Sole E55 Elliptical Cross Trainer Review
The Sole E55 Elliptical Cross Trainer has been designed as the next model up from the successful E35 version.
While priced towards the upper end of the price range for cross trainers, the stability, workout programs and easily adjustable user stride and workout settings are just a few of the reasons why this is such a high quality piece of fitness equipment.
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Design features
Designed with a few fundamental upgrades compared to the E35, the Sole E55 Elliptical Cross Trainer features a larger display and heavier flywheel for improved stability and easier to read workout information.
With your body going through such a wide range of motion, utilising both upper and lower body muscles, it’s important the exercise feels as natural as possible.
This is helped by being able to store your different workout settings, so if you have more than one person that will be using the Sole E55 you can still start your customised workout quickly.
While the overall size of this cross trainer doesn’t mark it as one of the most compact available, it does have some very effective features for increasing the intensity of your workouts.
The main feature that will increase the intensity of your workouts is the angle that you can adjust the incline to. At a maximum incline of 40 degrees this can really help to add variety to your training as well as being an important part of some of the possible training programmes.
The foot plates each have a hand wheel underneath that can be used to adjust the foot rest positioning through 10 different possible settings.
Adjustable foot pedals have been added to allow you to match the running motion as closely as possible to your natural running, walking or jogging stride.
While the solid frame design helps to remove any wobble or unwanted movement in the machine when in use, at around 120kg it isn’t very easy to transport when setup.
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Sole E55 Elliptical Cross Trainer – Features Summary
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- Flywheel System: 27lb/12.5kg flywheel.
- Resistance Range: 1-20 levels.
- Stride Length: Extended 20″ Stride.
- Incline Ramp: Electronic Incline 0-40 degrees.
- Pedals: Oversized comfortable footplates with a natural 2 degree inward slope and 10 possible foot pedal adjustments.
- Console Features: Vibrant large 7.5″ blue backlit LCD with integrated speakers for MP3/iPod connectivity. Cooling fan for added comfort.
- Console Feedback: Time, Speed, Distance, Resistance, Incline, Laps, Calories, Program, Pulse.
- Programs: 10 – Manual, 5 preset training programs, 2 user programs (design your own workout) & 2 heart rate control.
- Sole Fitness Warranty: Residential warranty – Lifetime frame, magnetic braking & parts guarantee & 3 years on-site labour (light commercial warranty 2 years parts & labour up to 3 hours use per day).
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Display console design
When it comes to display units on cross trainers, there are really two main types.
The very compact and simple designs that show you the basics without taking up too much room, and the larger designs that offer a very aesthetically pleasing display and intuitive button layout design.
The Sole E55 Elliptical Trainer’s display unit falls into the latter category. With its large 7.5 inch blue LCD display you can see all the most important workout information, including calories burned, speed, distance, time, laps and incline.
The contrast between the blue and white also makes this information easy to read even when going at full running pace.
Above the large LCD display there is also a fan that can be adjusted to blow cool air towards you at different angles, which can help to give you more energy during your workouts.
As well as the buttons on the main display unit, the Sole E55 also features handlebar mounted controls for easy resistance and incline ramp changes.
MP3 and headphone sockets have also been added for anyone that likes listening to music during their workout.
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Workout modes
The Sole E55 Elliptical Cross Trainer features a total of 10 different workout programmes for you to choose from. These include just straight running, 5 preset training programs, 2 user defined programs where you can setup your own workout routine and 2 heart rate control programs.
If you like monitoring your heart rate during exercise, but don’t want to rely on always holding the sensors then the Sole E55 is compatible with the Sole Fitness chest strap heart rate monitor.
This will transmit your heart rate to the display when training for a more accurate reading throughout your workout.
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