Elliptical Recommendations

K

kozinator

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In addition to looking at home gyms (see other thread), my wife and I have decided to purchase a high-end elliptical machine. We have narrowed our list down to the following:

Precor 3.23 This is a high-end residential model with an adjustable ramp. It has a very smooth movement. Because they have a fixed ramp position, we do not care for the Precor models that work the upper body. An ideal unit would be the Precor 5.76 as it combines the upper body workout with adjustable ramps. Unfortunately, it is 7K! We have heard that the Precor models are extremely reliable.

Cybex ArcTrainer Home This is a home version with upper body workout. It also has the ability to adjust the "incline" of the steps. This is a new model. For the few minutes I tried it at the store, it seemed smooth, comfortable but I think the stride seemed shorter than the Total Arc.

Cybex ArcTrainer (commercial) Heavy duty model without upper body workout. No upper body workout but it does adjust incline of steps

Cybex Total Arc (commercial) Combines upper body with adjustable incline. These are installed at a local YWCA. I tried one for a few minutes and it seemed very smooth and comfortable.

Life Fitness x9i I am told that this model is identical to their commercial version with the exception that it plugs in. No incline adjustment but it does include an upper body workout. While the X5 and X3 models were quieter, we did not feel as comfortable on them. Many of the reviewers at epinions seem to have had mechanical problems with the X9i.

I think i'm leaning toward one of the Cybex units but i'm nervous because I cannot find much about them on the net. If anyone owns one of the above models or has experience with them, I would really appreciate your opinion. thanks!
 
Take a look at the Octane Q45e. The electronics on it are unsurpassed. I agree that the Precor 576i is the best of all choices ($5600) but the Octane runs a close second for $3100. I have the lifefitness elliptical and love it, but the electronics can't compare to the Octane. My choice in order would be:

Precor 576i (I don't care for any of their other models. They feel more like steppers than ellipticals imo).

Octane Q45e

LifeFitness (any model they're all nice)

SportsArt fitness model 82 or 83.

You won't go wrong with any of these choices.
 
I did look at the Octane. In fact, the salesperson at the fitness store recommended the Q45. If I remember correctly, he also really liked the electronics. They had just picked up the Octane line a few months earlier. The Q45 did not seem as solid as the other models at the same store (Precor and Life Fitness) but this may have been due to the floor being uneven. The whole end noticeably shook while I was using it. Afterwards, I read many complaints at epinions regarding the Octane elliptical unit's reliability. Evidently, a few years ago Octane had lots of problems with their wheel mechanism. Also, I understood that it is necessary to apply lithium grease to the tracks every week or so. Some people felt that their poor warranty was essentially an acknowledgement that the units would experience wheel problems in a short period of time. When I mentioned these things to the the salesman, he "remembered" that the Octane units at a gym he used to attend squeaked and made a lot of miscellaneous noises and proceeded to tell me how the Precor units never break.

I don't know what to think. He definitely pushed me towards the Q45 initially but changed his recommendation to Precor/Life Fitness once he heard about my research.

Where did you see the 576 for $5600? The local Precor salesperson quoted me $7000.

Have you had any problems with your Life Fitness X9I (i'm assuming that is the model you own)? Have you used it a lot? The X9i seemed smoother than the Octane and seemed to have a more comfortable stride (although this may be in my head as I couldn't take my eyes off the front of the unit which was wobbling).
 
American Home Fitness in Michigan sells the Precor 576i for $5600. I use my life fitness everyday for 45-60 minutes and have been for two years. It is as smooth and quiet today as it was the day I bought it. I have the less expensive model (has been discontinued since I bought mine) so the more expensive ones I am sure are even better. They are built like tanks and I believe this one will last me the rest of my life.
 
you are right about American Home Fitness selling the 576 for 5600 not including shipping/tax. It took a bit of talking to get them to that point, though!

This afternoon, I was talking to an owner of a gym who offered to sell me a brand new 576 for 4500 plus shipping plus tax! It would probably be around 5K. He buys them for 4200 new. He would order the unit, have it shipped to his gym and I would pick it up. Well, maybe a few friends and I would pick it up. One catch....he doesn't really want to deal with warranty issues. Since he is officially making the purchase that means I would essentially have no warranty.

Its a bit of a risk....Maybe these things are made so well that with residential use it is OK
 
I didn't run into anyone selling Startrac in this area or in any of the local gyms so it was not one of the manufacturers I considered.
 
Who did the rating?
 
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