AFG 3.1 AE Elliptical Trainer

8.6
Expert ScoreRead review
Last updated on March 21, 2024 8:23 am
Categories: ,
8.6Expert Score
Because of its price range, this elliptical trainer competes with Horizon Fitness EX-79 and Sole E35. The parent company (Johnson Fitness) for the AFG 3.1 AE, also owns Horizon and Livestrong.For this reason, same features found on Horizon and Livestrong elliptical trainers are found on these AFGs. The console may be a bit different but the SixStar Certification frames, components, programs, and warranties are the same, no matter which brand you buy.
Build Quality
9
Features
8.5
Assembly
8.5
Noise
9
Price/Value
8.2

At a Glance: AFG 3.1 AE
Brand AFG Fitness
Capacity 325 lb.
Price Range Under $1500
Fly Wheel Weight 23 lbs
Stride length 20 “
Display 2 4-digit LED windows, 16 digit alphanumeric LED
Programs 10 Programs
Resistance Level: 20 level
Dimension 74.8 x 22.2 x 65.2 inches
Incline 20 Level Power Incline
HR Monitor Contact and Wireless
Weight 198 lbs

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PROS:

  • SIXSTAR Certified
  • 20 levels of power incline
  • proFILE performance tracking
  • 10 different programs

CONS:

  • Fixed Stride and Pedals
  • No cooling fan
  • Customer support may be slow depending on your location.

AFG 3.1 AE is the ultimate fitness partner one can get. Designed especially for supporting all shapes and sizes this ultimate tool for fitness can be a turn-around for many persons suffering from obesity and heart diseases. It is engineered for all possible body movements and also has a SIX star certification. AFG 3.1AE has 20 levels of power incline workout options and the model comes with a heart beat monitoring strap. It also comes with 10 programs to choose from such as manual, intervals, weight loss, muscle toner, reverse train, Oregon Trail, THR zone, two custom programs. The stride length has been increased from previous models and is 20 inches long. The model has a stylish LED brickyard display comprising of two four digit LED widows, and 16 digit alphanumeric LED. The main specialty of the trainer is that there is a 23 pound flywheel that endures years of heavy usage. It uses an AC power source and the voltage usage ranges from 110-120 volts. The machine also has a fancy water holder attached to its body.

Features

  • SixStar Certified™ platform
  • 20″ FLATellipse™ foot path
  • 11″ SUREstep™ easy access
  • SUREgrip™ rubberized footpad
  • ZEROgap™ overlapping pedal motion
  • USB for firmware updates
  • Speakers, in/out Jack


Cons
Though the trainer is costly ($999) and it definitely burns a big hole in your pocket but it is completely worth it. The 20 inch stride can restrict some users and the weight of the total instrument is a bit more 325 pounds but it is compact. And there is sound system which is compatible with only MP3 format and the machine has no Wi-Fi which may be a problem for tech freaks. It is also not Energy Star rated which means that it can give a hefty large electricity bill. Anyways the benefits far outnumber the limitations and therefore it is obviously worth buying.

Build Quality

AFG 3.1AE was released in 2011. But even after 3 years, its still rated as one of the best elliptical trainer because of its solid Build Quality. If you use enough lubricant while assembling this unit, you should never hear any noise from it. The machine itself is on the lighter side (just 90 kg / 198 lbs). But the heavy flywheel (23 lbs) and solid construction makes it feel like a high end elliptical.

Assembly

Assembling a 3.1 AE is quite straight forward. The carton comes in solid package. Always remember to sort all the parts when you unbox your trainer. Otherwise small parts might get missing and make the assembly experience very frustrating.

If you can sort all the washers togather and follow the guleline accordingly, whole assembly will take only 1-1:30 hours. Be careful when you attaché the console with mainframe, in this stage you may need help from another person (who will help you hold the bar).

If you can buy silicon based lubricant spray, it will help you reduce maintenance duty of this trainer. Just spray on both attachment hole of paddle arm, before attaching it with the crank. Also use  lubricant in the joint of handle bars.

Before you start putting togather your trainer, we suggest to read the full assembly manual. It will really solve any puzzle that you might get into. Checkout this assembly video for AFG 4.1AE (we know it’s not the same model, but assembly process is same)

Heart Rate Monitor

This trainer comes with both Contact Grips and Telemetric Receiver. We always say not to use contact grip heart rate from any machine because accuracy on them are questionable (mostly because when you work out, your fingers will slip and tight grip may hinder blood circulation on your finger). Polar wireless chest stripe showed perfect reading every time we tested it

Display and Console

Display has 2 LED Feedback Windows, 16-digit alphanumeric display, LED Progress Window. This Display is very basic and straight forward (It may be too basic for advance users). Display shows: time, distance, heart rate, calorie burned and speed. In the center of the console it shows current preset program in dots (each dots count one resistance level). It can save previous workout record for 2 users (It also has a guest option, were you can work out without saving any record).
afg-3.1-display

In the bottom half of the console lays the control. Which has button for: resistance (up-down), incline (up-down), start-stop button and controller switches. We have tested 5 random persons, with this console and everyone successfully used all the features and said its easy to operate.

Programs

It comes with 10 programs to choose from such as manual, intervals, weight loss, muscle toner, reverse train, Oregon Trail, THR zone, two custom programs.

None of the preset program utilizes the incline feature of this trainer (which is limiting its potential). But you can easily make custom programs on your own utilizing the incline to make the best out of the 3.1AE.

Warranty

This trainer comes with a lifetime warranty on frame (it’s a common feature for all the elliptical in this price range); 3 years on parts and 1 year for labour.

Many customers reported AFG’s customer support to be slow and ineffective. Personally we have not encounter any issue that may require support; but any time we called to check on their customer support number someone always picked up (very good sign compared to other non US brands).

Conclusion

Each of the AFG 3.1 AE are carefully designed and meticulously calculated that is sleek, user friendly and also obviously extremely useful. The company provides free shipping and also closely monitors the shipment it makes ensuring the product is delivered to you in proper time. These machines can easily assembled and ready to use within minutes. The machine is designed in such a way that one can focus on areas that are not possible with manual training. This machine is definitely worth buying though it is expensive because it is designed to provide your family with generations of fitness.

Technical Specifications

Features
  • Resistance levels 1 – 20; Incline 20 levels (5% increments); Stride length 20″ FLATellipse foot path
  • SUREgrip rubberized footpad; ZEROgap overlapping pedal motionC
  • onsole display features LED brickyard, 2 4-digit LED windows, 16 digit alphanumeric LED; Speakers, in/out Jack
  • 10 Programs/proFILE (Manual, Intervals, Weight Loss, Constant Watts, Muscle Toner, Reverse Train, Oregon Trail, THR Zone, Custom 1 & 2)
  • Warranty: Lifetime frame, 3 Years Parts, 1 Year Labor; User capacity 325 lbs
Specifications
Stride length 20 inch
Front drive Yes
Cushioned footpad No
Resistance type Magnetic brake resistance
Resistance levels 1-20 electronic resistance range
Adjustable pedals No
Upper body Yes
Handgrip Yes, Pulse grips.
Heart rate control Pulse Grips & Chest Strap Compatible
Flywheel weight 23-lb flywheel
Incline type Power Adjustable, 20 levels (5% increments)
Display Console display features LED brickyard, 2 4-digit LED windows, 16 digit alphanumeric LED; Speakers, in/out Jack
programs 10 Programs/proFILE (Manual, Intervals, Weight Loss, Constant Watts, Muscle Toner, Reverse Train, Oregon Trail, THR Zone, Custom 1 & 2)
Cooling fans No
Water bottle/accessory holders Yes (but no holder for books)
Capacity 325 lbs
Weight 198 pounds
Warranties
Frame Lifetime
Parts and Electronics 3 Years Parts, 1 Year Labor
Shipping Information
Dimensions 74.8 x 22.2 x 65.2 inches
Weight 213.4 pounds
ASIN B005S03WOI
Item model number HEP0361-01


Each of the AFG 3.1 AE are carefully designed and meticulously calculated that is sleek, user friendly and also obviously extremely useful. The company provides free shipping and also closely monitors the shipment it makes ensuring the product is delivered to you in proper time. These machines can easily assembled and ready to use within minutes. The machine is designed in such a way that one can focus on areas that are not possible with manual training. This machine is definitely worth buying though it is expensive because it is designed to provide your family with generations of fitness.

Compare Related Ellipticals

Schwinn 470

AFG 3.1 AE

Sole E25

Horizon EX-79

Stride 20 inch 20 inch 20 – 22 inch 20 inch
Resistance 25 Lveles 20 Levels 16 20 Level
Incline 10 degree motorized ramp 20 Level Power Incline 30% adjustable incline Power incline, 5% intervals
Programs 29 10 10 11
Display LCD Display LED Display LCD Display LED Display
Heart Rate Monitor Contact Grips and Telemetric (wireless Strap not included) Contact Grips and Telemetric Contact Grips and Telemetric Contact Grips and Telemetric
User Weight 300 lbs 325 lbs 350 lbs 325 lbs
Extra Perks 3 speed fan, USB charging & data export to Schwinn connect & myfitnesspal.com, speaker, Goal Tracker MP3/iPod input jack + built-in Speakers
SixStar Certified™ frame
iFit technology, Dual wheel rollers,
2% inward slope on foot pedals,
MP3 jack + speakers Cooling Fan,
Cushioned, Slip-Resistant Pedals
Speakers,
SIXStar Certified ,
Nike+,
Pivoting foot plate,
MaxTone Arch Pedal footpad
Warranty Frame: 10 years
Mechanical: 2 years
Electrical: 1 year
Labor: 90 days
Lifetime Frame,
3 Years Parts,
1 Year Labor
Lifetime Frame;
3 Years Parts & Electronics; 1 Year Labor
Lifetime Frame;
2 Years Parts & Electronics; 1 Year Labor
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AFG 3.1 AE Elliptical, AFG

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Specification: AFG 3.1 AE Elliptical Trainer

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