Elliptical Trianer Review: Proform ZE3 Elliptical Trainer
Elliptical Trainer Rating: 3.5 out of 5 for a decent feel and excellent features
Price: $399.99
Yes, I know its Sunday and I should probably be out doing something like hiking or drinking beer at a beach in Mexico. Instead, I decided to dedicate this Sunday to writing treadmill reviews. It’s been about six days since my last trip to Dicks’ Sporting Goods and I have about 20 pages of notes about treadmills and elliptical trainers that need to be typed up and posted to my treadmill review website. Hopefully there’ll be some time after I’m all done to watch Family Guy or play some Call of Duty.
How the Proform ZE3 Elliptical Trainer Feels
When I tried out the Proform ZE3 Elliptical Trainer elliptical it left a very strong impression on me. Have you ever been on a roller coaster? You know that feeling you get when you’re in the very front seat and you suddenly move over an edge in going to freefall? That’s the feeling I kept getting on the Proform ZE3 Elliptical Trainer. When my foot got to the top of the stride it would suddenly go into freefall. It was as if there was nothing there to catch it. I do not like feeling as though I’m on a roller coaster when working out on and elliptical trainer.
The other thing I noticed about the Proform ZE3 Elliptical Trainer was the resistance. The resistance can be very strong. I’m not quite sure because I’m not an engineer but it would seem to me the strong resistance of the Proform ZE3 Elliptical Trainer is related to the roller coaster feeling. More importantly, I did not notice any major shaking and the Proform ZE3 Elliptical Trainer seemed to be on balance when I tried it out.
Features
Proform is one of the better companies out there when it comes to special features. The Proform ZE3 Elliptical Trainer comes with iPod compatibility and built-in speakers so you don’t have to wear headphones. This is great for somebody like me who loves to listen to music or catch up on podcasts while I’m working out. The Proform ZE3 Elliptical Trainer also comes with 12 workout programs which is generally unheard of in elliptical trainers that retail for less than $400.
One thing I’m not particularly fond of is the 90 day parts and labor warranty. As a rule of thumb in the fitness industry does not produce elliptical trainers with a one-year parts and labor warranty that retails for less than $600. When it comes to warranty the Proform ZE3 Elliptical Trainer is average for its price range.
Final Analysis
The Proform ZE3 Elliptical Trainer definitely has some feel issues but nothing major. The resistance can be a little strong but that can be a good thing for the right person. Proform ZE3 Elliptical Trainer also has features that you won’t be a little find in elliptical trainers this cheap from other brands. Ultimately, the Proform ZE3 Elliptical Trainer is an average elliptical trainer in the $400 price range.
If you really need a cheap elliptical trainer I suggest going with something by Horizon Fitness. For about $200 more you get a substantial improvement in features and feel. Check out the Horizon Fitness EX-58 Elliptical Trainer
