Esprit by Spirit EL-5 Elliptical Trainer

Brand: Spirit
Rating:

Feature

* Standard-sized, gym-quality elliptical trainer for the home; measures 87 x 27 x 67 inches (LxWxH)
* 20 levels of resistance; 8 total programs, including 2 heart rate control
* 3-position pedal angle adjustment to vary workload
* High density, sweat resistant rubber hand grips, water bottle caddy
* Blue backlit exercise console, large transport wheels, 350-pound weight capacity

Product Description
Save money on a gym membership by getting in shape at home with the standard-sized Spirit EL-5 Elliptical Trainer. Designed to keep you motivated and to keep you moving, you’ll be challenged by 20 levels of resistance and 8 total programs–including 2 heart rate-controlled programs (operated via contact sensors or optional telemetry belt). Its 30-pound flywheel weight gives extremely smooth feel, and the pedals offer three positions with twist-lock pin to vary your workout as well as a 2-degree inward slant. It also comes with large, commercial-grade transport wheels for easy storage at the end of your workout. Other features include a blue backlit exercise console, 20-inch stride length, and high-density, sweat-resistant rubber grips.

Specifications:
* Resistance type: Magnetic
* Resistance control: Electronic
* Resistance levels: 20
* Watts: 1000
* Stride length: 20 inches
* Heart rate monitoring: Yes
* Programs: 8 total (including 2 heart rate control)
* Maximum weight capacity: 350 pounds
* Dimensions: 87 x 27 x 67 inches (LxWxH)
* Weight: 200 pounds

Manufacturer’s Warranty
Lifetime on frame and resistance brake; 3 years for parts; 1 year for labor

Esprit by Spirit EL-5 Elliptical Trainer Review
Got a great deal from Amazon on this elliptical – and free shipping too! This is a very heavy, commercial quality I’d say, machine. Carrying it upstairs to our extra bedroom/exercise room was a real workout.

Hard to say if the box was damaged prior to or during shipping, but it arrived with a very damaged box. The machine itself looked ok. But the small parts package appeared have been damaged, opened-resealed or ? The tools that were supposed to have been provided were gone as were a couple washers & screws. I intended to use my own tools anyway and had screws in my parts bin that worked to replace those missing.

The assembly instructions would be difficult to follow for most folks. It was primarily text with only a picture or two and weren’t really accurate for what was shipped. A few of the important bolts were to be tightened “as hard as you can”, whatever that means. I’ve got tools that can exert in excess of 200 ft/lbs and I’m sure that would do some damage. But they say 90% of the squeeks are due to loose screws/bolts so I called their service number to find out what they mean by tight. All I got was a gal that knew nothing about how these are put together (I think she only scheduled service) and forwarded me to a phone number for service, got a recording, left my number and received no response. So I just cranked on the bolts and crossed my fingers and hope nothing was damaged.

I did considerable research and found the Esprit is virtually identical to the Sole (sold at Dick’s) and Spirit which is found in hotel gyms (I think exclusively at Hilton). Tried out the one at Dick’s, liked it and ordered this one for $hundreds less (I see the price is now [...] bucks more than mine purchased in mid-Dec).

If you don’t need to move it far from the driveway where the delivery will drop it and are mechanically inclined, this is a great elliptical.

Spirit XR425 Recumbent Exercise Bike Trainer

Brand: Spirit
Rating:

Feature

* Professional gym-quality recumbent exercise bike for the home
* Smooth, quiet eddy current system with 20 levels of resistance and up to 750 watts
* Large multi-colored LED console; 10 programs including 2 heart rate
* Integrated cooling fan, oversized foot pedals, mesh seat back
* Measures 51 x 26 x 48 inches; 300 pound maximum capacity

Product Description
Get an energizing cardiovascular workout in your own home with the professional gym-quality Spirit XR425 recumbent exercise bike. The smooth natural motion is provided by a whisper quiet eddy current system that can achieve up to 120 RPM and 750 watts of power. The combination of a heavy flywheel (24 pounds) and high gear ratio results in an extremely smooth feel with plenty of resistance (20 levels) at the top end for a challenging workout.

The custom oversized foot pedals have a durable foam cushioning for a comfortable workout. These unique pedals were designed in collaboratino with a leading exercise physiologist to provide the most comfortable ride available. The Q-factor, or distance between the left and right pedals, is the smalles in the industry, resulting in better alignment from the feet to the hips to help reduce stress on your joints. The wide seat is supplemented with a mesh seat back.

The easy-to-use electronic console includes quick start and one-button programming features along with a built-in fan to keep you cool. The large 8 x 20, multi-colored LED console has a 12-character message window, heart rate percentage graph, and display windows for time, distance, calories/weight, speed/RPM, level, watts, laps, and heart rate. It includes 10 programs.

Spirit XR425 Review
We received this bike on the 26th of January; I had to wait several days to find someone strong enough to lift the pieces out of the box and begin assembly. Two experienced guys (father and son) took an hour and a half to assemble. All looks fine – but the seat kept slipping down the track during use. The guys came back to tighten it up, and fixed the problem EXCEPT for when the seat was extended out to its farthest position — which was the position for my husband, the one who needs this bike! Meanwhile, the manufacturer, in Arkansas, is recuperating from the massive ice storm that shut down the region. It took awhile, but a technician finally got through to me. Given our remote location, we have set up a deal to have replacement parts shipped to us, and a subcontracted repairman to come up and make the fix. Now THAT is customer service! The design is perfect for someone with mobility issues like my husband, who has a disease that impairs movement and balance (like Parkinson’s only worse.) This model was rated top of the line by Consumer Reports for an in-home exercise machine. Even so, it’s still not going to be as stable and solid as the machines at the gym. But for our purposes, especially if we can get the seat issues fixed, we are absolutely pleased with the product, the price, and the service provided by both Amazon and Spirit.

Saw a review of this bike in Consumer’s Reports which gave it a Best Buy recommendation – we are VERY pleased with the bike and glad we bought this particular make and model.