we’ve ever had. We love that you get a commercial grade workout feeling with such a small and sturdy elliptical trainer. The 21” stride is what really sold us on the machine though! For taller people, it’s hard to find an elliptical trainer with a long enough stride, but this certainly solves that problem. Overall, everything about this machine is absolutely perfect to us! Oh, and it gets even more bonus points for being a consumer reports best buy!

Rating:

List Price: $1,999.00
Sale Price: $1,795.26
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Eligible For Free Shipping

Product Description

Lifecore Fitness Center Drive Elliptical Machines offer a balanced and natural feel. The smooth 21" stride of the C-Drive Elliptical Machine feels like a natural walking stride. Award Winning Patented Technology combined with sturdy frame work and a heavy weight design create a club quality feel and workout. The 2" pedal spacing helps keeps your body in proper alignment for your workout. The Compact design of the Lifecore Fitness C-Drive Elliptical Machines allow them to be placed in almost any room. C-Drive Machines have a Low 8" step up height which allows easy access and will fit under most ceiling heights. The cushioned grips and footpads deliver a comfortable workout and the console is easy to use with motivating programs and Heart Rate Control workouts. Lifecore Fitness C-Drive Elliptical Machines offer a Club Quality workout in a Compact and Cost Effective Design.

Details

Center-drive elliptical trainer with compact 42-inch-wide footprint
Positions your body perfectly upright for better comfort and efficiency
Dot matrix LED display; 20 resistance levels; 300-pound capacity
Close 2-inch pedal spacing and 21-inch stride length
Measures 42 x 64 x 31 inches (W x H x D); weighs 227 pounds

Sole E95 Elliptical Trainer (2011 Model) Review

Saturday, January 1st, 2011 at 5:35 pm

Comments (1)

Sole E95 Elliptical Trainer (2011 Model)
Average Rating:

16 total customer reviews...

The Sole E95 is the best of Sole’s elliptical trainers. Some of the major pros include the adjustable power incline, the strong 30lb flywheel, and many others!

Features:

30lb Flywheel: The 30lb flywheel is heavier than the average in-home elliptical trainer’s flywheel. The heavier the wheel; the smoother the stride. This is a huge benefit! The stride is perfect length for us, and when combined with the flywheel, it’s completely quiet.

Speakers and Fan: Although not the greatest for either, it’s definitely nice having both of them readily available. We were able to have our iPod playing through the speakers, which allowed entertainment, but couldn’t have it super loud due to speaker quality.

20” stride: The Sole E95’s stride was long and smooth, much like you would find in a much more expensive Precor machine. We didn’t notice any hard jerking motions that would be damaging to the knees, like you may find in other machines.

Adjustable Foot Pedals: Users can adjust the foot pedals to give less strain on the feet and ankles—a definite benefit! Not a lot of machines have this feature, but it’s great for anyone who has had any ankle problems. Also, the 2 degree inward slope of the foot pedals helps reduce strain on feet and knees.

Handlebar Controls: You can control the resistance with buttons that are easily accessible on the handlebars. Not having to look at the display to find the resistance buttons definitely helps with not getting out of rhythm on your workout. Some people complained the handlebars were too thick, but we think it just takes some getting used to. There are also stationary handlebars for those who prefer them.

LCD Display: The 9-inch blue LCD display is designed to be user friendly. It displays distance, time, incline, resistance, calories burned, and paced. This display is one of the more detailed ones out there for a machine of it’s class!

Specifications:

Flywheel: 30 pounds
Front drive: Yes
Stride length: 20 inches
Resistance type: Eddy Current Braking
Resistance levels: 20
Adjustable pedals: Yes, 10 positions
Upper body: Yes
Handgrip: Standard
HGP: Yes
Telemetry belt: Yes
Heart rate control: Yes
Power incline: Yes
Display: Commercial-grade 9-inch blue backlit LCD
Data: Time, distance, calories, resistance levels, incline, pulse, pace
Profile matrix: Yes
Standard programs: 6
User-defined programs: 2
Heart rate programs: 2, with chest strap
Built-in cooling fans: Yes
Water bottle/accessory holders: Yes
Capacity: 400 pounds
Weight: 215 pounds

Warranty: Lifetime on frame; 5 years on parts and electronics; 2 years on labor

In Our Opinion: The Sole E95 provided us with an intense workout thanks to how sturdy the machine is. Obviously, our favorite feature on the machine is the heavy 30lb flywheel which allowed us to have great, smooth, and quiet strides. Overall, the 20” stride was okay for all of us(5”4’-6”1’). The handlebar controls are one of those nice features that isn’t a necessity, but we loved it! Overall, we would recommend this machine to anyone who is looking for an intense workout with comfort. Plus, you can’t beat the warranty!

Rating:

List Price: $2,699.99
Sale Price: $1,699.99
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Eligible For Free Shipping

Product Description

The E95 elliptical from Sole® is designed with a vibrant LED readout, and a built-in cooling fan and water bottle holder offer total convenience. Fluid, natural motion is provided by the whisper-quiet drive system, while the 29-lb flywheel and high gear ratio ensure a smooth feel. Inside Delivery: Includes delivery over the first threshold of your home; doesn't include flights of stairs in the house, assembly or debris removal.

Details

Elliptical trainer with heavy 30-pound flywheel for smooth performance
Power incline feature adds resistance while targeting different muscle groups
Commercial-grade 9-inch blue LCD display tracks time, distance, calories, and resistance
Integrated sound system; oversized, custom-designed foot pedals
Built-in cooling fans; 400-pound capacity; weighs 215 pounds

Sunny Health & Fitness Mini Elliptical Trainer with Handlebar Review

Friday, December 24th, 2010 at 6:27 am

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Sunny Health & Fitness Mini Elliptical Trainer with Handlebar
Average Rating:

6 total customer reviews...

The Sunny Health and Fitness Mini Elliptical Trainer is a low price elliptical machine designed for those with a low budget in mind. We take a look at it in today’s review. Does it make the grade?

Features

The Sunny Health and Fitness Mini Elliptical Trainer is a no frills elliptical machine. Just one look at it and you’ll see that there isn’t much to it.

The good news about this machine is that it’s small enough to fit in most homes. It’s also easy to put together such that if you need to take it apart and stow it away, you won’t have problems doing so.

Dimensions

The Sunny Health and Fitness Mini Elliptical Machine has dimensions of 17 x 11 x 49 inches. It weighs 55 pounds. This makes it one of the smaller ellipticals on the market.

Warranty

There isn’t any warranty information available online for this elliptical at this time. This should prove as a major red flag when purchasing this machine.

Price

The lowest price available as of this writing (12/24/2010) is $116.80 from Amazon with FREE shipping to the US.

Assembly/Customer Service

Most who have assembled the Sunny Health and Fitness Mini Elliptical have said it was fairly easy and straight forward. In searching for information about customer service via Sunny, I’ve had a hard time finding them on the internet, which to me is a giant red flag. Be warned.

Do We Recommend?

If you are in need of an elliptical at a low price and live in a small home, I would recommend this elliptical. However be forewarned that this elliptical does have its share of issues (some customers on Amazon have reported issues with the foot pedals and the screws that attach them to the machine).

This elliptical seems as if it’s more of a stair stepper than an elliptical due to its up/down stepping action as opposed to the normal sliding of your feet front to back that more traditional ellipticals provide. Users report that this elliptical does a great job of working you out (after 5 minutes on the medium setting one person said they were very winded).

Rating:

List Price: $159.99
Sale Price: $91.08
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Eligible For Free Shipping

Product Description

This Mini Eliptical Machine won't waste space or overpower your home! The eliptical's non-impact aerobic workout firms and tones the lower body, while helping improve the condition of the heart and lungs. It can even be used in forward or reverse direction, while sitting or standing. Adjustable tension allows you to increase or decrease workout intensity level, while an LCD monitor displays scan, time, distance, count, and calories. The height of the handle bar is also adjustable! Assembly level/degree of difficulty: Moderate.

Details

Non-impact aerobic workout firms and tones the lower body while improving the condition of the heart and lungs
Can be used in the forward and or reverse direction while sitting or standing on it
The adjustable tension allow you to increase or decrease workout intensity level
Compact to fit in small workout area
Height of the Handle Bar is adjustable

Horizon Fitness EX-78 Elliptical Trainer Review

Friday, December 24th, 2010 at 5:16 am

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Horizon Fitness EX-78 Elliptical Trainer
Average Rating:

2 total customer reviews...

The Horizon Fitness EX-78 Elliptical Trainer is one of the top elliptical machines on the market today. We take a look at it with our review.

Features

The Horizon Fitness EX-78 Elliptical Trainer has 20 electronic resistance levels which means you’ll be able to challenge yourself for years on end. More resistance levels means you will never plateau in your workout routine and will always be able to incrementally improve each time you work out.

It also comes with a heavy-duty 17.6 pound fly wheel. This means that it will allow for a smooth and quiet ride, not one that is rickety which is what you would expect with cheaper ellipticals that don’t have good fly wheels.

The stride length on the Horizon Fitness EX-78 Elliptical Trainer is 20 inches. This is a good, average stride length for most people. Those who are very tall may find this stride length to be too short, but for most 20 inches will feel about right.

The maximum user weight is 275 pounds.

The EX-78 also comes with surround sound speakers which allows you to plug in your MP3 player and listen to music during your ride.

Dimensions

The EX-78′s dimensions are 74.8 x 22.2 x 65.2 inches and it weighs 177.1 pounds

Warranty

Frame and brake–lifetime
Elevation motor–1 year
Parts–2 years
Labor–1 year

Price

The lowest price we found for the Horizon Fitness EX-78 Elliptical Trainer was $799.99 with FREE SHIPPING from Amazon.

Assembly/Customer Service

Assembly of the EX-78 has to be one of the easiest ellipticals to put together. All the necessary tools are provided and the parts are individually marked in their own packages so it makes it a breeze to put the machine together.

Do We Recommend?

Yes, a resounding yes, in fact. Based on what we’ve experienced and what other customers have experienced, the Horizon Fitness EX-78 gets a high recommendation from us. It’s easy to assemble, has a great warranty, has a better than average stride length, good computer read out and very well built with a good fly wheel.

Rating:

List Price: $1,199.00
Sale Price: Too low to display.
Availability: unspecified

Product Description

Bring the gym into your home and enjoy an efficient, high-caliber workout with the Horizon EX-78 elliptical trainer, which works your legs as well as your upper body. All Horizon elliptical trainers now feature SixStar Certification--a unique combination of the six key elements needed to deliver the smoothest, most natural elliptical feel available. Perfect for rigorous training routines, the EX-78 offers a 20-level electronic resistance system, along with a heavy 17.6-pound flywheel that maintains pedal and arm momentum while offering a smooth, quiet operation. For a challenging workout, the EX-78 features 11 programming options that include three targets (time, distance, calories), three workouts (rolling, mountain, reverse train), 1-30-day goal tracking, and two custom programs. Other features include a 20-inch stride length with FLATellipse foot path, 11-inch SUREstep step-on height for easy access, oversized footpad with rubberized traction, Sonic Surround speakers with MP3 compatibility, COOLfit workout fan, and pulse grip heart rate monitoring. Features and Specifications: Resistance Range: 1-20, electronic Flywheel: 17.6 pounds Elevation Range: 0 - 100% @ 5% intervals (true range: 16 degrees) Stride Length: 20-inch FLATellipse foot path Pivoting Foot Plate: Yes Footpad: Oversized footpad with traction edges User Feedback: 2 orange LED windows and an 8-digit alphanumeric window User Programs: 11 program options with on-the-fly changes plus Advanced Goal Center with 3 targets (Time, Distance, Calorie) and 4 workouts (Hills, Weight Loss, Reverse Train, Custom), 1-31 day goal training Speakers: Yes, Sonic Surround speakers with MP3 compatibility Fan: Yes, COOLfit fitness fan Contact (Hand Grip): Yes User Capacity: 300 pounds Assembled dimesions: 75 inches long by 22 inches wide by 65 inches tall Boxed dimensions: 50 inches long by 30 inches wide by 21 inches tall Manufacturer's Warranty Frame and brake--lifetime, elevation motor--1 year, parts--2 years, labor--1 year About Horizon Fitness Horizon is part of Johnson Health Tech, one of the largest manufacturers of fitness equipment in the world. They are committed to designing, engineering, and manufacturing superior products for health clubs and homes. Horizon's manufacturing facilities rank among the most sophisticated in the industry, with an intricate mix of robotics and skilled workers that maintain the highest standards of accuracy and quality. Every stage of manufacturing has a testing phase and 10 percent of Horizon's products go through a rigorous quality inspection that includes completely taking them apart and reassembling them.

Details

Elliptical trainer with 20 electronic resistance levels and heavy-duty 17.6-pound flywheel
20 levels of resistance, 20-inch stride length, oversized footpad with rubberized traction
11 programming options that include 3 targets, 3 workouts, 1-30-day goal tracking, and 2 custom programs
Sonic Surround speakers with MP3 compatibility, pulse grip heart rate monitoring
300-pound maximum user weight; lifetime warranty on frame and brake, 2-year parts, 1 year labor

Diamondback Fitness 1260Ef Elliptical Trainer Review

Friday, December 24th, 2010 at 1:46 am

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Diamondback Fitness 1260Ef Elliptical Trainer
Average Rating:

28 total customer reviews...

After reading how great this elliptical trainer was from consumer reports, we had to give this one a try!

What We Experienced:

While using the 1260EF elliptical trainer, we immediately noticed how sturdy the machine was. Weighing 245lbs, it’s definitely not one of those light weight machines that feel wobbly while using. Even with a 245lb product weight, the machine has a user weight capacity of 325lbs, which is low compared to other machines we’ve reviewed in the past.

The 1260EF also has a magnetic brake that makes the stride incredibly smooth, no more heavy, bouncing movement as experienced with other machines. The machine provides a nice little break on the knees!

There are 13 preset programs, including manual, random, interval, hill climb, sprint, target HR, HR interval, fat burner, HR hill, cardio, glute burner, quad builder, and total trainer.

Putting the machine together was quite easy, but we would recommend using two different people since the 1260EF is so heavy. It took a few hours to assemble, but was incredibly sturdy once complete!

For its price range, it’s one of the more advanced machines we have tried as far as features go.

The unit, which measures 69.5 x 65 x 27.5, is compact enough to fit in any exercise space while giving you the same intense workout you would find with much larger machines!

The ride is not only smooth, but we were completely impressed with how quiet the machine was!

Key Features: (as per website)

· Electronically controlled magnetic brake with 20 levels of resistance
· Green LED dot matrix profile
· Alphanumeric message display with program instructions
· Four data display windows with individual select button for each data group
· Easy-to-select program buttons with LED indicators
· Heart rate bar graph display
· Polar-compatible heart rate receiver and hand held contact heart rate receiver
· Built-in reading rack
· Console feedback includes time, segment time, watts, level, incline, % of maximum heart rate, calories, heart rate, calories, calories per minute, speed, pulse, RPM, and distance
· Workout summary shows the workout total of time, calories, distance, maximum heart rate, minimum heart rate, and average heart rate
· Dot matrix profile display of intensity profile, incline profile, and heart rate profile
· Pause mode with 5 minute Program Saver
· Heart rate bar graph display for % of maximum heart rate
· Five classic programs with Quick Start option: manual, random cross, interval, hill climb, and sprint
· Five heart rate interactive programs: target heart rate, heart rate interval, fat burner, heart rate hill, and cardio
· Three cross-training programs: glute burner, quad builder, and total trainer
· Heart Rate Lock function to quickly enter target heart rate program
· Personal Trainer function to enhance the total body workout
· Custom programs
· Built-in Warm Up and Cool Down modes
· Customized hand held pulse sensor
· Built-in Polar compatible heart rate receiver
· Chest strap is included
· 19-inch stride length
· 10 ellipse angle electronic adjustments
· 25 to 130 SPM step rate
· 20 to 130 RPM pedal rate
· 20 to 700 watts resistance range
· Welded heavy gauge steel frame
· Anti-rust powder coating
· High impact ABS plastic side cases
· Poly-V Belt drive
· Sealed ball bearings and permanently lubricated polymer bearings
· Aluminum extrusion incline structure with ball bearing rollers
· Krayton rubber comfort grips
· Extra wide EVA foam cushion foot pads
· 325-pound weight capacity
· Assembled Dimensions: 69.5 inches long by 27.5 inches wide by 65 inches tall
· Product Weight: 245 pounds

Manufacturer’s Warranty
Frame – limited lifetime, brake – limited lifetime, parts and electronics – 5 years, labor – 1 year, wear items – 90 days

Final Thoughts: Obviously, we’re most impressed with how sturdy the 1260EF was. The 19” stride was smooth and quiet thanks to the magnetic brake. Assembly is quite easy, but since the unit is so heavy, we recommend having at least 2-3 people to move the unit into the home. The pre-set programs are similar to what you’d find on any other elliptical trainer, but keep in mind; there are 13 preset programs which provide a good variety of workouts for any user.

Rating:

List Price: $2,599.00
Sale Price: $2,199.00
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Eligible For Free Shipping

Product Description

The 1260EF Elliptical Cross Trainer by Diamondback Fitness. Better by Design. Expect top-of-the-line features, technology and comfort in Diamondback Fitness' most exclusive elliptical. You simply have to try it to believe the feeling! The 1260Ef Elliptical Cross Trainer features an incline motor to emulate stepping or uphill jogging. Couple that with smooth as silk electromagnetic brakes for fluid resistance and a patented linkage design exclusive to Diamondback Fitness and you're sure to see why many believe this unit is hands down the best in it's class - TRY IT ONCE, TRAIN ON IT FOREVER. The console's cutting-edge programming delivers 13 programs, custom workouts and the most advanced heart rate interactive programs. Combine all this with comfort footpads, grips and a value price -- and you have the most advanced elliptical in it's price range!

Details

Recommended by the leading consumer magazine; elliptical trainer with 20-level electronically controlled magnetic brake
Offers smooth, natural stride and dual-action handgrips for full-body workouts
Easy-to-read console tracks your time, pulse, calories, speed, and more
Includes Polar-compatible heart rate receiver; built-in reading rack
325-pound capacity; measures 69.5 x 65 x 27.5 inches (W x H x D)

Spirit Esprit EL-455 20-Inch Stride Elliptical Trainer Review

Friday, December 3rd, 2010 at 2:17 am

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Spirit Esprit EL-455 20-Inch Stride Elliptical
Average Rating:

29 total customer reviews...

Cardio is by far the most important exercise around. Not only does it strengthen the heart and lungs, it also can facilitate the weight loss we’re all searching for. Elliptical machines are among the most popular methods of cardio. Not only are they much easier on the joints, medical science has also claimed that they burn much more calories than simply running. There are many elliptical machines on the market, and they all have different features.

What to Look for

There are many different types of elliptical machines, and it can be a tedious task to find the right one for you. There are several details you should look at when picking one, but the most important is how the machine actually feels to you. You should feel comfortable with the machine you pick, and the best way to find one that feels right is by simply trying them out.

Elliptical machines have different drives. The most popular today is the front drive elliptical machine, because they are both smooth and affordable. Rear drives are most often of the highest quality, but they usually cost much more than the typical front drive elliptical machine. There are also center drive elliptical machines, but they are quite rare.

Some elliptical machines have hand grips, and others do not. The hand grips are very useful in full body training as they utilize the arms, chest and back. I personally recommend getting an elliptical machine that comes with hand grips, as you never know when you’ll want to use them.

What Else is There?

There are many more important features when looking into an elliptical machine, and I’m going to outline some of the best features of the Spirit Esprit EL-455. I’ll go into some of the other features, but I won’t speak of them as much as the more important ones.

20 Resistance Levels

The Spirit Esprit EL-455 has more resistance levels than anyone could ever possibly use. It has more resistance levels than I have ever seen in an elliptical machine, and it’s definitely a great feature. More resistance levels means more training options which translates into a better workout. Resistance can add a great mix up to anyone’s routine, and the Spirit Esprit EL-455 has plenty for the taking.

Programs

The Spirit Esprit EL-455 has 10 different programs to take advantage of. There are 6 preset, 2 user set, and 2 heart rate controlled programs. The heart rate controlled programs is a great thing to mix up your routine, and they are quite useful when you’re trying to maintain a certain heart rate.

Creating your own routine in the Spirit Esprit EL-455 is incredibly powerful. You can set the resistance to increase after a certain time, or really anything else you want to do with it. It’s one of the best features in my opinion, and it can really help with busting through plateaus.

20 Inch Stride

This comes as a great relief for tall people. Most elliptical machines come with a standard 18 inch stride. While the 18 inch stride is great for the average woman and the average man, people over 6’2” have a problem with this. It can often feel awkward to run on, but the Spirit Esprit EL-455 has a slightly larger than average stride, and this is great if you’re tall.

350 Pound Weight Limit

Many elliptical machines have a weight limit of 275 or 300 pounds. But the Spirit Esprit EL-455 has a weight limit of 350 pounds, and this really speaks volumes of how sturdy it is. It’s obvious this machine was built with bigger people in mind, but that’s not to say the average person won’t want it. You can really tell this machine was built right from the minute you set foot on it.

The Bad

The only downside I’ve seen with this elliptical machine is the price. It’s a little more expensive than the average elliptical machine, but there’s good reason for this. It’s definitely one of the best models on the market today, and the quality of the parts and frame surpasses all standards. It’s definitely worth the buy if you don’t mind the extra price.

Does it Come With a Warranty?

The Spirit Esprit EL-455 comes with an outstanding warranty. The frame and brake are warrantied for life, the parts have a 5 year warranty and they’ll come to your house and fix it for an entire year. I’ve never seen a company offer in-house labor for free for an entire year, and it really speaks volumes about the quality of not only the Spirit Esprit EL-455, but for the company itself too.

Are There Any Other Features?

There are a ton of features, but I only felt it necessary to go over the ones I personally liked the best. Here’s the full features list of the Spirit Esprit EL-455 :

Maximum User Weight: 350 pounds
20″ Stride on Dual Chrome Rails for smooth motion
30lb heavy duty flywheel, health club commercial bearings and premium bushings for fluid motion
Extra large, easy to read Blue Backlit Display
Speakers and audio jack for your MP3 player
Product Dimensions: 64.6 x 23.6 x 66.9 inches ; 196.9 pounds
Shipping Weight: 224.4 pounds

In Closing

The Spirit Esprit EL-455 is by far one of the best quality elliptical machines I have ever set foot on. It’s quality and precision is apparent just by looking at it, and using it feels like walking on air. The warranty Spirit has included is by far the best in the industry, and it speaks volumes about the quality of both the product and company itself. I would give this machine three thumbs up if I had enough thumbs.

Rating:

List Price: $1,599.99
Sale Price: $998.00
Availability: Usually ships in 5 to 7 days
Eligible For Free Shipping

Product Description

Experience the smoothest, front drive elliptical available today! The Spirit Esprit EL-455 dual action, 20" stride elliptical is the most feature-rich elliptical available. With a flywheel weight of 30lbs with sealed health club quality bearings and bushing this unit offer unmatched quality, durability and consistent feel. The concave wheels glide over the dual chrome rails to help you throughout your workout. Unique features include the 3-position adjustable pedal angle which is great for multiple users and fights foot fatigue. An extra large, blue backlit LCD display is easy to use and includes built in speakers for your MP3 player. Reach your fitness goals with a variety of 6 pre-set, 2 user and 2 heart rate programs and 20 resistant levels. Transport wheels are built in for convenient mobility. The user capacity is 350lbs and the EL-455 is warranted for life on the frame and brake, 5 years for parts and 1year for in-home labor

Details

20" Stride on Dual Chrome Rails for smooth motion
30lb heavy duty flywheel, health club commercial bearings and premium bushings for fluid motion
Extra large, easy to read Blue Backlit Display
Speakers and audio jack for your MP3 player
350lb user capacity

Schwinn 460 Variable Stride Elliptical Trainer Review

Friday, December 3rd, 2010 at 12:12 am

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Schwinn 460 Variable Stride Elliptical Trainer
Average Rating:

88 total customer reviews...

Cardio has often been referred to as the cornerstone of all things exercise. But why is cardio so important to an exercise routine? Not only can it help you lose weight more effectively than any other exercise, it can also help strengthen your heart and lungs. Running and jogging is what comes to mind when most people think of cardio, but the elliptical machine has also become a prominent member of the cardio team. If you’re looking to purchase an elliptical machine, there are some things you should pay attention to.

What to Look for

There are thousands of elliptical machines on that market today, and many people find it difficult to find the one that’s right for them. The most important detail to pay attention to when shopping for one is how it fits you. If a machine feels awkward to use, then it’s most likely not for you. Make sure and try out several before you commit to buy.

Elliptical machines come in three different main styles: front drive, rear drive and center drive. Front drive is by far the most popular because it is not only smooth, but because it is also more affordable than a rear drive. Rear drives are most often of the highest quality, and they feel the smoothest, but they come with very high price tags in most cases. Center drive elliptical machines are quite rare, and should probably be avoided.

Elliptical machines also differ when it comes to hand grips. These hand grips are used for upper body training, more specifically the arms, chest and back. They can make a huge difference in results, and I recommend getting a machine that includes them even if you don’t plan on making use of them.

What Else is There?

There are tons of features that come with each and every elliptical machine, some more important than others. I’m going to outline the best features of the Schwinn 460 Variable Stride Elliptical Trainer today.

Programs

The Schwinn 460 Variable Stride Elliptical Trainer has 16 different programs to choose from, ranging from terrain to time. It also includes heart rate controlled programs. These programs can help you keep your heart rate in the target range for the duration of the workout.

Creating your own routine in the Schwinn 460 Variable Stride Elliptical Trainer is an incredibly powerful tool. You can set the resistance to increase after a certain time, or really anything else you want to do with it. It’s one of the best features in my opinion, and it can really help with busting through plateaus.

11 Workout Profiles

The Schwinn 460 Variable Stride Elliptical Trainer comes with an added feature of 11 workout profiles. You can set up your own workout profile which lets you track progress in your workout career. This can be a helpful feature when trying to determine how far you’ve actually come.

Variable Stride

Most variable stride machine are incredibly expensive, but the Schwinn 460 Variable Stride Elliptical Trainer comes at a very affordable price. Having a variable stride let you do some pretty amazing things. You can target certain muscle groups depending on what stride length you take, and it can also be a great feature for people who’s stride is above average. I personally love this feature, and I strongly recommend getting a variable stride machine for yourself.

The Bad

This machine is all around excellence, but I do have to pick some parts of it I don’t like just to give you a better feel of the machine. It is quite difficult picking out bad points of this machine, because it is of great quality and very, very affordable.

300 Pound Weight Limit

To some people, this might seem like a great weight limit. But for many of us, it just doesn’t cut it. To be honest, the weight limit could probably be much higher than this, but Schwinn has decided on a cut off of 300 pounds. For the person on the heavy side, this could possibly be a huge turn off.

Resistance Levels

I can’t seem to find anything on how many resistance levels this elliptical machine has, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it lacks them. I know the heart rate controlled systems vary the resistance based off of heart rate, but the description doesn’t have anything on how many levels the machine actually has. It might be 2 and it might be 200. There’s no way of knowing just based off this description.

Does it Come With a Warranty?

The warranty offered on the Schwinn 460 Variable Stride Elliptical Trainer leaves a little to be desired, but it still has a decent warranty. It comes with a 10 year warranty on the frame, a 2 year warranty on parts, a 1 year warranty on electronic and a 90 day warranty on wear parts. It’s not the best warranty offered on the market, but it is more than most people will ever need.

Are There Any Other Features?

These are not the only features offered on the Schwinn 460 Variable Stride Elliptical Trainer, just the ones that I felt were necessary to go over. Here’s the full features list of the Schwinn 460 Variable Stride Elliptical Trainer:

V-Stride technology, integrated in the cam/footplate, enables strides from 2 to 26 inches
Independent footplates let users target core muscles while engaging both sides of the body
16 total programs: 1 Manual, 11 Profile, 2 Custom for two users
Quiet, magnetic ECB (Eddy current brake) resistance with 16 levels
Fly wheel: 25 pounds, steel
Drive system: Computer controlled
Fixed and moving handlebars
Chest strap with telemetric and grip heart rate monitoring
Heart rate grip on padded static handlebars
Transport handle and non-skid wheels
Articulating foot plates minimize heel impact
Schwinn Advantage workout system tracks results and programming for two users
Dynamic backlit LCD touchscreen console
Display Readout: Time, Interval Time, RPM, Watts, Distance, Pulse, Speed, Calories, Resistance Level, Course Profile
11 workout profiles contain embedded fitness prompts to maximize results
Oversized water bottle holder and angle-adjustable fan
Maximum user weight: 300 pounds
Dimensions: 54 x 34 x 73 inches (L x W x H)
Unit weight: 221 pounds
Power requirements: AC adapter

In Closing

For a variable stride machine, the Schwinn 460 Variable Stride Elliptical Trainer is incredibly affordable. There are some downsides, but overall this machine is of great quality. If you’re looking for a variable stride machine, then I strongly recommend this product. The Schwinn 460 Variable Stride Elliptical Trainer gets a strong two thumbs up from me.

Rating:

List Price: $1,599.00
Sale Price: $1,295.99
Availability: unspecified

Product Description

The Schwinn® 460 elliptical helps you burn up to 2 times as many calories as a treadmill, and up to 15% more calories than on a fixed-stride elliptical. Schwinn® V-Stride™ technology allows you to change stride lengths without manual adjustments or machine modifications. 11 workout profiles built by the Nautilus Institute include instructional messages on utilizing stride lengths and foot/leg motions for maximized results.

Details

Lets you change stride lengths without manual adjustments
Features 16-total programs, including 11-workout profiles
Tracks results and programming for up to two users; articulating foot plates minimize heel impact
Shows your time, interval time, RPM, watts, distance, pulse, speed, calories, resistance level, and course profile
Measures 54 x 34 x 73 inches (L x W x H)

Schwinn 420 Elliptical Trainer Review

Tuesday, November 30th, 2010 at 2:14 am

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Schwinn 420 Elliptical Trainer
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163 total customer reviews...

Our Schwinn 420 Elliptical Trainer Review

Cardio is the cornerstone of all things exercise. But has running and jogging gotten boring? That’s why they invented the elliptical machine, a machine that works off a more circular track and helps strengthen both upper and lower body at the same time. But what should you look for when shopping for an elliptical machine of your own?

What to Look for

Elliptical machines come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, and the information can be somewhat overwhelming. The biggest thing you should look for when buying an elliptical is how the machine fits you. The one that feels the best to run on is probably the one for you.

Elliptical machines also come with a few different mechanical differences. The large majority of them now are front drive, meaning the circular action is in the front of the machine. This type provides a very smooth workout. There are also rear and center drive ellipticals.

They also sometimes differ when it comes to upper body training. Most ellipticals you will see have hand grips to train the upper body, but some do not come with this feature. I recommend the type with upper body training, even if you don’t plan on training the upper body.

What Else Should I Look For?

The elliptical machine is a tricky machine to shop for. There are a wide array of different features on each machine, but you can’t ever be sure that you actually need them. Today, I’m going to look at some of the features of the Schwinn 420 and tell you what is and is not important about them.

16 Resistance Levels

Seems a bit flashy when it’s the first feature listed on the product description, but there’s a good reason for that. Having a wider variety of resistance can be a very good thing come training time. Letting your body get used to a certain resistance can make you plateau, or reach a point when you don’t gain any more strength or lose any more weight. It’s important to mix things up with the body; confusion is a very good thing when it comes to exercise, so the Schwinn 420′s 16 level resistance is a thumbs up feature.

12 Workout Programs and Ergonomic Handles

Most ellipticals, treadmills, stairclimbers and really anything else you can possible thing of comes with so-called “programs.” But on the Schwinn 420, just how useful are these programs? As said before, confusing your body and not allowing it to plateau is one of the best things you can do in your exercise routine. The 12 different workout plans the Schwinn 420 comes with is perfect for this if you choose to use them.

The ergonomic handles provide an interesting feature on the Schwinn 420. These handles actually have multiple positions so you can change what kind of workout you’re getting. This once again causes some muscle confusion, which allows you to surpass or avoid the plateau. The ergonomic handles certainly are an interesting feature, and I honestly think it makes the machine.

The Bad

Like all things, the Schwinn 420 comes with some bad. It doesn’t necessarily overthrow all the good I’ve just laid out, but it’s important enough for me to share it with you here.

18 Inch Stride

While an 18” stride is going to be just fine for the majority of people, tall people are going to have an incredibly difficult time running on this machine. The elliptical, being a fixed track machine, doesn’t take into consideration different running strides. If you’re tall, it’s going to be somewhat awkward running on this machine. However, if you’re of average height, you really have nothing to worry about here.

300 Pound Weight Limit:

Well, the Schwinn 420 has once again discriminated against the large. Not only will tall people have an issue running on this machine, but now heavy people are advised against using it! Whether this machine really is as fragile as that, or if it’s just a manufacturer precaution, you’ll have to decide for yourself. It looks like it can support more than 300 pounds to me, but then again, I’m not an expert. Use at your own risk, large people.

Does it Come With a Warranty?

For those of you that just read about the weight limit, yes! It does come with a warranty. It comes with a 5 year frame warranty and a 1 year parts and electronics warranty. The only thing you should really focus on, however, is the parts and electronics warranty. You can try to break this thing’s frame, and it’s not going to work. However, if you use this machine a lot, keep in mind that there are moving parts, and moving parts wear. Take good care of your machine, and you’ll have it for a while.

Was That All the Features?!?!

Calm down, of course that wasn’t everything. I just pointed out what I believe to be the most important features to know about the Schwinn 420. Here is the full list of features:

Ergonomic handles for multiple workout positions; fixed and moving handlebars
Biomechanically designed linkages means a comfortable and natural elliptical path
Perimeter weighted flywheel with high inertia for smooth, consistent workouts
Oversized stabilizers and levelers that are built-in for a solid workout platform
12 workout programs, including 6 course profiles, fitness test and custom workout
Integrated grip heart rate system for easy fitness monitoring
Water bottle holder
Magazine rack
Transport wheels
16 resistance levels
Eddy Current Brake (ECB) resistance system
18-inch stride length
Switchable from miles to kilometers (KM)
Maximum user weight: 300 pounds

In Closing

Overall, the Schwinn 420 is a great machine. I highly recommend it simply because it has a great list of features. It does come with some pretty serious cons for the larger person, but for the average person it’s great. Don’t be afraid to shop around, and if you ever get the chance, jump on a Schwinn 420 and try it out! Nobody is laughing at you.

Rating:

List Price: $799.00
Sale Price: $579.00
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Eligible For Free Shipping

Product Description

The Schwinn® 420A elliptical is engineered with biomechanically designed linkages for a comfortable and natural elliptical path. BioDyne™ performance features a perimeter-weighted flywheel with high inertia for smooth, consistent workouts.

Details

Provides smooth upper- and lower-body cardiovascular workout with 16 resistance levels
12 workout programs, including 6 course profiles, fitness test and custom workout
Integrated grip heart rate system for easy fitness monitoring
Ergonomic handles for multiple workout positions; natural-feeling 18-inch stride
300-pound maximum user weight; 5-year warranty on frame, 1 year on parts and electronics

Schwinn A40 Elliptical Trainer

Thursday, July 22nd, 2010 at 12:10 am

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Rating:

List Price: $599.00
Sale Price: $349.00
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Eligible For Free Shipping

Product Description

Our first ever value priced Schwinn Elliptical, features all the quality and comfort you can count on from Schwinn!

Details

Get a total body workout with synchronized upper and lower body movement along with 7 Programs and 8 levels of resistance
Oversized console features a reading rack and integrated 2 speed fan
Contact heart rate sensors built into console
17-1/2" stride length and perimeter weighted, high inertia flywheel provide a smooth and natural feel
Compact footprint will fit in any room of your house

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