About 2 1/2 years ago, I tore my rotator cuff, in effect ending the daily lifting portion of my workouts, as well as most of my extracurricular activities for a while. It was during that time, needing an alternative workout, that I discovered the Precor EFX544 and ERX546 Elliptical Trainers at the gym at work. I’d used other aerobic workout machines with mixed success before - treadmills bored me to tears, and stairmasters weren’t developing the cardio I wanted and were a bit too high-impact. The pair of EFX machines answered several of my concerns - gentler aerobic workouts (no jarring motions a la the step machine) and I could read while doing it.

My first workout came easily - I walked up and put my feet on the foot pads, and the electronic readout showed me the number "150" and asked for my weight. I entered it, followed by type of course, length of time and my age. Then my workout started. That easy.

• Using It » The EFX546 is simple to program - you can change as you go with the Quick Start button, or you can use one of the 8 programs to choose in a variety of difficulties and focus – crosstraining, gluteals, interval, weight loss and fitness test. I chose the gradual hills (cross-training) first and away I went. After 1 or 2 minutes, I started to play with the controls: Level and Resistance. Both run in a range of 1 (easiest) to 12 (hardest). Level equates to the amount of slope on the machine - the higher the number, the higher the slope on the machine, which in turn works different muscles. The Resistance setting makes it more or less difficult to move the legs, increasing the difficulty of your workout.

An elliptical trainer is designed to move the legs in an elliptical motion - approximately an oblong circle - that keeps your legs moving without the jarring action of a treadmill or stairmaster, thus relieving the pressure on the legs, particularly the knees. The legs move constantly, similar to cycling, but in a manner more consistent with running, increasing the range of motion of the muscles. This way you are getting a good muscular workout and a great cardio workout – but without killing the knees and ankles.

Once you have programmed it in, you start your workout and adjust as necessary along the way. To this end, there are several display readouts available on the console:

• Main Display: Course that you are on, including the ‘level’ at which you are going on that course (hill, valley, flat, etc.)
• Muscles Targeted: A group of 4 lights show which muscles are being exercised at that time.
• Far Left: Time, Remaining Time or Segment Time
Middle Left: Strides, Distance or Crossramp (Elevation Angle)
• Middle Right: Strides per minute, Watts, Resistance
• Far Right: Calories, Calories per Minute, Mets (• Metabolic Equivalent Tasks, a way of measuring aerobic exercise - 1 MET = 3.5 mL oxygen/kg/min.)

I usually keep the reading on TIME, DISTANCE, RESISTANCE and CALORIES while I’m working out. You can also change the readings at the end of your workout to see how you fared in other areas.

There is also a SmartRate display which shows the user’s approximate heartrate based on where they are on the course, the level and resistance they are using. This is used to make sure that you are in the target zone for weight loss or cardio training. I rarely, if ever, use this and I can’t attest to the accuracy.

• Typical Workout » 35 minutes at LEVEL 7 (2 above the standard):
• 9 minutes at resistance 6
• 8 minutes at resistance 7
• 7 minutes at resistance 8
• 6 minutes at resistance 9
• 5 minutes at resistance 10

I switch to running backward for 1 minute at the 4, 9, 14, 19, 24, 29 and 33 minute marks, and I average about 575-650 calories in the 35-minute span (not to mention 30-50 pages of magazines or books). This workout leaves me tired at the end, but also gives me quite a boost of energy about 30 minutes after I finish. Mixing this and weights in alternating days provides a good balance of cardio and weight exercises.

• Accuracy » I’m not sure how accurate the calories counter is considering it bases your calories burned on the weight, age and speed, with no consideration to your fitness level or body shape. That is, 2 35-year-olds weighing 150 pounds would track the same even if one was a 5'10" man and the other a 5'6" woman - even though they would burn calories at a much different rate, not even counting their aerobic fitness. My trainer said it’s probably accurate to within 20% or so for a healthy fitness individual, less so with newer exercisers.

However, the measurements are consistent - whether that means consistently accurate or inaccurate. I shoot for an 18 calories/minute threshold and can practically prognosticate my end rate within the first 5 minutes, and I am rarely wrong. So, as far as a relative gauge or your workout, it’s good - but not as an absolute calorie counter.

Other measurements such as distance, strides per minute, etc. are less subjectively based, and thus are probably very accurate if the machine is serviced regularly.

• Look and Feel » The machine itself is pretty stylish, with curved handles and a sleek design of chrome and black metal. It should fit into the stylish home gym of any buyer, or in the gym where you work out. However, I actually prefer the older model (more on that later) because I think that the ‘style’ actually detracts from the use. Not that it isn’t comfortable, but the curves of the handlebars are such that it doesn’t leave much space to hang your towel. The display is smaller, as is the spot for magazines/books. As to ergonomics, the machine moves smoothly, giving a pleasant gliding effect as you move through your workout. When you reach higher levels, however, the angle can sometimes be a little awkward in pitch.

The motion of the footpads is good in both forward and backward directions, giving you a way of isolating and working different muscle groups for a better all-around workout. As you move, you actually get to see what muscles you are working in the Muscles targeted display, which is nice, although I focus more on the other displays (time, calories) as my guides.

Structurally, the machine seems pretty stable but not overly bulky. The main display stand stays steady even during hardy portions of a workout. The handles are a great way to maintain your balance while switching direction, but once you’ve switched, I tend to avoid the handles as I get a better workout that way.

The rest of the machine is housed in the gear box, located at the box. This is the biggest – and heaviest – portion of the machine, but the one where the ‘magic’ happens. Strangely, there is no power cord – the machine is self-powered by your muscles as your work through, although if you want to be able to pause it or leave the display on for any length of time, you would use the optional generator.

• Specifications »
Dimensions (LxWxH): 80 x 30 x 62 inches (203 x 76 x 156 cm)
Weight: 230 pounds (105kg) / shipping weight – 340 pounds (155 kg)
Power: Self-powered (generator from motion)
CrossRamp: 13-40 degrees
Stride Length: 18 inches (46 cm)
Frame: Powder-Coated Steel
Maximum User Weight: 350 pounds (160kg)
Warranty: Frame – 7 years; Touch Sensor-Display – 5 years; Parts – 2 years; Labor – 1 year. Self-powered battery – 1 year.

• Older Model Thoughts »The Precor EFX544 is the older version of the EFX546, but our gym has three to the single 546. The machine is definitely not as sleek at the 546, but to be honest, I think I like it better. The level settings only go from 1-10, and the displays are more basic (course plus 2 right-hand displays for time, miles, strides per minute or level, resistance and calories. But the machine is sturdier, and I’ve seen them out of order a lot less than the 546 in the heavy use environment of our gym. For home use, this probably wouldn’t be a big deal, but for a gym I prefer the thicker model.

The EFX544 also seems to have a different calibration for the calories. I easily hit 650 calories for the same workout, so the accuracy probably isn’t as good as the EFX546. The movement is a little less natural but still gives a heck of a workout. But one of the main reasons I use these more often (other than the fact that they are more available) is that the handles are shaped better to have a towel, and the book/magazine stand is larger and better able to handle reading materials. But that’s just me.

• Final Thoughts »
For someone who wants to get a good cardiovascular workout without the hard impact problems of a treadmill or outdoor running, the EFX546 (or EFX544) is a great piece of equipment. It allows you to vary your routine with the programs and offers quick and easy ways to increase the workout when you are feeling like a challenge. The displays are easy to see and manage, and the machine is simple to learn to use.

It’s not small, but if you are planning on a piece of equipment, it takes up less room than most. Best of all, the low-impact nature of elliptical trainers means that you can use it more often with less wear-and-tear on the body, making it great for those who are recovering from injuries or just starting out getting back in shape.

The price isn’t cheap, but you get a lot of machine for the money. Better yet, if you can convince your gym to get one or more, you can benefit from their expense – that is, if you can get on it once everyone else discovers how useful it is.
________________________________________________________
Part of the Around Epinions in 23+ Reviews auto-writeoff.

auto :: beauty :: books :: biz/tech :: computer hardware :: software :: education :: electronics :: games :: home & garden :: kids & family :: movies :: music :: magazines :: outdoors :: personal finance :: pets :: restaurants :: SPORTS :: travel :: web services :: wellness :: beer :: epinions

Recommended: Yes