EmailBest Reviewed
Elliptical Trainers
- Best elliptical trainer Sole E35 *Est. $1300
- Club-quality elliptical trainer Smooth Fitness Agile DMT *Est. $3000
- Good value, but a few tradeoffs NordicTrack AudioStrider 990 *Est. $850
- Budget elliptical trainer Schwinn 430 *Est. $600
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- Well-constructed and durable
- Easy to set up
- 18-inch stride length is short
- Incline can't be adjusted
- Competitive models offer more features
The Smooth CE 3.2 elliptical trainer gets excellent marks for construction, durability and brand reputation, but some reviewers question whether it's a good value compared to other elliptical trainers in its price range. The Smooth CE 3.2 includes nine workout programs, movable handles, a wireless heart-rate monitor and 300-pound weight capacity. Owner ratings of the Smooth CE 3.2 are average, and several report squeaking noises that develop shortly after assembly. Users say the Smooth CE 3.2 feels solid, but there are some complaints about customer service and the 18-inch stride length, which is short for an elliptical in this price range. By contrast, the Sole E35 (*Est. $1,300) has a 20-inch stride length, is a bit less expensive and also gets good reviews.
TreadmillDoctor.com, the most prolific reviewer of elliptical trainers, has the best review of the Smooth CE 3.2. Fred Waters at Fitness-Equipment-Source.com also has a detailed overview of the elliptical. Amazon.com and Epinions.com have some useful owner-written posts that complement the expert reviews.
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Our Sources
TreadmillDoctor.com has short reviews of several elliptical trainers. Clark and Jon Stevenson give the Smooth CE 3.2 below-average ratings and say the primary issue is that other companies offer better models in this price range. In their 2008-2009 update, they say Smooth has improved customer service over the past year; several owners who wrote reviews on Amazon.com in January 2008 or earlier reported they had received poor customer service.
Review: Smooth CE 3.2, Clark and Jon Stevenson
Fred Waters, owner of Fitness-Equipment-Source.com, is enthusiastic about the Smooth CE 3.2. He doesn't list any drawbacks to this elliptical trainer, saying it's "built like a rock," and he awards it his Best Buy tag in the $1,000 to $1,500 range.
Review: Smooth CE 3.2 Elliptical Trainer Review, Fred Waters
3. Amazon.com
Amazon.com has about a dozen reviews of the Smooth CE 3.2. Customers are lukewarm overall, saying they like the Smooth's durability and easy setup, but they wish the company would improve its customer service. One owner reports that the stride length is too short, even for someone who is 5 feet 6 inches tall.
Review: Smooth CE 3.2 Elliptical, Contributors to Amazon.com
4. Epinions.com
Seven owners rate the Smooth Fitness CE 3.2 at Epinions.com, giving it four out of five stars. Most owners say this is a high quality treadmill, but they recommend tightening the bolts regularly to avoid squeaking noises.
Review: Smooth Fitness CE 3.2 Elliptical Trainer, Contributors to Epinions.com
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