SOLE Fitness E95 Elliptical Machine

Unit	Size	Supported weight	Resistance	Apps	Warranty
Sole E95 Check Discounted Price	L:83" W:27" H:62"	400 lbs	Eddy current	10	Frame: lifetime Parts: 5 years Electronics: 5 years Labor: 2 years

Many elliptical trainer models are designed to provide a good aerobic training, and help with a healthy cardiovascular shape, being designed for light and medium training levels. But nonetheless, there are heavy-duty ellipticals out there, made for professional training and for consistent weight loss. The SOLE Fitness E95 is one of them.

This elliptical training machine offers an excellent balance between quality and design, supplying the perfect setting for long-distance running training and superior cardio. It’s also a heavy-user oriented exercising machine, a great choice for an elliptical if you want to lose weight.

Details and Specifications

• Assembled dimensions: 83L x 27W x 62H inches (211L x 68.5W x 158H cm)
• Product weight: 215 lbs (97.5 kg)
• Flywheel weight: 34 lbs (15.4 kg)
• Supported weight: 400 lbs (181.5 kg)
• Stride: Adjustable, 20 to 22 inches (51 to 56 cm)
• Incline: automatic, 0-20°
• Footplates: Articulating, adjustable
• Handlebars: Mobile (with incline and resistance digits) and fixed (with pulse sensors)
• Brake system: Eddy current
• Resistance: Adjustable, 15 levels
• Progress Tracking Console: 10 workout programs
• Bottle/Accessory holder: Yes
• Media Tray: Yes
• Speakers: Incorporated in the console
• Warranty: Frame lifetime / Parts 5 years / Electronics 5 years / Labor 2 years

Frame

The SOLE E95 elliptical trainer features a very solid, 2-piece steel frame. Its overall weight reaches 215 lbs (97.5 kg) which enhances its stability by a lot. It is actually one of the few available ellipticals designed to support users up to 400 lbs (181.5 kg) without any problem, without losing stability or breaking. Due to this fact, it actually has a rather extensive footprint 27″ (68.5 cm) in width and 83″ (210.8 cm) in length, which requires quite a bit of room for adequate exercising.

The frame is finished with 3 bases, each one of them equipped with levelers, to ensure maximum stability on any type of flooring. The front base features two transport wheels which are engaged when the rear of the machine is lifted. The rear base features a handle for easy lifting.

Handlebars

Both mobile and fixed handlebars are non-adjustable. However, they do have a multi-grip design, which should offer a comfortable posture for any user. The mobile arms of the machine are curled, to prevent even the tallest user to touch them with their knees as they workout. The fixed handlebars feature pulse sensors, while the mobile ones incorporate digits for quick incline and resistance adjustment. Both types of handlebars are nicely padded with rubber foam, to ensure a comfortable, anti-slip grip, even if your hands become sweaty during your workout.

Incline system

An important aspect regarding this Sole elliptical is the automatic incline mechanism. First of all, it’s attached to the rear part of the machine. It allows a maximum 20° incline, which adds a lot to your training diversity. By adjusting the incline, you can put more pressure on specific groups of muscles, obtaining a better focus with your workouts. As the incline increases, you will feel your knees rise higher with every step, increasing the range of motion and involving more muscle fibers.

The incline system features double, heavy-duty rails on each side, and four polyurethane rear wheels, which ensure a very stable feel, reducing the side-to-side movement of the pedals.

The incline mechanism is automatic, adjustable via the console of mobile arms keys. This is a great feature, as you can adjust the incline while you’re actively exercising, without having to stop. On top of that, the console includes programs that automatically adjust the incline, alternating and combining different slopes with different resistance levels.

By adjusting the incline, you also adjust the stride. The E95 from SOLE Fitness is one of the ellipticals with a fairly long stride, which can be adjusted from 20″ to 22″ (51 to 56 cm). In other words, this elliptical trainer can offer an optimal stride even to taller users, up to 6’6″ (198 cm). On the other hand, it might not be too suitable for users under 5′ (152.4 cm) tall. 

Pedals

The SOLE E95 elliptical is equipped with 15″ (38 cm) pedals, long and wide enough to accommodate feet of all shapes and sizes. They have a slight inward tilt to fit perfectly to your leg / foot positioning, rendering a perfect posture, and reduce the impact on all leg articulations to zero. Each footpad has 3 levels of adjustment – 0°-5°-10°, giving you the possibility to select the position that you find more suitable for your training. This feature has a very important role in eliminating the toe numbness effect or sore Achilles tendons, conditions which may occur during prolonged workouts.

The pedals render an elevation of the user up to 22″ (51 cm). Thus you should add about 2′ (61 cm) to your height, in order to find out the required ceiling height.

Drive and brake system

This elliptical exercising machine features an electromagnetic brake system. In other words, it requires an electric current, and respectively a power source in order for the resistance to become operational. The box includes a 6 ft. (183 cm) power cord, with a plug (not adapter), fit for any standard American 110V outlet. The power connector for the cord is located near the front base of the unit, on the left side. It also features a 1/0 power button.

The SOLE E95 elliptical offers 15 levels of resistance. The adjusting of the resistance is done exclusively from the console or mobile arms of the machine, being fully automatic.

The drive system of the machine features quite a heavy flywheel for an elliptical trainer. It’s aluminium made, and weighs 34 lbs (15.4 kg), providing a smooth and steady workout, with an ample rotation, and plenty of resistance for users of all levels. It also adds quite a bit to the final weight of the machine, improving its stability.

Console and amenities

Although it’s not the most advanced console you can find in a high-end elliptical trainer, the console of this machine does have a lot to offer. First of all, it features a 9″ LCD display, backlit (blue), to facilitate its reading even during poor lighting conditions. The display can indicate a wide array of values, such as distance, speed, time, calories burned, laps completed, RPM, pulse, incline and resistance level, and program used. It offers 10 programs, including 6 standard, 2 custom, and 2 heart rate. The console features keys for gradual and quick incline and tension adjustment, and separate keys for each program.

The console of the SOLE Fitness E95 is compatible with most MP3 players, smartphones or tablets, featuring an audio input, and also a headphone input. The upper part of the console features two speakers, great feature to have in case headphones or earplugs may be inconvenient for you during workouts. The upper part of the console also includes a small fan to keep you cool during high intensity workouts.

Two other very useful features present on the console device of this elliptical trainer, are the tablet holder and the bottle holder. The tablet holder is placed just above the main keyboard of the console, while the bottle holder comes to finish the lower part. The console has a tilt mount, therefore you can adjust it to the right angle in order to benefit from a perfect view of the LCD display, or your tablet.

Finally, the console is telemetry enabled, and the box also includes a chest strap for reading your pulse.

Assembly and Maintenance

The SOLE Fitness E95 is quite a complex exercising machine, not exactly easy to put together. Even though the box includes a very comprehensive manual, providing detailed, step-by-step guidance for the assembly process, it can still take more than 2 hours to put together. There are many segments and parts that you must not forget to screw in place, all the joints and the rails require lubrication with a PTFE lubricant, and the machine is quite heavy, so you might want to assemble it in the same place where you want to use it. The help of another person may also be required.

The drive and brake system of the elliptical come already assembled, sealed in their plastic enclosure and attached to the front part of the frame. Largely speaking, assembly requires you to attach the two main pieces of the frame, add the bases, main handlebar post, arms, lateral legbar, footplates, connect the incline and resistance wires, and finally the console. The box also provides the tools for the assembly.

Also, since this Sole elliptical trainer is heavy, it’s best to place it on a mat, to avoid damaging flooring, and to ensure maximum stability.

When it comes to maintenance, the drive system doesn’t require any. The joints of the machine require periodic re-tightening and lubrication. The rails of need cleaning before and after each workout, to avoid any damage to the wheels, or nicks into the rails, and ensure a smooth ride.They’re aluminium-made, not steel, therefore dirt, sand or other hard particles may cause them permanent damage, resulting in thumping during use.

Pluses

One of the main pluses of this elliptical trainer is the fact that it supports heavy users. There aren’t too many exercising machines of this type out there, listed to support users up to 400 lbs. On top of that, it has quite a long stride, accommodating taller users as well.

The second advantage on the list is the automatic incline mechanism. This is quite an important feature as it expands the exercising spectrum. The ramp can be adjusted without interrupting your exercising routine, directly from the console. Plus, since it has a double rail system, is adds to the stability of the ride.

The design of the mobile arms is also a plus. They offer multiple grips, for maximum comfort, incorporating keys for incline and resistance adjustment.

The pulse sensors in the fixed handlebars are another excellent feature to have, which not all ellipticals offer. Plus, the console is telemetry enabled, and comes with a chest strap for heart rate monitoring, so you don’t have to hold the fixed handlebars at all time, if you want to use a heart rate program, or simply monitor your cardio activity.

Adjustable pedals, with an ergonomic design and a generous surface are another great aspect about this elliptical trainer. They’re made to completely eliminate all impact on your feet, ankles and knees.

Last but not least, the console offers a fair amount of exercising programs, including various other amenities, such as speakers, fan, tablet tray, and a small compartment for water bottle, phone or MP3 player.

Minuses

Although it’s a top-quality elliptical, the SOLE E95 has its share of drawbacks. For starters, its assembly might be quite a pain for a less techy person, even though the manual covers each and every aspect of the process.

It’s a heavy machine, thus its transport and assembly may require two people. On top of that it’s quite sizable, therefore you should make sure you have the required space for it.

Considering that it’s not exactly an elliptical that comes cheap, it does not have any online connectivity, or possibility to import/export your workout data. Several other ellipticals within this price range do offer features of this sort, which can help a lot with the optimization of your training.

Bottom Line

If you’re looking for a heavy-duty, gym-class elliptical trainer, the SOLE Fitness E95 is one to put on your list. Not only it’s a great exercising machine for muscle toning, aerobic exercising and rehabilitation exercising, it also provides the required setting for professional training, and long distance runs. It supports heavy users without any problem and can help you burn up to 7-800 calories per session, which makes it a great machine for losing weight.

It eliminates any impact on the joints and back, and offers a quiet, smooth and stable, full-body workout. It’s an exquisite combination of quality, power and design, an investment that you won’t regret.