Smooth CE 7.4 Elliptical Trainer Review
"Best Buy Recommendation at $2,000"

The Smooth CE 7.4 elliptical trainer is their residential/commercial grade elliptical trainer, backed by an impressive warranty. This model has been out for several years and has an excellent service record. I recently tested it when I was at the corporate office and was impressed with how stable and durable this machine felt.

If you are looking for a heavy-duty machine that can withstand strenuous use and/or multiple users, you should consider upgrading to the 7.4. This is a light commercial elliptical for the home.

Below are some of the features that we feel makes this a good value:

• Electro Magnetic System - You generally will find this type of resistance system on commercial grade ellipticals. It sends a magnetic charge that increases or decreases the resistance. There are no moveable parts, and consequently less service issues.
• Rear Drive vs. Front Drive - With the rear drive design you have fewer moving parts, and fewer parts means less service issues. With a front drive you have pedals that run along rails with wheels. These wheels will wear over time. In contrast, the Smooth 3.2 uses sealed bearing. The overall design of the Smooth CE 3.2 is simplistic, and that simplicity results in less service.
• Very Quiet - The rear drive, sealed bearing design results in a very quiet running machine.
• Articulating Foot Pedals - The pedals align with the elliptical motion. Rather than exercising on the ball of your foot, your entire foot sits flat on the pedal. This further reduces the stress to your ankles, and decreases numbness in your foot.
• 210 lb. Unit Weight - At 210 lbs. you get a very solid and stable feel.
• 21" Elliptical Stride - You'll find machines with smaller strides often feel bouncy and tend to have a bump motion. This is one of the longer strides at this price range.
• The elliptical motion is very smooth and the machine itself is extremely quiet. It has a very heavy flywheel that contributes to the smooth motion.
• Moveable Handgrip Pulse Monitors - This allows you to monitor your heart rate without having to take your hands off the moveable handlebars. More elliptical trainers should incorporate this simple feature.
• You get lifetime brake system, 5-year brake system and 1-year labor warranty.
• The Smooth CE 7.4 has 16 resistance levels, allowing the change from higher to lower resistance to be gradual rather than drastic.
• The CE 7.4 includes wireless heart rate control for those who prefer to have their heart rate determine the level of their exertion. It also gives a more exact reading in comparison to handgrips.
• Premium LED Console - Smooth elliptical trainers have some of the better designed consoles. The layout is simple and functional. With the Smooth CE 7.4 you get multiple readouts with several different windows.
• 8 pre-set programs - I particularly like the "Automatic Interval" program. Interval training is the hot workout these days. By alternating between a heart beating routine and a cool down period, it is proven that you can optimize your exercising in less time.

CE 7.4 Elliptical Trainer Review

The Smooth CE 7.4 elliptical trainer is definitely worth considering, both for its durability and features. The 21" stride is long and comfortable. At 210 lbs., it is about as stable as you can get. If you find the Smooth CE 7.4 for approximately $2,000, including shipping, that is one of the best values at that price.

In reviews from customers there were a couple of complaints about the Smooth CE 7.4 not being the best choice for people under 5'5". Although tall individuals liked it. Also, the standard shipping is to the curb. A couple of customers complained about trying to move this 210 lbs. monster indoors. Pay extra for inside delivery.

Others complimented how sturdy and solid it felt. One customer stated,

"I have been using it for about 3 weeks now and I am very impressed. This trainer feels like the ellipticals I used at my gym. It is very quiet and has a real stable and solid feel."

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The CE 7.4 is very solidly made and in my opinion a much better deal than ellipticals from Precor or Life Fitness. I (6'6" tall) enjoy it very much but I can see that small people might have a problem with it. The ride does feel very smooth indeed.

Could it be better? Sure, but then you're also spending $2k instead of $4k ...

Note: There was a complaint by a woman who was 5'3" and found the pivoting foot pedals and the 21" stride to be uncomfortable, but her 6'1" husband loves it.

To learn more go to SmoothFitness.com.

Also check out the new Smooth Agile DMT X1, with adjustable motion.

Comparable Model

You may also want to consider the Sole E95. Which is designed with a 20" stride, and is covered with a 2-year service, and 5-year parts warranty. However, the E95 is designed with a front drive, and some people prefer the rear drive design found on the CE 7.4.

*This Smooth CE 7.4 Elliptical Trainer Review is based on not only testing the equipment, but also comments, testimonials, reviews and ratings of customers and third parties. We attempt to be as accurate as possible. Warranties, features and prices can change without notice.