XTERRA Fitness EU150 Hybrid Elliptical Upright Bike Review

Finding time (or motivation) to work out at home can already be tough enough.

Convincing yourself to buy and use multiple machines at home is just another hurdle to jump over.

Fortunately, there is a solution to that hurdle. It’s a hybrid machine.

If you get a hybrid machine, not only will you target multiple muscle groups in one workout, but you’ll save money by only needing one machine.

You’ll also save space in your home gym which can be valuable for small areas like studios, apartments, lofts, or basement gyms.

The XTERRA Fitness EU150 Hybrid Elliptical Upright Bike is a great hybrid machine and in this article I’ll tell you why you need this exercise machine in your life.

Things to Consider Before Buying a Hybrid Machine

Buying a hybrid machine is certainly an awesome idea, but it may not be for everyone, especially when you consider that they cost more than a single-function machine of similar quality and build.

However, if you can get past spending a little extra on a machine that will give you more bang for your buck, you’ll reap quite a few benefits.

Here are some things to consider that will help you decide if it’s worth the plunge.

Quality and Durability

A hybrid machine is going to have a lot more moving parts than a single-function machine.

This means more wear and tear and possibly more maintenance. However, if you get a high-quality machine this doesn’t have to be a major problem.

In other words, if you’re going to get a hybrid machine, don’t get a dirt cheap one. You’ll be wasting your money.

Make sure the frame of the machine is made from mostly steel and can support a good bit of weight.

In fact, try to get a machine that supports more than what you weigh so you aren’t pushing it to the limit.

Make sure it’s designed and manufactured well. It should be very sturdy and comfortable to use.

Even scrutinize details like the stitching on the seat. You must make sure everything about this machine is durable because it’s going to be working a lot harder than you will.

Programs, Inclines, and Other Features

The programs and inclines will depend on the type of hybrid you get.

There is no right or wrong number of programs or incline levels. You just need to make sure that you’re happy with what you get.

Other optional features that can make your workout comfortable include (but not limited to):

• Bluetooth capabilities
• an audio jack for music
• cup/bottle holder
• a towel rack
• media holders
• ergonomic handles
• extra wide seats and extra thick seat cushions

LCD Display

The LCD display is something that many people don’t think about when they purchase the machine and then regret not thinking about it later.

On some machines, the LCD display can be quite small.

All you need is for it to display pertinent information like calories burned, distance, speed, etc. and small screens can do this.

However, if you have trouble seeing small screens you’ll want to opt for something larger.

If you want to be entertained while you work out, you should invest in a machine that has a full-color, high-definition LCD display with Wi-Fi capabilities so you can watch movies, play games, or more.

Keep in mind that an LCD display like this is going to drive up the cost of the machine.

XTERRA Fitness EU150 Hybrid Elliptical Upright Bike

The XTERRA Fitness EU150 Hybrid Elliptical Upright Bike is truly an impressive exercise machine.

It’s a perfect and easy way to work out your entire body without needing multiple bulky machines.

Plus, it’s compact, affordable, and made by a company with a great reputation. The machine is user friendly and has plenty of features that can aid in your workout.

Pros

• Four-way adjustable seat.
• Ultra bright LCD display.
• Wide, sturdy feet for stability.
• Compact, lightweight, and easy to move.

Cons

• Foot pads are not adjustable.
• Speakers aren’t the best.

Features of the XTERRA Fitness EU150 Hybrid Elliptical Upright Bike

Excellent Construction

The XTERRA Fitness EU150 Hybrid Elliptical Upright Bike is expertly constructed just as you would expect a machine from XTERRA to be.

The frame is made from a high-grade steel and it’s built to last. It can support up to 265 pounds. This is an excellent weight capacity for a compact machine of this size.

The legs are wide and sturdy so you can exercise without wobbling or fear of losing balance on the machine.

The turn knobs are all easy to use and don’t have the friction that comes along with using cheap turn knobs. It’s easy to move all the parts like they’re supposed to move.

Overall, this is a solid exercise machine that will give you your money’s worth in durability.

Great Console

While the XTERRA EU150 doesn’t have the most advanced console, it is a decent size (3.7 inches) and it’s easy to read.

The display is blue with white letters/numbers giving it an amazing contrast. To make it even better, it has an incredible back light.

This makes everything crisp and clear, so even when you’re moving you can still identify the information that you need.

The buttons on the display are also a good contrast. It has blue buttons the same color as the display on a black console.

The buttons are clearly labelled, in plain English so there is no doubt about what you’re pressing.

One other good feature of the console is the audio jack and speaker.

You can connect your smart phone to the console and play your favorite tunes while you work out. There is a media holder right above the speaker to rest your phone on.

Programs and Inclines

The hybrid machine has a lengthy selection of programs and incline levels to choose from. You can choose from 23 programs and 24 levels of resistance.

This means you can continuously challenge yourself and improve your fitness level. The program categories are as follows:

• P1 – manual; you can change the settings to whatever you want.
• P2 to P13 – preset programs.
• P14 to P17 – four different custom user settings.
• P18 to P22 heart rate control programs; each one corresponds to a percentage of your target heart rate – 55%, 65%, 75%, 85%, and the last one is your set target heart rate.
• P23 – body fat program; sets the program according to one of three body fat zones.

Alternative Choices to the XTERRA Fitness EU150 Hybrid Elliptical Upright Bike

Having options to compare is always a great idea.

I chose three other great hybrid machines that you can check out along with the XTERRA EU150.

While the XTERRA EU150 is likely the better choice out of all of them, these machines are all smart picks.

Body Champ 3-in-1 Exercise Machine

The Body Champ 3-in-1 Exercise Machine is an excellent machine. It’s built like a tank, has comfortable seating, and is great for short and tall people.

The flywheel is magnetic, which means less wear and tear, and is powered by the computer.

It has three sets of handlebars which accommodates short or tall people very well.

One thing to note is that although it says 3-in-1, it only has two functions.

It’s an elliptical and a bike.

The manufacturer separates the bike into two categories – an upright and a recumbent. It doesn’t have any preset programs, but it has eight levels of resistance.

Body Power 3-in-1 Exercise Machine

The Body Power Trio Trainer BRT5118 is almost the exact same machine as the Body Champ except it’s a different color.

It’s a 3-in-1 if you separate the bike functions – upright from recumbent. It has three sets of handles and has a magnetic flywheel.

It doesn’t have any programs, but it does have different magnetic resistance levels. It holds 250 pounds just like the last machine.

Essentially, they are the same machines. However, this one is priced significantly less so you could save some money by getting the Body Power machine.

Body Rider BRD2000 Elliptical Trainer

The Body Rider BRD2000 Elliptical Trainer is an inexpensive machine.

It’s great for people who have a tight budget. It has a fan blade flywheel which means it will be noisy, but it will have a smooth and steady operation.

While the machine doesn’t have any fancy or “extra” features, it does offer a four-way adjustable seat.

This makes it suitable for people of all heights. The seat and handlebars are nicely padded for a budget machine. It’s pretty comfortable for the price.

The machine is surprisingly sturdy. It has wide feet with rubber grips to help keep you in place.

The LCD screen is small, but it gives you four stats regarding your workout: duration, distance, calories, and speed.

This machine isn’t the fanciest, but it’s a machine that gets your workout done.

Final Thoughts on XTERRA Fitness EU150 Hybrid Elliptical Upright Bike

When you’re buying home gym equipment, you want the best quality you can get for the lowest price possible.

That’s what the XTERRA Fitness EU150 Hybrid Elliptical Upright Bike gives you.

Having a hybrid machine like the XTERRA Fitness EU150 will allow you to get a great cardio workout, from the comforts of home, in a low impact way.

It’s durable and has everything you’d want in a home exercise machine – programs, inclines, comfort, and entertainment.