Will You Soar Like an Eagle or Fall Like a Clumsy Gazelle?
Written: Mar 27 '05
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Easy to use machine for the novice that works both upper and lower body.
Cons: Hard to change resistance; not challenging for the experienced.
The Bottom Line: Surprisingly I'm impressed with the Gazelle for those new to exercise. It will get your body moving and perhaps even tone it up.
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| jo.com's Full Review: Fitness Quest Tony Little's Gazelle Freestyle Elit... |
I saw Tony Little‘s Gazelle Freestyle Elite for the first time in the fitness room of my mom‘s condo. It wasn‘t there a year ago so it had not seen more than a year of use. It was in good condition. There were no dents in this machine. Considering the nature of it I was surprised. Of course this might be due to lack of use.
What is this Gazelle Elite how does it work?
The machine is advertised as one that “burns more calories and tones more body muscle.“ More calories and tones more body muscle than what?? The claim that there is virtually zero impact is accurate. We are told that the Gazelle Elite gives me 17 cardio, stretching and total body sculpting moves. I must share that I am a personal trainer. I have been examining and using this machine daily for well over a week. I do not have the video that the machine comes with but this is a simple machine. I should be able to figure out where the #17 comes from but I cannot. I will guess that the upper body movements combined with the 3 levels of resistance combine to make 17.
When I first saw this machine I was actually excited because I had not seen one in person. I do know Tony makes several models and will now be anxious to get back home to check out other models. The Elite is the most expensive at over $400. As I was using it the first time I did not know the cost. I thought that if it were under $200 it would be a highly recommend. It still may be. You will have to continue reading.
Before I even got on I wanted to see how sturdy it was. I gently touched it to see if it would tip. It looks fairly fragile. It did not tip. It sat firmly on the carpeted floor. I then leaned my leg against it and was able to push it sideways. As it turns out this has no impact on the overall use of the Gazelle. The fact that it is lightweight is helpful because it folds and can then be moved. I did attempt to fold it and was unable to. I have tried on several occasions. If there is a trick to folding this machine I do not know what it is. I am able to move it fairly easily in a tilted position. It's on wheels.
The machine only weighs 61 pounds. It measures 38 inches long by 36 inches wide by 55.5 inches high. It really takes up very little space considering it is a cardio vascular machine. The maximum user weight is 350 pounds. I would say this number really pushes the limit. The frame does not feel strong enough to handle that kind of weight day after day but that is what the company tells us. The frame is made of steel. It is quite strong but 350 pounds is a lot of weight. I would be curious to know if anyone weighing that much has been using this machine for any length of time and how it is holding up.
It is made by Fitness Quest.
I always check out the foot pads on machines that have them such as steppers and ellipticals. The footpads on the Gazelle are nice and large. I like that. In addition there is a lip at the top preventing my feet from slipping off the front of the pads. The pads also have treads on them which prevent my feet from slipping.
This is an odd machine to be in a condo where the average age I would guess to be over 70. In fact it is downright dangerous and I have had to bite my tongue to not say anything to whoever is in charge of this equipment. I would not let my mom on this machine even with me next to her. I would not let her on it even with my holding her! The machine has nice handles on the sides and two that stand up in a vertical position. As I stepped on to the Gazelle I held on because the foot pads move on their own. This is true when getting off as well so please be very, very careful on this machine. On the other hand a 79 year young man told me he was getting in shape to go hiking with his son. He looked like he was already in great shape. I watched him easily get on and off the Gazelle.
The handles each have a built in heart rate monitor. These are in a good place. They are easy to reach. Below the area of the heart rate monitor are large foam rubber grips where I hold onto the handles. These make holding the handles really comfortable.
As I glide and what that means is that one leg moves in front while the other one goes in back and then vice versa I can hold onto the handles which move also. The pedals move freely in the air connected by a thin cable.
I have mixed feelings about machines that have moving arms. For one thing I feel you should be doing resistance training to work your upper body rather than relying on a cardio machine to do that for you. I also feel that it is easy to cheat when a machine has handles. I can pull with the handles making my arms work harder than my legs. When I use a cardio machine I primarily am using it to get my heart rate up and work my legs and butt area. The Gazelle will do this but not if you are relying too heavily on your arms to do the work. I can control if I want to glide with my legs wide or with my legs in a narrower stance. I play around with that and get a different workout depending on how much I glide and how much I use my hands.
There is a small easy to read console that displays distance, speed, time, calories used and heart rate.
How does the resistance work?
You will receive videos with this piece of equipment. It will be helpful to watch them to see how the resistance works. I probably would not have had a clue if I were not comfortable around fitness equipment. The Gazelle Elite has what are called Power Pistons. There are two pistons which are long metal type units. The concept is quite simple. There are three holes in the unit. A small piece which is attached to the unit is put into one of three holes. After it is in the hole a pin hooks around this piece keeping it in place. Each hole controls the unit’s resistance.
One major problem with these pistons and the moving of the resistance is that you have to not only get off the machine to change the resistance you have to get on the floor in order to put the piece that juts out into the hole. It only takes about 10 seconds per piston to change the resistance but some may think this a pain to do.
There are three levels. One is for the beginner. This one is really easy. It feels as if there is no resistance. You will just be gliding. You will get some hip flexor movement which is good but as far as getting a cardio vascular workout you will not. However if you do not do any walking or any kind of exercise just moving your legs and your arms at the same time will be better than nothing. If you want to just work your legs, hold onto the bar on the machine and you can let go of the moving arms.
The middle hold is considered intermediate. I felt a bit of a resistance on that level. For me it was still too easy but I am writing this for you. If you fall into the above category you will be able to work up to this level in a couple of weeks without any problem.
The third is considered advanced. Perhaps Tony Little is marketing this machine to the novice so I am writing this review for you. If you are not a novice, this is not a machine you want. At the most advanced setting this will not be difficult for those who work out. You will not even break a sweat. There are no hills you can program; you cannot go backward as you do on some elliptical machines.
This machine comes with a 60 day money back guarantee. You can try it for $14.95 and pay not shipping. You will get two videos as well as a nutrition guide.
Please note, talk with you doctor before starting an exercise program especially if you have any medical conditions, are a man over 40 or a woman over 50.
Remember that nutrition is 90% of the work so if you follow the nutrition guide and do some exercises you will be sure to feel healthier and lose weight if that is your goal.
Am I recommending this or not?
Surprisingly I liked this machine a lot more than I thought it would. However this machine is only recommended for the person who is not working out with weights and does not do any more intense cardio vascular conditioning. If you do you will be disappointed. You will find the Gazelle Elite much too easy. If you are a novice, please be careful getting on and off. This machine will be a great way for you to work your upper body and get some strength and flexibility in your lower body as well.
It is also great for those who find the treadmill hurts their feet or bikes hurt their knees. The Gazelle is one of the easiest machines on joints that I have encountered.
Please feel free to leave me a comment or question.
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Recommended:
Yes
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