The Precor EFX 5.31 elliptical is the entry level model of the 5.3 series. In comparison to the lower priced 5.2 series, the 5.3 series are residential elliptical trainers that are built to light commercial standards. That means they could hold up in institutional environments like fire stations, hotels and apartment complexes. In fact, they use the same frame as the light institutional machines. The 5.3 series ellipticals come with a 10 year parts warranty, which says something about the durability of their components.
Although it is not listed on their site, I was told 5.3 ellipticals are capable of handling users in the 350 - 400 lbs weight class. Many residential elliptical manufacturers overrate their user weight limit, I would feel confident with the ability our their ellipticals in handling excessively heavy individuals.
Note: You can purchase the Precor EFX 5.31 Elliptical Trainer direct at
www.Precor.com. There is also a dealer locator available.
Efficiency of Lower Body Workout
When I first saw the Precor EFX 5.31, I noticed something was conspicuously missing — the upper body handlebars. I thought, "Why would someone want to buy an elliptical trainer without the upper body workout?" Actually the first elliptical trainers built by Precor were sans handlebars, and they are the only elliptical trainer company that offers models without handlebars.
The focus of the company has always been to provide the most smooth and natural elliptical workout in the industry. According to the company there are some advantages to machines with the upper and lower body functions, but it is your lower body that does most of the work. It is also your large lower body muscles that end up burning the majority of the calories when you exercise on an elliptical.
Therefore, it is counterproductive to divide the resistance between your upper and lower body. According to Annie Beason of Precor, "If your goal is to lose weight, then an elliptical without arms is more efficient." An interesting fact is a considerable number of Precor customers prefer not to use the arms and didn't want to pay for the feature. Furthermore, if you have ever observed people exercising on elliptical trainers at health clubs, they tend to go through the motions with their upper body workout, so what is the point to have it?
Consequently, the Precor EFX 5.31 is built for people who want specifically the Precor elliptical motion experience, which is the most natural elliptical stride in the industry. The company has a number of patents to protect the biomechanics of that elliptical motion. That is why the Precor ellipticals are unique, and why people are willing to pay a premium for them.
CrossRamp Technology
The one feature that stands out on the Precor EFX 5.31 is the CrossRamp technology, which is protected by rigid patents and is only available on Precor ellipticals. The CrossRamp allows you to incline the elliptical motion, which lets you target different lower body muscles and increase your rate of exertion. Other companies have incline designs, but only Precor has an incline that maintains a true elliptical motion as you raise the angle. The incline function on other brands distort the motion as you raise the ramp, causing a degree of stress to your joints and reducing the efficiency of the workout.
It is the patented design of the elliptical motion and the CrossRamp technology which result in a lower perceived rate of exertion, which means when you exercise on a Precor elliptical you get more results while you feel like you are exerting less.
Precor Quality
Of course the other reason people pay a high premium for a Precor elliptical is the unsurpassed quality. I previously mentioned that the 5.3 series are light institutional machines for the home. The majority of the designs and components that go into these models have been tested in the rigors of a commercial environment. In other words, they are industrial strength. Furthermore, Precor has an outstanding service record. Service issues with new models are approximate 1/5 the industry standard.
Our Review - Precor EFX 5.31 Elliptical Trainer
For those purists that are looking for a machine that will efficiently burn calories the Precor EFX 5.31 makes sense, and if you are not interested in the upper body workout, why pay for it? The EFX 5.31 is built for serious users, people who are serious about exercising and staying in shape. The Precor EFX 5.31 is not cheap, but the continual success of the company proves that Precor ellipticals have something that people are willing to pay a premium for.
