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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- Smooth and quiet operation
- Nice selection of programs
- 20-inch stride length
- Good value
- Inward-sloping pedals
- Quality and durability issues
Some reviewers say the Sole E25 is an excellent buy for a quality elliptical trainer, but overall, we found better reviews for the slightly more expensive Sole E35 (*Est. $1,300). Experts say the 20-inch stride length makes the E25 appropriate for tall people. Owners are more cautious about the Sole E25, saying that it's quiet and smooth with a good selection of 20 workout programs, but it suffers from some of the quality and durability issues that plague elliptical trainers in this price range. A few reviewers complain about the inward-sloping pedals. Some professional reviewers express reservations, saying that the Sole E25 doesn't live up to the good reputation of the Sole E35. Overall, though, reviewers say the Sole E25 isn't a bad buy if your spending limit is about $1,000. Budget ellipticals like the Schwinn 430 (*Est. $600) tend to have shorter stride lengths of 18 inches that may not work for taller individuals.
The most credible reviews of the Sole E25 elliptical trainer come from TreadmillDoctor.com and Fitness-Equipment-Source.com. TreadmillDoctor.com in particular has a reputation for reliability and balance that sets its reviews apart. Owner reviews at Amazon.com and Buzzillions.com complete the picture, with useful customer assessments of the Sole E25 in everyday use.
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Our Sources
Clark and Jon Stevenson review a good range of elliptical trainers on their well respected website TreadmillDoctor.com. The Sole E25 gets an average rating, with good marks for value and a high quality drive system. The authors say Smooth has added features to the 2009 model -- more resistance levels and programs, and a manually adjustable incline -- without raising the price, making it a "great value." However, they report that heavier users may find that this model lacks sufficient stability.
Review: Sole E25, Clark and Jon Stevenson
Fred Waters offers a summary of new features on the 2009 Sole models, including the E25. Although he finds the E25 to be a good value in its price range, he cautions that its weight limit should probably be 230 pounds rather than the 325 pounds Sole Fitness assigns it, and that it is not build for strenuous workouts. Waters says consumers would be better served by spending an extra $300 and getting the E35.
Review: Sole E25 Elliptical Trainer Reviev, Fred Waters
3. Amazon.com
Less than 10 owners review the 2009 Sole E25 at Amazon.com. Ratings average four stars out of five. Despite some complaints about durability issues, customers say the Sole E25 is smooth and quiet, with a good set of workout programs. Some also say that assembly is a challenge.
Review: Sole E25 Elliptical Trainer (2008 Model), Contributors to Amazon.com
The Sole E25 gets average ratings in nearly 100 individual reviews on Buzzillions.com. Keep in mind that many of these reviews are for older model years. Several owners complain of a squeaking noise that develops shortly after the unit is put together.
Review: Sole E25 Elliptical, Contributors to Buzzillions.com
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