Life Fitness X9i Cross Trainer

Pros: Lots of bells and whistles; smooth and quiet; 20 programs.
Cons: The price.

The Life Fitness X9i Cross-Trainer was one of the Life Fitness machines I used while at L adies Express Workout. This model is in the home use group but is considered “health-club quality.” Elliptical ...

Pros: sturdy, smooth, stable, quiet, provides a total-body workout
Cons: space requirements, very expensive

In a nutshell, this elliptical works like a dream. It runs smoothly and quietly, and has a high ...

Pros: Heart Rate Controlled, Natural Stride, Total Body Workout
Cons: No LCD TV, No iPod Dock

There's only one word that I can think of that would most accurately describe the LifeFitness X9i: perfection. In my opinion, the X9i is the best home cardiovascular equipment ever made. It certainly is the most expensive, but you get what you pay ...

Pros: Fantastically natural stride motion, handlebars with heart rate monitor, lasts through years of use
Cons: Cost, lack of built-in entertainment or fan, may not have enough resistance for advanced users

Background About 18 months ago, I decided it was time for me to get in shape and shed some of the 25 pounds I've gained since graduating from college 5 years ago. I sit at a desk all day at my job, so I was in serious need of exercise. I ...

Pros: Very sturdy and stable, smooth motion, good variety of exercise routines and levels
Cons: Size and cost

I purchased this about two months ago after concluding my bad knee couldn't take running any more. I looked at Life Fitness and Precor, but found that the Precor models had a stride that was too short. I looked at the Life Fitness 3xi, the 5xi and the ...

Pros: quality, comfort, stability, reliability, total body work out,
Cons: Noise, cost, size

We purchased this three months ago after much deliberating and comparison shopping. Having used the commercial model at the gym for sometime, I wanted the same feel working out at home. Precor was my second favorite. Having both available at the gym, ...

Pros: Professional grade, smooth, intuitive!
Cons: Pricey! Parts missing to set it up. Large unit requires space. Watch your head!

After having used this piece of equipment in my local gym, like some of the other reviewers, I decided to see what it would take to own one and expand my exercise routine and get it closer to home. Physical fitness has taken on some important ...

Pros: Great Company, Strong and Sturdy, Feature Loaded and Heart Rate.
Cons: Didn't fit me, my fit feel asleep and hurt. A common problem in some machines

I like the idea of a total body work out, and used the gym model. I ended up buying the homeowner X9! I love there Bikes but was kinda dissapointed a bit this time. It gives me a great work out, sweat alot! But then again the other ellipticals I ...

Pros: Better than the sporting good store products such as Nordic Track.
Cons: Short warranty, no cross ramp or adjustable stride, poor construction.

While researching ellipticals I found out that other reviewers experienced numb feet or foot pain on the Life Fitness X9i. Any product can break and if this expensive elliptical does you may not be covered by its short warranty, only 3 years on parts. At this price you would expect to find an adjustable stride such as on the Precor 5.17, 5.21 or 5.23 but the X9i only has one fixed stride, which is odd because the cheaper Life Fitness X5i has four manual stride adjustments. The X9i has upper body motion but an exercise physiologist in a "Smart Money" review said the arms don't do much anyways. The "Smart Money" review and "Consumer Reports" both picked the Precors as the best products. Another "Epinions" review also talks about the poor construction of the X9i.

All I want to know is why anyone would pay so much for a product that has no stride adjustment, has a bad warranty and possible construction problems.

Pros: SMOOTH
Cons: TO HIGH, UNSTABLE,

I TRIED THIS MACHINE IN MY HOME FOR 2 WEEKS BEFORE I RETURNED IT.

I'M 6'3 230PNDS AND LEAN / MUSCULAR. THIS MACHINE FELT FINE FOR THE SHORT TRIAL IN THE STORE( THEY DIDN'T EXACTLY ENCOURAGE TRYING THER EQUIPMENT). HOWEVER WHEN I GOT IT HOME AND REALLY STARTED TO USE IT I REALISED I HAD MADE A BIG MISTAKE. THE MACHINE IS JUST TO HIGH AND AND UNSTABLE FOR TALLER WOMEN OR MEN.

THE SALES GUY NEVER MENTIONED HOW I WOULD NEED 8.5 FOOT CEILING JUST TO STAND ON THE MACHINE. AND HE MENTIONED A FEW THINGS THAT TURNED OUT TO BE FASLE. WHEN I CALLED ABOUT THE ISSUES I WAS HAVING THE MANAGER OF THE STORE WAS NOT EXACTLY POLITE (WICH LEAD TO MY RETURN).

OVER ALL I WOULD SAY GET A MACHINE THAT IS STABLE AND TRY IT OUT FOR A GOOD 1 OR 2 WORKOUTS BEFORE THE PURCHASE. ALSO MAKE SURE THE PERSON YOU ARE GETTING IT FROM IS QUALIFIED / ASK QUESTIONS.

Pros: Easy to use, comfortable, good work out
Cons: Takes up a lot of space, expensive

Over the last 10 years, I have purchased and discarded a number of inexpensive and medium-priced fitness machines (treadmills, cross-trainers, stationary bikes, etc.). Hard to use, hard on your joints, etc.

After using the commercial version of the X9i at my gym for 2+ years, I decided to invest in one for my home. I have had it for over 3 months, and it is the ONLY piece of exercise equipment that I have been able to use, consistently, without any new aches/pains. It is a pleasure to use and honestly, you don't even realize that you're exercising if you watch TV while you're on it. (If you're like me and hate to exercise, this is important). I use it for 30 minutes every morning.

The only drawback that I found is that the maximum difficulty level is 20, and after a couple of months, level 20 is too easy. (In fairness to the manufacturer, I have not read the entire manual and there may be a way to increase the difficulty settings by special programming).

For those of you considering an elliptical machine, it doesn't get any better than this one.

Pros: Awesome workout. Very natural feel.
Cons: Expensive

I looked at a lot of cross-trainers (True, Precor, Diamondback, Octane) before I purchased the Life Fitness X-9I. I found this machine to feel the best and challenge me more than any other machine on the market. While my wife did not work out much before, the Life Fitness X9i is friendly enough that she can even exercise for 20-25 minutes. We are both in love with this machine! Do yourself a favor, save your money and buy this machine.

Pros: Build quality Robustness Exercising Options
Cons: Cost (subjective)

Though relatively expensive, it's great value. You can spend all you want on inferior products, for as long as it'll cost you with (inferior) replacements, to easily outstrip the cost of this machine, in sharp-time.

From the minute you step on, you feel the quality, you appreciate the build and the exercising options, and forget the capital outlay. I've gone through a few of the lesser machines in my time, and have no difficulty in copping a cracker when I come across one.

Pros: after my bad experience i can't think of one single pro
Cons: see above.

i bought a life fitness elliptical because of the name....little did i know that their products are faulty and their customer service is worse. my elliptical kept dying on me during my workout. i had a service provider come out to the house and order a new one but the problem still wasn't fixed. after talking to la gym equipment(where i bought it) and lifefitness i've come to the conclusion that neither company is worth dealing with. la gym equipment was so helpful when i wanted to buy something but when it came to service then couldn't care less.

Pros: great quality
Cons: no ipod connections onboard

I've been utilizing this product for the last month and have found its quality to be unsurpassed. By ratcheting up the resistance between 15-20, it makes for an unbelievable workout. I can barely walk when I get off. For the non-believers, believe !!!
Hank