PRODUCT ************ Eclipse Cyclone 2 programmable elipticalcross trainer. Eliptical cross trainers are a low impact exerciser that burn 5 times more calories than walking. There are two ways of exercising, holding onto the static handles for a lower body work out. Or using the long moving handles for a full body work out. You place your feet on large foot plates and can either go forward or backward to exercise differant parts of the legs. No instructions are giving on what parts of the body you are working out or placing feet on differant parts of the foot plates to increase difficulty.
PRICE ******** £139.99 and £29.99 p&p this included insurance. The MRP was £455 but looking at the quality i don't know where they get this from.
ASSEMBLEY ************** Basic tools are supplied if you have none. It is a two man job to assemble. It took me 20 minutes but did it by myself (hero). The instructions are basic but most of the assembling is straight forward.
Computer ************ The exerciser has an onboard computer powered by an adapter (supplied)that displays time, speed, distance, age, heart rate and calorie burn. You can use 7 pre-set programes that automatically change the magnetic resistance at pre-determined intervals to make it harder or easier as you go through the exercise program. 4 user programs allow you to create a self designed exercise workout. There are also 4 pulse workouts that monitor your pulse. It can be set at 60%, 70%, 80%, or 90%. The pulse is monitored through the static handles, by holding onto the sensors on each handle. The instructions guide you step by step on how to use the computer, you don't need to be Einstein to use it.
BOUGHT FROM ****************** Sports and Leisure UK , through Ebay. If you have bought on Ebay you will know that there is a feedback rating. This company has 3376 ratings and 99.7% positive feedback. They are a Power Seller, another sign of a trust worthy seller and you can buy with Paypal.
RELIABILITY *************** The best exerciser i have ever owned and the only one my wife has actually been able to use for 30 minutes. But totally let down by the faults. First the computer did not work for the pulse rate. Then the arm on the pedals kept falling off. The final straw was when the drive belt crumbled and marked the bedroom carpet, luckely the mark washed out.
AFTER SALES **************** Its a pity the product was not as good or reliable as Sports and Leisure UK who i bought the trainer from. One email to their service department about the fault with the computer and a new arrived in the post 2 days later, this one worked fine. When the drive belt crumbled emailed them again with a picture of the problem. They sent me a new bottom section of the cross trainer in 3 days. The trouble is this one had the same problem as the first. One email later i had a full refund of the purchase price and the postage and packaging. They also said we could keep the exerciser and get it repaired if we wanted.
CONCLUSION ***************** Would buy a cross trainer again but not this one. Lost 10lbs, my wife 6lbs in 1 month, so they work. The company had great after sales service but let down by inferior product. Maybe i was just unlucky. They have a selection of cross trainers maybe one of these will be better.
Thanks for this cautionary tale. I have been looking for an affordable but decent quality Elliptical Trainer and I have come to the conclusion that there's no such thing.
You'd be better off saving up and buying a good machine with a long on-site warranty. Some of the cheap machines have a 90 day guarantee (??!!) or a 6 month RTB - terrible.
I'm spending hours a day on the internet but so far can't find a good quality unit for under £500. I'd appreciate recommendations!
finestimaginary 31.05.2006 14:44
Was planning on buying one of these in the next week or two, thanks for this review! made me consider other products!
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