The gym is great – when you’re able to actually use the machines.
It seems that my favorite machine – the elliptical – always seems to be taken at my local gym when I’m finally able to get out of work.
I finally got tired of losing productive workout time by constantly having to wait to use the machine and decided to invest in one for myself at home – the Sole Fitness E35 Elliptical Machine.
Benefits of a Home Elliptical Machine
Aside from the convenience of being able to workout from the privacy of your own home, elliptical machines are great for low impact, cardio workouts.
An elliptical trainer is a stationary exercise machine that mimics stair climbing, walking, or running.
You can also vary the intensity of the workouts using settings built into the machine that match your fitness level.
The reason they’re one of the more popular workout machines in the gym and why I like using an elliptical so much is because of the number of benefits that are associated with using an elliptical such as:
- Strengthens your heart and lungs
- Builds stamina and endurance
- Burns calories
- Reduces wear and tear on muscles and joints
- Burns fat
- Full-body workouts
- Improves balance
Things to Consider Before Buying an Elliptical Machine
So you’re set on an elliptical trainer, now what?
Well, for me, it took some time before I decided on the one I chose.
I had to take a few things into consideration before finally deciding on the one I wanted the most.
Here are a few things you may want to think about as well while looking for an elliptical machine.
Do I Have Space in my Home?
Let’s be honest – you need some space for an elliptical.
The question is, how much space do you have to work with?
Depending on the availability of space in your home or garage gym, it may become important to ensure that the elliptical trainer you potentially buy has space-saving features like a roller wheel or a folding mechanism to help you save space.
What Can I Afford?
Your budget is also important to consider, however, there are many companies now that offer financing plans that allow you to break down the cost of the machine into more manageable monthly payments.
If your budget is a little tight, you may want to consider what your financing options are and the costs of financing.
Will an Elliptical Help me With my Fitness Goals?
This is really an important question to ask yourself when shopping around for an elliptical machine.
Elliptical trainers are great for cardio workouts, however, if you’re looking to build serious muscle, you may need to consider a weight bench or power tower instead to help you do that.
Always consider what it is you want to achieve with a workout machine.
The different fitness equipment you see in the gym usually specialize in helping you get stronger or more fit in one area.
Make sure you match the fitness equipment you use to the fitness goal you want to accomplish.
Introducing the Sole Fitness E35 Elliptical Machine
After having put in the time to do some research and shopping around, I finally decided on the Sole Fitness E35 Elliptical Machine as my preferred elliptical of choice for my home.
For me, I was drawn to its whisper quiet drive system that doesn’t disturb anyone in the house.
I have a roommate who is a light sleeper, and we have never had an issue with the noise I make from working out.
The Sole Fitness E35 Elliptical Machine also features a 25lb flyweel and high gear ratio to ensure a super smooth, fluid, and natural motion while using the machine.
The last thing you would want is a machine that feels unnatural because then you start training your muscles and movements in an unnatural way – which may have unintended consequences.
This elliptical trainer also features various levels of resistance – up to 20 – for you to test yourself with.
In addition, the Sole Fitness E35 Elliptical Machine features moving handlebars that are adjustable for comfort and stationary handle bars that have pulse monitors to help you monitor your heart rate during your workouts.
If you have any concerns about your feet slipping during your workouts, this unit comes equipped with oversized foot pedals with a 2-degree inward slope to reduce ankle and knee stress.
If you’re not tech-savvy like I am, you’ll also appreciate the easy to use LCD display with built in speakers to listen to your music or a podcast while you workout.
Overall, it’s a very satisfying elliptical machine to own and convenient to have for workouts when you don’t have time to make it to the gym or want to feel stressed out waiting for a machine or having someone wait on you to finish up on the machine.
Pros
- Smooth motion
- Very quiet
- Comfortable to use
Cons
- Difficult to assemble
- Large machine
- Attracts dust easily
Features & Benefits of the Sole Fitness E35 Elliptical Machine
If you’re looking for a home elliptical that has a lot to offer, then you’ll be satisfied with the Sole Fitness E35 Elliptical Machine.
In my experience, this is a piece of fitness equipment that is just as good as you’ll find at your local 24 Hour Fitness, Planet Fitness, or box gym.
Here are a few of the features of the machine you’ll want to be aware of.
Bluetooth Audio Speakers
If you’re attached to your devices, then you’ll appreciate that the Sole Fitness E35 Elliptical Machine comes equipped with BlueTooth-compatible speakers.
I love popping in my favorite playlist and mixing it up occasionally with a podcast to expand my mind while working out.
It’s a great way to stay productive during your workout, or just enhance your workout so that it doesn’t feel like a drag or chore.
USB Port
Have you ever had your tablet or phone run out of battery on you while you were in the middle of your workout session?
If this has happened to you more often than you’d like, you’ll rest a little bit easier knowing that the Sole Fitness E35 Elliptical Machine includes a USB port to keep your devices charged so that you can stay in the zone during your workout.
Integrated Tablet Holder
What good would a USB port and BlueTooth compatibility be for your devices if you didn’t have a place to put them?
Thankfully, the Sole Fitness E35 Elliptical Machine comes equipped with an integrated tablet holder where you can prop up your tablet or cell phone to watch your favorite shows on Netflix or follow a workout routine on YouTube.
Custom-Designed Foot Pedals
If you’ve had previous knee or ankle injuries, you’ll be delighted to know that the foot pedals were designed with a 2-degree inward slope with the help of a leading physical therapist for maximum comfort.
Articulating/Adjustable Foot Pedals
In addition, the Sole Fitness E35 Elliptical Machine features articulating and adjustable foot pedals that fit the way you walk.
This level-adjustment feature helps to reduce any numb toe effects from the use of the machine and safeguards your Achilles tendon from any soreness.
Power Incline
The Power Incline feature on the Sole Fitness E35 Elliptical Machine targets parts of the lower body that many other elliptical trainers on the market are unable to target, activating these different muscles and accelerating your workout results.
Strong Frame
If you’re looking for a bike that can support an intense workout, the Sole Fitness E35 Elliptical Machine is made of heavy thick steel and is ready to take you one.
The frame also features multi-position handgrips so you are able to find a position that works for you as you up the intensity of your workout.
What Others Think of the Sole Fitness E35 Elliptical Machine
In order to get a better sense of what the general consensus is about the Sole Fitness E35 Elliptical Machine, I took a look around at various reviews across the internet to get a better sense.
For those who liked their experience with the Sole Fitness E35 Elliptical Machine, they mentioned how great the quality of this elliptical trainer is.
Users mentioned that it was perfect for home use, and felt very similar to commercial level machines.
Those who did not like the machine, however, mentioned how large and heavy the machine was.
They felt it took up a lot of space in their homes and was very heavy.
Alternatives to the Sole Fitness E35 Elliptical Machine
While not everyone will like what the Sole Fitness E35 Elliptical Machine has to offer, they will still want to know what options are available to them.
Here are a few I stumbled on during my search that were of high quality and may be worth a closer look.
Nautilus E614 Elliptical Trainer
The Nautilus E614 Elliptical Trainer is built for individuals who are goal-oriented.
This elliptical features goal tracking capabilities that allow you to set and track individual exercise goals.
If you take a more purposeful approach to your workouts, with a good idea of what you want to accomplish for each session and how hard you need to push yourself, you’ll love the Nautilus E614 Elliptical Trainer.
Bowflex M8
The Bowflex M8 is a hybrid workout machine that combines the full-body, low-impact motion of an elliptical with the calorie-burning power of a stepper to maximize the calorie-burning potential of each workout.
Not only that, the Bowflex M8 has a compact footprint that makes it smaller than most ellipticals and trainers, making it perfect for those who don’t have a lot of space in their home or garage gym.
Schwinn 411
While the Schwinn 411 may not have as many resistance levels as the Sole Fitness E35 Elliptical Machine, where this elliptical trainer excels is in its ability to simulate an outdoor experience while using the machine using the RunSocial and Explore the World apps.
These apps allow you to traverse the world through 19 courses and 27 routes, and run them simultaneously with others around the world for a more social experience.
In addition, the Schwinn 411 occupies a smaller footprint than the Sole Fitness E35 Elliptical Machine if you have any concerns about space.
Final Thoughts
Shopping around for a high quality elliptical is not as easy as you might think.
There’s a lot to consider before dropping hundreds of your hard-earned dollars on a piece of fitness equipment.
If one of your favorite machines to use when you go to the gym is the elliptical, you’ll find that the Sole Fitness E35 Elliptical Machine will give you an experience that’s very similar to an elliptical machine you’d find at the gym – only from the comforts of your own home.
You’ll never have to wait for someone to get off the machine or feel pressured to hurry up your workouts because someone is waiting for you to get off the machine ever again.
