There are so many different choices in the fitness machine world. There are just a huge amount of different options when it comes to purchasing your own personal equipment. The Sole Fitness E95 Elliptical Machine is definitely one of the top of line models on the market today. It has a lot of extra little features that make it stand out, but truthfully it may be more than you really need, especially if you are a beginning user or cringe at its hefty price tag. The E95 is known for its smooth and quiet ride, for its adjustability, and for its added little perks, but it also has a few pitfalls to consider before you crack open your wallet and make it your own.
What makes the Sole Fitness E95 a great choice
The E95 has a front drive flywheel placement which sometimes can lead to a rougher and louder ride, but, Sole Fitness took this into consideration and made some improvements to this model to aid in this issue. They gave it a super heavy 34 lb flywheel and a high gear ratio to ensure that this machine gives a nice quiet workout. This feature also keeps the ride smooth; no one wants to be jerked back and forth while trying to get into shape. The heavier weight of the wheel also has the potential to give you a better workout all the way around; it helps to keep the momentum that you build up going, so you can stay at the same level easier.Another great stand out on the Sole E95 is the adjustable stride length. It can go from 20 to 22 inches, making it easier for multiple people to use the same piece of equipment. In addition, the foot pads are oversized. This means that it’s a lot more likely to fit with everyone from the very short to the very tall so it doesn’t take as much shopping around to pick a new machine.
The bad side
First and foremost, this elliptical machine is on the more expensive end. This can be a little steep for someone making their first purchase, and honestly it may be a little high for what the E95 offers. Also, this unit can be very time consuming to put together if you choose to assemble it on your own; the pieces are very heavy and 2-4 hours seems to be the average self build time. The other main issue is the quality of the extras included. The speakers are not great quality, the fan provides minimal cooling effects, and strangely enough the placement set up for your music player is right in front of the LCD screen. This latter concern isn’t a deal breaker, but it is a pretty common annoyance and that detracts from the overall value of this high end piece of equipment.
Let’s take a deeper look
The Sole Fitness Company has been in business since around 2002, and they offer a thorough, in depth warranty on their products. With the E95 you get a lifetime warranty on the frame, 5 years on the electronics and parts, and 2 years on labor. The machine itself is well made and sturdy; at 215 lbs it’s not unmovable, but it’s definitely not going anywhere without you meaning to move it. This also makes it capable of holding a person up to 400 lbs, which is helpful for the heavier users. It measures 27x62x83 inches when assembled, so you certainly want to make sure you have a forever home picked out for it.This particular machine has 20 levels of resistance and adjustable incline that can go up to 30 degrees to really work out every muscle you need to tone. In addition to the 20 to 22 inch adjustable stride, the E95 also has adjustable foot pads. Not only are they appropriate for almost all foot sizes, they assist in eliminating strain on your joints and in preventing your feet from falling asleep.It also not only has the stationary handles that most machines do that are set up to measure your heart rate, but a chest strap to keep track of it as well. This can make it a little easier when using the other handlebars to get your upper body conditioned.
Final thoughts
All in all, the Sole Fitness E95 is definitely a formidable contender in the high end range. However, it does have a few features that should have better manufacturing, and there are a few factors that reviewers hesitated over. Even with its singular design, you can probably still find a less expensive option that fulfills all of your needs. But, on the other hand, if you are able to spend a higher amount, this is certainly a great choice to add to your home and the warranty helps to ensure that it will be with you for a good long time.