| Unit | Size | Supported weight | Flywheel weight | Resistance | Console |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
XTERRA EU100 Check Discounted Price | L:42.5" W:24.5" H:61.5" | 265 lbs | 11 lbs | Manual magnetic, 8 levels | Time, Distance, Odometer, Speed, Calories, Pulse, Scan, Goals |
The XTERRA EU100 combines two fitness machines, an elliptical trainer and an upright bike. It’s a fitness machine designed for home use, but does offer a fairly decent weight capacity and includes an exercise meter. It’s also one of the most affordable hybrid trainers at the moment, currently available for less than $200.
Key Features and Specifications
- Assembled dimensions: 42.5L x 24.5W x 61.5H inches (108L x 62W x 156H cm)
- Assembled weight: 70.5 lbs (32 kg)
- Flywheel weight: 11 lbs (5 kg)
- Supported weight: 265 lbs (120 kg)
- Seat: 4-way adjustable
- Stride: 13 inches (33 cm)
- Resistance: Magnetic, 8 levels
- Exercise meter: Time, distance, odometer, speed, calories, pulse, goals, scan
- Warranty: Frame 1 year / Parts 1 year / Brake 1 year
Frame construction
The XTERRA Fitness EU100 hybrid trainer features a durable steel frame offering a weight capacity of
265 lbs (120 kg). Of course, it also incorporates several ABS plastic parts in its construction. Among them, we can mention the covers of the flywheel and braking system, the pedal trays, and several other small covers. The pedal bars are fairly thick and wide, providing excellent support for the pedal trays and for the user.
All the steel tubes in the machine’s construction are powder coated with a corrosion-resistant paint finish. The color used is black, this being the only color available for this model.
Compared to many different elliptical trainers, the XTERRA EU100 is not an extremely large machine. With all the parts assembled, it is only 42.5″ (108 cm) long, and 24.5″ (62 cm) wide. Its highest point is given by the top of the moving arms which can reach approx. 61.5″ (156 cm) above floor level. It is recommended, though, to leave at least two feet of clearance all around the machine for ease of access and unhindered usage.
The fully assembled unit isn’t too heavy. It weighs approx. 70.5 lbs (32 kg), so it can definitely be assembled by only one person. But on the other hand, it is heavy enough and has a low center of gravity, in order to provide great stability. Plus, its rear base bar is equipped with a set of polygonal caps which you can rotate to perfectly stabilize the machine.
Once the machine is fully assembled, its relocation can be done with ease. Its front base features a set of wheels which allow you to easily roll it to its storage place.
Seat, pedals, and handlebars
The XTERRA EU100 hybrid trainer features a standard seat. Its top is made of high-density foam. It doesn’t
have any additional air-cell cushioning, but it is fairly flexible and provides optimal comfort. Also, its top is contoured, with a longitudinal groove for extra breathability.
The seat offers four-way adjustability (up, down, backward, forward). Its upright post has several adjustment notches, while its horizontal slider allows a few extra inches of front to back adjustment. This being said, the unit should accommodate users between 5’0″ and 6’2″ (153 – 188 cm). However, shorter users may find the stationary handlebars a bit too far away from the seat.
The machine is equipped with two sets of handlebars, one fixed, one mobile. The fixed handlebar integrate pulse sensors and the console can monitor your pulse if you hold on to them. The mobile handlebars feature long grips, with ovalized grips at the top. They’re directly connected to the pedal bars, so they will move for as long as you pedal; they cannot be locked to remain stationary. Both types of handlebars feature a layer of rubber foam material to provide a better grip.
The unit’s pedals are large enough to accommodate any size of athletic shoes. They are non-adjustable and do not have any extra cushioning as other more expensive machines. But nonetheless, they deliver a comfortable placement of the feet, while the workout nullifies the impact on your knees and ankles. They also have front guards and a textured surface to provide superior foot stability.
As we’ve mentioned above, the pedal trays are made of durable ABS material. They are attached to thick
steel bars. Thus, as long as you don’t exceed the 265 lbs (120 kg) specified weight capacity, you should have no problem exercising on this machine.
The machine’s stride is only 13″ (33 cm). This being said, it limits the range of motion for taller persons when it is used as an elliptical. But nonetheless, even if you’re over 6’0″ (183 cm), you can still benefit from a very consistent and impact-free workout on this trainer. Also, the elliptical path is slightly inclined forward. This leads to a pedaling feel which resembles descending on a soft ramp when using the machine as an elliptical and puts a bit more focus on the glutes.
Last but not least, the pedal step-up height is approx. 6.5″ (16 cm). Conversely, at their highest point, the pedals reach approx. 17″ (44 cm) above floor level. Therefore, it is recommended to use the machine in a room with a ceiling that is at least 20″ (51 cm) higher than your own height.
Drive and resistance
The XTERRA Fitness EU100 elliptical upright bike is equipped with a manual magnetic resistance system. 
This means you don’t have to connect it to a power outlet. Also, the console does not have any preset programs that automatically adjust the resistance.
The unit’s resistance system consists of an internal magnetic brake which is attached to the tension dial on the front mast of the machine through a steel cable. To increase the resistance, you have to turn the dial clockwise. This will enable the magnetic brake to move closer to the flywheel, this way creating more drag and increasing the pedaling difficulty.
There are 8 tension difficulties (or 8 “clicks”) specified on the dial. The lowest difficulty setting delivers a very light resistance which is great for recovery training. Conversely, the 8th tension level provides considerably more resistance, giving you the possibility to boost your cardiovascular rate.
The unit’s internal flywheel isn’t extremely heavy. It weighs 11 lbs (5 kg). Therefore, the machine does not provide an aggressive inertia, so you shouldn’t worry about any additional stress on the knees. But nonetheless, since the unit’s resistance system is magnetic, the machine can still provide a decent pedaling difficulty.
Pedaling in reverse is also possible on this machine. And when pedaling in reverse, the console will continue to monitor your workout statistics. Also, the resistance will remain constant when pedaling in reverse, given by the selected difficulty setting.
The internal drivetrain uses a heavy-duty, stretch-resistant belt. This type of drive system comes with a few advantages. First of all, you don’t have to take the covers apart to lubricate it. In fact, none of the internal parts should require any lubrication for a long period of time. Second of all, it generates very little vibration; the pedaling motion is very smooth. And third, the usage of the machine is very quiet, this also being one of the benefits of a magnetic braking system.
Console
Since the XTERRA Fitness EU100 upright bike elliptical trainer hybrid does not have an automatic resistance
system, its console does not have preset programs and does not control the resistance in any way. It’s basically just a workout meter which monitors your main workout statistics. It features a 3.7″ LCD display which indicates time, distance, total distance, speed, calories, and pulse.
Speed and distance are shown in imperial units only (MPH and miles). There is no setting for metric units. Also, in case you’re wondering, the console unit is not telemetric. It can only track your pulse if you hold on to the sensors integrated into the stationary handlebars. It cannot communicate with any wireless HR chest strap transmitter.
The console unit is very easy to use. It has three buttons – Mode, Set, Reset. The Mode button allows you to scroll through the workout metrics and select the one you want to see on the display. Or, you can select the Scan Mode which rotates all the metrics showing each one for 6 seconds. The Set button gives you the possibility to set up a target for time, distance, and calories. Targets for pulse cannot be selected on this machine. Once a target is selected, the console will count down from it until it reaches zero. And finally, the Reset key allows you to clear all the values to zero, except the total distance (odometer).
The unit requires two AA batteries as a power source. It turns on automatically when you begin pedaling or when you press any of its buttons. It also has a self shutdown function which is initiated after four minutes of inactivity on the machine.
Assembly and Maintenance
The main body of the machine with all the drive and resistance elements comes pre-assembled. However, there still are quite a few parts that you will have to put together. As a general idea, you will have to attach the two base bars, the front mast, the pedal bars, the pedal trays, the fixed and moving arms, the seat post, the seat, connect the tension cable, and attach the console. This may take up to two hours. The included manual provides all the necessary assembly instructions, though. A basic toolkit is also included.
Once the machine is assembled, it doesn’t require too much maintenance. Its joints may need a bit of lubrication from time to time. Other than this, it is recommended to periodically inspect the machine for loose or broken parts.
The Pros
- Double functionality – elliptical trainer and upright bike;
- Sturdy construction – can hold users up to 265 lbs (120 kg);
- Adjustable stabilizers on the rear base;
- Transport wheels on the front base;
- Large, durable pedals;
- Large, comfortable saddle with a longitudinal groove for extra breathability;
- Four-way adjustable seat;
- Pulse reading function;
- Zero-friction magnetic resistance;
- 8 levels of resistance;
- Quiet belt drive system;
- Exercise meter included – it can track time, distance, total distance, speed, calories, and pulse;
- Goal settings and Scan Mode;
- Fairly easy to assemble;
- Tools for assembly are included;
- Little maintenance required.
The Cons
- No tablet holder;
- No bottle holder;
- No backlight on the fitness meter.
Summary
The XTERRA Fitness EU100 is a double-function fitness machine, combining an elliptical trainer with an upright exercise bike. It features a sturdy frame, a manual magnetic resistance system, offers 4-way adjustability for the seat, and also includes an exercise meter. It’s perfect for light to medium cardio workouts, muscle toning, interval training, building stamina and losing weight. In all, it’s a versatile and quite an affordable fitness machine.