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Sole E20 Elliptical Trainer

Sole E20 Elliptical Trainer

8.6Expert Score
Sole E20 (2013) is not just a high end elliptical anymore, but an affordable one too (under $800). Thanks largely to the huge discount announced by Sole Fitness. None of the features have gone missing in this budget model and it retains the sleek shape. Elliptical console powers up automatically, when it is connected to 110V AC power cord. Even after E25 had been released, E20 still win the polls.
Build Quality
9
Features
8
Assembly
8.5
Noise
9
Price/Value
8.5

At a Glance: Sole E20
Brand Sole
Capacity 325 lb.
Price Range Under $800
Fly Wheel Weight: 21 lbs
Resistance Level: 16
Stride Lenght 20″
Dimension 27 x 71 x 58 inches
Programs 6
Incline N/A
HR Monitor Contact and Wireless

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PROS:

  • Newer version is a steal at its price.
  • Lifetime frame warranty is so hard to resist.
  • Amazing LCD backlit with easy-to-use console.
  • Tops the chart on cost effective trainers.

CONS:

  • 325 pound weight limit isn’t impressive.
  • Stride length of 20” is still low.
  • Can save only 2 custom programs.
  • Heavy and undesirable flywheel.

Features

  • 20 incline levels and 20 levels of resistance gets a variety of workouts.
  • 15” pedals with 2 degree of inward slope means enhanced efficiency.
  • Additional slots to hook up iPhone and mp3 players.
  •  Lifetime frame warranty, 3 years electronic and 1 year labor warranty.
  • Built in fan and water bottle holder to keep you hydrated.
  • Oversized 5.5”LCD display to see workout information.
  • Assembled Dimensions: 58″ x 27″ x 71″

Build Quality:

With 21 pound flywheel and 325 pound weight capacity, it’s assured you are getting a heavy machine to ground. Replace the bolt and screws, whenever you find faulty ones, so that the machine could hold for its weight. The calibration allows you to work in silence, courtesy of Eddy Current Resistance. The flexible equipment got the adjustable cooling fans, adjustable incline, adjustable resistance and adjustable everything. Of the few limitations, lack of varieties in stride length and petal size cause hassles to even slightly obese people. Another drawback of significance is the highly corrosive nature of this metal beast to moisture from pools and air conditioners.

Assembly:

Assembling this trainer is quick and easy, if you have the needed tools. We have seen most customers get it done in 90 minutes or less. Checklist the required screws and bolts in the package, just to ensure you didn’t miss anything while unboxing. Four types of wrenches and a standard sized screwdriver are needed to get the entire metal apparatus set up. Knifes and hammers come in handy during unboxing and setting up the base. Starting with the base is the trick to pull the entire process off quicker. Use your regular screwdriver to attach plastic parts.

Heart Rate Monitor:

The build in hear rate monitoring system is simple to use. Stationary handle bars come with Contact Heart Rate Sensors, which upon grasping would start heart monitor. Additionally, you can use the chest strap transmitter by simply wearing it. Blinking heart icon indicates active heart rate monitoring process. Pulse window displays heart rate in terms of beats per minute. Heart rate graph compares your heart rate with projected upper limit in percentage. Rigorous workouts could result in false readings in heart rate monitor, when hand pulse sensors are used. Chest strap transmitters are more precise and reliable. When not gripped properly or when gripped with sweaty hands, contact heart rate sensors can show false readings.

Display and console:

Quick start mode begins with one click of the start button. The 5” display is back lit and it shows type of program, workout time and user level by default. Resistance levels and incline angle can be set manually by few button clicks on left and right.

The console comes with cooling fan, speaker, display, headphone jack, audio in jack, control keys and message window. Fan power switch is present within the console, hence making it easy to turn the fan on and off. Performance of the audio system, especially speaker is not up to the mark. The cooling fan isn’t efficient to keep an average built person cool throughout training. The console is programmable even for the digitally illiterate person. You can program according to age, wright and desirable calorie count.

Programs:

The five pre-installed programs help you perform variety of workouts. Every program is designed for a defined purpose. You can switch programs with simple up and down buttons. The north and south buttons again exist for adjusting resistance and incline. User profiles can be created and customized and limits can be set for every user. Age, weight and workout timings are the input taken for creating custom profiles. With U1, U2 buttons, one can switch between user profiles. Message window summarizes your performance at the end of any workout.

Warranty:

The best part comes in the form of its lifetime warranty for frame. Electronics and other parts have a 3 year warranty period along with 1 year labour warranty.  Cosmetic items come with a 3 month warranty. Accidents, abuse or corrosion through moisture are not covered by any warranties mentioned. Amongst Sole Fitness products, E20 has more trustability value for the superior warranty periods offered.

Technical Specifications

Specifications
Stride length 20 inches
Front drive Yes
Cushioned footpad No
Resistance type Quiet Eddy Current Resistance
Resistance levels 16
Adjustable pedals No
Heart rate control Yes. Two Heart Rate Control
Flywheel weight 21 Pound
Incline type Power Adjustable
programs “Six Standard Preset Programs,Two Heart Rate Control &Two Custom Programs”
Cooling fans Yes Adjustable
Water bottle/accessory holders Yes
Capacity 325 Pound
Weight 175 Pounds
Warranties
Frame Lifetime Frame
Parts and Electronics Three Years Parts & Electronics, One Year Labor
Shipping Information
Dimensions 27 x 71 x 58 inches

Sole E20 Elliptical Trainer
Sole E20 Elliptical Trainer

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