LiveStrong Fitness Elliptical Trainer Review

LiveStrong elliptical trainers are built by Johnson Fitness, the company that manufacturers Horizon and Vision Fitness.  As it was explained to me, LiveStrong is positioned between the two brands, and the price points reflects that. 

What sets LiveStrong elliptical trainers apart is first, they are endorsed by Lance Armstrong, which may or may not mean anything.  Celebrity endorsements do nothing for me.  However, when you purchase a LiveStrong machine the company makes a contribution to the Lance Armstrong Foundation, which is dedicated to fighting cancer.  Therefore, you are not only a LiveStrong customer, but also a philanthropist.  Johnson is committed to a minimum of $4 million in donations over the next five years.

Of course, giving to a worthy cause is nice, but the real issue is how well will LiveStrong elliptical trainers contribute to reaching your fitness goals? Furthermore, are they built to last? According to Patti Parrott, VP of marketing for Johnson Fitness,

"Quality was of the utmost concern because the LiveStrong name was going to be on the ellipticals. The goal was to build machines that were comparable or surpassed the competition in their price range. "

I was told that the LiveStrong elliptical trainers are sort of an hybrid of  Horizon and Vision Fitness.  They took the frames and components that have had the best success rate and combined them into the LiveStrong brand.  Which means we are not dealing with an unknown entity.  From my experience Horizon has a decent service record considering it is mostly budget models.  While Vision Fitness is known for  higher-end  durable machines.

LiveStrong SIXstar Certification™

According to Ms Parrot, Johnson Fitness did considerable research to determine what makes people buy ellipticals, and the feel was the number one factor.  They researched further and determined what it was about the feel and came up with their SIXstar Certification™.   Here are some of the design features based on that research...

ZeroGap Pedal Distance - Pedals are placed with zero distance between them to eliminate stress on hips and back.  Pedals that are too far apart can particularly be stressful to woman because of their physical make-up.  With the LiveStrong ellipticals you won't feel like you are riding a horse.

It is for this reason that LiveStrong ellipticals are front drive.  With a rear drive machine the pedals are further apart because of the drive mechanism that is positioned in between.

Easy Access - The pedals are placed low to the ground and are easier to step on and off. Some people feel a discomfort from working out higher off the ground. Also, this machine is best suited for individuals who need an elliptical for a basement with a low ceiling.

StraightUP™Body Posture - The positioning and posturing keeps your body upright for maximum comfort.  You'll find on many elliptical trainers your body tends to lean forward.

A More Natural Foot Path - The elliptical stride mimics a natural running or walking motion while
minimizing fatigue.  It is more flat than oval.

Other Features...

Heavy Flywheel - All three models come with a 23 lbs. flywheel, which provides a very smooth motion.

Speaker with MP3/iPod Input - Didn't have a MP3 player at the time, so I can't attest to the quality.  But I am sure it is not up to Blaupunkt standards. Regardless, it is nice have the apex of your musics positioned right in front of you.

Incline Feature - On the LiveStrong LS12.9E and the LiveStrong 9.9E you have the ability to incline the elliptical motion.  This not only provides a more intense cardio workout, but allows you to target different lower body muscles.  There are 21 incline levels.

Warranty - the LiveStrong LS9.9E and LS7.9E have typical warranties for their price range.  In fact, you may want to upgrade the 7.9E 1-year parts and labor.  However, the LS12.9E comes with a 5-year parts and 2-year labor warranty.  Generous  considering the $1,300 price tag.

Our Review - LiveStrong Elliptical Trainers

Before I had the chance to write this review I had several inquiries about the LiveStrong elliptical trainers.  In fact, I've never seen a new brand get so much initial interest.  There are several reasons. First, they are sold at Dick's Sporting around the country. Second, there is the affiliation with the Lance Armstrong charity.  Finally, the machines feel durable, have a smooth elliptical motion and are priced competitively.

Here is my take.  If you are planning on spending $800, $1,000 or $1,300 for an elliptical trainer, you need to seriously consider one of the LiveStrong comparably priced models.  Each one is a "Strong" contender at those price ranges.

Learn more at www.LiveStrongFitness.com.

Also see the LiveStrong LS9.9E Elliptical Trainer Review.