Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

After moving to a new location that is a bit longer drive from the local gym, I've found that I started to using the distance as a reason to not go. After a long day of work, helping the kids with homework, seeing a nice meal on the table...you get the idea, the gym was too easily pushed off during weekday evenings. I needed a way to burn some calories that was low-friction and something I could do while multi-tasking, making my time more efficient. Something I could do while reading or watching TV would be great. I had some other home exercise equipment but they are either too noisy to use while watching TV, required use of my hands (so I couldn't hold a book or tablet), or were too unwieldy to move from the TV room to storage, or put me in a position where I couldn't look at the TV. Positives: - This compact elliptical has proven a great solution. - Assembly is pretty straightforward and the parts fit where they were supposed to and the screws turned smoothly. - The unit overall seems very sturdy and the movement is very smooth - It's very quiet. You can barely hear a light hum as you pedal. It's no problem to use this with TV or radio. - The tension dial is easy to use and you can feel it makes a difference. - The unit can be used standing up or sitting down. Both are good for TV watching, sitting is good for reading. - It really works! I break a sweat using it. But the best point for me is that now instead of fully sedentary evenings, I'm getting at least some kind of activity because it's accessible and comfortable to do. - The integrated handle helps you move the device when you need to. Negatives: - The electric readout is awful. It is supposed to track strides and time but you can't reset it. The instructions say it will automatically reset after a few minutes of inactivity but we've found that it doesn't really do that. As far as we're concerned, our own phones and clocks are what help us track our time. They should have either done this feature right or just killed it and knocked a few dollars off the price. - Although the unit is solid, I was watching from the back of unit when someone else was using it and I saw a slight wiggle of the upright portion at the base as they were pedaling. So far it hasn't seemed to have a negative effect on the device, but I wonder if long term that wiggle will weaken the unit. I'll update the review if anything changes. - It would have been nice if the unit had a little hook or clip on the back to tie up or store the resistance tubes when not using them or when moving the elliptical around. Tips: - I didn't care for the arm resistance tubes (they're fine, I just felt awkward using them). My wife though likes them and feels they add to the workout. If you don't feel you need them I believe you can buy this same item without them for a little less. - If your sense of balance is challenged, you might consider a different type of equipment since you'd only be able to use this sitting and I think the standing position makes for a better workout. - If you have very light lifting capacity, you might need someone else to help you assemble and move the unit around. It's not super heavy but definitely has some heft to it. 23-Mar-2018 Update: The unit has continued working well though it has developed a slight squeak. Fortunately it is not louder than the television and has not affected the unit's performance. 03-May-2019 Update: The unit is still intact and we're still using it several times a week. It still has slight squeaks and groans but we can still use it with the television and it continues to really help on weekdays when we aren't getting to the gym. 05-Nov-2020 Update: Well well well. What a difference a year makes. Judging from the spike in views on this review I have to assume something happened in 2020 to make home exercise equipment popular! I still have this compact elliptical, and don't have much else to say about it. My frequency of use dropped some but it still works and it still beats the heck out of doing nothing. Plop it down in front of your favorite TV and use those legs!