Horizon Fitness EX-57 Elliptical Trainer
Cardio is by far the most important exercise out there. It increases your lung capacity, helps improve your heart and gives you an all around great work out. Many people use cardio as the cornerstone of their workout, and it comes as no surprise. But more often than not, people just get bored with running and jogging. That’s why the elliptical machine was invented. But what should you look for when buying an elliptical machine?
What to Look for
Elliptical machines are made in a lot of different ways, and many people are overwhelmed by the vast amount of variance. The most important thing you should look for when shopping for an elliptical is how the machine feels to you. The one that fits you best is probably the right one to buy.
Elliptical machines come in a few mechanical variations. The Horizon Fitness EX-57 is a front drive machine, meaning the circular action and resistance is at the front. Many are also rear drive, but they’re incredibly expensive in most cases. Some are also center drive. All have their pros and cons.
Some machines you will see do not have hand grips. These hand grips are optional to use; they train the upper body. Some training programs will have you use these grips while others will not. I recommend getting one with the hand grips because you never know when they’ll come in handy. Luckily, the Horizon Fitness EX-57 comes with these hand grips.
What Else is There?
The elliptical machine is a tricky machine to shop for. There is 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 Horizon Fitness EX-57 and tell you what is and is not important about them.
8 Resistance Levels
I have to admit, 8 resistance levels is not a lot when looking for an elliptical machine. There are machines with more varieties of resistance, but 8 is quite enough variation for resistance. I’ve seen as much as 16 levels of resistance, but in my opinion, anything over 8 is just over kill. Having different levels of resistance is key in working out, because there will be a time when you plateau, or reach a point where you no longer make any gains. Switching up the resistance will help combat this.
9 Goal Based Workout Programs
Most ellipticals, treadmills, stairclimbers and really anything else you can possibly think of comes with so-called “programs.” But on the Horizon Fitness EX-57, just what can you do with these programs? Like I said earlier, confusing your body is key to breaking through plateaus. Once you plateau, simply switching up the program you’re using is enough to bust through and start making gains again.
The goal based programs are something you’ve most likely seen on other machines. They are based off of either time, distance or calories burned. You can also choose your terrain, manual, reverse train, and hills. All of these provide different training scenarios which help in your overall fitness.
The Bad
Like all things, the Horizon Fitness EX-57 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
An 18 inch stride is considered the norm for most people. This is taking into account the average height of the population as well as their stride length. For those of us who are either taller or have a larger stride, the Horizon Fitness EX-57 might feel slightly awkward to use at first. It can be gotten used to, but it will feel a little strange for awhile, especially if you’re very tall.
275 Pound Weight Limit
I’ve seen much larger weight capacities than this, and a 275 pound weight limit makes me wonder how sturdy this machine actually is. Most weight capacities listed are far under what the actual weight capacity actually is, but for those of you who exceed this, I would continue shopping.
Does it Come With a Warranty?
The Horizon Fitness EX-57 comes with one of the best warranties I’ve ever seen in an elliptical machine. It comes with a lifetime frame warranty, something that will probably never be used as long as you don’t throw it off the roof. It also comes with a 20 year brake warranty and a 1 year parts and labor warranty. The parts and labor warranty is the thing you should be most concerned with, as moving parts are always the first thing to go in any machine. It’s inevitable, but the same applies with every other appliance you’ve ever used.
Are There Any Other Features?
There are many features, but I felt it necessary to only go over the ones above. There are many other great and not so great features. Here is the full list of features as provided in the product description of the Horizon Fitness EX-57:
- Resistance: Electronic
- Resistance range: 1 to 8 resistance levels
- Flywheel: 14.3-pound flywheel for fluid, quiet motion
- Step-on height: 9.8 inches
- Stride length: 18 inches
- Pedal spacing: 2.8 inches
- Screen: Non-backlit LCD (2.4 x 4.8 inches)
- Programs: 9
- Program type: Choose 1 of 3 different goals (time, distance, calories) and 1 of 3 terrains (manual, reverse train, and hills)
- Weight capacity: 275 pounds
- Dimensions: 29 x 67 x 55 inches (W x H x D)
- Weight: 163 pounds
- Warranties: Lifetime on frame; 20 years on brake; 1 year on parts and labor
In Closing
The Horizon Fitness EX-57 has some very good and some slightly disappointing features. It is a great machine for the average user with a price that doesn’t break the bank. For the tall or overweight user, I would weigh you options before buying the Horizon Fitness EX-57, but overall I would rate this elliptical with two thumbs up.
Horizon Fitness EX-57 Elliptical Trainer
 |  List Price: $899.00 Sale Price: $499.99 Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Eligible For Free Shipping  |
Product Description
The Horizon EX-57 elliptical gives you club-quality performance - from the smooth stride motion to the easy programmability - and recreates the feeling of running or walking without leaving home. 8 motorized resistance levels let you adjust the intensity of your workout, and the clear LCD screen displays heart rate and other key workout feedback.
Details
- Elliptical trainer with 8 electronic resistance levels and heavy-duty 14.3-pound flywheel
- 9 goal-based program options; extra-low 9.1-inch step-on height
- Non-backlit LCD display; 18-inch stride length; 275-pound capacity
- Efficient flywheel maintains pedal and arm momentum while offering smooth, quiet operation
- Measures 29 x 67 x 55 inches (W x H x D); 20-year warranty on brake