| Unit | Size | Supported weight | Incline | Resistance | Console |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sunny SF-E3919 Check Discounted Price | L:44" W:25" H:64" | 260 lbs | No | Manual magnetic, 8 levels | Time, Distance, Speed, RPM, Calories, Pulse, BMI, Recovery, Goals, Scan |
The Sunny SF-E3919 is one of the elliptical machines released by Sunny Health & Fitness in late 2019. It’s an elliptical climber or a machine that offers a stride and range of motion between a standard elliptical trainer and a stepper. It is a trainer made for home use, but offers excellent durability and a decent range of features.
Key Features and Specifications
- Assembled dimensions: 44L x 25W x 64H inches (112L x 63W x 163H cm)
- Assembled weight: 95 lbs (43 kg)
- Flywheel weight: 14 lbs (6.3 kg)
- Supported weight: 260 lbs (118 kg)
- Stride: 7 inches (18 cm)
- Adjustable incline: No
- Resistance: Manual magnetic, 8 levels
- Console: Time, distance, odometer, RPM, speed, calories, pulse, goals, recovery, BMI
- Extras: Tablet holder, HRC zones sticker
- Warranty: Frame 3 years / Parts 180 days
Frame construction
The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E3919 Premium Cardio Climber has a similar construction
to the Body Power StepTrac BST800 that we’ve already covered here. Its frame is made of steel tubing, but the covers of the flywheel and the other drive and resistance elements are ABS made. All the steel parts in its construction feature a durable paint finish, resistant to chipping and corrosion. The color used is black, this being the only color available for this machine (at least for now).
The unit’s main chassis is a one-piece element with the rail system directly welded to the frame. This considerably improves the overall sturdiness of the machine. The two rail bars also have stainless steel covers for extra protection. However, the console mast and the two base bars attach to the main frame via bolts and screws.
Like most other steppers, the Sunny SF-E3919 has a pretty small footprint. It is only 44″ (112 cm) long, and 25″ (63 cm) wide. Therefore, it can fit well even into a small room. It is recommended, though, to leave at least two feet of clearance all around the unit.
The fully assembled unit is fairly heavy. It weighs approx. 95 lbs (43 kg), so it is recommended that the boxed unit is carried by two persons. However, once it is assembled, it can be easily relocated by using its two front wheels. Also, its rear base bar integrates adjustable levelers so you can perfectly stabilize the unit on any type of floor.
This Sunny elliptical machine features two sets of handlebars; one is fixed, the other is mobile. The fixed handlebars attach directly to the console mast. They have short, standard grips and integrate EKG sensors. The moving arms feature long rubberized grips with ball grips at the top. They attach both to the main upright bar and to the pedal bars so they continue to move for as long as you are pedaling; they cannot be locked.
Elliptical path, stride, and step-up height
Since it’s a climber or an elliptical stepper, the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E3919 features an almost
fully vertical elliptical path. The two rail bars of the pedals have an angle of approx. 45°, so the pedaling motion resembles the one of an elliptical trainer with an incline. The machine does not have an automatic or manual incline system; the two pedal rail bars are fixed.
The unit’s pedals are made of durable ABS material. They have a non-slip surface and inner guards for improved foot stability. They don’t have extra cushioning or articulations; they attach directly to their bars via two screws each. They’re durable enough to support users up to 260 lbs (118 kg).
Since it’s an elliptical stepper, the Sunny SF-3919 doesn’t have a long stride. It offers a horizontal range of motion of only 7″ (~18 cm), pretty much characteristic to steppers. But nonetheless, due to handlebar configuration, and the specific construction of the frame, it can provide high-intensity workouts with maximum stability.
The lowest pedal height (or step-up height) is approx. 10″ (25 cm), while the highest pedal point is approx. 16″ (40 cm) above floor level. This being said, 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 Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E3919 Cardio Climber features a manual magnetic resistance
system. Therefore, it doesn’t require an external power source or an adapter. Also, its console cannot automatically control the resistance and does not have preset workout programs like the XTERRA FS2.5 or the Sunny SF-E3912 models, for example.
The machine’s resistance system consists of a magnetic brake which is connected to the tension knob on the main upright bar of the unit through a steel cable. As you turn the knob clockwise, the brake moves closer to the flywheel which increases the load of the pedaling motion.
Like many other fitness machines with a manual magnetic resistance system, the Sunny SF-E3919 offers 8 tension levels. The first level delivers little resistance, great for recovery training. Conversely, the 8th level of resistance offers considerably more pedal tension, offering the possibility to perform a more intense workout and improve strength and stamina.
The unit’s internal flywheel is not as heavy as for a spin bike but does weigh 14 lbs (6.3 kg) which is not bad for a home-use machine. It is perimeter-weighted for added inertia. It is also bi-directional. Therefore, you can pedal in reverse if you want to diversify your workouts. Of course, when pedaling in reverse, the machine delivers the same resistance as for pedaling forward.
This elliptical stepper is equipped with a belt drive system. This type of transmission comes with several advantages. First of all, you don’t have to worry about taking the main unit apart for internal lubrication. Second of all, the pedaling motion is very quiet, almost completely silent. And finally, a belt drive produces less vibration than a chain drive, which results in a smoother pedaling motion.
Console unit
The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E3919 comes with the same console as the Sunny SF-B2952 
upright bike. It’s a mid-range console without any workout programs or online connectivity but does offer plenty of features to keep you motivated.
To begin with, the unit’s console is equipped with an LCD display divided into multiple sub-sections. It tracks time, distance, speed, RPM, calories, and pulse. Each one of these metrics has its own window at the bottom of the display, with the exception of speed and RPM which share the same window; each one remains on the display for 6 seconds.
The top, larger display can show any of the selected workout metrics. Or, you can select the unit’s Scan Mode and they will rotate in a sequence of 6 seconds. When the console is in idle mode, the top display shows the current date, clock, and room temperature.
The unit is set to imperial (English) units. Speed and distance are shown in MPH and miles, while the temperature is displayed in degrees Fahrenheit. There is no option for metric units. Also, the console is not telemetric. It cannot track your pulse through a wireless HR chest strap. So, if you want to monitor your heart rate during your workout, you will have to use the integrated sensors.
Although the console doesn’t have any preset programs, it does offer goal settings for time, distance, calories, and pulse. So, if a goal is selected for any of these workout metrics, the console will show the remaining amount until you reach your goal. If a goal is selected for heart rate, the console will beep when you achieve the selected pulse rate.
The console also has a Recovery function and a BMI function. The Recovery function gives you a fitness rating at the end of your workout based on the time it takes your heart to return to a normal BPM. The rating is between F1 – excellent, and F6 – poor. The BMI function requires you to input your data such as age, weight, height, and gender. Based on this the console will calculate your body fat percentage.
Two other notable console functions are the tablet holder and the HRC sticker. The tablet holder is placed above the LCD display, so a tablet placed on it won’t cover your workout stats. However, the console doesn’t have any docking ports for your phone or tablet. The HRC sticker is placed at the top section of the console and shows the heart rate zones that you should aim for depending on your age, in order to benefit from a better aerobic output, fat burn, etc. Not all ellipticals have this feature; usually, this HRC grid is shown in their manual, so you may not have it all the time with you when you exercise.
Assembly and Maintenance
The base frame of the machine comes pre-assembled; this also stands for its drive and resistance elements. However, the two base bars, the console mast, the pedals, the handlebars, and the console still require assembly. The task is not too complicated; the manual provides very clear assembly instructions and schematics, but it can take up to two hours. Also, all the necessary tools for the assembly are included.
Once the machine is fully assembled, you don’t have to worry too much about maintenance. The internal parts don’t require any lubrication. So, it’s only recommended to keep the unit clean, especially the rails, and lubricate the joints if necessary.
The Pros
- Sturdy steel frame – can support users up to 260 lbs;
- Aesthetic and compact design;
- Transport wheels on the front base;
- Adjustable stabilizers on the rear base;
- Durable, large pedals with inner guards for extra foot stability;
- Moving arms with ball grips at the top;
- Fixed handlebars with pulse sensors;
- Reinforced and precision-welded rail bars for improved sturdiness;
- Quiet belt drive system;
- Manual magnetic resistance – 8 levels;
- Multi-window LCD display console;
- Goal settings on the console;
- Recovery and BMI functions;
- Clock, date, and temperature functions;
- Tablet holder included;
- HRC sticker included;
- Easy to assemble;
- All the assembly tools are included;
- Little maintenance required;
- Excellent warranty.
The Cons
- The console display doesn’t have backlight;
- No online connectivity;
- No bottle holder.
Summary
The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E3919 Premium Cardio Climber is an elliptical stepper machine equipped with an 8-level magnetic resistance system, a durable set of pedals, and a console that can track all the important workout metrics. It has a compact and durable frame, two sets of handlebars and a pulse reading function. It’s a great machine for light to high-intensity cardio workouts, muscle toning, stamina development, and weight loss. In all, it offers excellent value for the price.