Great No Impact Cardio/Aerobic Workout!
Written: Jun 28 '05 (Updated Oct 29 '06)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Fun, No Impact, Great Cardio Effectiveness
Cons: Sturdy Built so Heavy and Hard to Move
The Bottom Line: I would recommend the Gazelle Freestyle Elite to anyone who wants a fun, challenging, non impact cardio machine. It's sturdy built, can take a pounding, and is a great workout.
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| tracyadamp's Full Review: FitnessQuest Tony Little Gazelle Glider Freestyle ... |
The Gazelle is, by far, the greatest piece of cardiovascular exercise equipment in the world, in my opinion. It is the best piece of home equipment I have ever tried. It is fun, no impact, different, effective, habit forming, not boring at all, tough and challenging. I could go on all day.
BUT, be careful because not all Gazelles are created equal. In fact, there are currently about 7 or 8 different models floating around. You HAVE to get one with the resistance shocks. Without them, you are just floating on air. With them, you can vary the resistance from none to a ton. The best model of the Gazelle I have seen is the Gazelle Power Plus. This model is VERY sturdy and very smooth. If I had my choice now, I would buy it, not sure if it folds up though. I have this model, the Gazelle Freestyle Elite, which is a great machine. Sturdy and can take a pounding. It does fold up. Both models have the resistance shocks. Also, the Supra Pro is a good model. It's a little different, more leaning forward than standing upright. The best thing to do is to go to Sears or Gart Sports or someplace where they have them and ride one. Get one that feels good because different models are different to use.
With the shocks, you have three different levels of resistance, and let me tell you, level three is TOUGH. You can go from a good cardio workout to a good anerobic workout. It's very versatile.
The Gazelle is easy to learn how to use but tough to master. It's a ton of fun, there are so many different ways to ride it, motions, exercises, etc. You can ride at your own pace, run, walk, jog, whatever. You can lean forward for arm workouts, use just legs for lower body, what they call digging for butt and legs, lean back, swingset, whatever. There really is no limit to what you can do with it. And, it's a TON of fun. The more you ride it, the better you get the more you want to ride it. And, it works. With it, and eating better, I have lost about 20 pounds since the new year and my stamina and energy rock.
The Gazelle is heavy, sturdy, and not easy to move, but it's made to be durable. It does fold up depending on the model you get, but mine sits in plenty of space and works as a motivation tool. It's always calling me to jump on and go for a ride.
A good model of the Gazelle, the Freestyle Elite, will run you around $300 or so. But, it's well worth it. The extra money is worth it for the quality and features of the machines. It also comes with a water bottle, a water bottle and tv remote mount, and workout videos with Tony. They are quite effective if you can get over Tony's grating personality. Pretty good workouts. Plus you get access to a personal trainer hotline for a year if you buy it new.
Update- October 29, 2006
Well, I thought an update here was needed. I have had my Gazelle for over two and a half years now, and I still love it. I have maintained my weight loss, and am still making headway. I use my Gazelle at least 3 times a week for about 20 minutes or so.
The Bad:
I really give my Gazelle a pounding, and the only thing that has gone wrong with it so far is that the plastic feet on the back of the machine have broken. The holes where the feet screw into the frame cracked and broke. I am sure you can get replacement parts for them, but they are still in place and I don't move my machine at all, so I can live with that.
Also, if you fold up your Gazelle Elite a lot, the cables will most likely start to wear and get torn up because there is nothing to protect them from the metal of the machine when it folds together. So, be careful about that.
Also, the computer tends to drain batteries, even when you get off the machine. It's supposed to shut off automatically in 5 minutes, but sometimes it doesn't and the next time you get on you have dead batteries. I have become accustomed to taking one battery out when I finish riding and putting it in the remote caddy. It's pretty simple.
The Good:
I have found 3 more exercises that you can do regularly on the Gazelle Elite. The first is bench pushups. Stand at the back of the machine, and you can do bench pushups by holding onto the back handles. Very effective if you don't want to get on the floor for full bodied pushups.
Also, you can turn around in the same spot and do tricep dips through the machine. Basically for these two exercises you are using your body weight as resistance. It's effective and fun and you get more out of your machine.
Third, you can stand with your tip toes on the back ends of the foot pedals and do calf raises. Very effective for strengthening your calves.
Those are pretty fun things to do with the Gazelle Elite. And, if you haven't ever tried riding it backwards, that's a lot of fun too.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
tracyadamp
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Member: Adam Tracy
Location: Big Piney, WY, USA
Reviews written: 16
Trusted by: 0 members
About Me:
30 year old Wyomingite.
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