Editor’s Review & Comments

Up until recently, this was the entry elliptical machine from Smooth Fitness. They have since introduced the CE 2.0 which costs a few hundred less, but has a shorter stride and fewer bells and whistles. We prefer the CE 2.1 and strongly recommend it as a near perfect mix between quality, performance, and price.

Editor’s Review & Comments

The Smooth CE 3.2 elliptical machine is a lot like its less expensive cousin, the CE 2.1 elliptical. This trainer is equipped with a few more features, most noticeably the wireless heart monitor strap. It also comes with an extra year warranty on the parts. If you are tight for cash but set on getting a Smooth Elliptical, then the CE 2.1 might be for you. If you’re looking for a solid elliptical with some really nice features at a still very reasonable price, look no further.

Editor’s Review & Comments:

Everything with this machine is noticably bigger than the CE 3.2 and CE 2.1 machines, from the frame to the stride to the warranty. Weighing in at a solid 210 pounds and supporting an even more solid 350 pounds of people, you’ll be instantly impressed with the sheer stability of the CE 7.4. This baby’s not going anywhere (it does have wheels which are adequate when moving is required). With the size increase comes a longer stride - a whole 21″ of smooth elliptical movement. Finally, Smooth has beefed up the warranty for longer peace of mind.

An impressive all-around elliptical machine, the Smooth CE 7.4 is a serious contender as the best home elliptical on the market.

Editor’s Review & Comments

If you read our comments on the Gazelle Edge Glider, you’ll know that we’re fans of the Tony Little Gazelle machines. As far as inexpensive fitness equipment goes, we like the Gazelle line of products for several reasons. 1.) It’s a fairly solid piece of equipment. The problem with buying low-end ellipticals (treadmills and bikes as well) is they just aren’t solid enough. They are prone to breaking down on you which is frustrating and might discourage you from trying a second time around. 2.) In addition to being well built, you still get a fun, unique, and low-impact cardiovascular workout. In this price range, you really can’t ask for more. We’d still take a good elliptical, but some might prefer the extra dollars, and that’s just fine!

Editor’s Review & Comments

Made by Fitness Quest, the Edge Glider is the base model in Tony Not-So Little’s line of Gazelle fitness trainers. The Gazelle Edge, like an elliptical trainer, offers a great, low impact aerobic workout. While not technically an elliptical machine, the workout motion on the Gazelle Edge is similar to that of an elliptical. Your arms move very much in the same way, in and out from your body. Your legs swing in and out too, but there’s no wheel, so your legs don’t go up and down in the same way.

Obviously the price is a major drawing point, and if you’re not going to miss that unique elliptical motion, the Gazelle is probably a better buy than a low end elliptical. It’s surprisingly stable and there’s less that can go wrong with it.

Last note: If you are a bigger person, take a look a look at the Gazelle Freestyle Trainer which supports up to 300 lbs. (the Edge supports 250 lbs.).

Editor’s Review & Comments

With the Eclipse 1100 HR/A Elliptical Trainer, Fitness Quest is trying hard to offer customers a cost effective trainer that’s well built and with extras like heart rate monitoring and preset workout programs. We’re glad to report it’s not a wasted effort - at least, not completely. This is about as good an elliptical machine as you’ll get in this price range. That said, it’s basically impossible to get a good elliptical for this cheap. If you want a solid machine that will hold up to years of hard use (and a warranty to back it up), you’d be wise to invest the extra money in something like the Smooth CE 2.1 Elliptical or the Sole E25.