Recumbent bikes are gaining more traction again in the fitness industry. The older models of these indoor stationary bikes were in their prime in the 1960s-1970s. 
Let’s be honest… the concept of the recumbent exercise bike back then was far from spectacular. These machines were infamous for being uncomfortable, noisy, bulky, and just overall impractical.
Thankfully, there have been some major improvements since then.
Get the commercial grade Sole R92 recumbent bike at a residential price of only $999.99. 30 Day Money Back Guarantee and FREE Shipping!
Fitness Equipment Source team member testing her Sole SB900 recumbent bike.
Sole is a brand that we have continued to be impressed with throughout the years. Their company has been recognized for the quality and durability of their fitness equipment over and over. Sole’s customer service and warranty is one of the best that you will be able to find in the fitness industry.
Our team has made several trips to the Sole Headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah to get further insight as to why this company is so successful, and why their products are some of the best in their class. Several of our team members have owned Sole equipment over the years and have been thoroughly impressed with the longevity of their ellipticals, as well as how low maintenance they are.
Recently, one of our team members has purchased a recumbent bike from Sole and she has been very impressed with the use that she has gotten out of it.
There are many perks to utilizing recumbent bikes for some people. For example, you may benefit from using a recumbent bike if…
These are just some of the reasons that you should consider opting for a recumbent bike. Also, you may just enjoy biking over other cardio equipment such as an elliptical or a treadmill.
Affordable – We typically see this bike priced around the $1,000 price point, a great price tag for a sturdy bike.
20 Resistance Levels – The R92 offers 20 levels of ECB resistance. This will give you an easy, quiet transition while switching your workout intensity level.
Posture Support – As we mentioned earlier, stationary bikes are ideal for those who suffer from any chronic back or joint issues. The R92 bike features a 2-degree inward design to maintain proper posture during your workout.
Compact Size – Many recumbent bikes are big and bulky, this machine 50” h x 30” w x 57” L.
LCD Display – An easy-to-read 9” LCD display. This machine comes with 10 engaging workout programs to keep your exercise routine far from boring.
Technology and Additional Features – Bluetooth capable, USB charging port, tablet/phone holder, cooling fans, water bottle holder, heart rate monitoring with pulse grips and chest strap included.
Warranty – Lifetime frame warranty, 3-year electronics, 3-year parts, 1-year labor. This is one of the best warranties that you will currently find in the fitness equipment industry.
Although using a bike will not allow you to get in the intense HIIT workout that you may could achieve on your elliptical or treadmill, it’s an excellent way to get in your daily cardio movement. Choosing to use a stationary bike machine will get your blood pumping, without putting yourself at risk for injury or inducing any pain. The recumbent bike is also a great option for those who are just starting out on their fitness journey, elderly, need to avoid joint impact, suffer from any type of pain, or just really enjoy cycling!
If a recumbent bike sounds like the right addition to incorporate into your workout routine, we confidently suggest the R92 recumbent bike from Sole.
Go to www.SoleEllipticals.com to learn more.
ProForm is made by the same parent company that makes NordicTrack brand machines. The company is known as Icon Fitness – the largest fitness equipment manufacturer in the world. Our team has visited the Icon Headquarters in Utah, and they have huge manufacturing facilities. Because of how large they are able to scale their production at Icon, you will often find that machines from both ProForm and NordicTrack brands come packed with more features at a lower price point.
The ProForm Pro E14 Elliptical is available for $1,999, or pay as little as $52/month with 0% financing for up to 39 months. Free shipping!
32 Lb. Flywheel — This is one of the heaviest flywheels you’ll find on a home elliptical. This will provide you smooth and steady feel during your workout.
0-20 Degree Incline, 20″ Power Adjustable Stride — The magic #20. The 20 degree incline capabilities of the E14 will allow you to feel like you are climbing a mountain from the comfort of your own home. By bumping up your incline, you can really get your heart rate up and target more specific muscles like your glutes, quads, and calves. The power adjustable stride will allow you to adjust quickly to find the stride length that’s most comfortable and natural for you.
Check out a comparison chart of all ProForm Ellipticals here.
iFit Enabled — iFit is an interactive fitness technology found exclusively on ProForm and NordicTrack machines. iFit helps you to track your progress towards your fitness goals. Here are some of the benefits…
**Note: At the time of this review, the Pro E14 Elliptical comes with 1-Year iFit Family Membership INCLUDED. There is a monthly fee for this technology after the 1-year trial ends.
Oversized, Adjustable Foot Pedals — These foot pedals are a big bonus feature on elliptical machines. They are cushioned pedals to increase comfort levels during your workout, and reduce stress to the foot joints. Many people notice that using adjustable foot pedals can lessen the numb toes/feet that sometimes occur during elliptical use. These foot pedals allow you to angle and align your pedal with your natural elliptical motion to promote maximum comfort.
Water Bottle Holder and Built-In Fan — Stay hydrated and cool even during your most intense workouts with the water bottle holder and built-in CoolAire fan with adjustable speed settings.
Easy Assembly — Spend minutes setting up your new machines, not hours.
Extensive Warranty — 10-Year Frame, 2-Year Parts, & 1-Year Labor Warranty.
**Note: The Pro E14 has a 350 lb. weight limit, and a footprint of 25.75” W x 79.75” D x 72.25” H.
When compared to the other models from ProForm, the Pro E14 knocks it out of the park with the heaviest flywheel and the the largest screen. This is a great commercial quality machine that is offered at an “at-home” price point.
Learn more at www.proform.com/ellipticals.*
When you start out with a weight training program, it’s easy to get really excited about getting strong and toned…but then you may feel like you aren’t seeing the results you’ve been hoping for.
There is a reason for this, and it has nothing to do with how hard you’re working. As it turns out, during the first few weeks of weight training, your body is actually strengthening your nervous system.
New research (1) reveals what goes on in your body during the beginning of a weight training regimen. Continue reading
There are benefits – you don’t have to commute to the gym, you can play your music as loud as you want in your living room, and you can avoid the smelly Steve at your local gym.
But you probably miss having more than one barbell to choose from, and you probably miss your favorite exercise machines too.
Since it seems like the virus isn’t going away any time soon, it’s probably time to take your home gym to the next level. With New Year’s approaching, soon you’ll have a chance to make New Year’s resolutions, new fitness goals, and change your workout routine.
And to make all of that happen, you need new fitness equipment. With Black Friday approaching, now is the time to buy exercise equipment. Continue reading
The SF-E3872 from Sunny Health and Fitness is their under-desk elliptical. Priced at less than $150, this machine seems pretty attractive to consumers. Most users who work at desk jobs will find this under-desk elliptical particularly attractive in hopes to incorporate some leg movement while they are sitting all day.
Although you may not have heard of Sunny Health and Fitness, they are really popular on Amazon. Most of their machines have really good user reviews. This elliptical for example has 4.5/5 stars with over 2,000 consumer reviews.
Sunny Health and Fitness is a much smaller brand in the industry, they have only about 100 employees worldwide. Their main headquarter location is in Los Angeles, CA. Sunny Health has a second headquarter location in Xiamen, China.
While Sunny Health and Fitness certainly doesn’t have the name recognition as other brands such as NordicTrack or Horizon, having such popularity with consumers on their Amazon store is promising for their equipment.
The SF-E3872 under-desk elliptical is definitely a unique option that we don’t see often on the market, and there is a reason why. There are some better options out there for the goals of most consumers.
SF-E3872
An under-desk elliptical seems like a great idea in theory. Most people think that it’s a great way to “kill two birds with one stone” so to speak – get your exercise in while you are working. However, the movement alone of simply moving your legs while at a desk or chair is actually not very effective at all.
Horizon EX-59
Of course, there are always benefits to moving your body. In comparison, the benefits to only working your lower body, rather than the full body workout that a standard elliptical will give you are minimal. If you are looking to get toned, burn calories, and get your heart pumping, this is probably not the option for you.
If you are looking to add some really effective exercise into your today, we suggest another budget elliptical instead – the Horizon EX-59. The EX-59 from Horizon is priced at $649, and they offer monthly financing options.
Sunny Health and Fitness is a smaller brand that is not well-known by most people. Their company has only about 100 employees worldwide. Sunny’s main headquarter location is in Los Angeles, CA. Sunny Health has a second headquarter location in Xiamen, China.
While Sunny Health and Fitness certainly doesn’t have the name recognition as other brands such as NordicTrack or Horizon, there are some good reviews on their fitness equipment. Sunny Health and Fitness has a large presence on Amazon. The SF-E905 elliptical has a 4/5 star rating with over 4,500 reviews.
The SF-E905 does seem to be popular among some consumers, but we do have some concerns with this machine that we want to make readers aware of before making their purchase.
SF-E905
Digital Monitor – Nothing fancy, just a display monitor, but it does give you information like your time, speed, distance, calories, and pulse.
Horizon EX-59
The SF-E905 elliptical from Sunny Health and Fitness comes with some decent features for such an affordable price. Although it’s compact, shows fitness stats, and has resistance adjustment options, we feel the safety concerns outweigh the positives of this machine.
We suggest checking out the Horizon EX-59 elliptical instead. The EX-59 is sold at $649, with monthly financing available. We are very confident in Horizon as a brand and have seen countless positive consumer reviews over the years for the EX-59. The EX-59 from Horizon is a safer and more durable choice for an elliptical trainer.
Sunny Health and Fitness is a smaller brand in the fitness equipment industry, with only about 100 employees worldwide. Their main headquarters location is in Los Angeles, CA. Sunny Health has a second headquarters location in Xiamen, China.
Some people may view small brands as a disadvantage. While Sunny Health certainly doesn’t have the name recognition as other brands such as NordicTrack or Horizon, there are some advantages when choosing to purchase from a small brand.
Sunny Health and Fitness is vocal about their dedication to making their company atmosphere as much like ‘family’ as possible. Since they strive to create a close-knit workplace – their customer service is likely to be much more personal as well. (Which is a huge plus when purchasing fitness equipment!)
There is no denying that the SF-E902 from Sunny Health comes at one of the most appealing price points on the market. Let’s face it, if you can spend under $100 on an elliptical trainer, who wouldn’t want to?! However, we have some really serious concerns with this elliptical trainer.
SF-E902
Product Weight – The SF-E902 Elliptical Trainer only weighs 31 lbs. While a lightweight product can be a great feature, not this lightweight. Sunny Health makes the claim that the SF-E902 can hold up to 220 lbs. of user weight. Considering this is over six times the weight of the elliptical, we do not feel this is a safe weight limit. With a product weighing only 31 lbs., there are major concerns for both stability and safety during your workout.
Horizon EX-59
This elliptical is sold at a price that nearly all of us are drawn to. It seems like a great deal, especially for someone who is looking for a basic treadmill to get some movement in at home. However, as we stated, we have some safety concerns with this elliptical unfortunately.
We suggest checking out the Horizon EX-59 elliptical instead. The EX-59 is sold at $649, with financing available. There is a bit of a price jump from $100 to $600, but we are very confident in Horizon as a brand, and have seen countless positive consumer reviews over the years for the EX-59. We feel the Horizon EX-59 is a safer and more durable choice for an elliptical trainer.
MaxKare is a company that we found from their popularity on Amazon. One thing that we found really interesting about MaxKare that makes them really different from any other brand in the industry is that they don’t just sell fitness equipment. In fact, by looking through their website, it appears that fitness equipment is actually what they focus on the least.
From a user experience, their website as well as their Amazon store is slightly confusing. There is such a wide variety of products, if you went to their store specifically looking for an elliptical, it’s difficult to find.
With that being said, their elliptical does have decent reviews on Amazon. It has 3.5 out of 5 stars and around 70 reviews at the time of this review being written. It’s being sold for less than $300, so it seems like a steal of a deal. However, we are extremely hesitant about this machine and the brand, and we’ll tell you why.
MaxKare Elliptical – $289.99
We suggest checking out the Horizon EX-59 over MaxKare’s elliptical. It sells for $599 but we feel it is a much better investment in terms of durability and safety.
MaxKare Elliptical
One major concern that we have with the MaxKare elliptical is that it only weights 72.7 lbs. If a user is over 140 lbs., you are twice the weight of this machine. The reason this is concerning is it could leave to safety and stability issues during your workout. In contrast, the Horizon EX-59 elliptical weighs 145 lbs., over double what the MaxKare elliptical weighs. MaxKare claims that their elliptical can withstand a user weight of 286.6 lbs. We do not feel that this statement is accurate, and could lead to injury if a user this heavy tries to use their elliptical. Typically, for the Horizon EX-59 which again is twice the weight of the MaxKare elliptical, we recommend a max user weight of 180 lbs.
Other concerns that we have with machine are…
Stride Length – The stride length of the MaxKare elliptical is 14.17 inches, which they claim in their product description would be comfortable for all users. This is simply not true. The Horizon EX-59 elliptical has an 18″ stride length, and we would only recommend this as a comfortable stride for medium-height users. Most people around 5’6-5’7″ or under will find the Horizon EX-59 stride length comfortable. We feel that most people would find a 14.17 stride length on the MaxKare elliptical extremely limiting.
FlyWheel – The heavier the flywheel, the more stable your elliptical will be, and the more you will feel you are exercising in a natural motion. The flywheel on the MaxKare elliptical is 11 lbs., the flywheel on the EX-59 is 14.3 lbs.
Warranty – According to MaxKare’s website, their is a 90 day money-back guarantee on this elliptical. It also states there is a 24 month manufacturer warranty that applies if there is any defect or shipping damage. This is not a great warranty, and we feel that a sub-par warranty usually reflects the quality of a product. The warranty on the Horizon EX-59 is lifetime frame, 1-year parts and labor. A much better warranty for this price range.
As we mentioned, this elliptical does have decent reviews on Amazon. However, there are some mixed feelings on it. Here are some of the most recent reviews on this product:
1. Takes 2 people
2. Box is WAAAAAY too heavy
3. EVERTHING is wrapped in tape on tape on tape. After completely destroying the box, whittle away at all the tape for hours trying to get anything out of it.
4. Still hit another snag where it says you need an assistant to help connect wiring.
Update – tried again, can be done alone but it’s tricky.
Suggestions:
1. Mount the foot pedals onto the thingy BEFORE you attach the thingy to the other thing. (See last instructions). It’s easier to tighten without laying upside down under it.
2. Mount the computer before the hand grips, same reason. The grips get in the way.
3. In step #2, read very carefully. There’s more detail at the bottom of the page.
4. Not well written, so you may have to read some stuff over and over again.
Once properly put together this is a great value. It gives a great workout. You have to really tighten the bolts around the center post or it will squeak.
Wanted to wait to review after having the elliptical for a while. Have now had it for 2 weeks and I am very happy with it. Easy enough to assemble, just took a while for one small person. Flywheel made a grinding metal sound for the 1st week, but then went quiet. Has remained quiet, with the exception of a few squeaks here and there. Not sure if the resistance levels work, but works enough for what I need it for and for the price. I use it for 30 min, 5 times a week. Overall, pretty decent purchase.
This is my worse experience this ever. The machine came scratched and print erased yet I had no problem so long as the machine works BUT THEN I realized the machine is shipped without any screws and is currently just lying in my room and can never be put together basically. WORST of all the seller is ignoring my messages and requests to send the tools/ screws to put it together. Pay extra and get a better product that can at least be functional.
Horizon EX-59
Overall, MaxKare seems a little all over the place. Their website and Amazon store are both tricky to navigate. Although they have some decent reviews on Amazon, a major complaint seems to be the construction of the machine and poor customer service, which are major concerns for consumers when purchasing fitness equipment online.
Safety is another aspect of this machine that we are weary of. With such a light product and flywheel weight, we are concerned about their recommendation of a 286 lb. user weight limit, seeing as a user of that weight would be almost four times the weight of the machine.
Overall, we feel the the Horizon EX-59 is a much more safe and wise choice. It has a heavier unit weight, heavier flywheel, larger stride length, and a better warranty. Horizon is also a much more reputable brand in the industry. To read more about the EX-59, check out our full review here.
Since Sunny Health is a smaller company, they pride themselves on creating a family atmosphere in the workplace, and translating that over to their customer service. Their “Sunny Difference” they claim is their outstanding customer service. One thing we often see with bigger companies in the industry is poor communication with customers, so this is an advantage in choosing to purchase from a smaller company like Sunny Health.
The majority of the equipment that you will find from Sunny Health and Fitness is less than $1,000, which is on the low-end of pricing that we see. In fact, their top 3 sellers on Amazon (listed below) are all under $200. While we definitely think Sunny Health has some positives for the consumer (like personable customer service), we also think there are some major drawbacks you should be aware of when purchasing equipment from them. Let’s break it down with reviewing 3 of their top selling machines.
Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E902 Air Walk Trainer Elliptical Machine Glider – $93.48
Sunny Health & Fitness Fully Assembled Magnetic Under Desk Elliptical – SF-E3872 – $129.99
Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E905 Elliptical Machine Cross Trainer – $179.99
Note: See Horizon Ellipticals instead for machines that are still affordable, but we feel are built more sturdy and safe.
SF-E902
The Air Walk Trainer elliptical from Sunny Health is one of the most budget friendly ellipticals you will find on the market. It typically sells for around $100. Although the price is really appealing, we have some major concerns about it.
The weight of this machine is only 31 lbs. A lightweight machine can be a positive feature in fitness equipment, but not this lightweight.
Sunny Health and Fitness claims this machine can handle up to 220 lb. user weight, but since that is over 6 times the weight of the machine, we have some serious doubts about the safety of this max weight recommendation. With having such a light product weight, safety and stability are both major concerns. Read our full reviews of the SF-E902 here.
SF-E3872
An under-desk elliptical is something that we don’t see often on the market, and there is a reason. While an under-desk elliptical seems like a great option to add some movement into your day, it’s actually not very effective.
There are some benefits to incorporating movement, but they are very limited in comparison to the full upper and lower body workout that a standard elliptical will give you.
If you are looking to get toned, burn calories, and get your heart pumping, this is probably not the option for you. If those sound more like your goals – we suggest checking out the Horizon EX-59 instead. This machine usually sells for around $599, and Horizon offers monthly financing payments. Read our full review of the SF-E3872 here.
SF-E905
The E905 Cross Trainer elliptical from Sunny Health and Fitness comes at a great price point, usually selling for less than $200. It also has a small footprint of 28L X 17W X 57H, making it ideal for anyone who is cramped on space.
However, this machine comes with a very confining 11″ stride length. This will be too small for most users. Typically, popular residential ellipticals have a comfortable and natural 18”-22” stride length.
Another concern that we have with E905 is it’s product weight as well. The E905 only weighs 61 lbs., so again stability and safety concerns come into play here. If you weigh anything over 100 lbs., you are almost twice the weight of this machine. Most residential ellipticals weigh a minimum of 100 lbs. for stability and sturdiness. Read our full review of the SF-E905 here.
There are certainly some positives to purchasing from Sunny and Health Fitness. However, with the user safety concerns, we feel more comfortable suggesting other machines over theirs.
The main concern that we have with their ellipticals is how light they are, which could result in user injury due to lack of stability during your workout. As we mentioned, the SF-E902 only weighs 31 lbs., and the E-905 weighs 61 lbs. We feel this is far too light for the weight of an average user.
In comparison, other budget ellipticals under $1,000 such as the Horizon EX-59 weighs 145 lbs. The Sole E25 weighs 212 lbs. A heavier unit weight will result in not only feeling more stable during your exercise, but it is also safer.
Sunny Health and Fitness has a pretty limited warranty on most of their machines. A limited warranty is typically a good indicator of the durability of a machine.
A Machine with Consistently High Customer Reviews
I’ve been a Schwinn elliptical trainer fan for years. They have consistently built some of the best budget ellipticals in the market. The Schwinn 470 and Schwinn 430 are perfect examples. For an elliptical costing only $600 you get a stable machine with a reasonable smooth elliptical stride that is reasonably durable. With both of these models the customer feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.
Recently Schwinn ventured into the low end of the budget crosstrainer market with the Schwinn A40 elliptical. The one feature that makes it stand out over the competition is the 17.5″ elliptical stride. Most low-end ellipticals come with a 16″ or less stride lengths. You end up with a very choppy motion that tends to me more oval than elliptical. However, even with the 17.5″ stride length taller users may find it too short.
Although the Schwinn A40 may be one of the best values at the bargain price at under $600, it has some limitations that as a potential customer you should be aware of.
Light Unit Weight – The shipping weight is listed as 106 lbs., so you can imagine the unit weight is somewhere around 95 lbs. That is very light for a machine that has to stabilize both an upper and lower body motion. In fact, if you watch the video demonstration you can actually see the Schwinn A40 rocking as it is being used. They rate the user limit at 275 lbs. The person in the video is not anywhere near that heavy, and is exercising moderately. Be aware that the light weight will impact the stability.
8 Levels of Resistance – Most ellipticals will have a minimum of 16 levels of resistance. With 8 you’ll notice a substantial change in the resistance from one level to the next.
Front Drive Design – I’m concerned about the overall design of the Schwinn A40. Typically with a front drive design elliptical trainer you have wheels running over rails. In the case of the A40 you have a single wheel running on a single rail. With the Sole front drive ellipticals you have dual wheels running on dual rails to guarantee stability. The design of the Schwinn A40 is similar to the more expensive Schwinn 420 and 430, and they have managed to maintain a solid feel for the long-term. However, I have been on cheap front drive machines with the same design as the Schwinn A40, and after regular use both the footpedals and the upper body handles tend to loosen up. I’m projecting into the future, and I could be wrong.
Warranty – 
Usually at this price you get 90-days parts and labor coverage. The Schwinn A40 comes with 6 months parts and 30 day wear parts warranty. They do not mention anything about labor. Not sure what the wear parts refers to, since any part of the elliptical can wear. If you plan to purchase the Schwinn A40, I would consider an extended warranty with labor coverage.
Other issues are the LCD display. It is hard to read, and in fact it was one of the major complaints by customers. Also the fan hardly kicks out any breeze.
My recommendation is if you can afford it go with the Schwinn 430. It has a proven track record as one of the most stable and durable elliptical trainers for under $800. If you can’t afford the Schwinn 430 the A40 is a decent alternative with limitations. The 17.5″ elliptical stride is a plus, but the stability and potential durability are drawbacks. Regardless, the majority of customers gave the Schwinn A40 positive reviews, suggesting this is one of the best values under $600.
