Suspended

Horizon Fitness EX-57 Elliptical Trainer

8.4Expert Score
We must agree, Horizon EX 57 is a solid machine. Specially when its price tag is just $500. If you want more features, you can look at the EX 59 or even the EX 69. But if you are on a budget, and want to do cardio training for average usage (1 hour per day), this trainer is all you need!
Build Quality
8.2
Features
8.6
Assembly
8.6
Noise
7.6
Price/Value
9

At a Glance: Horizon Fitness EX-57
Brand Horizon Fitness
Capacity 275 lb.
Price Range Under $500
Flywheel Weight 14.3 lbs
Resistance 8
Stride Lenght 17.5″
Dimension 29 x 67 x 55 inches (W x H x D)
Programs 9 goal based
Incline N/A
HR Monitor Contact




PROS:

  • Affordable yet High Quality
  • Well-built frame
  • 14.3-pound flywheel
  • Very good Magnetic resistance for a budget elliptical
  • Stride is very natural.

CONS:

  • This model is old (2008)
  • Display is not backlit, hard to read display in darker room.
  • Foot pedal’s plastic material seems cheap



Horizon took really special care when designing this trainer. We have been using this trainer for 2 months, and we really love the natural stride with pivoting footplates.  The footplates on the EX57 rotate with the user’s natural motion for better ergonomics. This makes the workout – Zero Impact!

As always, we are happy with the Build Quality of this Horizon elliptical. They know how to build a frame. Horizon is so confident about their built-quality, they are offering life time warranty on frame and 20 years warranty on brake (like any of us are going to use it for next 20 years). Right now, only Horizon is giving such bold warranty on breaks. Which shows how confident they are with their products.

Specification

  • Electronic  Resistance
  • 1 – 8 resistance levels Resistance
  • 14.3lbs flywheel for fluid, quiet motion
  • Step-on height: 9.8 inches
  • Stride length: 18 inches
  • Pedal spacing: 2.8 inches
  • Screen: Non-backlit LCD (2.4 x 4.8 inches)
  • Programs: 9
  • Program type: Choose 1 of 3 different goals (time, distance, calories) and 1 of 3 terrains (manual, reverse train, and hills)
  • Weight capacity: 275 pounds
  • Dimensions: 29 x 67 x 55 inches (W x H x D)
  • Warranties: Lifetime on frame; 20 years on brake; 1 year on parts and labor


We did a small customer survey for this Horizon EX 57: Most of the customers who bought this Horizon EX- 57, are first time user of elliptical trainer. Means, they might have used elliptical user elsewhere, but they never purchased one for home usage (almost 90% of the customer we surveyed said this). And all of them were confused, wheather to get a treadmill or an elliptical trainers.

As the elliptical trainer gives upper body exercise and is more interesting than a regular treadmill, most of the customer purchased this.

 Assembly:

We have assembled the trainer using the manual, and its quite easy to build. We have also asked 5 different persons to assemble this elliptical trainer, and average time was 50 minutes to assemble the whole thing (none of the respondent ever assemble an elliptical trainer before). After, seeing this time, we are sure, that anyone who can operate an screwdriver can assemble it properly.

Please note: when you are assembling your EX- 57, put some grease on your bolts that goes to the following 3 parts

horizon57

when you are assembling your EX- 57, put some grease on your bolts that goes to the following 3 parts

This trainer comes in very large box. You will another person when unboxing and transporting it within your home.

Display and Console

It comes with a non-backlit LCD  display (2.4 x 4.8 inches). Display shows: time, calorie burned, distance and current program.

lcd-display

 

There are 3 simple steps:

  1. Select goal (use the arrow button to adjust)
  2. Select terrain (use the arrow button to adjust)
  3. Press start to begin workout.

The console is very user friendly and easy to operate. There are intotal 15 buttons: time, calories, distance, Manual (program), Hills (program), reverse Train (program), resistance level (6 buttons), stat/ Pause, enter and Stop/reset.

console

 

Programs

This trainer comes with 9 goal based programs. To select program you need to select 1 of 3 different goals (time, distance, calories) and 1 of 3 terrains (manual, reverse train, and hills).

Manual:
Allows you to adjust the resistance level to your preference without a preset program. (allows on the fly manual resistance changes)

Hills:
This terrain motivates with different combination of resistance.

hills-program

Reverse Train
Program cues you to pedal forward (F) and backward (R) for an exciting and challenging workout

reversetrain

handrestHand rest:

Some of the new users, prefer not to do upper body training in the beginning to elliptical workout, (as it tiers them out very fast). For them, there is a handrest with EX-57. There is contact heart rate sensor in that hand rest

 

Noise:

This machine is very quiet, and if you assemble everything correctly and lubricate the joints from time to time, there will be no noise from this machine.

How to make the most out of the Plastic Foot pad:

In the cons we said that, the plastic footpad, makes it look cheap. Another thing is, some of our respondent, said they slipped while trying to use this elliptical. We have looked into it, and found, if you use this ellipitical bear footed, you might slip. SO, wear a pair of Keds, Sneakers & Athletic Shoes, and you will never have to worry about the foot pad. (just remember you must use clean shoes)

Specification: Horizon Fitness EX-57 Elliptical Trainer

EAN 0763165310383
Department Sports and Fitness
EAN List EAN List Element: 0763165310383
Item Dimensions Height: 6700, Length: 5500, Weight: 16280, Width: 2900
Model HEP0232-00
Package Quantity 1
Part Number
Package Dimensions Height: 1634, Length: 5748, Weight: 17900, Width: 3071
Title Horizon Fitness EX-57 Elliptical Trainer
UPC List UPC List Element: 763165310383
Warranty Lifetime frame, 20 years brake, 1 year parts and labor

Photos: Horizon Fitness EX-57 Elliptical Trainer

Expert Score 8.4
Build Quality
8.2
Features
8.6
Assembly
8.6
Noise
7.6
Price/Value
9
Horizon Fitness EX-57 Elliptical Trainer
Horizon Fitness EX-57 Elliptical Trainer

Review of Elliptical Trainer
Logo