Sole
Elliptical Trainer Review
"Industry
Leading Warranty"
Although
relatively new to the elliptical trainer market, Sole is making
their mark by offering a quality machine at a value price,
and backing it with the most extensive warranty available,
5-years parts and 2-years labor.
I recently tested
the E55 elliptical trainer at the local
Dick's Sporting Goods. (Not the best place to get service or to find an informed
salesperson.)
Once I started the Sole trainer, I immediately noticed how
smooth the elliptical motion was. That can be attributed to
the heavy 30 lb. flywheel. At the same time I tested
several Horizon and ProForm ellipticals. The difference was
like night and day. Of course, these are cheaper machines,
and in this case you get what you pay for.
There
is nothing fancy about the Sole elliptical trainers, they are just a well-built
machine. I particularly liked the 20" stride length, which is longer
than most ellipticals. I am 5'8", and it seemed very comfortable. When I
tried the Horizon with a 16" stride, it felt awkward and constraining.
I
also noticed that the E55 had a solid and stable feel. There are several reasons.
There were two criticisms. First the built-in fan
provide minimal relief, but that is true with most fitness equipment. Second,
I would rate the console and display as average. There are better displays in
the $1,000 - $2,000 range, although you still get the essential information you
need to monitor your workout. However, those are minor issues in comparison to
the overall quality of the components and the engineering.
Note: All 2008 Sole elliptical trainers now come with built-in speakers and plug-ins for your MP3 and iPod players.
Fitness
Source Sole Elliptical Trainer Review
Sole has an excellent reputation
for their treadmills. They are rated a "Best Buy" by several
reputable sources, and use by the Hilton chain for in-room fitness. This same
quality can be found in their ellipticals, and like their treadmills the elliptical
trainers have the best warranty in their price range. You won't find any elliptical
under $3,000 that can match their warranty. That really makes a statement as to
the quality of the machine. To offer that kind of extensive warranty on an elliptical
that has service problems would literally put the company out of business.
There are two reasons why you should seriously consider purchasing
a Sole elliptical. First, they are well-built machines. That
was immediately evident when I stepped on the E55 and started
going through the motions. It not only had a very smooth feel,
but was extremely quiet. You could tell this was a well constructed
machine.
Another factor that suggested quality was when I stopped.
Rather than coming to an immediate halt, the elliptical gradually
slowed down. Once again the heavy duty flywheel contributes
to the smooth motion.
The other reason for considering
the Sole elliptical is overall value. For example, the Sole E55 is selling
for $1,499, with delivery. At that price you get oversized articulating footpedals,
20" stride length, 16 levels of resistance, wireless heart rate control with
belt, 10 programs (2 user defined), and the best warranty in the industry. That
is a sweet deal.
Note: If you are under 5'3" you may find the
20" stride too long and the pedals too far apart.
Responsive Customer Service
What
is equally important is Sole has an excellent reputation for customer service.
Since I have been reviewing their ellipticals and treadmills, I have received
no complaints about their customer service. That is rare. In addition, I have
only gotten one email regarding a minor technical problem. This is what I would
consider a strong endorsement on the products and the company.
The Sole is definitely one of the best values in the $1,000-$2,000
price range. For more information go to www.SoleFitness.com.
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Review
*This
Sole Elliptical Trainer Review is based on not only on product testing, 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.