New
Balance 9.5 Elliptical Review
 New
Balance is getting into the fitness equipment business. They have both treadmills
and elliptical trainers. I personally am a big fan of their running shoes, and
seldom buy any other brand. Obviously there is quite a difference between running
shoes and complicated fitness equipment. New Balance seems to excel at both.
Their
two best ellipticals are the New Balance 9.5 and the 9.0. They are structurally
the same. The 9.5 cost about $200 more than the 9.0. For the extra money you get
wireless heart rate control and For the extra money you get wireless heart rate
control and 16 levels of resistance rather than 8. At $1,200 the 9.5 elliptical
trainer is a decent value. I recently test one, below are the list of pros and
cons: Pros:  I
really like the look of the New Balance 9.5 and 9.0. I believe it is the best
design of any elliptical. However, the mechanics are the most important feature.The
elliptical motion is smooth and comfortable. The 18" was just right for my
height. The machine was
very quiet, even when I cranked up the resistance. The
New Balance 9.5 comes standard with wireless heart rate control. A feature generally
not included at this price range. In
addition to the wireless heart rate control, there are heart rate pulse sensors
in the handlebars. You can continually monitor your heart without taking your
hands off the handlebars. The
foot pedals are wide and oversized, allowing you to position your feet where you
are most comfortable. At
176 lbs. the 9.5 had a stable feel. The 85" length contributes to the stability.
The
1 year parts and labor warranty is not exceptional. In this price range you can
get elliptical trainers with better warranties. The
foot pedals are not articulating. Some people have trouble with numbness on flat
foot pedals.
Fitness
Source Review - New Balance 9.5In my opinion the
9.5 is one of the better ellipticals in the $1,200 price range. Others comparable
models include the Sole E35, Smooth
2.1 and the Schwinn 418. They each have
their pros and cons. Consumer Reports ReviewCR
rated the New Balance 9.5 as "Very Good" for ease of use, ergonomics,
and exercise range. They gave it a "Good" for quality. When you consider
the price, overall that is a good rating.
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