| Unit | Size | Supported weight | Resistance | Console | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sunny SF-E3911 Check Discounted Price | L:42" W:23" H:60.5" | 220 lbs | Manual magnetic, 8 levels | Time, Distance, Odometer, Speed, Calories, SCAN | Frame: 3 years Parts: 180 days |
The Sunny SF-E3911 is one of the elliptical trainers released by Sunny Health & Fitness in 2020. It’s the more basic version of the Sunny SF-E3914 that we’ve already reviewed here. Also, since it’s a cardio climber, it offers an almost vertical elliptical path with a rather short stride closer to a stepper than to a regular elliptical.
Key Features and Specifications
- Assembled dimensions: 42L x 23W x 60.5H inches (107L x 58W x 154H cm)
- Assembled weight: 69.3 lbs (31.4 kg)
- Supported weight: 220 lbs (100 kg)
- Flywheel weight: 8.8 lbs (4 kg)
- Stride: 9 inches (22.8 cm)
- Incline: No
- Resistance: Manual magnetic, 8 levels
- Fitness monitor: Time, distance, odometer, speed, calories, goals, scan
- Extras: Device holder, bottle holder
- Warranty: Frame 3 years / Parts 180 days
Frame construction
The Sunny Health & Fitness Cardio Climber SF-E3911 features a steel frame combining oval, rectangular, and 
cylindrical tubes in its construction for improved sturdiness and aesthetics. All the steel parts are coated with a corrosion-resistant paint finish. The color used is gray, this being the only color available for this trainer, at least for the moment. The unit also incorporates several parts made of durable thermoplastic material. Some of the most notable ones are the covers of the drive system and the pedal trays.
Since it’s a cardio climber not a standard elliptical, the Sunny SF-E3911 has a rather small footprint. It is approx. 42″ (107 cm) long, and 23″ (58 cm) wide, while its moving arms reach approx. 60.5″ (154 cm) above the floor level. It is recommended, though, to leave at least two feet of clearance all around the machine for unhindered usage.
The trainer is not super heavy but does weigh approx. 69.3 lbs (31.4 kg). This being said, the packaged unit may require two persons for transport. However, once it is fully assembled, it can easily be moved by only one person as its front base stabilizer is equipped with transport wheels. Also, both base stabilizers have adjustable levelers.
As opposed to other similar trainers, this Sunny Cardio Climber does not have fixed handlebars only the two long moving arms which are connected to the pedal bars. They feature long grips covered by PVC foam sleeves for improved contact. They do not have pulse sensors and the machine itself does not have a pulse reading function.
Stride, elliptical path, and pedal height
Since the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E3911 is a cardio climber and not a standard elliptical, it has a rather 
short stride of only 9″ (22.8 cm). Also, its elliptical path is almost completely vertical. The vertical climb is approx. 7″ (17.7 cm). Therefore, the machine provides a motion that resembles climbing a set of stairs, offering a workout that puts more focus on your glutes, calves, and thighs.
Due to the upright angle of the elliptical path, there shouldn’t be any height limits for users. Differently put, any user between 4’11” and 6’5″ (150 – 196 cm) should be able to use this trainer with no problem. However, the machine only has a weight limit of 220 lbs (100 kg).
As we’ve mentioned above, the machine’s pedal trays are made from a durable thermoplastic material. They are large enough to accommodate footwear of all sizes. They have front guards and a textured surface for improved foot stability. They do not have any adjustment features or extra cushioning, but the machine itself already provides a low-impact type of workout.
The pedal step-up height (lowest pedal position) is approx. 9″ (24 cm). Conversely, at their highest point, the pedals reach approx. 19″ (48 cm) above the floor. Therefore, it is recommended to use this machine in a room with a ceiling that is roughly two feet higher than your own height.
Drive and resistance
The Sunny Health & Fitness Cardio Climber SF-E3911 integrates an 8.8 lbs (4 kg) flywheel which is 
perimeter-weighted for improved inertia. The flywheel is also bi-directional. This means you can pedal in reverse if you want to diversify your workout. Evidently, when pedaling in reverse, the resistance remains constant, given by the selected tension level.
The machine features a belt drive system. This type of drivetrain comes with several advantages. First of all, it generates less vibration than a chain so the pedaling motion is very smooth and quiet. And second of all, the belt doesn’t require periodic lubrication.
The Sunny SF-E3911 Cardio Climber is equipped with a manual magnetic resistance system. Therefore, the fitness monitor cannot adjust the resistance automatically and does not have pre-set programs. Also, you don’t need a power adapter for it.
The trainer’s resistance system consists of an internal magnetic brake which is connected to the tension knob on the upright mast through a steel cable. By turning the knob, the brake moves either closer or farther from the flywheel which increases or decreases the pedaling difficulty.
There are 8 levels of resistance available on this machine. The first level of resistance doesn’t increase the workout load by a lot. Conversely, the 8th tension level delivers a considerably higher pedaling difficulty in case you want to perform a more consistent workout, improve strength, and stamina.
Fitness monitor
The Sunny SF-E3911 elliptical climber is equipped with a pretty standard fitness monitor. It does not have pre-set 
programs or online connectivity. It features an LCD display that tracks time, distance, total distance, speed, and calories burned. As we’ve mentioned above, it does not have a pulse reading function and the machine does not integrate any pulse sensors. Speed and distance are shown in English units (MPH and miles). There is no option for setting them to metric units.
Although the fitness monitor unit does not have pre-set programs, it does have a goal-setting function for time, distance, and calories. When a goal value is selected for any of these workout metrics, the unit will count down from the selected value until it reaches zero.
The unit is equipped with three buttons (Mode, Set, and Reset). The Mode button allows you to scroll through the workout metrics and select the one you want to view on the display. This way, you can also select the Scan Mode which rotates all the metrics showing each one for 6 seconds. Via the Set button you can select workout targets for time, distance, and calories. And finally, the Reset button clears all the values to zero, except the odometer (total distance).
The unit is battery-powered. It requires two AAA batteries which are included. It starts recording your workout data when you begin pedaling and also automatically turns off after four minutes of inactivity on the machine. When it enters sleep mode, all the data is cleared to zero except the odometer.
Assembly and Maintenance
The machine’s drive and resistance unit comes pre-assembled. However, you will still have to attach the console mast, the pedal bars, the pedal trays, the two base stabilizers, the moving arms, and the fitness monitor. This may take more than an hour but the task is not too difficult. Also, the manual provides clear assembly instructions and schematics, and all the necessary tools are included.
For maintenance, the internal parts do not require any lubrication. So, you only have to keep the machine clean, especially the pedal tracks to prevent any damage to the pedal wheels. It’s also recommended to periodically inspect your climber to make sure that all the parts still hold tight in their places and still function properly.
The Pros
- Fairly sturdy steel frame – can support users up to 220 lbs;
- Small footprint;
- Transport wheels on the front base;
- Adjustable stabilizers on both base bars;
- Durable, large pedals with front guards for extra foot stability;
- Quiet belt drive system;
- Manual magnetic resistance – 8 levels;
- Fitness monitor included – it tracks time, speed, distance, total distance, and calories burned;
- Goal settings for time, distance, and calories;
- Device holder included;
- HRC sticker included;
- Bottle holder included;
- Easy to assemble;
- All the assembly tools are included;
- Batteries for the fitness monitor are included;
- Little maintenance required;
- Excellent warranty.
The Cons
- The monitor display doesn’t have backlight;
- No pulse reading function;
- No fixed handlebars.
Summary
The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E3911 is a cardio climber machine featuring an 8-level manual magnetic resistance system, a sturdy frame with a weight limit of 220 lbs, and a fitness monitor that tracks time, distance, speed, and calories burned. It’s a trainer made for home use, great for low to medium-intensity cardio workouts, muscle toning, interval training, and weight loss.