- Elliptical trainer wіtһ converging handlebars tһаt Ɩеt уουr arms flow naturally
- Multicolored LCD console wіtһ consequence loss, healthy living, аחԁ sports training programs
- Integrated USB storage device involuntarily saves уουr exercise data fοr online analysis
- Built-іח audio speakers аחԁ headphone jack; blue gel pad built іחtο each pedal
- Measures 28 x 61 x 52 inches (W x H x D); 300-pound capacity; lifetime frame/brake warranty
Product Description
Tһе 2009 Symbol οf Excellence award winning EL3000i Natural FIT Elliptical gives уου a smooth feel аחԁ fluid motion. Tһе 20″ stride аחԁ closely spaced pedals simulate уουr natural walking stride. Tһе converging handlebars Ɩеt уουr arms ɡο naturally аחԁ wіtһ a greater range οf motion аѕ уουr arms extend forward. Tһе large, multi-color console іѕ loaded wіtһ meaningful features Ɩіkе аח audio center, motivating readouts including уουr step count аחԁ heart rate, аחԁ e… More >>
LifeSpan Fitness EL3000i Elliptical Trainer
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This LifeSpan EL3000i machine was reviewed in the current (February 2010) Consumers Report. It’s rated as 13th out of 19 units reviewed. A bit below average. The discounted price is certainly striking but if you’re going to make heavy use of such a device, it’s better to test drive them in the stores and buy a privileged end machine. I bought a Precor (~ 2500) about 4 years ago. It’s used ~ 5 times a week and has worked flawlessly since new. That was an effective buy.
If you are an occasional user or have significant financial constraints this could be a excellent buy.
Rating: 2 / 5
I was fortunate enough to snatch this one up when Amazon ran the $850 special including free shipping. Like other reviewers have recently mentioned, it wasn’t terribly hard to unpack as long as you have some patience and some room to work with. You’ll need two strong people to get the box up a flight of stairs, though. I was very satisfied to find that there wasn’t a swelling pack full of varying screw sizes coupled with an esoteric assembly guide. In fact, the assembly was quite honest-forward. Every release screw was already installed in its final place – you just need to unscrew it, attach whatever component needs attaching, and tighten with the included tools. I took my time with assembly and it took me about an hour start to end.
The unit did not come with a user’s manual for some reason, but I was able to quickly download and photograph one from the manufacturer’s website. The assembly instructions referred to a hardware pack with four screws in it, but that was missing, too. After emailing customer service, I had a response within 24 hours stating that the manual was incorrect and that the screws were already installed in their final place just like the rest of the screws (and they were!). They also promised to send over a copy of the user’s manual as well as the “missing” screws just in case.
This elliptical does weigh quite a bit so be sure to get a protective rubber mat to ensure that you don’t hurt your flooring. We have ours on carpet – we picked up a 7′ x 3′ mat on Amazon for a further $30 shipped to ensure that we don’t rip owing to our carpet! Luckily this elliptical has a very small footprint.
The performance of the machine itself is impressive. Aside from a few of the plastic snap-on joints which seem a small flimsy, the bulk of the machine seems very well-built. It has a smooth, fluid motion and doesn’t feel cheap at all. My wife exercises on gym-quality elliptical machines and even she was impressed with our new one. I don’t have a lot of experience with them, but this one feels substantially nicer than what I expected at the $850 price point. The included programs seem unadorned yet sufficient. The embedded heart rate monitor is nice – just grip the handles and within 5-10 seconds you get an second read on your heart rate. Depending on your exercise goals (sports training, consequence loss, etc) it’s nice to keep track of what heart-rate “band” you’re in to maximize your workout. I know this elliptical will also link up with a wireless heart rate monitor sold separately if you’re into that sort of business.
The only negative that I’ve found is that the control panel is on all of the time (even that is a minor complaint). The main LCD will go out after you get off the machine for a few minutes, but the main buttons are backlit and they cycle on/off constantly. As this unit is in our bedroom it can get a small annoying surveillance it illuminate the ceiling at night. We just threw a towel over it, but I’ve since read that you should unplug it when not in use so that’s what we do now. I do wish that the control panel had a take a nap function that would cause it to go completely off after a few minutes of idle time. It also came with a small triangular piece of plastic which appears to “belong” somewhere but I’ve not seen it referenced somewhere in the manual. If anyone who has bought this machine knows where this piece goes, please comment!
Bottom line, at $850 I feel it was an resolution steal. With a list price of twice that, I don’t reckon I’d be so enthusiastic if it were selling near the list price. LifeSpan apparently has a excellent reputation for treadmills but is trying to make a name for itself in the elliptical market. I rolled the dice a bit on this one but so far I feel like it was a winning gamble.
Rating: 4 / 5
Just got this in 1-13-10.
It’s packed very well, unpacking and putting it together was simple. One person can straightforwardly do this within an hour. It’s practically already together, you just have to connect some components and snap some frame parts on. It also comes with all the tools necessary to place it together.
This elliptical is smooth, really smooth and very quite. I have been going to the gym now for 6mo. This elliptical is up there in quality and smoothness. Now, some of the gym ellipicals have what I would call it, more motion, the steps seem a bit larger so you tend to work the hipsupper legs more. This elliptical has a very natural stepping motion, not as huge as a gym unit. I noticed this with all the non-gym ellipicals though I tried. Yes the GYM units are nicer but for home this one does the ploy and more.
I tried out Sole,pre-core and some Schwinns this one was better then the Sole 25, and I would say equal to the E95. There is no comparison at the $850 price point, which I got on a 1 day sale. In the $1,200 price point the Sole95 would equal it. the Sole 25 wouldn’t.
The console is incredible, loads of features, or as unadorned as you want it. It’s bright, simple to read and VERY simple to learn and figure out. It’s tall, I was worried about becuase but my wife is small, 4′ 9″ and it works just fine for here. This business is also very heavy, be prepared to have a place ready to set it up and leave it. My stats: 5′10″ 223 and this unit is solid very small to no rocking.
*note on the foot pegs, they say there is a bag wscrews, those screws are already in the pegs you just have to take them out and secure them in the holes. This is the way everything else is on this unit, everything lines up impeccably.
Overall, I am very satisfied and pleased with the buy. Had I paid around $1,200 I would still
be very satisfied.
Rating: 5 / 5
Recieved this product from Amazon today. The box was nicely packed and everything was found except there was no instructor manual included in the box. I had to download the manual from the Lifespan web site. Don’t know if this ommision was an exception or the norm.
This elliptical is a very solid unit and extremely silent. The workout it provides is very very excellent workout. The USB and Lifespan Health Club membership are a huge plus.
The console doesn’t seem to have a power off switch. When you plug it in, it lights up and operates quite impressive; but when you are finished exercising the console stays powered up with it’s buttons flashing awaiting the next workout settings. I plotting maybe leaving the unit in idle state for a while would involuntarily shut the console off, but it was still lit after an hour. I’ve been unplugging it each time after use to stop the blinking lights. Don’t know if this is a flaw or its intended design. Regardless, don’t let this console come forth prevent you from purchasing this very quality unit.
Rating: 4 / 5
I’ve had my LifeSpan EL 3000i for nearly a month now. Don’t need my gym membership anymore! I can exercise whenever I want and with the Fitness Club membership it is just like having my own personal trainer. For under $1500 you will not find anything better, trust me I have been looking for elliptical since Christmas! The stride length is perfect and the pedals are spaced just right. I REALLY like the handlebar motion is GREAT I am not sure if anyone else has this figure or not but it is SOOO much better than others with a honest front to back motion. I waited for a while to make this buy and without a doubt this one of the best buys I’ve ever made.
Rating: 5 / 5