Consumer Reviews of the top elliptical cross trainers

Looking through all the elliptical cross trainer reviews I realized I just didn’t have time nor did I care to review “34 popular brands and 200 plus elliptical models”. I just wanted to buy the best cross trainer I could while staying within my budget.

I have experience and preferred the household name brand elliptical machines like Precor, Life Fitness, NordicTrack, etc. But I’ve been training for over 20 years and by way of word of mouth I discovered  companies like Yowza and Smooth Fitness who seemed to offer a lot more ‘elliptical’ for your buck. But like most I’ve been a member at my local YMCA and knew from experience what Precor and Life Fitness ellipticals felt like and I wasn’t quiet ready to leave that comfort zone yet.

Nonetheless, I wanted to objectively review and compare basically the top selling elliptical cross trainers.  Factoring Yowza and Smooth Fitness ellipticals into the equation was a no brainer as both are the top cardio equipment sellers online.

Here’s my little cheat sheet I used to compare and review cross trainers around the $2,500 price point:

#4  Life Fitness X3 cross trainer:

Price: $2,700
Pro’s: Smooth and quiet. Includes heart rate sensors on stationary handle bars. Extremely easy to use.
Con’s: Price. You can payless for more of a rugged elliptical with more options.

#3  PreCor 5.25 Elliptical crosstrainer:

Price: $3,400
Pros: Adjustable crossramp and variable stride allows the machine to adjust to you.  Moving handlebars are always better than stationary
Con’s: Price. Like the X3 the 5.25 is one step up from its base residential model but still expensive.   But there are credible retailers that sell refurbished or used Precor ellipticals.  They’re about 30-40% less than buying a new Precor.  Stick to a trusted used cross trainer retailer (not eBay) if you go this route.

#2  SmoothFitness Agile DMT Elliptical:

Price: $2,600 (not including 5% coupon)
Pros: Smooth Fitness’ best cross trainer.  Offers 12 adjustable motionl levels, 20 intensity levels and
variable stride lengths that adjust to your step between 19″-24″. Moving handlebars with infrared sensor thumb controls.   Included 5 year warranty.  Factory Direct Pricing makes this price better than most competitors.
Cons: You’ve never test driven one before but the Guarantee pretty much dissolves that as any real concern.

#1  Yowza Captiva Cross Trainer:

Price: $1,999. (not including $100 discount plus free shipping)

Pros: The Captiva is Yowza’s best elliptical trainer and besides that…it just looks really cool! Variable Motion Control allows you to touch a button to change the motion of your elliptical stride. What’s new is theadded Core Training arm motion that works both your arms and abs simultaneously.  I found this to be a completely new concept that no other elliptical offers.   Bottom line is you get a better workout overall with Yowza’s latest invention.

Again, factory direct pricing allows this manufacturer to keep costs down.

Cons: You’ve never test driven one before but again their Guarantee pretty much dissolves that as any real concern.

If at this point you’ve been comparing elliptical machines Yowza’s Captiva is now your standard.  Unless
you’re just hell bent on buying a name brand or because it’s what you used at your local health club
you’re going to get a lot more elliptical with Yowza ellipticals.

What’s the catch? Why is Yowza so much less?

I asked that and the reason is mainly due that when you buy through Yowza or SmoothFitness your buying factory direct or wholesale (no middle man). With Precor, LifeFitness, Sole, NordicTrak, etc. you’re paying for a significant retail markup.

Please add your comments or your own cross trainer reviews for the benefit of the community.

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