Elliptical Advice

[dr.mel_PT]

I was reading through some old posts on Elliptical recommendations and I'm torn between the Nordictrack Elite and the Precor EFX 5.23. Our old elliptical was an NT but we only paid $700 for it; needless to say it broke within 2 years and I am not happy with it at all, so this kind of discourages me from purchasing another NT model (the again it could just be because it was a cheaper machine). I love Precor but there is a $1K price difference between the 2. Anyone have either model and can offer suggestions?

Here's the link Miss Lee posted awhile ago; this is where I found both models and specs: http://www.fitness-equipment-source.com/elliptical-reviews/best-buy-elliptical.htm

 

[Miss Lee]

Hi Melissa!

I have the Precor 5.23 and I absolutely LOVE it. My elliptical is about 4 years old now and it's been an AWESOME machine. I have never had a single problem with it and I use it a lot -- it's been my primary form of cardio until recently when I took up running. My DH uses it, too. And you can't beat Precor's warranty! **HOWEVER** if I were going to buy one today I would seriously consider an Octane! I looked at one just out of curiosity and I was really impressed. I love that you can adjust the stride length which makes it more user friendly for multiple exercisers. My DH is 6'4" and the stride length on the Precor is a little bit short for him. He still uses it and likes it, but it would be nice if he could make it longer. I wish Precor gave you the option. Don't get me wrong -- I'm really happy with what I have. I'm just saying, if I were going to buy one today, I would take a serious look at Octane. I was looking at them last fall in a shop where they sell all the big brands and the salesman said the Octane is now the #1 brand purchased for home use. HTH and have fun shopping!!

 

[cab128]

Hi Melissa,

Have you had the opportunity to try both models? That is a big price difference.

I have the Sole E95 which I bought for $1500 shipped. The reviews link you have states current pricing is $1699. I wanted to keep my purchase under $2000. We bought it through a Sole dealer on ebay. I am very happy with it and my husband uses it as well. I don’t use it every day but I do use it a few times a week and it has held up well (3 years).

I know I really had to try a few out to make the final decision. As Melissa said, the stride length might be a deciding factor.

 

[workingToBeFit]

Have you looked at the Vision Fitness ellipticals? We have one, it cost about $2100. When we got it about 3 years ago we compared it to the Precors and decided on the Vision. Pretty much every day my husband and I both say it this elliptical was the best fitness purchase we have ever made, and we have a pretty extensive home gym including a LifeCycle and high-end treadmill and have been collecting equipment for about 20 years so far. Vision is at http://www.visionfitness.com/. [No affiliation! - I am a computer science professor at a university] I just love the Vision machine. Super high quality, priced decently, totally reliable. I have heard a lot of horror stories about NordicTrack equipment in the last few years, so I wouldn't go there. Precor and LifeFitness are very good quality-wise as well, but higher price ranges.