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 The Smooth CE 8.0 LC elliptical trainer is a heavy duty crosstrainer, and with a price around $1,700 you would expect no less. It targets individuals who want commercial quality for the home at a reasonable price. Most commercial ellipticals start at around $3,000.
What distinguishes this crosstrainer is the 10-year parts and 2-year labor warranty. Which tells you a lot about the durability of this machine.
Note: The Smooth CE 8.0LC typically sells for $1,599 with free shipping. Go to
www.SmoothFitness.com to learn more.*
The story behind the CE 8.0LC is the quality. It is light commercial grade and is designed to take a beating, which is evident by the length of the warranty and the fact the user weight limit is 400 lbs. It is designed with heavy tubing and has one of the sturdiest frames you will on the market. The other feature that suggests you are getting commercial quality is the weight of the unit - 304 lbs. If you plan to purchase the CE 8.0LC you definitely want the in-room delivery service.
Smooth CE 8.0LC Elliptical Trainer Features
Rear Drive Design — There is some controversy over which is better, front, center or rear drive design. The logic behind the rear drive elliptical trainer is that it has less moving parts and tends to better center your body as you workout. With front drive ellipticals you have pedals that sit on top of rollers. You tend to have more moving parts that can wear out and/or cause rubbing noises. The other suggested benefit of a rear drive elliptical is that you body is centered and upright, while on many front drive machine you tend to lean forward to use the upper body handlebars.
One drawback of the rear drive is that the pedals are usually not real close together. Which can be discomforting for shorter individuals, especially females.
21" Elliptical Stride — The Smooth CE 8.0LC gives you a long, smooth and natural elliptical motion. It tends to feel like you are walking or running in the air. Although the 21" stride may feel too extended for shorter individuals.
 Speakers and MP3 Input — A fairly standard feature on elliptical trainers these days. The sound quality on the CE 8.0 LC is better than found on other ellipticals.
My Smooth Virtual Fitness Trainer — New for 2012, the MySmooth technology is designed to motivate you to achieve your fitness goals. It offers the following benefits.
- Track your exercises and results
- Determine your fitness levels
- Prescribe exercises that fit your lifestyle
- Assist you in setting goals
- Overall, MySmooth helps you to make better decisions that impact your health.
How it Works - You go online and input your profile and define your fitness goals. MySmooth helps you select a progressive workout routine. You select programs on your elliptical that match those workouts. With the use of a USB drive that is provided, you record your stats from your elliptical and download them onto your MySmooth account. From there you can monitor and track your progress. Tracking your results is one of the most effective ways to attain your fitness goals.
Low Pedal Height — There are two advantages to the low pedal height. First, it is easier to mount and dismount. Second, it can better accommodate users with low ceilings.
Warranty — The warranty reflects the quality of the machine. You get lifetime on the frame, 10-years on the parts and 2-years on labor. Precor ellipticals that cost thousands more offer 10-year parts coverage, but only provide 1-year labor.
Our Review — Smooth CE 8.0LC Elliptical Trainer
The most appealing feature of the Smooth CE 8.0LC is the fact it is designed to take a beating. When I talked to Jim Mugford, head of Customer Service, while I was at the Smooth headquarters, he said he would have no reservations putting this machine in a commercial setting.
In general, Smooth has a reputation for building quality products. There ellipticals and treadmills are known to be low maintenance, that is why they offer 2-year service warranties on even their intro machines. The Smooth CE 8.0LC is not exception, in fact, it is probably one of the most durable crosstrainers for under $2,000.
Go to www.SmoothFitness.com to learn more!
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