With a home fitness machine, you can work out at your own pace without visiting a gym.
If you don’t own a boundless elliptical machine, you may want to buy the XTERRA Fitness RSX1500 or the Teeter FreeStep LT3 Recumbent Cross Trainer.
From a performance standpoint, the Teeter FreeStep LT3 Recumbent Cross Trainer is superior.
In this guide, you’ll discover why it’s better than the XTERRA Fitness RSX1500.
XTERRA RSX1500 or Teeter Freestep LT3
The XTERRA Fitness RSX1500
XTERRA is a global endurance sports brand. The XTERRA Fitness RSX1500 and other products by XTERRA cater to trail runners and triathletes.
The XTERRA Fitness RSX1500 provides a full-body workout. It has a dual-action design that effectively targets the arms and legs together.
This blueprint makes the XTERRA Fitness RSX1500 a wonderful device for the elderly and anyone who is trying to recover from an injury.
The XTERRA Fitness RSX1500 Pros
- The frame: The frame is vastly durable. It can support up to 300 pounds.
- Easy to move: This elliptical has convenient wheels under its base.
- Balanced: The unit will never wobble because it has rear stabilizers.
- Convenience The entire machine is easy to assemble, and it requires little maintenance.
The XTERRA Fitness RSX1500’s Cons
- No holders: There is no place to store a water bottle, a phone, or a tablet.
- No charging port This machine doesn’t have a USB charging port for electronic devices.
The Teeter FreeStep LT3 Recumbent Cross Trainer
Teeter has been in business since 1981. The brand makes high-quality fitness products that help people feel and move better.
The Teeter FreeStep LT3 Recumbent Cross Trainer is a very unique elliptical machine.
No other unit for a home has state-of-the-art commercial physical fitness technologies like it.
The linkage system gives the LT3 an huge edge in the performance department. It was thoroughly tested in a lab to over a million cycles.
The Teeter FreeStep LT3’s Pros
- Great control: The Teeter FreeStep LT3 Recumbent Cross Trainer has large foot pedals; they make fast workouts a breeze.
- The resistance system: The resistance settings are smooth and magnetic.
- The pedal motions: The pedals are made for a low-impact workout.
- The setup: It’s easy to assemble this unit.
The Teeter FreeStep LT3’s Cons
- The seat’s design: The seat becomes very uncomfortable near the end of a long workout.
- The size This elliptical won’t fit in small spaces.
Features Comparison
Handles
XTERRA Fitness RSX1500 Handles
You can rotate the XTERRA Fitness RSX1500‘s handles 360 degrees. If you need a better grip, you could change the position of the handlebars too because they’re fully adjustable.
The handles can also pivot in multiple directions. This feature will allow you to move the grips out in your way before, during, or after a workout.
A heart rate device is mounted on the handgrips. The technology will sense your pulse until you release the sensor. There is a sensor on each handlebar.
Teeter FreeStep LT3 Recumbent Cross Trainer Handles
The Teeter FreeStep LT3 Recumbent Cross Trainer‘s handles have a special rubber coating called SureGrip. This coating can prevent slippage if your hands get sweaty during a long workout.
The handles are also adjustable. You can move them in eight directions.
The Winner:
If you purchase the XTERRA Fitness RSX1500 or the Teeter FreeStep LT3 Recumbent Cross Trainer, you’ll get substantial handlebars with an adjustable grip.
Also, you’ll have opportunities to customize the grips in a way that suits your workouts.
For example, if you move the XTERRA Fitness RSX1500‘s grips to a certain position, the machine will target specific muscles above your torso.
Although both elliptical machines have flexible handlebars, the Teeter FreeStep LT3 Recumbent Cross Trainer barely wins since the XTERRA Fitness RSX1500‘s grips don’t have a sweat-resistant coating like SureGrip.
Pedals
XTERRA Fitness RSX1500 Pedals
The XTERRA Fitness RSX1500‘s foot pedals have highly durable ratcheting straps. If you have limited mobility, you’ll appreciate these straps as they can prevent injuries and accidents while you’re pedaling.
Teeter FreeStep LT3 Recumbent Cross Trainer Pedals
A SureGrip coating is also featured on the Teeter FreeStep LT3 Recumbent Cross Trainer‘s pedals. It’s a great addition because it provides a good grip during an intense workout.
The Winner:
The pedals on each elliptical are designed in an immensely safe way. However, the XTERRA Fitness RSX1500 wins this category because its ratcheting straps are quite useful.
Seats
XTERRA Fitness RSX1500 Seat
With an XTERRA Fitness RSX1500, you’ll exercise on a very comfortable high-quality seat. It has a contoured mesh surface and a layer of soft foam.
The contoured mesh provides back support, and the resilient foam padding ensures long-lasting comfort.
Teeter FreeStep LT3 Recumbent Cross Trainer Seat
The Teeter FreeStep LT3 Recumbent Cross Trainer has a ComfortSelect seat. This particular chair is better than a traditional elliptical seat because it has a thicker padding and a larger surface area.
The chair is also fully adjustable. You can recline it and adjust its height.
Underneath the seat, there is a resistance dial. This dial will allow you to adjust the intensity of your workout without standing up.
The Winner:
An elliptical seat should provide total comfort throughout every workout. The ComfortSelect seat raises the bar in terms of basic comfort.
However, its comfort qualities will slowly fade throughout a lengthy exercise routine.
If you prefer short workouts, you’ll feel completely comfortable on the Teeter FreeStep LT3 Recumbent Cross Trainer‘s seat, but if you’re looking for long-lasting comfort, the XTERRA Fitness RSX1500 wins this round because its chair has superior padding.
Other Standout Features
XTERRA Fitness RSX1500
Color LCD
The XTERRA Fitness RSX1500 has a sharp dual-color LCD screen. Throughout a workout, it will display your
- Calories
- Distance
- RPM
- Speed
- Time
MP3 Speakers
While you’re training with the XTERRA Fitness RSX1500, you can listen to your favorite tunes.
To get started, you’ll only need to plug a cord into the unit’s audio jack. You can connect a smart phone, an MP3 device, or any portable music player that has a port for headphones.
The music will blast clearly and crisply through an integrated speaker.
Great Range
While you’re striding on this machine, you’ll get full range of motion because this elliptical has an impressive 13-inch step range.
You’ll feel the burn on this elliptical as it extends your arms and legs.
A Low Impact Design
An XTERRA Fitness RSX1500 is great for someone who has sore or achy joints because its default position is a semi-recumbent position.
It dramatically reduces stress on the hips, ankles, and knees during an exercise routine.
Many Programs
There are 24 programs available for the XTERRA Fitness RSX1500. It has 13 presets, 4 custom modes, and a mode for a user’s heart rate.
It also has one body fat program and four heart rate controls. In terms of the heart rate settings, you can select 85 percent, 75 percent, 65 percent, 55 percent, or manual.
Related: Check Out Our Full Review of the XTERRA Fitness RSX1500 here.
Teeter FreeStep LT3 Recumbent Cross Trainer
Coaching App
Teeter’s coaching app is called Move. If you buy a Teeter FreeStep LT3 Recumbent Cross Trainer, you’ll get free access to this handy app. It includes a complete library of exercises and workouts.
The workouts are fantastic because each one is led by a highly motivated fitness trainer.
Move is more than a traditional fitness app. It was created as a companion for specific Teeter machines, such as the Teeter FreeStep LT3 Recumbent Cross Trainer.
You can launch and use the Move app on an Android device, an iPhone, or an iPad.
If you launch the Move app and navigate to the FreeStep section, you’ll find many calorie-burning exercises and workouts.
There are dozens of options on the app for different skill levels, and new content is added regularly.
Assembly App
BILT powers the assemble app for the FreeStep. With BILT, you’ll know exactly how to assemble a brand new Teeter FreeStep LT3 Recumbent Cross Trainer because the application will display all of the steps in 3-D.
Variable Muscle Targeting
The Teeter FreeStep LT3 Recumbent Cross Trainer can distribute resistance to specific muscle groups. If you just want to tone your legs and arms, the Teeter FreeStep LT3 Recumbent Cross Trainer can help you accomplish this because its handles and pedals are seamlessly connected.
Media Rack/Digital Monitor
There is a digital screen on the lower portion of the elliptical machine. It’s positioned on a study angled bar, so it’s very easy to see during a workout.
It will display information about your calories, speed, time, and distance while you exercise.
Above the monitor’s panel, there is a media rack, which has two clips. If you mount a tablet on this rack, you can follow one of the trainer-led workouts on the Move app.
Convenient Transport
The process of moving or repositioning the Teeter FreeStep LT3 Recumbent Cross Trainer is never a hassle because it has two fitting transport wheels. They’re strategically mounted on the rear base.
Flywheel and Bearings
Inside of the Teeter FreeStep LT3 Recumbent Cross Trainer‘s flywheel, there is a magnetic resistance system. It stays reasonably quiet throughout a slow or fast-paced workout.
The Teeter FreeStep LT3 Recumbent Cross Trainer also has UltraGlide bearings; they add more value to the state-of-the-art flywheel system. With these patented bears, you’ll get smoother startups and better stride transitions.
Stride Technology
Stride Technology makes the Teeter FreeStep LT3 Recumbent Cross Trainer an ideal elliptical machine for all fitness levels.
If you want to train efficiently without experiencing pain, you’ll value this technology because it raises the bar in this department.
Stride Technology is exceptional feature because it
- Prevents knee sheer: The Teeter FreeStep LT3 Recumbent Cross Trainer won’t push your upper legs forward while pulling your lower legs back. This process puts pressure on your knees during a workout. Also, these actions can create alignment issues, which can make your legs collapse. Stride Technology is effective because it enables correct transmissions. It’s a smart way to minimize joint pain.
- Provides stability: On most cardio machines, your hips will sway while you’re exercising. The act of swaying is a problem because it puts pressure on the spine. The Teeter FreeStep LT3 Recumbent Cross Trainer isn’t designed this way. Instead, its striding motions mimic a leg press. As a result, the Teeter FreeStep LT3 Recumbent Cross Trainer can strengthen your hamstrings, glutes, and quads while keeping your hips and back balanced.
- Eliminates muscle burnout: Muscle burnout is caused by muscle fatigue. To prevent it, you must engage your lower and upper body together during a fitness routine. You can accomplish this successfully with the Teeter FreeStep LT3 Recumbent Cross Trainer, and it will make your reps feel easier.
- Burns calories faster: According to a study, the Teeter FreeStep LT3 Recumbent Cross Trainer can burn 17.4 calories in 60 minutes. If you’re not burning calories fast enough on a recumbent bike, the LT3 can improve your results.
Related: Check Out Our Full Review of the Teeter FreeStep LT3 Recumbent Cross Trainer here.
The Verdict
The XTERRA Fitness RSX1500 is worth buying if:
- You need a durable heavy-duty fitness machine.
- You need a unit that’s easy to move.
- You need a balanced machine with solid stabilizers.
- You need a reliable machine that requires minimum maintenance.
A Teeter FreeStep LT3 Recumbent Cross Trainer may be a better choice if:
- You need a machine that can make your workouts easier.
- You need a quiet fitness machine.
- You prefer low-impact workouts.
- You want to burn calories quickly.