Gold’s Gym Maxx Rear Drive Elliptical Review

Gold’s Gym Maxx rear drive elliptical trainer is comparable in price and style to the NordicTrack AudioStrider 800 elliptical.  Both machines are made by Icon Fitness. 

The Gold’s Gym elliptical is sold only through the Walmart.com website.  You can have it shipped to your local Walmart store free of charge.  Then, you are responsible for picking it up from the store and getting it to your home.  On the other hand, if you have it shipped to your home, you will be charged an additional shipping fee.  When the NordicTrack 800 is purchased online from the NordicTrack web site, shipping to your home is free.

The rear drive flywheel on the Gold’s Gym Maxx elliptical tends to keep the machine more centered and positioned.  As a result, the machine is more stable during workouts, and there is less wear and tear on the elliptical trainer’s parts. 

The Gold’s Gym Maxx rear drive elliptical trainer has a manual incline, which is great for working the leg muscles in different ways and for increasing the intensity of your workouts.  There IS a drawback to this type of incline mechanism.  The only way you can adjust the incline level is manually.  Therefore, anytime you want to change that level during an exercise session, you have to get off the elliptical to do so. You can get a power incline version of this machine with the NordicTrack AudioStrider 990.

What other features will you find on the Gold’s Gym Maxx elliptical trainer?

You really do get some nice features on the GG Maxx, considering it sells for less than $1,000.  Here’s a look at what this elliptical trainer has to offer:

• Digital resistance – If you want to challenge yourself a little more or burn calories at a higher rate, try increasing the resistance on this elliptical trainer.  When you need to ease up, simply cut back to a lower resistance level. 
• Six personal trainer workouts and two heart rate workouts – You don’t have to get bored with the same old exercise routine.  The variety of preprogrammed workouts from which to choose will help to keep you motivated to reach your fitness goals.
• iPod dock – Listen to your iPod or MP3 player as you exercise!  It will make those workouts seem shorter and less tedious!
• 18” stride – This isn’t the longest elliptical stride length, nor is it the shortest.  It is generally adequate for average-size individuals.  If you’re really short, the stride could be a little too long.  If you’re really tall, the stride may be too short for comfort.
• Dual action handlebars – When you work the upper body and lower body simultaneously on the GG Maxx elliptical, your workout will be more efficient.  By incorporating the moving handlebars, you will burn calories at a higher rate, as well as strengthen and tone muscles and improve your cardiovascular health.
• Heart rate monitor – Check your heart rate by gripping the pulse sensors in the handlebars to see if you’re working in the heart rate zone that is right for you.
• Cooling fan – When you exercise, you can really work up a sweat.  With the aid of a cooling fan built into the console, you can stay cooler and more comfortable during workouts.

Our Review: Gold’s Gym Maxx Elliptical Trainer

For a lower-priced elliptical trainer, the Gold’s Gym Maxx is a decent model.  It isn’t a top-of-the-line elliptical trainer, by any means.  Nevertheless, it has some good qualities. 

Although the GG Maxx elliptical weighs over 200 pounds, it is designed so that you can fold up the foot pedals and base when the machine is not in use.  That’s a really nice design for residences with limited floor space.

The rear drive design makes the Maxx elliptical trainer sturdier and less prone to wear and tear of its parts.  Less wear and tear means less maintenance and longer life.  This elliptical also has free-wheel technology that lets you start up and stop instantly.

If you do not want to pay shipping costs, you can always have the Gold’s Gym Maxx rear drive elliptical trainer shipped to a nearby Walmart store, where you can pick it up.  Or you can buy the similar Nordic Track 800 elliptical trainer and get free shipping to your home.