by Carlo Adami  |  views: 11,110

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Frankly, the Sole E35 elliptical trainer is not for everyone.

This machine comes at a high price-point compared to most other elliptical trainers made for the home. It is both large and heavy, and is not intended for the meek average user.

Statistics show that the average user buys an elliptical machine, uses it for a few weeks then tosses it aside and starts looking for the next piece of equipment to lose weight with. But the Sole E35 elliptical trainer is different.

It is too large, too heavy, too expensive and has too much ‘presence’ to just be tossed aside.

This machine was designed for those who are serious about changing their body – losing weight, growing muscle and going the distance to become physically elite.

At 82” x 27” and weighing in at a whooping 200 lb, you’d better make sure there’s room for it in your house. The futuristic design and black color of the Sole E35 elliptical trainer mean that it will not blend in with the furniture.

Having this machine in your house makes a bold statement that you are now fully committed to losing weight and getting that elite physical appearance you have always wanted.

Is The Sole E35 Elliptical Trainer Suitable For Beginners Or Advanced Users?

You get what you pay for. The Sole E35 elliptical trainer is a powerful machine and was built with the advanced user in mind, though catering also for the novice.

Due to its size, weight, solid frame and mechanics it is made to be overly solid and stable during a workout. Mixed with a long 20” stride-length and heavy 25 lb fly-wheel, the user who will get the most benefit from this machine is the large, tall or advanced user.

Cheaper models of elliptical trainers rock, flex, creak, squeek, clunk and rattle whenever used by someone large, or when used by an advanced user at the highest resistance levels.

The Sole E35 elliptical trainer on the other hand, is well known to hold its ground very well for the heaviest and most advanced users.

The 20” stride-length is perfect for taller and more advanced users, but is in no way an inconvenience if you are on the shorter side of the spectrum.

Here's how the Sole E35 looks in real-life. It's large, heavy and solid with a huge 20-inch stride length, perfect for tall and advanced users, but also suitable if you're a little shorter.

Despite the emphasis on advanced users, this elliptical machine has 16 levels of resistance, which makes it also cater for beginners. The advantage of having this machine as a beginner is that you can use it to progress through to advanced levels, without having to purchase a more sturdy machine later on.

This machine is as sturdy as they come. One thing I will add here for beginners is that you must be committed to BECOMING an advanced user, otherwise you are wasting your money and are better off opting for a cheaper machine.

Advantages Of The Sole E35 Elliptical Trainer – What Do You Get In Return For The High Price Point?

20 inch Stride Length – Provides A True Elliptical Motion Which Feels More Natural As You Move

I’ve already mentioned the stride length on this machine, but it deserves another mention here. A stride length as long as 20 inches is usually reserved for gym-grade machines that cost upwards of $4,000.

What’s important about stride length?

Shorter stride lengths give a choppy elliptical motion rather than a smooth one and feel awkward when you pick up speed. Longer stride lengths are always preferred, particularly by tall users and advanced users, although beginners and shorter folk also tend to prefer the feel of a long stride length.

Most other ellipticals of the same price range have a shorter stride length. Examples include the Lifecore LC-985VG elliptical trainer (17.5” stride length) and the Smooth Fitness CE-3.6 (18” stride length).

25 lb Heavy Flywheel – For Consistent Resistance And More Efficient Weight-Loss

A heavy flywheel is crucial for stability AND smooth motion. The flywheel in the Sole E35 is as heavy as it needs to be to really smooth out the motion so it’s not jerky.

The important thing here is that the resistance feels consistent throughout the stride.

This really helps you to develop those leg muscles and burn off that excess fat a lot quicker without getting any joint problems.

The E35’s 25 lb flywheel is heavier than those on a lot of cheaper models, and on par with other models at the same price point.

Whisper Quiet – So You Don’t Wake The Kids

The quality of this machine really shines through when you hear how quiet it is. Even at the fastest speeds with a heavy 260 lb guy like me, the Sole E35 elliptical trainer is literally whisper quiet – even quieter than some gym-grade machines I have used.

So no need to turn up the volume on the telly, and you can work out around the clock – 6am in the morning if you like, even if you’re working out in the bedroom while your partner is still asleep!

Accurate Heart Rate Monitoring – So You Can Keep Track Of Your Workout Intensity

As with all elliptical machines, the heart rate sensors on the moving handlebars don’t work that well at all when moving, especially at higher speeds. This is true whether you are investing in a high quality consumer grade machine or even a $4,000 gym grade machine.

Some ellipticals try to solve this issue by having the heart rate sensors on the stationary handlebars. This however, doesn’t make much sense since you want to get a heart rate reading while you are working out with your arms and legs as you normally would on an elliptical machine.

The Sole E35 elliptical trainer has an excellent and surprisingly rare solution.

For data-monitoring enthusiasts, it comes with a WIRELESS chest-strap which gives you your heart rate at 99.9% accuracy no matter what speed you’re moving at.

Problem solved.

Ellipticals at this price range usually DON’T come with a chest-strap, so with the Sole E35 you’re getting good value for money. The Spirit Esprit EL-455, Lifecore LC-985VG and Proform 990 CSE are examples of ellipticals at a similar price range that do not come with a chest strap.

Other Advantages Of The Sole E35 Elliptical Trainer

There are of course a wide range of other advantages with the Sole E35 elliptical trainer, but the above are the most prominent ones that I felt worthy of mention in my little review.

Some other advantages include incline functionality, which to be honest is more valuable on a treadmill than it is on an elliptical machine, inbuilt speaker for your mp3 player, and a selection of different training routines, including an excellent interval, easy-hard-easy-hard, routine.

All the new research in exercise science shows that interval training burns fat, grows muscle and improves cardiovascular fitness far better than the usual steady-state cardio workout, and it does so in a shorter period of time, so the interval routine on this machine is definitely a bonus.

Disadvantages – Problems With The Sole E35 Elliptical Trainer

There are a few minor issues with this machine that may put you off buying one. Personally though I wasn’t too phased.

Cooling Fan – Not Very Cooling

As with most inbuilt cooling fans on exercise equipment, the fan on the sole E35 doesn’t do a great job at keeping you cool, it’s far too weak. The fan comes as a bonus, so the fact that it doesn’t do a great job isn’t a deal breaker.

If you want to keep cool during a workout, you can always get yourself a pedestal fan and set it beside your elliptical machine while you work out. Personally, I prefer to sweat it out – sweating removes toxins from the body, reduces salt and cholesterol, reduces blood pressure, improves cardiovascular health, helps with weight loss, is good for the skin and has numerous other benefits.

A Simple Console With Only 8 Different Training Programs

Some other machines at this price range will list an impressive array of different programs and routines, then quickly disappoint you with poor stability and build quality, and annoying squeaks after a few weeks of use.

If you are looking for a fancy console with lots of different features and routines then you may prefer to invest your money in a different machine.

The Sole E35 elliptical trainer is made for durability – to last you for many years, and is meant for those who want a simple and effective workout.

There are no fancy gadgets here, just a very efficient workout machine.

Very Heavy – Weighs 200 lb!

To me this is a huge advantage, as it makes the machine that much more stable for a big guy. You will however, need some help moving the box when you receive it.

It also won’t be easy to move around after you have set it up. Some ellipticals are easy to fold up and push into a corner after your workout. Not so with the Sole E35 – it’s there to stay wherever you decide to place it, so make sure you have enough room for it before you buy.

Warranty – What If Something Does Go Wrong?

The warranty is always a good indication of how confident a manufacturer is with their products. The Sole brand of ellipticals have a very generous warranty, with the E35 having one of the best at its level, with above average cover for the price. Here’s what you get:

• Lifetime warranty on the frame
• 5 years warranty on parts
• 2 years labor warranty

Just to clarify, if any parts need replacing in the first 2 years, they will provide the parts for free and also send out a mechanic for free to provide the labor for fitting the part (labor warranty). After the first two years, until five years they’ll only provide the parts for free but no labor.

So generally you’re pretty well covered in the unlikely event of problems.

Just as a comparison, the Proform 990 CSE elliptical trainer offers just 1 year on both parts and labor.

The Life Fitness Club Series Elliptical Cross-Trainer at a whooping $3,999 only has 3 years parts warranty and a 1 year labor warranty.

The Diamondback Fitness 1260Ef elliptical trainer at $2,199 has 5 years for parts and just 1 year for labor.

Conclusion

The Sole E35 elliptical trainer comes at a higher price point then most other consumer-grade home elliptical machines, but the price is justified by a number of benefits, the most important of which are build-quality and performance.

By focusing heavily on build-quality and performance, the manufacturers have perhaps intentionally made some sacrifices by neglected some of the extra features some other machines tend to have, like a huge selection of different workout programs and routines, and a funky gadgety console with lots of different tracking parameters.

As a result of these sacrifices, the Sole E35 elliptical trainer manages to surpass most other machines at the same price point in the department of shear elliptical proficiency.

Indeed I have found it to surpass a number of machines at a much HIGHER price-point.

Where To Buy The Sole E35 Elliptical Trainer

One of the best places to purchase the Sole E35 elliptical trainer is online via Amazon, where you get free shipping from a trusted supplier. Last I checked there was a 43% discount on Amazon, you can click here to see if the discount is still on.

Click here to see if the 43% discount is still on over at Amazon

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