Body-Solid Endurance E5000 Elliptical Trainer

Unit	Size	Supported weight	Stride	Resistance	Console
Endurance E5000 Check Discounted Price	L:68" W:31" H:69"	325 lbs	21"	Motorized magnetic, 20 levels	14 programs

The Body-Solid Endurance E5000 is one of the elliptical trainers released in 2009, but it’s still available at the moment. It’s a commercial-grade machine designed for club use, not just home use. It also has a center drive system for improved stability and for a natural elliptical motion. It’s similar to the Endurance E300 that we’ve already covered here, but this particular model has a self-generated power system.

Key Features and Specifications

• Assembled dimensions: 68L x 31W x 69H inches (173L x 79W x 175H cm)
• Assembled weight: 249 lbs (113 kg)
• Max. weight capacity: 325 lbs (147 kg)
• Stride: 21 inches (53.3 cm)
• Incline: No
• Handlebars: Both mobile and fixed (with pulse sensors)
• Resistance system: Magnetic (motorized), 20 levels, self-generated power
• Console: 14 programs
• Extras: Bottle holder
• Warranty:
  – In-home: Frame lifetime / Parts 5 years / Labor 1 year
  – Commercial: Parts 3 years / Labor 1 year

Frame construction

The Body-Solid E5000 elliptical machine features a heavy-duty frame combining rectangular and cylindrical bars in its construction. All the steel parts are double-coated with a corrosion-resistant and chip-resistant paint finish. However, the unit also integrates a few plastic parts. For example, side covers of the drive elements, and several other small covers are made from a durable thermoplastic polymer. These don’t reduce the unit’s overall sturdiness in any way, though; their role is only protective and cosmetic.

One of the main pluses of the Endurance E5000 elliptical is its small footprint. Due to the central drive system, it only takes 68″L x 31″W (173 x 79 cm) of floor space. However, when in use, the base sections of the moving arms extend past the base, so the total length of the machine becomes approx. 72″ (183 cm). Therefore, it is recommended to leave at least two feet of clearance all around the unit, for easy access and correct usage.

Like most other commercial ellipticals, the E5000 is quite heavy. Its net weight is 249 lbs (113 kg), so its transport requires at least two people and a box carrier. However, once it is assembled, it can be moved by only one person. It has two handles on the rear base and small wheels on the front base for this purpose. It also rests on four heavy-duty adjustable levelers.

The machine is equipped with two sets of handlebars. One is fixed, the other one is mobile. The fixed handlebars attach to the front transversal bar of the machine. They also integrate pulse sensors. The moving arms connect both to the pedal bars and to the top front section of the frame. They have longer grips but do not integrate pulse sensors. This elliptical trainer also has two curved side rails which can be extremely handy for users who require recovery training.

Drive system and pedal construction

As we’ve already mentioned, the Body-Solid Endurance 5000 elliptical machine is equipped with a central drive system. In other words, the pulley and the flywheel are integrated into one of the base side units of the machine, while the other one has an extra drive wheel for balance. The pedals are right in the middle. Their base bars slide on two cylindrical wheels with heavy-duty ball bearings attached to a Z-shaped crankshaft. The shaft is connected both to the main pulley and to the drive wheel on the opposite side.

The pedals have a pretty standard construction. They do not have extra cushioning. Their trays are made from durable ABS material. They have front guards and a textured surface for superior foot stability. They’re solid enough to support users up to 325 lbs (147 kg).

The machine’s drivetrain uses a poly-v belt. This being said, you don’t have to worry about taking the drive unit apart for lubricating the drivetrain. Also, the belt generates less vibration than a chain and this leads to a smoother pedaling motion.

This Body-Solid elliptical trainer does not have an incline system. It offers a stride of 21″ (53.3 cm) which should offer plenty of motion range for most users. The stride length is non-adjustable. Also, due to the center drive system, the machine offers a very natural elliptical path that simulates a walk on a plane surface, without being too inclined forward or backward. This results in a much better balance for the user, a healthy posture, with a low impact on the joints and back.

The unit’s pedal step-up height is approx. 8″ (20 cm). This being said, stepping on the pedals should be pretty easy for any user. However, at their highest point, the pedals reach approx. 16″ (40 cm) above the floor. Therefore, it is recommended to use this machine in a room with a ceiling that is at least 20″ (51 cm) higher than your own height.

Resistance system

The Body-Solid Endurance E5000 is equipped with a motorized magnetic resistance system. It also has an internal generator that turns the kinetic energy created by your pedaling into the necessary power for the console and the internal motor. This being said, you don’t need a power cable or adapter for the machine. Also, since the resistance is motorized, the elliptical can automatically adjust the resistance depending on the program in use.

The machine’s resistance system consists of a magnetic brake integrated into the internal flywheel system. The brake is connected to the resistance motor which is connected to the console. Therefore, when you manually adjust the resistance from the + / – keys, or when the program in use automatically adjusts the resistance, the pull of the integrated magnets is increased or decreased. Evidently, this results in a higher or lower pedaling difficulty.

The E5000 elliptical offers 20 levels of resistance. The lowest level provides a fairly light workout, great for recovery training. Conversely, the highest level of resistance offers quite a challenge even for the most seasoned users.

Needless to say, the magnetic resistance is a big plus for any fitness machine. That’s because the magnets don’t touch the flywheel or the other internal parts. Therefore, there is no friction and no wear-and-tear for the brake elements, while the pedaling motion is very smooth and quiet.

Console

The Endurance E5000 elliptical comes with a fairly decent console, even if it does not have Bluetooth connectivity and it is not compatible with any fitness apps. It features two LED displays. The top long display indicates the workout metrics, such as time, calories, distance, pulse, speed, resistance level, strides per minute, and calories per hour. The large display shows the grid of the program in use, as well as other workout-related messages.

For speed and distance, you can select either British units or metric units. The unit’s pulse reading function is bi-functional. It can read your pulse either if you hold on to the sensors integrated into the fixed handlebars of the machine, or if you wear the included wireless HR chest strap.

The console offers several workout programs. To begin with, there is the Manual program which basically allows you to exercise freely, making manual resistance adjustments from the +/- keys on the console. If the manual program is in use, the console shows a lap counter, each lap having approx. 400 m. Next, there are 6 pre-set programs. These are Mountain, Hill, Random, Interval Speed, Interval, and Interval Mountain. There also are 5 heart rate programs that basically adjust the machine’s resistance depending on your current heart rate. And finally, there are two user profiles available. Each user can save their program preferences and create their own custom program.

The console is pretty easy to use. It has Start/Pause buttons, an Enter button for the data confirmation function, +/- buttons for increasing or decreasing resistance as well as program parameters, and a program button which allows you to select the desired program. It does not have integrated speakers or a cooling fan. It has a small shelf on which you can place your phone. Also, a bottle holder is included with this machine.

Assembly and Maintenance

The machine’s base with the drive and resistance elements comes pre-assembled. However, the rest of the parts require user assembly. You will have to connect the upright frame to the base frame as well as the cables, add the side handrails, connect the pedals, the moving arms, the console, and several other small parts and covers. This may take up to two hours. Also, due to the impressive weight of the parts, it is recommended that the assembly is done by two people. The whole task is not too difficult, though, and the manual provides clear, step-by-step instructions with attached schematics.

For maintenance, it is recommended to keep the machine clean. The pedals and the joints may require lubrication from time to time. The internal parts do not require lubrication. It is also recommended to periodically inspect the trainer to make sure that all the parts function properly.

The Pros

• Heavy-duty commercial-grade construction;
• Can support users up to 325 lbs;
• Low center of gravity and superior stability;
• Adjustable levelers;
• Transport wheels and rear handles;
• Center drive design for an anatomically correct elliptical path, promoting a natural stride;
• Small footprint;
• EKG pulse sensors integrated into the fixed handlebars;
• Long handrails for recovery training and physiotherapy.
• Quiet operation, ideal for apartment use;
• Easy-to-use console with straightforward controls;
• Self-generated power – no adapter or power cord required;
• 20 levels of eddy current resistance;
• 6 pre-set workouts;
• 2 user profiles;
• 5 heart rate programs;
• Lap count function;
• Bottle holder included;
• Device holder included;
• Little maintenance required;
• Excellent warranty.

The Cons

• No incline;
• No Bluetooth connectivity;
• The console is not compatible with any fitness apps.

Summary

The Body-Solid Endurance E5000 is a heavy-duty, commercial-grade elliptical trainer. It features a center drive design, with a small footprint, and an anatomically correct elliptical path. It has a self-powered magnetic resistance system with 20 distinct levels and a console with 14 workout programs. In all, it’s an excellent machine for users of all levels, for recovery training, high-intensity cardio training, stamina and strength development, muscle toning, and weight loss.