Horizon Syros Elliptical Review

Horizon Syros elliptical

Price: £279
Buy From:
Fitness Superstore

Ratings
Overall rating: 4
Ease of use: 4
Console features: 3
Value for money: 4
Comfort: 3.5
Build quality:

The Horizon Syros is from the low end of the price scale in the Horizon elliptical range and is a very good choice if you’re looking for a crosstrainer for the home on a budget. Very user friendly, compact and a good build for the money, it’s great for using in the home and is one of the better ellipticals on the market in this price range.

Save on space with this compact design

This is a compact machine, measuring just 145cm long by 60cm wide, which will certainly help if you want to save on space. It’s also fairly light – under 50kg – so it’s relatively easy to move it around. However, although it is light, it still feels pretty solid and is more than capable of taking its recommended user capacity of 136kg.

One thing to mention though is that, being a compact elliptical, it does mean there’s a shorter stride length, which may feel slightly inhibitive to the taller user.

Your comfort

Overall, I found the Syros to be a pretty smooth ride with a 7kg flywheel. As already mentioned, it does have a slightly shorter stride length than is recommended, but I found its 16” adequate, though slightly uncomfortable when moving more swiftly, so far better for low-impact workouts. If you’re not looking to go too fast and are more into resistance, it offers 16 resistance levels, which provides a challenge for all users, whatever your ability. I’ve tried a few manual resistance crosstrainers and they definitely weren’t as smooth as this. If you’re a taller user though, you may want to look for a longer stride length to provide greater comfort.

The oversized foot pads are a nice touch, providing you with more space to find the most comfortable position for you.

Getting you motivated

Horizon Syros elliptical consoleAn elliptical at the budget end of the price scale, I wouldn’t expect the Horizon Syros to offer a massive array of innovation. However, I was impressed with its offering. With 9 programmes, you are able to vary your routine and it comes with really good, customisable display information including calories, body fat and pulse to name just three. It also includes heart rate training, which is a nice extra as crosstrainers at this price usually come with monitoring only.

This trainer comes with good warranty – 3 years parts and labour, which is a good selling point.

Summary

This is an ideal elliptical for low-impact use at home for the everyday fitness fanatic. So, if you’re looking for a machine that’s easy to use, not too technical and is affordable, this one comes highly recommended. I would just suggest taller users try before buying as the 16” stride length may be slightly inhibitive. If gadgets are more your thing though, you may want to look at NordicTracks, renowned for their innovation.

£279.00 Buy From: Fitness Superstore

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