| Enjoy an efficient full-body workout without heading to the gym with the Sole E95 elliptical trainer. Boasting a heavy 30-pound flywheel, a high gear ratio not found on most comparable models, and a pair of upper body handles, the E95 delivers an extremely smooth workout with plenty of top-end resistance. Users will also appreciate the unique oversize and adjustable foot pedals, which were designed in collaboration with a leading physical therapist and sports enthusiast. The pedals are not only extra large, but also feature a 2-degree inward slope that reduces the ankle and knee stress that's common in other elliptical machines. The collaboration also produced a revolutionary foot pedal angle adjustment not found on any other elliptical. Taking into account that not everyone walks the same way, Sole engineers made the E95's pedals adjustable to fit the way you walk. This also reduces the likelihood of numb toes and sore Achilles tendons. Workout specifics include 20 resistance levels, 10 total programs (including two custom and two heart-rate programs), and a 20-inch stride length. Perhaps the handiest feature from a user perspective, however, is the easy-to-use electronic console, which integrates a red/green display, a cooling fan, and a water bottle holder. Additional features include stationary handlebars with built-in pulse sensors for monitoring your heart rate; a heart rate chest strap for hands-free pulse monitoring; heavy-duty rails with smooth-riding wheels on the back; and a rear plastic shroud that adds additional stability for aggressive use. The E95, which offers a maximum weight capacity of 400 pounds, carries the following warranties: lifetime on the frame, five years on all parts and electronics, and two years on the labor. Specifications: - Assembled Dimensions: 82 by 33 by 68 inches (L x W x H)
- Arm Spacing: 23 inches
- Arm Stride: 30 inches
- Step Up: 15 inches
- Foot Spacing: 5.5 inches
The E95 features an LED console to track your workout metrics. |
- Stride Length: 20 inches
- Front Drive: Yes
- Steel Frame: 38mm
- Resistance Type: ECB
- Adjustable Pedals: Worm Drive
- Articulating Pedals: Yes
- Flywheel: 30 pounds
- Resistance Levels: 20
- Power: Plug in
- Upper Body: Yes
- Molded Hand Grips: Yes
- Pulse Grips: Yes
- Handlebar Adjust: Yes
- Display Type: LED
- Heart Rate Control: Yes
- HR Telemetry Belt: Yes
- Auto Pilot: Yes
- HR % Graph: Yes
- Windows: 2
- Track Display: Yes
- Audio System: Yes
- Incline: Power
- Six Standard Programs
- Two User-Defined Programs
- Two Heart Rate Programs
- Cooling Fans
- Water Bottle Holder
- Rear Rail Shroud
- Weight Capacity: 400 pounds
Manufacturer's Warranty
Frame and brakes - lifetime, parts / electronics - 5 years, labor - 2 years About Sole
Sole brings over twenty years of treadmill and fitness product design and manufacturing to the table in their line of innovative equipment designed for fitness-conscious people. The company's treadmill line is simple in design, with an emphasis on quality and warranty all at a great price. Sole's easy-to-use treadmills offer a great value and feature a convenient, space-saving portable design. The treadmills have a very stable base with four wheels for ease of movement, folding decks to conserve space, and a 30-year motor and lifetime deck and frame warranty. Sole is always looking for ways to make their equipment better, more efficient, with higher quality at a great price. About Elliptical Trainers
Elliptical trainers represent the next wave of advancement in low-impact cardiovascular exercise machines and continue to grow in popularity. By simulating motions experienced through walking, stepping, cycling, and skiing, elliptical machines allow for a smooth and fluid motion while building strength in the arms and legs. Similar to the exercise position for treadmills, elliptical trainers are used by standing in an upright position while holding the handrails of the machine. With elliptical trainers, however, your feet remain in the foot pedals throughout the exercise regimen and circulate in a smooth and seamless motion, resulting in little to no impact on the knees, back, and hips. Elliptical trainers are compatible for all ages and fitness levels and allow you to select the difficulty level through the incline and intensity settings. Additionally, elliptical trainers allow you to determine the complexity of your workout based on your needs, all while listening to music, watching television, or reading a magazine while exercising in the comfort and safety of your own home. Although different types of elliptical trainers offer an assortment of features, many of them include an array of challenging programs, forward and reverse directional movement, EKG grip pulse handles, a lightweight portable design with easy fold-up capability, and a monitor displaying calories burned, distance, speed, time, and heart rate. Other types of exercise machines, namely treadmills and bikes, offer excellent cardiovascular exercise and muscular training for the legs in a forward-motion exercise. Elliptical trainers take this to the next level by offering an upper and lower body workout with dual motion, challenging and diverse programs, and a low-impact exercise machine that won't strain sensitive joints. |
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 Great Machine! |
| Review Date: March 9, 2009 |
| Reviewer: BrianW, Montgomery, Alabama United States |
I've been into health and fitness for about 12 years, and I've owned several cardio and weight machines over that time. Also, I go to the gym so I have experience using commercial grade equipment. I purchased this machine so that I could do my cardio at home and only have to go to the gym for my weight training. I've been using it about 4 days a week, for 45 minute sessions, for about 4 weeks now and I absolutely love it! This is a very sturdy piece of equipment, and is very smooth. I am very happy with this product, and as long as it doesn't break on me any time soon, I will continue to be a supporter of Sole products.
Some people mentioned some difficulties in assembling this machine, but I don't recall having any major problems other than the issues mentioned below, which I don't think were really related to the assembly. I did take it real slow (and had someone looking over me lol) just to make sure I didn't mess anything up, so just be sure to set aside plenty of time so you can follow the directions exactly. Fortunately, they include all the tools you need and all of the small parts (screws, bolts, etc.) are separated out in a package according to the step you use them.
There were 2 very small issues I had after I assembled the machine, but they were very minor so I didn't think it warranted taking a star off the rating. First, after assembling it and getting on it to test it out, I noticed some type of squeaking noise. After narrowing down where the sound was coming from I found out that it was caused by the rollers, so I applied the supplied lube to the rails and that solved that problem. The other issue was another noise I noticed while being on it for a few minutes. I narrowed that noise down to one of the "O" bolts that screw into the end of the end where you connect the leg arm to the arm handle. The problem was caused because you couldn't screw the "O" bolt in all the way because if you did you could line the arm handle up with it. Anyways, I called Sole and they had a technician call me. He shipped me the part I needed (another "O" bolt, washer, etc.) and that solved the problem. It should be noted that, after seeing what they sent me, I could have very easily fixed this problem myself by just using a washer on the "O" bolt, but I figured I'd just let the part come in from the technician. These 2 issues were very minor and the noises were not very loud, but I thought I should at least mention them.
Some other things:
- Another poster mentioned the tube of lube that comes in the box, and I believe that is used to lube the railings that the rollers ride on. At least that's what I used it for.
- Someone mentioned the arm grips being a bit large, and they are somewhat large compared to other machines, but I got use to them after a few workouts.
- If you like really hardcore, grueling training sessions then get on this thing and pump the resistance level up to 10+ (it goes to 20 I think). This thing has more resistance than any home piece of equipment I have ever seen, and just as much as most of the commercial ones. The bottom line is no matter how strong you are, I don't think you are going to outgrow this thing.
You usually get what you pay for, and if you are serious about getting a good piece of home exercise equipment that will give you an awesome workout, then expect to pay at least this much. I actually purchased this thing from a local Dick's Sporting Goods because it was the same price but I probably paid a good bit more once you figure in sales tax (10% here in Montgomery, AL). If you have a local sporting goods store that carries this elliptical, you may want to go check it out there first just to make sure it feels ok to you.
May 15, 2009 update: I'm still very much enjoying this machine and getting a lot of use out of it. I didn't say anything about the included heart-rate monitor in my original review but thought I should mention it now because I've been using it a lot. Unlike the hand-grip monitor that this machine and others like it have, the included chest strap monitor seems to be very accurate! I've experimented with it a few times by slowing the pace down and picking the pace up and watched as the on screen display accurately reflected the change in heart-rate. |
Comments on Assembly Process
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| Review Date: February 1, 2009 |
| Reviewer: kerbo, Alpharetta, GA USA |
I just finished assembling my 2009 Sole E95 and felt compelled to comment on the assembly process. It took about 3 ½ hrs from opening the box to powering up the unit for the first time. Here are some tips:
1. The assembly process isn't that complex but it does require some mechanical reasoning (like understanding a schematic) to fill in the many gaps in the instructions. If you are able to assemble a more difficult piece of Ikea furniture, then you should have no problem.
2. The parts kit includes the necessary tools (wrench, screwdriver) but realistically these tools are too poor quality to be effective. If you don't own tools, that might be an indication you shouldn't be tackling this project.
3. I opened the box outside and carried the parts into the house. Technically you could carry the box inside but that would be difficult and require 2-3 people. You can use a hand truck to carry the box but the box is too wide (34") to fit through most doors. The heaviest part is the flywheel assembly. You can rotate the assembly up on its wheels and pull with one person but that won't work going up stairs.
4. There are four basic assembly steps: connect back frame to flywheel assembly, connect post to flywheel assembly, connect arms and attach the many plastic covers.
5. The hardest step was connecting the post to the flywheel assembly. In this step, you have to feed the wires through the post, slip the whole thing through a plastic cover and slide down into the flywheel assembly where you will attach with bolts (making sure to tighten the fourth bolt already in place). The trick is making sure the wires are routed up the right channel in the post otherwise they will get pinched when inserting the post. You also should leave the foam insert in place at all times when working with the bolts. When the wire didn't fit correctly, I had to remove the bolts and since I already removed the foam, I dropped a bolt into the flywheel assembly. This required me to remove the plastic side around the flywheel to retrieve the bolt (taking 20 min).
6. Connecting the wires to the control panel assumes you know how to plug in small connectors correctly. The wires going to the hand rails are not marked left or right. I'm not sure if it matters. Everything worked correctly when finished so maybe I got lucky.
7. The instructions slightly mention a grommet that must be inserted into the post to protect the wire going to the hand rail. Couldn't find a grommet in the parts kit so I assembled anyway thinking I'd have to call later. Turns out the grommets were in the bag with the electrical cord (last bag opened) so I had to disassemble the plastic covers to insert the grommets (more time).
8. Connecting the plastic covers with the sheet metal screws is difficult because the holes are deep and the screw doesn't want to find the hole. Using a small magnetic screwdriver is very helpful as once the screw is stuck to the screwdriver, you can slowly insert into the hole making sure to keep the screw centered.
9. Included is a tube of lube. The instructions don't mention what to do with the lube but I hope it it's just for the rear rails.
Fortunately no parts were damaged or missing. That was my worse fear starting this project. Cross my fingers and hope everything stays working.
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An incredible machine that's worth every cent - from a tall user
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| Review Date: March 4, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Jeffrey C. Key, |
After doing much research for the right elliptical for me and finding glowing reviews from many fitness sites I settled on the Sole E95. I couldn't find one to try before purchasing, but I decided to go with it anyway and I've been completely pleased with this purchase.
Assembly -
It arrived very well packaged, but as noted by others it is very heavy and the delivery man will probably not help you get it in the house. I opened it up in the driveway and carried it in piece-by-piece, only needing help with the flywheel piece. Assembly wasn't fun, but it wasn't the nightmare some other reviewers would have you believe. The instructions were straightforward and while the parts weren't labeled it was easy enough to tel what was what by the pictures. I did the actual assembly process without help and the whole thing from opening the box to powering up the machine took about 2 to 2.5 hours. Tip - If you have a socket wrench and/or electric screwdriver you will speed the normal process up considerably.
The Workout -
Using the machine feels so good! One reviewer states that it's not good for tall people, but I'm 6'5" and it feels very natural and smooth to me. It has many different programs for a large variety of difficulties which will help keep you interested and challenged. The controls are easy to use and the buttons for the incline and difficulty level are very conveniently placed to make it easy to change the workout whenever you feel like it. One of the best features is the wireless heart rate monitor which helps you control the pace of your workout and keep your heart rate where you want it.
Other features -
This machine is almost completely silent! You won't have to turn the volume up on a tv at all if you choose to watch it. The padded footpads feel great if walking bare or sock-footed, and keep you slip free if wearing shoes. The hand grips also feel great and are easy to hold for long periods, but they might seem a little large if you have small hands. It's also a very sturdy machine and holds my 270 lbs without a single bit of trouble. The speakers for the MP3 player are OK. Nothing special, but good enough for most people. The fan, as many others have noted, isn't worth much but it's better than nothing. It comes with a little water bottle and includes two spots to hold it or other bottles.
All in all, this is one great machine! After only a few days of use you will start to tell a difference and feel better. And when you add on the incredible warranty (you won't find a better warranty for an elliptical) and features it's hard to believe that this machine doesn't cost much more. I think you will be pleased with this machine. Thank you for your time.
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Great Eliptical Workout
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| Review Date: March 1, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Robert York, Westlake, Oh USA |
I have been researching these machines. I currently have a NordicTrack eliptical that has served my family well but its time for an upgrade. Heard a lot of good things about the Sole so I went to Dicks to try them out. As opposed to the one reviewer who did not like the thicker hand grips and the padded foot holders, I really LIKED them!
My feet always slipped on the NordicTrac. The padded foot holders prevent that from happening. The thicker hand grips just felt more strudy than the E35 (For some reason Dicks does not carry the E55). Overall the E95 felt sturdier and solid. The actual workout was amazing. I used both machines for about 15 minutes each. They are both very good but the sturdiness of the E95 sold me. |
Fantastic Home Elliptical
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| Review Date: July 20, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Tracey L. Walcott, San Diego, California United States |
When my 5 year old elliptical broke and I couldn't replace the worn wheels simply because the parts were obsolete, I went looking for a replacement as this is at the core of my workout each day. I first headed into the land of buying a used PRECOR EFX546 but found the ones I could afford were in the 2k price range. The problem was is that these machines had various amounts of years on them from 4 to 8 years old and even they were due to be discontinued as far as parts were concerned in the near future. I thought "no-way" do I want to spend this kind of money only to have another problem again in the future. A new one was again WAY out of my league spending between 4K-6K so I started searching the internet and came across this beauty.
Nearly every review I read was positive and the negative reviews were due to assembly issues. Having built quite a few things from Ikea, I figured this couldn't be too hard and it wasn't. My new elliptical arrived in just 3 days!! and was dropped off in my garage where I un-boxed it and carried each piece into the room where it was going. I don't think it would be wise to assemble it somewhere else, the move it to where you want it. It is VERY heavy (over 200 pounds). The machine went together like butter on toast, no issues whatsoever and I didn't even need the lube for the rails since it was perfectly fine right out of the box. The hardware was separated and labeled according to each step in the instructions so it was almost "dummy" proof. The pictures could have been a bit larger and the instructions could have been written a little better, but overall, this machine was a cakewalk to assemble.
Construction wise, the elliptical is bulletproof. Very, very sturdy. The flywheel assembly was completely enclosed and was the most difficult part to move around during the assembly since the pedal arms come pre-attached. Most every screw and bolt had a pre-threaded hole so if it didn't fit, it probably wasn't the right bolt/screw. I was very impressed as this is a much more expensive way to manufacture something, but it holds up better and is much sturdier. The entire machine from un-boxing (which took the longest) to complete assembly took just under 2 hours. If I was doing it over again, I could get this done in 45 minutes.
I've now had it for 4 days and I've been using it for 4 days. The control panel actually gives you some good information and the different programs are simple, but work just fine. The BEST compliment I can give it is how SMOOTH it is. Feels just like one of the PRECOR's I've used at the gym. Even the pedals are adjustable so I can raise the heel to match my foot placement a little better. The flywheel is very HEAVY. You can tell this because you cannot simply "stop" when your done (I could on my last machine). You have to slow down period, no other choice. If I had any complaints on this machine, it would be to have a stronger personal fan (I could barely feel it) and to re-position the cup holders in the console to be higher and away from the moving handles. Also, adding a towel bracket somewhere would also be nice, but I use the 2nd cup holder for that. Again, these are very small items in comparison to how great the machine functions. I also did not order the unit from Amazon, but since most of my research was done here, I figured this was the best place to let people know how great a machine this really is. Do some E-Bay research as there is an authorized reseller selling the machine $200 less and then CALL the manufacturer directly as they will match this price. |
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