Ironman 1850 Elliptical Trainer Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought this elliptical on sale for $550 of amazon.com with free shipping! Walmart had discontinued it so I'm thinking amazon wanted to match their price at the time. After Walmart sold out, the sale went away on Amazon's site, but you can find other place for it discounted as low as $600-$700 if you google it and click "shopping" for the results. At this price, I still believe its a steal.
I opted for this because most ellipticals in my price range say they have a max of 225lbs or 250lbs. I have read and experienced many ellipticals at this range that become wobbly because even though they support this weight, overtime I do not believe they are made for someone like me at 215 lbs. So I wanted to buy one that supported 300 lbs and they were all out of my price range, until I found this one that is.
It is about 200 lbs and they dropped it off my door, so make sure you have a hand card to wheel it into the room where you plan to keep (and assemble it). Assembly is very tedious as with all ellipticals, but for the first half hour of install, you will need another person to help you balance the main wheel while you install the feet on the bottom of it. Taking a step back - the machine comes with a bunch of parts wrapped in plastic. I took out each and every part and grouped them together with the Left and Right piece (the machine is obviously very symmetrical).
I then took the large packet of screws, allen screws, nuts and washers of all shapes and sizes and labeled them while they were still in the package with a sharpee. The instructions use #s to reference the pieces, so after labeling the large packet of bolts, etc - I knew exactly what step #7 was asking for when it said "apply arm with washer #135 and allen screw #118". This sounds like a pain, but it shaved off at least an hour in my opinion. there are many allen screw that are just a 1/4 inch longer than another set, and if you confuse them, you will pay for it later because you will need that 1/4 allen screw you used way in the beginning. So pay attention, label your screws, and lay everything out in a circle around you and the base.
NOW: assembly solo was fine after the two person help with the base. When finished I started using the machine. Very quiet, nice. However, once I start picking up momentum with my weight, it starts making a banging noise that is a bit loud. It doesnt do this for my wife when she uses, and I believe there is an issue with the elliptical. I have been calling IronMan for TWO WEEKS and EMAILING THEM!!!! They have NOT RETURNED MY CALLS. I can live with the banging noise, and I believe this may be due to a bit of a dent in the box on shipping - I am not sure. The dent wasnt that bad, so I still accepted the package. For the money, the elliptical is great even with the loud sound on each rotation at high speed and high weight, but no wobbles, just smoothness. If I can get the noise gone, I feel like this was the perfect steal.
I am taking two stars away for the lack of phone calls returned or any support from IronMan. That is just poor represenation of the company. Its a shame because I believe the elliptical is beautifully engineered and that perhaps it was dropped in transit - so not the manufacture's fault. Its just their support is a voicemail service that says it is not business hours (even when it is) and to leave a voicemail. TERRIBLE.
IRONMAN, please get some competent people in your office for customer support - this item supposedly has a lifetime warranty but if I cant get a return call from IRONMAN support, I guess its not worth anything.

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What began over 31 years ago is now the world\'s most recognized endurance event and the global benchmark for testing one\'s personal limits – SWIM 2.4 miles, BIKE 112 miles, RUN 26.2 miles (totaling 140.6 miles)\'then brag for the rest of your life.By any measure, the IRONMAN presents the ultimate test of body, mind and spirit for professional and amateur athletes.It centers on the dedication, courage and perseverance exhibited by athletes who demonstrate the IRONMAN mantra that \'ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE."The patented front-drive design maximizes your use of space with a small footprint while providing a movement that is effective and biomechanically correct.And with an industrial strength belt-drive system, friction-free magnetic resistance and dual aluminum wheel track system, the 1850 Elliptical delivers a smooth, quiet and effective workout.The large easy-to-read blue and yellow backlit LCD screen displays everything from speed and distance to calories and heart rate.And the 12 pre-set programs with 16 levels of resistance are sure to challenge users of all fitness levels.

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Schwinn 431 Elliptical Trainer Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)***Update 12/21/2007***
Well, I've had this machine for about two weeks now and it works great. I am completely satisfied with this purchase. I was a little concerned about shipping, but mine came in perfect condition. Like others, it took me little under 3 hours to put it together. If you can put a screw in and follow directions, you'll be able to put this together. The machine is so smooth and quiet. It's no problem for others in the room to watch TV at the same time. After a week, I started to notice a clicking sound and it turned out I had tightened the screw that connects the handle bar to the foot pedal bar too tight. Loosening it a little fixed the problem.
***Original review***
- I should start by saying I just bought the Schwinn 431 from Amazon, but haven't received it yet so my total usage of it is only the 15 minutes or so I spent trying a demo model at a store. However, I spent a lot of time demoing various brands and some of my research may help you decide what's best for you. My price point was also under $1000. You can definitely find better, but you'll pay for it. First, just some general things I found while demoing ellipticals.
* Machines with the wheel in the front seemed to have a better, more natural feeling movement than those in the rear.
* Stride length of 18" worked best for me (I'm 5'5"). Some low end models had 16" stride, but I found this to be too short. Others had 20" or 21" but these were too big for me.
* I don't think you'd want to buy an elliptical for less than $500. They're just too cheap feeling.
I narrowed my search to three brands, based on the reviews I read on Amazon and also on a website that has lots of reviews of treadmills and ellipticals ("treadmill sensei").
Horizon
Most chain stores carry the Horizon brand. I looked at two models: Horizon Ex56 (Horizon EX55 seems to be the older model) and Horizon EX66. These two are basically the same, with the EX66 just having a few more bells and whistles (i.e. more programs, etc.). I believe the internal mechanisms to be pretty much the same. These were well sized to fit into my smaller house. $600-$800. Overall, these seemed like a nice machine, and I almost bought the ex56, as I didn't think the extra $200 really gave me much more. The EX66 does look a bit more sleek and has 2 extra support legs that could provide better stability.
Sole
I wanted to try the Sole 25, but the store I looked at only had the next model up, the 35. These machines are a bit pricier, actually the 25 was "on sale" for $999 with a MSRP of $1999 (I don't think anyone every pays the MSRP though) and the 35 is more. Both have a 20" stride length, and this was just too big for me. For a taller person, this might be fine. The machine itself is bigger and I would have a harder time fitting it into my house. In general, the motion was very smooth. This seems like a well built machine if you have the space and money. Sole seems to have a pretty good warranty too.
Schwinn
I didn't expect Schwinn to make ellipticals. Actually, they don't. This brand falls under the Nautilus brand, which also makes bowflex, nautilus and stairmaster. I looked at the 430 and 431, (431 seems to be the later model and has more bells and whistles, like more programs, a fan and rubber pads on the foot pedals instead of just hard plastic ones on the 430, a bigger cup holder!). Consumer reports actually recommended the 418. The model numbering is strange, the 418 and 438 go together, and the 430 and 431 are similar. The 431 is smaller in size, about the same as the Horizon EX56. The price for the 430 is $600 and the 431 $800. I ended up going with the 431 (there is a promotion going on for a $100 gift card so that brings the price closer). In general both the 430 and 431 felt the same, except the rubber pads on the pedals did feel nicer with better grip for your shoes. This machine actually feels better than the horizon line due to the 25lb flywheel, vs. only 14lbs for the Horizon. This really makes the stride feel smoother. This machine also felt more solid than Horizon. The only problem with this brand is that it was hard to find a demo machine. Another potential drawback is the warranty, which is 15 year frame, 1 year parts, and 6 months labor.
Your best bet is to actually get on the machine and try them out before you buy! Good Luck!

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Elliptical trainers provide an effective cardiovascular workout that combines upper and lower body flexibility and coordination into one impact-free motion. By emulating the natural motion of your foot while supporting your heel throughout the stride, elliptical trainers are much easier on your knees and joints. In addition to feeling more natural while working out, regular use on ellipticals will increase heart and lung capacity while improving your health and burning calories.
The Schwinn 431 accommodates a wide variety of users, with a full-sized 18-inch stride length and bi-directional pedaling action that lets the user pedal forward or backward depending on the targeted muscle groups. Users will also appreciate the variety of workout programs, including three heart-rate controlled programs, a calorie goal program, a time trial, a fitness test, 10 profile programs, two custom programs, and a manual option. And thanks to the Eddy Current magnetic brake resistance system, the Schwinn 431 is smooth and quiet. Other details include an backlit LCD display with such feedback programs as Recovery Mode, Results Mode, and BMI; hand-grip heart rate monitors; a water bottle holder; and bottom wheels for easy transport. The Schwinn 431 measures 59 by 26 by 68 inches (L x W x H), weighs 172 pounds, and carries the following warranties: 15 years on the frame, two years on the parts, one year on the electronics, and 3 months on the labor.

Key Features:

Schwinn BioFit console design includes an integrated MP3/portable media compartment, on-console towel hook, fan and oversized cushioned footplates
Schwinn BioDyne performance system includes a 25-pound (11.3 kg) steel flywheel and computer controlled drive system that provide high inertia for smooth strides
Transport wheels for convenience, and oversized stabilizer tubes for rock-solid steadiness; biomechanically designed linkages to provide a comfortable movement of the foot throughout the elliptical motion
Multi-program and feature-packed Schwinn BioConnect computer allows users to input data, measure a variety of workout results, and track progress
Oversized bottle holder fits most beverage containers and may be removed and cleaned separately

Specifications:

Dimensions: 59 inches long by 26 inches wide by 68 inches tall
Maximum User Weight: 300 pounds
Power Requirements: AC Adapter
Performance Features Resistance Levels: 16
Resistance System: ECB (Eddy Current Brake) Resistance
Drive system: Computer Controlled
Workout Programs: Manual, Profile, Calorie Goal, Time Trial, Heart Rate Control, Fitness Test, Custom
Feedback Programs: BMI (Body Mass Index), Recovery Mode, Results Mode
Heart Rate Monitor: Grip Heart Rate Monitor
Computer Features Display Type: Blue Backlit LCD
Display Readout: Time, Interval Time, RPM, Watts, Distance, Pulse, Speed, Calories, Resistance

Manufacturer's Warranty Frame - 15 years, parts - 2 years, electronics - 1 year, labor - 3 months

What's in the Box? Schwinn 431 Elliptical Trainer, user's manual, warranty information

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