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