Horizon E4000i Cross Trainer Review

Horizon-E4000i-Cross-TrainerPrice: £899
Buy From:
Fitness Superstore

Ratings (out of 5)
Overall Rating:
3.5
Build Quality: 4
Ease of use: 3.5
Console Features: 3
Value for Money: 4

 

The E4000i Premier cross trainer is a top end cross trainer from the Horizon range.  Designed as a front flywheel machine, it combines a pivoting footplate system which replicates the body’s natural foot movement to minimise stress on the joints.

Also, because the flywheel is at the front, the pedal spacing is much closer together with just 1.2 inches between them which improves biomechanical alignment to allow users to concentrate on putting effort into the workout without causing the knees to invert which can sometimes be the case with some rear drive elliptical models.

The stride length ranges from 20 – 22 inches when the incline setting is increased to maximum.  This position extends the range of movement to provide an additional workout for more muscle groups. Effectively, the glutes, hamstrings and thighs are all forced to engage more than on a traditional elliptical which may prove popular for hill walker and skiers who tend to utilise these muscles more.

The incline motor itself is controlled easily at the touch of a button either manually to a level of choice or via one of two different incline programs. Six other programs include weight loss, interval and heart rate control with the option of 1 user defined program and the display is well lit and easy to read.  There is a 10.5kg commercial grade flywheel which provides 20 levels of smooth continuous resistance via an ECB magnetic braking system.

Because of the long stride and the front drive flywheel, the E4000i will suit pretty much anyone in terms of comfort, although the increased range of upper body movement to compensate for the incline may cause some shorter users to stretch excessively when using the incline at its maximum setting.

Horizon-E4000i-Cross-Trainer-ConsoleYou will need a fair amount of space to accommodate this machine too, as it stands at 175cm long and 65cm wide and cannot be folded for storage so it would look quite imposing in a smaller room. Anyone with restricted or reduced ceiling height will also need to be slightly wary as tall users may have concerns about headroom when the incline is on the maximum setting.

A 136kg (21 stone) user weight makes this a substantial machine but then it does weigh in at 108kg and although there are transportation wheels it isn’t particularly portable.  As is the case with Horizon products, build quality is very good and backed up with their 5 year parts and labour on site warranty with a lifetime frame and motor warranty to boot.

PROS

  • Long stride suitable and comfortable for the majority of people
  • Incline motor provides an added workout dimension
  • Good value for money

CONS

  • Large and heavy so not very portable
  • Upper body movement a bit awkward for shorter users on maximum incline
  • No entertainment features on the console.

In summary then, if you are looking for an elliptical with extra variety of workouts or you want to work on specific muscle groups then the E4000i is a lot of elliptical for your money. It’s very well made but you will need a fair amount of space to accommodate it.

Price: £899
Buy From:
Fitness Superstore

Life Fitness X1 Cross Trainer Review

Life Fitness X1 Cross Trainer Track ConsolePrice: £2,095
Buy From: Fitness Superstore

Ratings (out of 5)
Overall Rating:
5
Build Quality: 5
Ease of use: 5
Console Features: 5
Value for Money: 4

 

 

The Life Fitness brand is well known throughout the world due to its prominence in gyms and health clubs. It can quite often be the only experience of a cross trainer that people have had.

Life Fitness have a large range of both commercial and home use models, ranging from the X1 model reviewed here right up to the impressive club series integrity range.  So, what can you expect from the X1?  Firstly, as with previous models there are two console options, with the more basic GO and the more advanced TRACK.  The track console incorporates iPOD/iphone compatibility with integrated controls to adjust the volume and make track changes.  No speakers are included so headphones would still be required, however it does remove the need to fiddle with your ipod during your workout and it does seem that more and more manufacturers are starting to include this type of technology in their ranges.

Life Fitness X1 Cross Trainer Track Console, ConsoleThe track console also includes a virtual trainer facility which allows users to create workouts, track results and progress online and then connect to the console directly via USB or by using the rather innovative Life Fitness virtual trainer App. There are also a huge number of programs available from the console directly including heart rate control, interval training and goal base workouts.  Up to 4 user profiles can be created and a wireless chest strap is included.  Despite this sophistication it was still easy to navigate and felt quite intuitive to use.

This is no small unit at just over 2 metres long (206cm L x 76cm W) and the stride length is substantial as a result. 20 inches should, broadly speaking cater for the majority of users quite comfortably with only exceptionally tall users (195cm and over) potentially finding the stride a bit short.  The whisper stride technology that Life Fitness use means that operation is silent and smooth regardless of the resistance level.

It feels solid and very well made and the maximum user weight of 158kg (29 stone) reflects this. The warranty is a very respectable onsite 3 years parts and labour, it has quite a contemporary style and is certainly on a par with other prestige brands like Octane Fitness or Precor Fitness in terms of features and specification.

PROS

  • Feature packed console
  • Good biomechanics and decent stride length.

CONS

  • None really, although the price point means that the X1 will only be an option for those with a reasonable budget and space to match.

In summary then, a quality elliptical that looks and feels every bit a prestige piece of fitness equipment. Lots of programs included with a smooth comfortable ride, catering for users of all shapes and sizes.

Price: £2,095
Buy From: Fitness Superstore

Kettler Unix P Cross Trainer Review

Kettler Unix P Cross TrainerPrice: £749
Buy From: Fitness Superstore

Ratings (out of 5)
Overall Rating:
3
Build Quality: 5
Ease of use: 3
Console Features: 2
Value for Money: 2

 

 

The Kettler Unix P is the latest edition to the Kettler compact elliptical range.  Kettler have long been synonymous with great build quality which stems from German engineering resulting in very solid, reliable fitness products.

The Unix P is a compact unit at just 144cm long and 56cm wide, with a fairly standard 16 inch stride pattern for a small elliptical.  A 20kg flywheel with a magnetic, electronically controlled braking system offers huge levels of resistance but the stride still feels a bit short despite the smoothness of the movement.

The maximum user weight capacity of 150kg (23.5 stone) is substantial for a small machine and the whole product feels very well engineered which isn’t surprising as it is made in Germany. The quality shows but it comes at a price, the Unix P is expensive when compared to alternative models available at the price point. It’s well made and smooth to use but is ultimately a 16 inch stride compact cross trainer and there isn’t really anything new here when compared to previous models in the Kettler range.

Kettler Unix P Cross Trainer ConsoleThe console is LCD backlit which is an improvement on its predecessor, the Mondeo ST.  All the usual feedback is displayed in addition to various programs with 10 preset options plus heart rate control.  The inclusion of an audible alarm to warn when exceeding maximum heart rate is a nice touch, providing you don’t choose to exercise to loud music that is.  Kettler have also opted to include a Polar compatible chest belt receiver instead of previous models, which required the purchase of their own brand pulse set. A chest strap however is still optional.

Brands like Horizon Fitness, Vision Fitness and Bremshey are all now offering 18 to 20 inch stride front drive ellipticals at this level price wise. Kettler have themselves recently introduced similar, longer stride pattern models with the Elyx 3,5 and 7. Of course, some people will love the reliability and solid branding you get from a Kettler product, backed up with a 3 year parts and labour onsite warranty but with a short stride and unchanged biomechanics, there are only going to be limited purchasers.

PROS

  • Very smooth, fantastic engineering

CONS

  • Short stride length
  • Console spec a little dated
  • Expensive when compared with alternative brands

In summary then, if you are willing to accept the limitations of the Unix P as a trade off against great build quality and reliability, have a limited space but a not so limited budget then this could be the right choice of cross trainer for you.

Price: £749
Buy From: Fitness Superstore