life fitness x3 elliptical trainerA complete review of the life fitness x3 elliptical trainer. 
Size Length: 5.4' (65 In)
The life fitness x3 elliptical trainer has basically the same dimensions as the life fitness x1 elliptical trainer. These pieces of exercise equipment are nothing short of quality work. The life fitness x3 elliptical trainer is a short step up from the life fitness x1 model, which is life fitness’ entry model. At 205 pounds, this elliptical model is a heavy weight elliptical trainer. A heavy duty elliptical machine that can take a beating.
As with most of the well built elliptical machines, the life fitness x3 elliptical trainer is pretty heavy and will most likely be a stationary elliptical machine. There are no wheels at the base of this elliptical trainer. Adjustable resistance/peddles Eddy current resistance system The life fitness x3 elliptical trainer uses the eddy current resistance system. I’m a big fan of the eddy current resistance system since it is possibly the quietest and smoothest resistance systems on the elliptical market today. Since the peddles are oversized and come with an expansive 19" elliptical stride, all users will find the stride length optimal. However, the life fitness x5 model (a step up), offers adjustable “select stride” settings which is more preferable. Select stride will actually conform to your most optimal settings. Very nice. As with life fitness x1 elliptical trainer, The x3 elliptical trainer also comes with the link 6 elliptical drive system and “whisper stride” technology. The link 6 drive system provides the most optimal elliptical path for a more natural movement and, hence, lessening the impact of each stride. Again, the life fitness x3 elliptical trainer is one of the quietest elliptical machines on the market today. Like the life fitness x1 model, there are 16 resistance levels. 16 resistance levels can accommodate the most basic of users or the most advanced. Elliptical stride 19" Diameter stride The life fitness x3 elliptical trainer has an expansive stride that will accommodate all users no matter how tall you are. Display/control panel Workout Profile™ Display: 8 x 8 LED segments
All the basic readouts are available for the life fitness x3 elliptical trainer. The console uses 8 x 8 LED readouts (see below). This is a commercial grade console display. As you can see, you have two windows that keep track of your statistics and one that keeps track of your program progress. These are close to commercial grade readouts. Fortunately, the life fitness x3 elliptical trainer comes with a Polar® Telemetry wireless chest strap. Simply attach the chest strap and you get your heart rate readout on the display console. 6 workout programs; Hill/slope Simply plug the life fitness x3 into a wall socket and your ready to go. Frame Durable, heavy-duty welded steel frame The life fitness x3 elliptical trainer is very sturdy and solid. This type of elliptical trainer is made to last and basically, your paying for the quality. If you were to take a look at some of the cheaper elliptical models, you will notice that these models have a lot of different programs and all of the bells and whistles. However, most of these models (especially under $500) are not built to last. If you are over 6 feet tall and weight over 200 pounds, these types of elliptical trainers are not going to cut it since they are made for light use. The life fitness x3 elliptical trainer is made for everyday, heavy duty use. Put it this way, the x3 elliptical trainer can take a beating and still come back for more. It’s one of those elliptical trainers that when you step on it, it feels super solid and firmly planted on the floor. If you plan on using your elliptical on a daily basis, you want an elliptical trainer that can stand up to heavy use. You will find that the x3 has some of the frills of high end models but the main thing to remember about this machine is that it’s an elliptical model that’s build to last. You pay for it once and you benefit from it year after year - Hassle free. Heart rate monitor Yes The life fitness x3 elliptical trainer comes with a Polar® Telemetry wireless chest strap. A nice feature that allows you to exercise in your target heart rate zone. I think a heart rate program would have been a good idea. The life fitness x3i, the big brother of the x3, comes with a heart rate program. Dual action handle bars Yes You have the option of doing a full body cardio cross training or placing more emphasis on the lower body. I like the fact that life fitness x3 elliptical trainer has stationary bull horn front handle bars. On cheaper models, I find that the front handle bars are spaced too far apart. This makes it awkward for the exerciser because you are almost touching the dual action handle bars. The bull horn front handle bars are also ergonomically correct offering a more comfortable ride. Warranty and service Frame: Lifetime The warranty is comparable to high end exercise equipment manufacturers. And wouldn’t you know it, the Life Fitness manufacturer will pay all shipping costs including repairs and returns. A lot of the companies that I’ve reviewed don’t offer to pay any shipping for returned items or repairs. Most companies will actually charge you, the consumer, for their defective equipment. Some companies even have the nerve to charge the consumer dissassembly and re-stocking fees for defective equipment on top of the shipping costs. You can really tell the quality of the exercise equipment by the warranty and guarantee of the manufacturer. A quality manufacturer will always stand 100% behind their product. A word to the wise, always read the warranty and guarantee of the elliptical trainer you want to purchase. If you see a short warranty, restocking fees, dissassembly fees, and other shabby statements which puts the emphasis on you as the consumer to pay, you might want to think twice. If the manufacturer is doubting their own product via their warranty and guarantee, you might want to go with another company. The Life Fitness manufacturer stands behind their product as reflected in their warranty information. The life fitness x3 elliptical trainer also comes with full installation. The exercise equipment will be delivered to your home, installed in a room of your choice, and you will be given a product demonstration. This will be included in your shipping charges. The delivery and installation charges go for about $150 for their elliptical trainers. Life Fitness limits their delivery to the States. If you live outside the States, you will need to make other arrangements via a third party merchant. Again, the price is for quality. The life fitness x3 elliptical trainer is basically a step up from the life fitness x1 model which is life fitness’ consumer entry model. However, it’s not a very big step. The major differences between the life fitness x3 model and the x1 model is that the x3 model has: • Polar® Telemetry wireless chest strap; Both the life fitness x3 elliptical trainer and the x1 model are the same size. However, the difference in price is $700. A Polar wireless chest strap will cost you around $100 so I’m guessing the major difference in price is because of the whisper stride technology. If you are looking for the quietest work out possible and don’t want to spend anymore than $2,600 - $2,700 than the life fitness x3 model may be what your looking for. However, if you don’t care about the whisper stride technology or the heart rate display, I’d say go with the life fitness x1 model sine is will save you $700. Now, for those of you who are looking for a little more and are willing to spend another $400 more, you can get the life fitness x3i with the following features that the x3 doesn’t have: • Additional workouts include: -Sport training workouts and EZ resistance workouts; • Workout Display: -10 x 14 LED segments; A commercial grade console • Resistance levels -20 resistance levels As you can see, you get a few more features with the life fitness x3i than the basic x3 model. If you are looking for more features and are willing to pay an additional $400, this may be well worth it. Special features Life Fitness’ patented Link6™ elliptical drive system and whisper quiet technology Elliptical Rating I have no major concerns with the life fitness x3 elliptical trainer . This is the kind of elliptical trainer that makes you feel like your working out on a gym quality machine. Life fitness is a well respected name in the fitness industry. You get a commercial quality elliptical trainer with a company that stands behind their product. I think the life fitness x3 elliptical trainer is for those of you who want the quietest elliptical trainer around with a little more features than other elliptical machines of this price range. Overall, this is a quality piece of elliptical training equipment. To learn the fat loss secrets of the world's best bodybuilding and fitness models, CLICK HERE |
