Optimum Fitness Fitness News and equipment reviews
Recently Launched the new Sole E55 elliptical straddles the gap in their range between the capable E35 and the high end E95 machines.
If you are familiar with the range then you will know that the Sole elliptical range offers high quality, near gym like workouts, however these machines tend to be very bulky. With the new E55 elliptical Sole are tackling this issue head on. One of the biggest challenges for home users is finding enough space. Sole have now managed to tuck all the performance of their larger machines yet with 10% less length. You now only need 36in(Width) x 78in (length) to manage this machine.
So its smaller, but does it lack the punch of the other machines in the range.
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What makes the Sole E55 Tick?
First and foremost you need to know that this is a comfortable machine! This comes down to a couple of factors, and now we get a little technical but things like flywheel weight and stride length really do make a difference!
In common with Sole E95 this is a front drive treadmill. However crucially the E55 ships with a 25lb fly wheel. A heavier flywheel gives a more natural flow to the elliptical especially at high speed and resistance. The 25lb weight is impressive for an Elliptical of this price.
Each foot pad is adjustable to ensure that it moves at the right angle for you. This is useful for eliminating strain on the joints. The pads are designed with the shape of the foot in mind, with a built in 2degree camber that gives a very comfortable feel.
Finally the drive moves both forwards and in reverse. Handy if you want to mix up the muscles you are working.
Stride Length
Identical to the E95, both models feature a stride length thats adjustable from 20″ to 22″. This is perfect for most people. If you are over 6′ tall you may want to consider a slightly the longer stride of 22″. At 20″ you will combine the smooth feel from the heavy fly wheel with a smooth elliptical motion. Shorter stride lengths, 18″ or less mean that you legs end up marching up and down rather than moving in a smooth ellipse.
Power Levels
To make your workout even harder the Sole E55 Elliptical Machine allows you to power adjust the incline from 0 to 30 degrees. With the feel of hill climbing you will really work those calves! In addition to the slope there are 20 resistance levels allowing you to warm up and cool down properly.
The power levels and slope angle can be quickly adjusted without taking your hands off the handles via two ergonomically placed buttons on the bars.
The heart rate can be read using the sensors built into the handle bars, alternately you can use a standard chest strap ( included). When using the heart rate monitors the elliptical can operate in the heart rate mode, tailoring your workout to ensure that your training meets your goals, either cardio or fat burning.
Console
As you can see from the image there is a great quality 9″ LCD console (larger than the 7.5″ screen of the old models) . We really like the way its intuitively laid out. The position is perfectly lined up to see and shows the usual functions: Pace, Calories, Heart Rate, Distance, Speed, Resistance, Incline.
The buttons are well placed and easily accessible.
Warranty:
As per other Sole Ellipticals the E55 comes with a one of the best warranties on the market: lifetime frame, 5 year parts and electronics, 2 year labour warranty.
Looking at other products in the similar price range such as the Schwinn 470 Elliptical this is very good and testimony to the overall quality.
Dimensions:
The Sole E35 measures
- 36in(Width) x 78in (length)
- 211-pound delivery weight
- 375-pound weight limit
The Key Feature Summary:
- Adjustable pedals and console
- Power adjustable stride and incline
- 20-to-22-inch maximum stride length
- Six standard programs
- Two custom programs
- Two heart rate programs
- Pulse grip and chest strap heart rate monitoring
- Includes heart rate chest strap
- LCD console with 9-inch display
- Front drive system
- Built-in fan
- 15-inch pedals
- Includes sound system and water bottle holder
Assembly:
As you can see from this clip, its straight forward to put together, however it is a two person job! You need to allow a couple of hours to do the job.
What are the pros and cons of the Sole E55 Elliptical Machine?
Pros:
- Nearly a foot shorter than other machines from Sole
- $200 less than its big brother the E95
- Best in class fly wheel weight and stride length
- With a large range of programmes, and resistance settings there is enough to keep you pushed for years.
Cons:
- It will take some time to construct this machine, and as pointed out earlier you may want some higher quality socket wrenches to hand.
- The sound quality from the speakers, nor the fan are as good as they could be.
For more Pros and Cons click here: Sole Fitness E55 reviews
What are other reviews saying about the Sole Elliptical machine E55?
This elliptical is very highly regarded by users, scoring a strong 4.8 out of 5.0 on Amazon.
“Runs smoothly and I feel like a giant standing on it”
“Overall, well worth the money, shipped fast, easy to use, and easy to assemble.”
“The short story is…. Great price, great delivery service, great packing and great product.”
Buying Tip:
This is the model to go for. All Sole Ellipticals share the same mechanicals, this offers the best balance between price and features. The key feature is the size. No more do you need to squeeze in behind the machine. We have done some leg work, and while there are many different options from bricks and mortar to online stores there is a clear leader in service. Our recommendation is Amazon, they sell at the same price as Sole Direct however the service has, for us, the edge.
Summary
We found this machine to be rock solid and stable. While it is shorter than the old model, it is slightly wider. This gives it a solid squat look that its incredibly stable. There were no issues riding this machine at high resistance and a high pace. The build quality took all of the motion effortlessly giving a rock solid ride.
About the only thing wrong with this elliptical is the sound quality and fan. Other than that the E55 is a near perfect product. If you are looking for an elliptical that will keep you motivated to train for years then this is a great choice. With a gym quality feel, comfortable stride and solid mechanicals this makes a great investment in your fitness.