5 comments about Schwinn 430 Elliptical Trainer.

1. I've only used this machine for the past couple days, but it's one of the best investments I've ever made. I have never owned an elliptical so I could have paid much more for a higher end machine. All of the positive reviews here on Amazon helped me to decide to go middle of the road and choose this product. Assembly went easily, the machine looks great and rides smooth and quiet.
   
   I hope I get years of service from this elliptical!



2. We purchased our EL 430 and loved it at first. We thought it was a great machine and felt we were getting a great workout with it. However, after 14 months of use the machine broke. It was not tracking your speed and calories. I called the 1-800# and was told it was the speed sensor. They mailed a new one with instructions on replacing it. However, the new one does not work either. Upon disassembling the machine, we noticed the magnet that used to be attached to the wheel had fallen off and was stuck to the bottom of the machine. After placing it back in the correct spot...it still did not work. After reading other reviews, we noticed others were having the same problem. I would not recommend this product to a friend.



3. I bought a Precor for 3gs 7 years ago. It was a wonderful machine. I had to down size my living style and moved from a large house into a small apartment. I was forced to sell my Precor. I have since moved into a house again. I went to Sears, and spent several minutes on 4 different machines (the normal brands sears carries). I decided the Schwinn was the best one, so I bought it. After six weeks, I am very pleasantly surprised. I like this machine better than my Precor. I use it 4 times a week for 20-60 minutes each time. It doesn't take up as much space as the Precor. At first, it had a few squeaks, but after tweaking (loosening some screws, that I had too tight), it is smooth and quiet. I would definitely recommend this machine. I weighed 215, so it can handle a lot of weight



4. We had this delivered early morning and within 3 hours I had it
   put together and all the packing material discarded. EASY to assemble
   with simple instructions to boot.
   
   For a home workout this is probably one of the best buy's out there.
   
   After discounts and delivery we paid $439.00



5. Definitely get your money's worth with this product. The price was right. Assembly was straight forward, even for a computer programmer. The motion is smooth and the machine is relatively quiet. I have used this machine while other people are sleeping in the house.

5 comments about Gazelle Edge.

1. I recently bought the Gazelle Edge to help get in shape for a wedding that I'm participating in. I had a good experience a few years ago with another Gazelle model and wanted to see if it would still work for me now that I'm out of my teens. So far I'm enjoying myself. I'm about a week in, so the results aren't mind-blowing, but after my workout I feel it.
   This might not be the right product for people seriously over-weight but for someone who wants to drop 5-20lbs, this could do the trick.
   I would tentatively recommend this for people with joint or feet problems.
   I have a pretty painful bunion and bad knees (old before my time). On the Gazelle, I don't have the same stress on my foot as jogging or even walking briskly.



2. I've owned my Gazelle for about a month now. I still use it on a daily basis, that is how great it is! While dieting I lost 3 lbs. in only a week while exercising on the Gazelle daily.
   
   It's great to work out on if you are not into intense workouts. You don't sweat a lot, though I do get a little out of breath using it. I usually hop on it while my baby is napping. It does have a tendency to be noisy, but a liberal use of WD-40 helps a lot. It doesn't wake my daughter, and I tend to listen to music while doing it so it doesn't bother me the least. I was looking into buying a treadmill, but the only one's in my price range were too short for my long stride, and the motor would most likely burn out in less than a year.
   
   I can "run" at a full stride on the Gazelle with ease. Just stretching your legs out on it while you move feels great. It's the best exercise equipment I've ever owned (I've had a stationary bike and a treadmill). Definitely the best equipment for it's price. I do suggest looking on Craig's List first. I bought mine used for $30.
   
   I know there have been some negative reviews, but if you do not change your diet and work out on a regular basis of course you will not lose weight. It's much easier to blame it on an infomercial product instead of one's poor diet. Anything that gets you moving will burn calories, of course!!



3. I bought this piece of junk about two months ago and now it has been placed in the garage. It does work out your calves but other than that you might break a drop of sweat, ONLY (that being my case). You really have no idea how fast I had to operate this machine so that i could feel that i was actually having a good workout. I think this machine is ok for older people who have knee problems and stuff like that, or for people who have never exercised in their life, but if you're trying to lose weight(after changing your eating habits...the gazelle does not complement your effort) and break a sweat consider spending more money. In addition, after 10 min my feet felt numb. After all, it was only 100 dollars, but i learned my lesson and pretty much you get for what you pay.



4. After reading the reviews here I decided I would give this little machine a try. I have no idea what people are saying when they say this does nothing as far as a good workout. The first time I did it I stayed on for 25 minutes and yes I did sweat and yes I was extremely sore the next day. I have been doing it everyday now for a week and I have already lost 5lbs! Maybe those of you who felt they were not getting a good enough work out were either not doing it properly or maybe your use to very high impact aerobics. For those of you that are looking for a workout that is low impact but will help you lose weight look no further then this machine. I am very satisfied and very happy with my purchase.



5. I feel ok about my purchase - at least it wasn't overly expensive. I am an overweight person - looking to lose about 50 lbs. I started using the Edge everyday for at least 30-45 minutes. My biggest issues with the machine are that my feet go numb after about 20 minutes. Also, even with pushing myself to go at a good clip - I'm not really getting enough of a cardio workout to burn the fat I need. I have a feeling once I lose more weight, it will be good in maintaining....

5 comments about Schwinn 418 Elliptical Trainer.

1. I did a lot of research on ellipticals before deciding on this Schwinn option from Amazon. The price and free delivery really put it over the top. There were no problems with installation. All the parts were in the box (except the water bottle) and everything went together as described. The product is very sturdy - no rocking or side to side action. My wife and I have both been using it with no issues. Great elliptical trainer for a home gym.



2. What a great piece of elliptical machine. I purchased mine through Craigslist for only $200 bucks! What a steal right?! Assembled a few parts and I was ready to give it a try...IT WAS VERY STURDY AND SMOOTH!!! I can honestly say, this is probably one of the best elliptical machines I have ever used!
   
   Now off I go losing some extra weight!!!



3. The only bad things about this product is that a screw was missing and that the screen is hard to read. Besides that I love it, It was a well worth money. I am 5'3" and the stride is perfect for me. It is a very smooth machine.



4. pros: good entry level elliptical, 18inch stride, does great job, fast installation ( if you have 2 people )
   cons: little squeky,not more programs,very small display



5. This is a really nice piece of equipment. I was surprised at how well made it is considering the very low price. Note on putting it together: some of the hardware is already on the trainer parts and so it won't be in the bag of hardware provided. Initially I thought I was missing items.

5 comments about Stamina 55-1610R InMotion E1000 Elliptical Trainer.

1. i made a mistake following the instructions...i had the backrest facing forward instead of backwards...
   
   really makes you sweat, great room saver :)



2. This item works well, but not like an elliptical. It has a much shorter leg span, which works for me because I'm short. I like it and use it every day. It does require getting used to, balance wise, but I'm very happy with it.



3. I would think this product, for the price would be sufficient for a simple calorie burning routine, or as someone who's previously reviewed it states--it's better than sitting on the couch. However sadly it is not. The size is great, the foot pedals are of sufficient size, however the elliptical motion is horrid! It is not smooth & jerks very sharply--almost to the point of me falling off of it! When you do manage to get it going, the range of motion is far to small to feel like you're doing any real work. I'm a fuller sized person, so for me to say that after about 30 minutes I BARELY BROKE A SWEAT is saying quite a bit about this products lack of cardiovascular exercise ability.



4. After 3 weeks, the product suddenly exhibited a loud squeeking sound which I was unable to get rid off. Maybe I just got a lemon but i'm returning this as I don't have any confidence that it'll hold up longer with future use. Although the product has a nice form factor and is portable, I thought the short stride was a letdown. But what can you expect from this size and price? Overall, not one of my better purchases.



5. I've had the InMotion elliptical trainer for about a month and so far it seems like a really good product. It's small so it can be stored out of the way easily yet it is still sturdy so you don't feel like the thing is going to fall apart when you use it. It doesn't have the range of motion that a full sized elliptical machine would but that is to be expected and even with the limited range of motion you can still get a good workout on it.

5 comments about Elliptical Cross Trainer with Computer.

1. This machine provides everyone in my home a really good workout. We all love it. You do have to tighten the bolts and screws though that's just because after continual use they become loosened. The only problem I have had is the computer stopped working only two weeks after I had it, but I just use a stop watch or I'm sure a pedometer might work too. I am glad I found this machine on here it was money well spent.



2. This is a GREAT deal - I love it. I have never used an expensive elliptical, so I was never spoiled by that, but this model works great for me. It is easy to put together by yourself and works smoothly. The computer works fine too. I am a 44 year-old woman, 5'5", 120 pounds. It fits my frame just right.
   
   Two things to note - You absolutely HAVE to raise the front end about an inch or an inch and a half to get the right posture. And the left crank pedal screws in COUNTERCLOCKWISE! I called when I was putting it together, because I thought mine was defective. The second customer service guy finally said "Did you know the left one screws in counterclockwise?" How would I know that? It's not in the directions.



3. This Elliptical Cross Trainer was just what we were looking for. We didn't want something that would break our wallet in like some of the other models can. The computer on ours works great, and I find that we are burning twice as many calories using this machine vs our stationary bicycle. This trainer looks and feels high quality, not "cheap" like I had feared. What a great deal!! Happy couple overall here!! :)



4. This product is easy to assemble, and even eaiser to use. It is low impact on your joints, yet you get the same great work out as running, I felt it working just about evey muscle in my body. I highly recommend this product to stay in shape, or to help you lose weight.



5. I researched many different machines when looking for an elliptical. I liked the reviews that this one got so I bought it. I was very happy with how quickly it got here and how easy it was to put together. I am a 5'7" woman and 145lbs. I use this machine everyday for 20-30 mins and I have not had any problems. I would recommend it to anyone. I noticed some complaints about feet slipping and mine do alittle but a better pair of shoes might help that. I think this was a great purchase for the price and am very happy with it. It fits perfect in my little home office area and does not make any noise. I feel like I am getting a great workout on it and am very happy with the item. Very happy!

5 comments about Gazelle Freestyle.

1. The Gazelle Freestyle requires reasonable caution for elderly people. Trying what Tony Little advertises could be risky. The use of this equipment moderately can give good exercise. Being careful is a must. It offers low-impact air walking which is good while watching TV.



2. I was over my friend's house and saw that she had one. I tried it to see if I would get my own. I can't comment on the squeaking because it is still fairly new. The work out is a complete joke. You could do better by walking around your sofa for 30 mins! There is NO resistance. It is really hard to keep your balance because the pressure from your arms swings the feet part back and forth which has you scrambling for controle. The more you try to grip the handle bars the more the feet parts go flying. I'm just glad I wasn't the one who bought it!



3. I am very happy with the ease of use with this exercise equipment. It is comfortable to use, easy on the knees and back, and I feel that I get a good workout when using it.
   It took us a while to put together, but we had no problems following the directions.



4. I bought the Gazelle because I am a diabetic and have been having problems with my legs swelling. I have never exercised a day in my life and thought this would be a easy workout for someone who hates to work out. It is a great product. I have been doing it everynight since I bought it and love it. I do it while watching tv so it doesn't feel like you are working out as much. I get board very quickly but this machine is great for people who just need a little something. I do it every other night for 20-30 minutes, then the other days only 10-15 minutes. I have had the Gazelle for 3 weeks now and have already lose 2 inches in my stomach, legs and arms. I highly recommend the Gazelle.



5. I use it twice a day. Its not designed as well as the original gazelle and makes funny sounds.

5 comments about Schwinn 438 Elliptical Trainer.

1. Purchased this machine from Amazon 2+ years ago after using a Matrix elliptical at the gym and really liking the workout. Was a bit concerned about durability long term, as this is comparably a cheaper piece of equipment. But... have used it about 3 - 4 times/week ever since. Have never had any problems with it! Love the user memory -- just jump on the elliptical, pick your name and go! A great addition to any home gym.



2. I put it together in about two hours and while there were occasions when I had to guess a bit about what the instructions meant ... and there were a couple of times when the parts list was slightly off ... it was still fairly easy. Once assembled, the unit feels sturdy and works well. I had a couple of squeaks and called Nautilus (they make Schwinn) to ask their advice. I was told I had probably overtightened the fasteners and to loosen them slightly. Seems to have worked. Hope this elliptical will last a long time -- it's been good for the first month!



3. My overall opinion of this is just as the title states.
   
   But our journey with this was quite a process. Even still it was so worth it!
   
   Most people, I'm sure, will not have to go through what we did. But I just want to tell you my story just in case one of you out there has any problems to let you know they can be fixed and that you will still love the machine!
   
   The shipment came fast but the box was wet when it came. (So I was concerned about metal and electronics being wet.)
   
   Assembly was not bad, but lay out all of your parts and check your parts list to make sure you have everything before you begin. We were missing a few things. Which my husband just purchased at our local hardware store. (we could have called the company and they would have shipped them for free)
   
   My husband assembled the machine only to find out that the counsel did not work. I still started to use it though the counsel was not functioning at all. It was nice to know that it worked apart from its' electronic element. Upon use, the wheels on the glide started to create rust on the track and a bit of friction.
   
   We phoned the number listed in the owners manual and they sent out parts to fix the issues. They also sent a necessary tool to help.
   
   Shipment arrived fast and my husband followed their instructions and the tool broke. He phoned them again and they sent another tool.
   
   Upon receiving the tool he tried again only to have the tool break again and to find another issue.
   
   He phoned the company again and this time they scheduled a technician to come out at their expense. The technician stated that part of the machine was faulty (that's why the tool kept breaking) and he did not want to reassemble the machine. (which I was thankful for!) The technician then left and inquired as to what to do from his manager. The company stated that the failed part would not hinder use and so contacted us to set up an appointment for reassembly. At this point my husband was a bit unsettled and inquired about future issues with the machine as a result of the failed part.
   
   With that inquiry, via the technicians manager, we were sent a form to fill out to request a brand new machine. Confused as to what to do with this form as it was quite extensive my husband again phoned the company and dealt straight with them instead of dealing with contracted service people. With that the process started for us to receive a new machine. This was the easiest part of all. Within a short period of time we were told the machine would be shipped out and the only delay was that the truck had to wait until it was fully loaded to travel to our part of the United States and who could blame them for that as the cost of gasoline/diesel is outrageous!
   
   After all of that our new machine arrived.
   
   We were not billed for any of the above. We have a new elliptical(the other one was new, too) and parts ta boot if anything happens to it beyond the warrenty!
   
   The machine is fabulous to use. It glides so incredibly smooth. It is very quiet. All of the functions on the LCD screen are awesome to have. For exercise, it is so relaxing because the glide is so smooth. This machine has the Eddy current braking system, which is what you want in an elliptical for resistance. This system uses the pull of a magnet to create resistence which allows for the smooth glide. The magnet never touches the glide wheel.
   
   Shipping for the first and second machines were free. Amazon has that once in a while which is great! If you really want to buy one of these don't wait till the end of December or the beginning of the new year as prices go up then because most people have new year's resolutions to get in shape. I bought this machine at the beginning of December 2007. I saw the price go up quite a bit after that.
   
   I hope what we went through will not deter you from purchasing this machine. I went through consumer reports when considering an elliptical and they suggested the Schwinn 418 at the time. I chose this one because other reviews stated that the screen was better and the machine was more quiet. I am glad I chose this one over the 418 model.
   
   Also, thanks to all of the other people who reviewed this machine as it was important in making my decision.



4. Just received my elliptical today. The packaging of this elliptical leaves something to be desired. The elliptical's parts are nestled between two very large and awkward pieces of styrofoam - a material I don't really like having to dispose of or store in the meantime. However, it did keep the elliptical safe and sound during transit. It took my wonderful husband about 2 hours to put it together, with some slight cursing. I was glad I remembered the reviews I had read prior to purchasing this machine, because I ended up going back and reviewing the problems other people mentioned about the LCD display. Indeed, our was also mounted a tad bit too tightly to the rack and the display would just blink and not respond to me, also the fan did not work at all. A little loosening of the screws made all of the difference and now the computer and the fan work perfectly. I had my first workout on it already and am quite impressed. The machine seems quite sound, stable, and quiet. I am really excited to have it and am glad I made this purchase. For the money, it is a great machine and I would recommend it.



5. First off, I should tell you that I didn't buy this on Amazon- I bought it at a local gym equipment store, after doing all my homework and pretty much deciding on this one. They charged $90 for delivery and set-up, and included that in the price (it's easy to bargain with gym equipment stores, especially if they are independently owned). They also guaranteed that they would come and fix any problems, based on the terms of the equipment's warranty.
   
   If I had to set up this machine myself, I doubt it would get a 5, because there would likely be problems. It's hard to get a perfect machine in working order when you aren't trained to set these things up. I would definitely recommend buying this elliptical locally so that you don't have to go through the headache that many of the 1- and 2-star reviewers had.
   
   Now, about the machine. It's incredibly sturdy. After trying a few ellipticals in the store, this one was definitely solid. I can see this being used in like an office building gym, or other moderate use gyms.
   
   The electronics are great- I really like the "User" feature, so it remembers your age, weight, height, etc, so that it can give you an accurate reading (i.e., of calories burned) at the end of the workout. I'm not sure how many users it can store, but we have 3 on it right now. The buttons are also very intuitive, and a red dot below each button will blink, to guide you to the next step in choosing a workout program, for example. Even my parents, who aren't tech-saavy, have used it with ease. Also, the heart rate handle bars are great, and I think give a pretty accurate reading.
   
   The pedals are very quiet, and only give that light "swoosh" sound that you hear on all ellipticals. There seems to be a resin or some sort of brown-colored lubricant on the pedal groove in the back, that makes it move smoothly. My guess is that when that wears away, the pedals may become noisier, after which you will need to put more of the stuff back in the grooves.
   
   The only thing I wish this machine had was this thing I saw on another elliptical. It's a thing on the pedal that is like a "lift," which moves up and down as you make the elliptical motion, in such a way that it eliminates ankle strain. Like as you push down on the pedal, the "lift" moves upward against your heel, and as you move the pedal backward and back up again, the "lift" settles back down. It basically supports your ankle to avoid strain. Anyway, I wish this elliptical had that. I wanted to buy the elliptical that did, but it was really unstable and shaky.
   
   All in all, I give this a 5, because it's a great machine that I feel will last for many years. Don't forget my recommendation though to buy local and have someone set it up for your. I think that's the best way to avoid getting a defective machine.

5 comments about Stamina Air Resistance Cross Trainer.

1. Description indicated that this device would support 250+ pounds
   It lasted about 4 weeks before coming apart at the foot connection. Due to my weight most likely. Wish I could apply the money spent here on a more substantial product.



2. although the quality is some what poor. (wobbly) I found this product to be easy to assemble and well worth the price.



3. Surprisingly installation instructions were not difficult to understand. Installation did not take much time. I am using this equipment for about three weeks now. So far I am quite satisfied with the product. It is space saving and easy to move from one location to another by myself when required. It does not have fancy controls but serves the purpose I bought for. It is a good value for the money.



4. This product is fantastic. I am on a budget and have been wanting one of these for years. I was so afraid I was going to end up wasting my money on something that would be junk. First off, it shipped really fast, and I got it in just a few short days. I'm so glad I bought this. I'm sure there are ones out there that are fancier, but if what you're looking for is a good workout on a budget, this is perfect. It rides smooth, is not noisy, holds up well with my six children playing all over it. The display is great and tells me everything I need. I didn't have any trouble putting it together either. I drag this all over my house and workout wherever my kids are at the time. It's great, I love it, and I would recommend it to anyone looking for an Elliptical.



5. I purchased this machine thinking that I would get an inexpensive, simple machine that I could you to work out with. Well I have attempted to put this thing together, but after following the directions, every time I step on the machine the front bar gets stuck under the wheel and prevents me from completing a full rotation. This has become very annoying. I am in the process of calling the vendor now to see if I can send this back.
   
   The 2 stars is for the fast shipping. This item arrived about two days after I placed the order.

5 comments about 2 in 1 Elliptical Cross Trainer & Exercise Bike.

1. When I purchased the machine on 4/16/08 it was missing the large screws for the steps. I contacted the company and waited another seven days for the two screws to come. I tried putting the screws in only to find out that they do not fit the machine. I had this machine for over a month and still could not use it. This is a HORRIBLE MACHINE and I advise any and everyone to stay away from purchasing it. I thought that it was a deal however, I ended up giving away $110.00 dollars to this company. I am very disappointed by the company that is selling this as well as Amazon for having it on their site. What a waste of money. I was going to send it back, but I do not have the orginal packaging and it will cost me more money then I have to send back. This machine needs to be taken off of the site, FOR GOOD. I am so sad that I wasted my money and I do not have anymore to purchase something else that works as I am a single mom on a fixed income.
   
   Helpless in CT



2. The 2 in 1 Elliptical arrived sooner than I expected. I checked to make sure I had all of the parts and started to assemble. When I tried to mount the nylon locking nut on the rear left pedal, I found that it came cross threaded. I went to Ace hardware and they were able to find a reverse threaded nut which the left pedal requires. This type of nut is uncommon and difficult to find. During assembly, I applied grease to all of the moving parts that I assembled. When I tried out the 2 in 1 for the first time, I found it to be very quiet. When sitting on the hard seat in the bike position, the handles are too far forward and force you to lean too much which puts pressure on your back. The elliptical position is perfect for me. During the second workout, the wheel started making a loud clicking sound which became a scraping sound. I took some WD40 and sprayed it at the device that connects from the digital monitor to the wheel. This worked and now after a month of workouts, it's silky smooth.
   
   This bike had a rough start but now it's perfect.



3. Yes it does rattle, the bolts so come loose, too. I've figured out a fix for the most annoying problems though. First off, if you are getting a clicking sound that sounds like metal on metal, make sure the bolt holding the foot petal is secure so that the spring washer is taut against the foot bar (not too tight though, my plastic somewhat melted when I did that!). The squealing noise can be fixed with some wd-40, I find that the noises come from the hand bar/foot pedal joint and the central handle bar. If you get a grinding or clicking noise that sounds like plastic on plastic, I was able to fix that by stuffing the little hole where the plastic clip feeds into the RPM sensor on the wheel. If you can get that snug, it'll stop that sound.



4. I put it together with 3 kids helping in an hour and love it. Gives you quite the workout as well which is very nice. Doesn't take up too much room, so it's great if you have a small space. The only problem that I have with it is that after a month of using it 5 days a week is that it starts making clicking noises and it feels like it's falling apart. They do offer a one year warranty on all parts but if you don't know what the problem is then how are you supposed to fix it? If you want a good workout then buy something that is a little more sturdy and will last you longer than a month.



5. I LOVE THIS BIKE. GOOD PRODUCT FOR THE PRICE. I DID NOT FIND IT THAT DIFFICULT TO ASSEMBLE.

4 comments about IronMan CDT Elliptical Trainer.

1. We researched many products before deciding on the IronMan CDT. After calling the company directly to compare prices they encouraged us to make the purchase through Amazon. They couldn't beat or even match the price. The delivery company CEVA was the only problem. They were s-l-o-w, as in the trainer was in their warehouse for 1 week until we called. Oops, they said! The instructions were wonderful. Each component was packaged separately along with its hardware. Easy to read, easy to understand, quickly put together. Great purchase.



2. Awesome assembly experience...they provide all tools needed, great packaging. Once assembled, works great, very smooth. The console should support more than one user, but does not. I had a treadmill and moved to elliptical due to less stress on the knees. So, far, after a month, I love it!



3. My husband and I love the machine and use it regularly. The info displayed helps keep us motivated, the tension is easy to control, and we get a very effective workout.
   
   The manual is probably the worst one I have seen written by a native speaker of English. It is unclear and inaccurate. For example, it tells you to press ENTER, and there is no enter key. The instructions are almost useless. They need a detailed list of which buttons to press and in what order for each program. Sometimes I find what I want by accident, but mostly I stick with the basic program.
   
   The instructions for assembling it also were hard to follow. The diagrams were small and difficult to decipher. It would have been helpful to have labelled each piece (some were labelled, but not all).



4. My wife was looking for an elliptical machine, and we ran ourselves ragged trying to find a machine that she liked. The biggest stumbling block was that she has knee problems, and the wide stance of most ellipticals is hard on the knees. This is because most ellipticals have the pedals mounted to either side of the crank/flywheel assembly (usually hidden under the shroud.) If you look at your feet while you walk, you will see that they are only a couple of inches apart. This makes the stride on most machines a bit unnatural.
   
   This machine has the flywheels mounted to either side of the pedals, which means that the pedals are very close together, since the flywheel is not in the way. This makes the striding a bit smoother on the knees. It also makes the machine a bit smaller.
   
   The stride of the machine is very similar to walking, and there is little of the up-and-down bouncing that occurs with many ellipticals. Instead of the ends of the pedal arms being mounted to the crank assembly, the pedals slide back and forth on top of the crank (with a generous 21" stride), while gently moving up and down.
   
   One advantage of this design is that the flywheel is mounted close to the ground, which means that it does not rock back and forth or sway during your workout. Combined with they VERY beefy frame, this is one sturdy unit.
   
   Like virtually all machines in this price range, a wireless heart rate strap is included.
   
   The biggest weakness of this machine is the console. While it has all the features of a high-end elliptical (multiple user profiles, Heart Rate Control programs, etc.) it is a bit hard to use, and the poorly written manual does not help. Once you get used to it, it is fine, but don't expect to take advantage of all the features just by starting to punch buttons.
   
   The stride of this machine is identical to the CenterG, which is made by the same company. The CenterG has a larger frame, better console, side rails, and frankly looks nicer, but I am not sure that is worth the $500+ extra dollars it costs.
   
   Oh, and this machine has no cupholder. I picked one up from my retailer for a few bucks. This is kind of an odd ommission. An alternative (disallowed by the wife) would be to rip out the cheesy fan and use the hole left behind as a cupholder. (These fans mounted on top of fitness machines are just 12V computer fans, they aren't really going to cool you down much.)
   
   Lastly, this machine is HEAVY! Far more so than most machines in this price range. This is a VERY good thing, because it is far more sturdy than most of the competition. This is a bad thing if you plan on putting in a room upstairs. All the really heavy parts are already put together, and not really designed to be removed easily. All you assemble is the console mast and the swinging arms. This means that I STRONGLY suggest recruiting some VERY strong friends to get this up any necessary stairs. (The machine weighs 240 pounds, fully assembled.) Once you have done that, it has wheels that will let you move it around a bit easier. I paid to have it delivered from a local retailer, and those guys (who deliver heavy fitness equipment all day) were sweating like crazy. Also, to fit this through the doorway to the bedroom without tipping it onto its side, they had to remove one of the side shrouds. This only took about two minutes and a standard Phillips screwdriver.
   
   As a random side note, it appears that the technology behind this stride mechanism has been licensed to three companies: FitnessQuest/NewBalance "twins" on the low end, (I tried the FitnessQuest at a Dick's, and the resistance for the display model was busted and the frame was loose... not a good sign) IronMan CDT/CenterG line on the mid-range (both made by Keys Fitness), and True Fitness on the high end home/light commercial end.