I still remember the elliptical in my college fitness room…man, that thing kicked my butt.
But I also remember how much less soreness I had after an elliptical day than a treadmill day, so I stuck with it.
These days I’ll praise ellipticals to anyone who asks me about them.
While I might remember the one from college fondly, it was very basic and something like the XTERRA Fitness FS3.0 Dual Action Elliptical might have helped me even more.
Why an Elliptical?
An elliptical is a type of cardio machine.
Cardio in general has proven benefits including improved stamina, strengthening the cardiovascular system, and releasing endorphins that can boost your mood and even improve your sleep.
Any exercise that gets your heart rate up counts as cardio.
Ellipticals specifically have the great benefit of engaging your whole body with one machine, it’s great for people who don’t have time to switch between three machines or who aren’t into taking dumbbells onto the treadmill with them.
It’s also easy to do High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) – alternating between high intensity bursts and recovery periods – on an elliptical.
They’re also a low impact exercise. This means that it isn’t as hard on your body, joints especially.
This is great for anyone who has joint pain or people recovering after an injury.
However, because ellipticals are a different way of moving than typical running, it is important to make sure your body can adjust to the movement because it can cause injury otherwise.
If your fitness goals are more related to strength training, an elliptical isn’t really compatible with your goals.
Weight machines like a bench press machine, pull up bar, or home gym are great choices to help you build muscle and get the benefits of strength training.
Ellipticals Are Ideal For:
- Cardio
- People with Joint Pain
- Low-Impact
- Full Body Workout
- Interval Training
Ellipticals Are Not Ideal For:
- Strength Training
- Targeting Specific Muscles/Muscle Groups
- People Looking for High-Impact Exercise
- Anyone who Cannot Adjust to the Movement of the Elliptical
The XTERRA Fitness FS3.0 Dual Action Elliptical
Overall, the XTERRA Fitness FS3.0 Dual Action Elliptical is a nice blend of simple construction and modern technology to give you the best workout possible.
It has a 16″ stride length, hand grip pulse monitors, a 5.5″ LCD display, a compact design and several other desirable features I’ll go more in depth on in a bit.
When compared to the other XTERRA Ellipticals, it would be fair to call the XTERRA Fitness FS3.0 Dual Action Elliptical machine well rounded, but not showy.
It ties with the FS2.5 model for the heaviest weighted flywheel, has more preset programs than the FS1.5 but less than the FS3.5.
It comes last in custom programs, only having 1 slot for you to fill.
All this to say that it sits solidly in the middle of what XTERRA has to offer, which still means plenty to love.
When compared to the #1 elliptical on Amazon, frankly, the XTERRA Fitness FS3.0 Dual Action Elliptical blows it out of the water.
It defeats the top seller in stride length, preset programs, weight capacity, technology and levels of resistance.
The #1 seller is smaller, however, so it may work better for someone without a lot of space, and the smaller stride may be better for some users as well.
Pros
- Balance Between Simplicity and Tech
- Magnetic Resistance
- Preset Programs
- Built-in Speakers
Cons
- Only 1 Custom Program
- No Tablet/Smartphone Holder
- Chest Strap not Included
XTERRA FS3.0 Dual Action Elliptical Features
Full Body Workout
By using the XTERRA FS3.0 Dual Action Elliptical, you get a total body workout.
From your triceps (back of your arms) to your core muscles to your quadriceps (thighs) and calves.
Working out on an elliptical can improve stamina, burn tons of calories and even improve your balance.
Plus, because it’s a low-impact workout, your body has a shorter and easier post-workout recovery.
Weighted Flywheel
The flywheel on the XTERRA FS3.0 Dual Action Elliptical weighs 22lbs. This is one of the most important parts on an elliptical – if it doesn’t go, you don’t go.
Having a weighted flywheel assists with starting smoothly and continuing fluidly.
A heavier flywheel also means a quieter machine, which is great if you have thin walls or light sleepers as roommates, family or neighbors.
Display
The 5.5″ screen on the XTERRA FS3.0 Dual Action Elliptical might seem small, but it makes the most of the space it has, displaying speed, time, calories, distance, what setting the elliptical is on, pulse and wattage of your workout all at once.
It’s as easy as a push of a button to choose between the preset programs to determine your workout, and two simple buttons can raise or lower your resistance as you go.
Hand Grips
There are two sets of handles on the XTERRA FS3.0 Dual Action Elliptical.
One set moves with the pedals to give you the whole body workout experience of the elliptical, while the other set is fixed in place right below the display console.
This set contains the hand grip sensors that measure pulse and you can also hold on to them to do a more lower body focused workout if you so desire.
Speakers
I basically can’t exercise without music, and I didn’t always have my fancy Bluetooth headphones or my smartphone, so I was stuck clipping my iPod shuffle to my top and hoping I wouldn’t get my headphones tangled or have the mp3 player fly off when I got going fast.
Even these days with modern conveniences, something like the built-in speakers on the XTERRA FS3.0 Dual Action Elliptical are a really nice feature.
Simply connect your device to the elliptical with the included audio jack and play your music, podcast or show right from the machine easy as pie.
Magnetic Resistance
Magnetic resistance gives several advantages to the user.
One, you can maintain the same level of resistance no matter how fast you’re going, or you can change the resistance without needing to speed up or slow down like with an air resistance machine.
Two, this is a quieter method of adding resistance because there’s no noisy fan involved.
Three, machines that use magnetic resistance tend to be a smoother experience.
There are twenty levels of magnetic resistance on the XTERRA FS3.0 Dual Action Elliptical, so you can find the exact right level for you and increase it as you go, or change up resistance mid workout as a simple way to do interval training.
There are even preset interval programs to take advantage of this.
Preset Programs
Having built in workout routines on your machine can take a lot of stress out of starting a fitness routine in your home rather than needing to do tons of research or pay for a professional trainer at the gym.
There are twelve preset programs on this elliptical, and the buttons on the display show you exactly what your workout will look like before you pick one.
There are also four heart rate programs on this machine and one slot to put in a custom workout of your own once you figure out what works best for you.
Warranty
Many exercise machines have short, limited warranties, but XTERRA stands by their products and it really shows in how they cover their equipment.
The frame of the XTERRA Fitness FS3.0 Dual Action Elliptical is under warranty for five years, and both the brake and parts are covered for a year.
Customer Service
I’ve done several reviews of XTERRA products, and I never fail to find praise for their customer service, which is known for being friendly yet professional, knowledgeable, helpful and prompt.
Many buyers have commented that they get to talk to real people and that they are extremely pleased with how they were treated.
Reviews
I can talk about features of this bike all day long and what they’re meant to do, but in practice, no one can tell you about day to day use except people who’ve purchased the bike, so I gathered some reviews for you to get an idea what people are saying about this elliptical.
Review #1
This reviewer bought the FS3.0 for his wife and reports that she loves it, adding that it’s nice to find a good elliptical like this on a budget.
Review #2
This reviewer comments that it’s a good fit for her as a 5’4 senior lady.
Review #3
Finally,this reviewer talks about how this doesn’t bother his duplex neighbors and was fairly easy to assemble, too!
Other Elliptical Options
MaxKare Elliptical Machine Trainer
Just based on looks, the MaxKare Elliptical Machine Trainer has a bit more of a modern feel and has a phone/tablet holder to make it easier to entertain yourself while exercising.
The smaller LCD monitor is not blue backlit like the XTERRA FS3.0 Dual Action Elliptical, and only displays one thing at a time, but the buttons are large and easy to use even during intense workouts.
This machine isn’t quite as robust as the XTERRA FS3.0 Dual Action Elliptical.
There are only eight levels of resistance to choose from, and the flywheel is only half the weight.
The MaxKare Elliptical is at a lower price point for someone on a budget however, and does feature extra-large anti-slip pedals, and unlike the XTERRA FS3.0 Dual Action Elliptical, there are transport wheels to make moving this machine around easier.
MaxKare Elliptical Machine Trainer vs. XTERRA FS3.0 Dual Action Elliptical
- Fewer Levels of Resistance
- Simpler LCD Display
- Tablet/Phone Holder
- Lighter Flywheel
- Anti-Slip Pedals
- Transport Wheels
Body Power 2-in-1 Elliptical Stepper Trainer
The stand out feature on the Body Power 2-in-1 Elliptical Stepper Trainer is the curve crank technology.
Body Power claims that this technology eliminates “dead zones” in the rotation of the flywheel for a smoother workout, meaning more effective exercise.
This machine is also meant to act as an elliptical, vertical climber and a step machine all in one. Possibly because of this, it is in a higher price bracket.
The media shelf on this machine is above the LCD display, meaning no matter the size of your device it won’t cover the readout of your metrics.
This elliptical’s display is again smaller than the one on the XTERRA FS3.0 Dual Action Elliptical and only displays one thing at a time, but it measures most of the same data, only missing wattage.
The pedals are open backed and angled as part of the design. There are only eight levels of resistance on the Body Power Elliptical as well.
Body Power 2-in-1 Elliptical vs. XTERRA FS3.0 Dual Action Elliptical
- Curve Crank Technology
- Multiple Exercise Types to Choose from
- Large Media Shelf that Doesn’t Hide LCD Display
- Higher Price
- Fewer Resistance Levels
- Lower Weight Capacity (250lbs)
MaxKare Magnetic Elliptical Machine Trainer
The standout feature on the MaxKare Magnetic Elliptical Machine Trainer is the front mounted flywheel.
This means that there’s a smaller gap between your feet while on the elliptical and stabilizes the pedaling force and inertia.
This is also meant to reduce strain on the joints even more than a standard elliptical.
This elliptical machine has a lower weight capacity of 264lbs, and the standard eight levels of magnetic resistance.
The stride length on this machine is a little smaller at 13.5″ instead of the 16″ on the XTERRA Fitness FS3.0 Dual Action Elliptical.
The LCD measures time, distance, calories, speed and heart rate but no wattage measurement.
It has a large media shelf to accommodate people who like to have something to watch while exercising, and is the only elliptical in this article to have a water bottle holder.
MaxKare Magnetic Elliptical vs. XTERRA FS3.0 Dual Action Elliptical
- Smaller Stride Length
- Eight Levels of Magnetic Resistance
- No Wattage Measurement
- Large Media Shelf
- Lower Weight Capacity (264lbs)
- Front Mounted Flywheel
Final Thoughts
An elliptical is a great solution to a variety of fitness needs, from those who want an easy full body workout to seniors looking to avoid hurting their joints while staying fit.
The XTERRA FS3.0 Dual Action Elliptical is a well rounded collection of the features that people go for in an elliptical, so the odds are good it has what you’re looking for.
