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LiveStrong Fitness Elliptical Trainer Review

2012 Elliptical Trainer Reviews     |     "Best Buy" Elliptical Trainers

LiveStrong Elliptical Trainer reviewsI was recently at the Johnson Fitness headquarters in Wisconsin and met with numerous individuals from upper management. Johnson builds LiveStrong ellipticals along with 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.


Note: You can purchase LiveStrong Fitness elliptical trainers direct at www.LiveStrongFitness.com.*

Also check out the NordicTrack Elliptical Reviews. They offer a wider selection with some very innovative technology.


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 Patty 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. "

LiveStrong Elliptical ConsoleI 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 — The LiveStrong LS8.0 and the LS10.0 have 23 lbs. flywheel, which provides a very smooth motion. The LiveStrong LS13.0 has an even heavier 30 lbs. flywheel.

Speaker with MP3/iPod Input — The sound wasn't great, but it was adequate considering these are speakers installed in an elliptical console. (Not available on the LS8.0E).

LiveStrong Elliptical Incline FeatureIncline Feature — On the LiveStrong LS13.0E and the LiveStrong LS10.0E 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.

Fitness Journal and Tracking — On the LiveStrong LS13.0E and the LS10.0E you have the ability to track your progress either during a week period or month. You can also recall you latest statistics. Studies show that individuals that track their progress tend to reach higher fitness goals.

LiveTrack Interactive Technology — With the use of a USB you can record you workouts on your elliptical and download them on your own personal account on LiveStrong.com. You can track your progress online, manage your diet and calorie input and get free workout programs that can be downloaded on your elliptical. They are designed by Lance's personal trainer and come out quarterly. In addition, there is a massive amount of information regarding health and fitness. (Not available on the LS8.0E)

Warranty — the LiveStrong LS10.0E and LS8.0E have typical warranties for their price range. In fact, you may want to upgrade the LS8.0E 1-year parts and labor. However, the LS13.0E comes with a 5-year parts and 2-year labor warranty. Generous considering the $1,300 price tag.

Customer Service — How you are serviced after spending considerable money is also a very important factor. As it was explained to me, the company feels that the fitness equipment industry overall does a poor job servicing their customers. Consequently, Johnson Fitness uses other industries that are known for their customer service as a benchmark to meet or exceed in servicing their customers.

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.

When I went to the North American corporate headquarters I was impressed with the operation. The staff was devoted and enthused about their jobs. And was of particular interest is that most were in very good shape — the use the equipment they build and promote.

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.

LiveStrong Fitness Elliptical Reviews:

LiveStrong LS13.0E Review

LiveStrong LS10.0E Review

LiveStrong LS8.0E Review.



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