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.

#4 Life Fitness

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

#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 Smooth Fitness

#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:

Yowza's "Captiva" (Free Extended Warranty Link)

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.

Elliptical Cross Trainer Reviews: My Quick Cheat Sheet is a post from: Cross Trainer Reviews

Technorati Tags: cross trainer, cross trainer reviews, cross trainers, elliptical machines, elliptical trainers, Life Fitness cross trainer, Precor ellipical, Smooth Fitness cross trainers, used cross trainers, Yowza cross trainers

ProForm cross trainer ellipticals are backed by ICON Health and Fitness who is also responsible for manufacturing exercise equipment for Reebok, Weider, Nordic Track, Health Rider,  Weslo, and Gold’s Gym all from their Factory Direct Warehouse.  (That’s one of the main reasons ProForm under prices their competition).

ProForm cross training equipment makes some of the most budget friendly ellipticals and treadmils under $1,000…and somehow manage to keep good reviews?  Most ellipticals that are  under priced will under perform.  Yet, consumer reports rank Proform very well as of recent.

As a quick summary their latest rear drive powered elliptical offers some of the best specs and features with respect to the bottom line price.  Add to the fact that their quality control and customer support departments have been a primary focus within the past 2 years and you can see why consumer reports generally give overwhelmingly positive reviews for ProForm’s cross trainers and ellipticals.

ProForms 10.0 ZE Cross Trainer is currently their most popular and best selling elliptical. Like health club models it rear driven!  Consumers on ProForms official site as well as on other non-vendor related consumer report sites all consistently give this cross trainer 4 stars or more.

ProForms 10.0 ZE Cross Trainer Spec’s:

ProForm Cross Trainer 10.0 ZE (Click for Spec's)

• Price: $579.00 (free shipping) Click here for Pro Forms latest warehouse 10.0  ZE pricing.

• Adjustable Stride: 13″, 15″, and 18″ allows different size users to comfortably stride on the elliptical.

• Resistance Levels: 12 adjustable levels to up or lower the intensity level through out the workout session.

• Pre-Set Programs: 8 pre-set programs and resistance routines that focus on either fat loss, weight loss, or performance conditioning.

• Weight and Footprint: 275 pounds, 73.8″ Length x 24.6″ width x 64.2″ height

Proform Cross Trainer Reviews:

“My Wife Absolutely loves it! Our machine [ProForm 10.0 ZE Crosstrainer] arrived in time; however, there was shipping damage.  So, I called customer support and were very helpful and shipped the replacement parts.

–P&R from Newburgh, IN

“Awesome Machine!  My machine arrived very fast!!! It took my son about 2 hours to assemble the cross trainer.  We had no problem with understanding the directions.   The workouts are great and I use my ProForm 4x’s a week without any problems.   I also changed my diet along with using the elliptical and have already lost 8 pounds and 1″ off my waist. AWESOME!!!

–Rick from San Antonio, Texas

“Pretty Good!  The ProForm elliptical cross trainer was easy on my wallet and easy to assemble.  It’s really very nice.  I got it in just yesterday.  Pro’s: all the parts are nicely labled with left, right.  I was able to get it inside the house on my own.   Directions are easy to follow.  I haven’t used it yet other than a 1 minute test drive.  But in that one minute I got a workout!  No squeaks or shipping damage.  Con’s: An AC adapter isn’t included as it runs on 4D batteries that are not included. It also went on sale a few days AFTER I bought it but they still gave me the price match.  Great Service!

–BBguy from McHenry, IL

Click Here: Compare ALL of ProForm Cross Trainers along side other competing models that are similarly priced.  To get a look at cross-trainer models up close including the latest features, spec’s and reviews.

ProForm Cross Trainer User Reviews: Which One is #1? is a post from: Cross Trainer Reviews

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The Life Fitness cross trainer  is one of the most widely recognized cross training machines within the fitness equipment industry.  They’re prominent along side Cybex and PreCor cross trainers in many local YMCA’s and fitness health clubs world wide.

(NOTE:  The term “cross trainer” and “elliptical” are often used interchangeably whereas “cross trainer” usually refers to upper body arm movement in addition to lower body as opposed to just a lower body elliptical machine).

Commercial Life Fitness cross trainers are probably an overkill for most residential buyers as commercial ellipticals were built to be used 15 hours a day every day and still last for years on end.  Comparing them to a truck a commercial cross trainer would be equivalent to a semi.  Whereas a residential cross trainer is more like an F-150.  Most of us will get years and years of use out of a quality home cross trainer and pay several thousand dollars less to boot.

Some will justify purchasing a commercial cross trainer.  “I just want my Life Fitness elliptical to last.”   But in 5 to 7 years with all the latest advancements in fitness technology you will probably no longer want your old worn out and used cross trainer any longer.  Life Fitness ellipticals for home will still give you every that amount of time…and more.

Compare LifeFitness Cross Trainers Spec's to Yowza...

The LifeFitness home cross trainer models are:

• Life Fitness X1 cross trainer priced at $2,000

• Life Fitness X3 cross trainer priced at $2,700

• Life Fitness X5 cross trainer priced at $3,300

• Life Fitness X7 cross trainer priced at $4,000

• Life Fitness X8 cross trainer priced at $4,000

• Life Fitness Club Series cross-trainer $4,000

The above prices represent LifeFitness’ residential cross trainers.  Commercial models (95X Achieve, Engage, Inspire, and Integrity Series ellipticals) start at a $5,000 price tag.

The stated MSRP (retail prices) are found on Life Fitness’ official website.  Typically you can find the same on Amazon priced at about a $200-$300 discount.  The same is true for the Life Fitness treadmills.   LifeFitness sells it’s ellipticals through local retailers and like Cybex and Precor cross trainers they are priced at a premium.

Yowza "Captiva's" Cross Training Benefit (Free Shipping Link)

Most Life Fitness cross trainer reviews from buyers focus on the ease of use and longevity their treadmills offer.  Also, the console LCD’s are brightly displayed, easy to navigate, and are upgradable depending upon what type of workout programs you want installed.   You can peruse the Life Fitness Cross Trainers Manual using this link.

How Yowza Compares:

When you compare Life Fitness Cross Trainers to Yowza’s Factory Direct cross trainers you save 50% and based on testimonial accounts you seem to get more elliptical for your money.  Warranties and consumer reports do not reflect any less of a satisfied consumer with Yowza ellipticals.  Having said that I know that there are some loyal health club members who don’t want to save or find a better value.  They just want a Life Fitness cross trainer.  period.

If you would like to add comments or user experiences to our cross trainer reviews please feel free to do so below.

Life Fitness Cross Trainer vs. Yowza Elliptical is a post from: Cross Trainer Reviews

Technorati Tags: cross trainer reviews, cybex cross trainer, Life Fitness cross trainers, Life Fitness reviews, life fitness treadmill, LifeFitness cross trainers, Precor cross trainer, Yowza cross trainer

Elliptical trainers that are powered by the lower body are old school.  The latest elliptical cross trainers are capable of burning a high rate of calories in a 30 minute session without any joint stress issues that are associated with other cardio workouts.  But because the impact is low the perceived exertion is much less when compared to normal running or even treadmill trainers.

YOWZA ELLIPTICALS (click for spec's)

The latest cross trainer elliptical machines have introduced more upper body involvement into their design.  Moving handles are linked to the pedals.  This enables the upper body muscles, particularly the arms, shoulders, upper back, and even abdominal muscles to work together with the lower body to contribute power to the machine.  The end result is a more total body workout that burns more calories but the perceived effort is actually less.

All that to say, some of the newer elliptical trainers are now enabling users to burn more calories in less time with less effort.

Rear or front drive elliptical trainers?

Because rear drive powered ellipticals give users a much better sense of motion and greater leverage in pushing forward without stressing the joints they are the choice of most health clubs.   Older and much cheaper to manufacture front driven ellipticals are found in residential or low use home environments.   They typically use an aluminum track with urethane type wheels.  Both of which are notorious for being high maintenance and unreliable over time.

Until recently if you wanted to avoid the whole maintenance repair problems with front drive ellipticals you were forced to look at commercial elliptical trainers that often start at $4,000-$5,000.   Health clubs are able to afford this because they get bulk discounts, can write it off the depreciation each year, and most importantly they need highly durable equipment that is often used 10-12 hours daily.  That’s not applicable to the average residential user.

What’s new?

Companies like Precor, Cybex, LifeFitness are typically able to benefit from the branding they get in local health clubs.  Many health club members looking for a home elliptical trainer simply know and want the same elliptical or treadmill they frequent at their club.  The problem is that residential front drive powered ellipticals are totally different in look, feel, and overall perceived exertion (they make it feel harder).  Therefore, many new buyers are willing to spend in excess of $5,000 to get that same (rear drive) health club look and feel in their own home.

However, in recent years, companies like Yowza Fitness and Smooth Fitness (Internet Fitness, LLC) have manufactured the same health club rear driven ellipticals at a price that anyone can appreciate.  But what they have also done that is remarkable is taken the same treadmill and elliptical crosstrainer benefits to even higher levels.

Yowza's Captiva Uses "CRCM" (click for Spec's)

Yowza’s newest elliptical cross trainer (“Captiva“) for example has taken the traditional stationary handlebars found on most elliptical machines and engineered the worlds first Counter Rotational Core Motion (CRCM) elliptical.   And these handle bars don’t just move laterally like most health club designs have engineered for years.

Yowza’s flagship model the  Captiva is actually designed to benefit the upper body in a more biocmechanically correct movement that isolates the abs, obiques, and the upper body.  Not laterally or like the skiing motion that most health clubs use.   All that translates to a combined effort across your entire body (especially the abs) so more fat is being burned per cardio session.

The introduction of this newer technology has newer companies like Yowza taking over more and more market share.   And why it’s heralded as the best elliptical trainer for 2011.  Athletes, body builders, and health club members are now being offered a higher performing elliptical (not to mention cooler looking) at a lower factory direct price.  All thanks to the internet.

This is an example of how newer fitness equipment manufacturers are gaining a significant amount of market share.  They’re designing more effective equipment at a much lower price.  Elliptical pricing for the Captiva is $1,999 although Yowza’s latest elliptical trainer discount gives you $100 off plus free shipping.

The difference between this and buying a commercial grade elliptical is enormous.   It’s not that a Precor or LifeFitness commercial elliptical  is over priced.  But why would you buy an 18 wheel “semi” when a Ford F-150 is all the mileage you’ll need?

We encourage you to add any comments or user experience to our elliptical reviews for the benefit of the community.

What’s New for Elliptical Trainers This Year? is a post from: Cross Trainer Reviews

Technorati Tags: best elliptical trainers 2011, cross trainer review, cross trainers, elliptical cross trainer benefits, elliptical reviews, elliptical trainer reviews, elliptical trainers, factory direct elliptical

Cross Trainers Design benefits:

Most of the newer cross trainers (commonly referred to as “elliptical trainers”) effectively exercise both the upper and lower body.  That is one of the main and best cross trainer benefits (aside from the low impact exercise benefit) that separates cross training from many other health club cardio machines.

The newer cross trainers  utililize this combined cardio-effect via. handle levers that are attached to the pedal links allowing both the arms and legs to  jointly work together as the driving force.

Cardio trainers and exercise physiologists are unanimous in endorsing this combined benefit with the newer elliptical cross trainers. What the newer elliptical trainers are doing is enabling the whole body to share the work load as opposed to  the traditional elliptical design that constrains the lower body to all the work load.  Many of the older elliptical machines were poorly designed  as they stressed too much dependence of the work load on leg power alone.

Yowza "Captiva's" Cross Training Benefit (click for spec's)

What Exercise Physiolgists say about newer cross trainers:

Physiologists have concluded what companies have been claiming.  And that is simply that the body can effectively get more benefit in less time and in turn burn more calories on cross trainers that work the upper and lower body simultaneously.

This is mainly the reason why cardio fitness equipment manufacturer, Yowza Fitness, Inc. has seen such a surge in sales within the last year.

These guys realized that the popular, health club name companies like Precor, LifeFitness, Cybex, etc.  have not pushed the envelope in terms of design, research and development yet continue to retail their ellipticals at premium prices.  Newer fitness companies have been stepping in.

Yowza’s latest cross trainer the “Captiva” effectively allows users  to exercise more muscles than any other elliptical currently on the market.   Along with changing  leg motion on the fly Yowza has patented  a new  counter rotational core motion that targets the abs as well as the muscles of the internal and external obliques, not to mention the upper and lower arms.  (See image)

You will get more elliptical training benefit or more calories burned by varying your stride length during cross training.

The University of Idaho conducted a study that proved that cross trainers who frequently change their stride length will effectively recruit more muscle fibers from a larger variety of muscle groups.  (The recent claims of cross trainer companies is that the user is effectively toning more muscles and simultaneously burning more calories in less time.)  The same study concluded that as the length of the stride increased,  more calories were burned but without any higher rate of perceived exertion.

This study lends credibility to the cross trainer benefits of using  the adjustable stride length feature that a few of the newer elliptical manufacturers like Yowza Fitness have endorsed.

Cross Trainer Benefits: Recent Study Reveals New Benefits is a post from: Cross Trainer Reviews

Technorati Tags: cross trainer benefits, cross trainers, cross training benefits, elliptical training benefits