Livestrong Fitness LS13.0E-2 Elliptical Trainer

Unit	Size	Supported weight	Resistance	Apps	Warranty
Livestrong LS13.0E-2 Check Discounted Price	L:75" W:31" H:63"	350 lbs	Eddy current, 20 lvls	12	Frame: lifetime Parts: 5 years Labor: 2 years

Although the Livestrong Fitness LS13.0E-2 elliptical trainer has been around for a couple of years, it’s still available for the reason that it’s an exceptional fitness machine. Even though it’s built for residential use, it actually has the construction and range of features of a commercial one. And when it comes to features and functions, it offers quite a consistent palette. In this review we’ll try to cover them all.

Technical Details and Specifications

• Assembled dimensions: 75L x 31W x 63H inches (190.5L x 78.7W x 160H cm)
• Assembled weight: 220 lbs (99.7 kg)
• Flywheel weight: 30 lbs (13.6 kg)
• Supported weight: 350 lbs (158.7 kg)
• Stride: 20 inches (51 cm)
• Incline: Automatic, 20 levels
• Pedals: Gel cushioned
• Handlebars: Mobile and fixed
• Resistance system: Eddy current magnetic, 20 levels
• Console: 12 workout programs
• Amenities: Bottle/accessory holder, media tray, speakers, cooling fan
• Warranty: Frame lifetime / Parts 5 years / Labor 2 years

Frame construction and parts

The Livestrong Fitness LS13.0E-2 elliptical is quite a heavy piece of fitness equipment, with an assembled weight of approx. 220 lbs (100 kg). Needless to say, it features a frame made of steel tubing, and due to its overall weight, it offers excellent stability. You can be sure that this machine won’t move or wobble even during a more intense workout. On top of that, the frame rests on three base bars, finished with adjustable stabilizers. Also, the front base integrates rollers to facilitate its transport for storage. The frame is not foldable though, such as the ProForm SmartStrider 735.

The frame is double coated with an extremely durable paint, highly resistant to scratching and rust. However, the rails of the incline feature a chrome finish. Of course, the machine integrates several plastic part, but most of them are just covers, and only have a cosmetic role, and don’t have any impact on the machine’s overall sturdiness.

When completely assembled, this elliptical trainer is not exactly a small machine. It takes quite a bit of space, especially lengthwise, having a footprint of 75″L x 31″W (195 x 79 cm). This being said, it may not be the best choice for a small apartment.

In terms of handlebars, this elliptical machine features two sets: fixed and mobile. The fixed handlebars integrate stainless steel pulse sensors for heart rate monitoring, but they also feature quick increase/decrease keys for incline and resistance adjustment. The mobile handlebars have a multi-grip design, with removable upper arms to provide an additional workout option. Their grips are covered by a sheet of rubber foam material, supplying excellent comfort.

The pedals are large enough to accommodate sports shoes of all sizes. They’re equipped with MaxTone gel cushions, offering superior impact absorption and arch support. They also have a ribbed surface, supplying excellent adherence during your workout. The pedal bars are finished with heavy-duty rollers, integrating sealed ball bearings for prolonged life.

One last aspect to mention here regards the joints between the mobile bars and pedal bars. They also integrate heavy duty ball bearings, while the articulation consists of a metallic part, not a plastic one, which means the joints are extremely durable.

Incline and stride

This Livestrong elliptical trainer integrates a motorized incline system. The lift motor is placed within the flywheel casing, at the front, not at the rear as for the SOLE E55. The maximum incline provided is approx. 15°, which is not bad for a mid-range elliptical trainer. On the console, the whole incline span covers an interval between 0% and 100%, with adjustment increments of 5%. Differently put, the console offers 20 distinctive incline settings.

The machine’s stride is fixed, with a length of 20″ (51 cm). This means it can accommodate comfortably, users between 5’3″- 6’0″ (160 – 183 cm). Now, for taller users this stride range shouldn’t be a problem. A user up to 6’5″ (195.5 cm) should feel quite comfortable on it. However, shorter users than 5’3″ (160 cm), depending on their inseam, may consider the stride a little too long.

One last aspect to mention here regards the machine’s step-up height. At 0% incline, the lowest pedal to the floor is 12″ (30 cm) high, while the highest pedal is at approx. 20″ (51 cm). Therefore, in order to avoid any inconveniences, add at least 22-23 inches to your own height and make sure the result won’t exceed the ceiling height of the room where the machine will be used.

Resistance and drive

This elliptical trainer is equipped with an eddy current resistance system. This means it requires to be connected to a power source, so that you can benefit from resistance adjustment. Also, it means that resistance is exclusively controlled from the machine’s console.

The resistance system consists of a small servo motor, and a magnetic element. As you change the resistance setting from the console, the servo will adjust the magnets’ pull onto the flywheel, thus modifying the drag level, and adjusting the machine’s overall resistance. Evidently, there isn’t any contact between the resistance element and the flywheel, thus wear and tear of the resistance parts is almost inexistent. Also, the pedaling motion is extremely quiet.

There are 20 resistance levels available on the console. Resistance can be adjusted from the keys on the fixed handlebars, or on the console, but there also are quick adjustment keys on the console, targeting the 2,4,6,8,10,12,16,20 resistance levels.

When it comes to the machine’s drive system, we can say that it’s equipped with a perimeter weighted, 30 lbs (13.6 kg) flywheel, which supplies a very smooth pedaling motion. The transmission between the pulley and the flywheel is made available by a heavy-duty v-belt. As a general idea, a belt drive system is much quieter than a chain drive, and also does not require any maintenance.

Console

The LS13.0E-2 elliptical trainer is equipped with a pretty impressive console. Although it does not have online connectivity, the console itself provides all the functions necessary to keep track of your progress.

First of all, it features an 8.5″ diagonal, LED backlit display, with large, easy to rid digits, for speed, distance, time, watts, heart rate, and calories burned. Evidently, the current resistance level and incline are also indicated. Distance can be measured both in km or miles, while speed can be tracked in MPH or km/h. There’s also a track function available for distance, which measures it in laps of 400 m or 1/4 miles.

The console features 10 main workout programs, including: Manual mode, Weight Loss, Muscle Toner, Strength Builder, Constant Watts, Mellow Johnny’s Trail, Lance’s Climb, Lance’s Descent, The Tour and Custom. For the Custom mode, it gives you the possibility to create and customize your own trail. There are two user profiles for the Custom Modes, thus you can basically save two custom created programs.

But one of the best aspects regarding this console is the LIVETRACK Fitness Journal System. LIVETRACK is a software application, that will allow you to track your fitness progress over time, without the need for paper journals or logs, and without having to pay a membership to a third party website. LIVETRACK allows you to easily compare your current workout to your personal bests or your last five workouts. It provides quick access to feedback like duration of workout, calories burned or your overall pace, distance traveled, thus you’ll be able to quickly and easily see the progress you’ve made. It also offers the possibility to track your workout totals.

Along with the workout related functions, the LS13.0E-2 console also features several integrated amenities. These are: cooling fan, sound system and reading rack (or media holder). The cooling fan is placed at the top of the console. It has only one speed, it’s not exactly the strongest fan, but still, it does provide some cooling when needed. The sound system consists of two speakers, placed at the bottom of the console. They render a fairly decent sound, definitely superior to the speakers integrated in most phones or tablets. It’s compatible with most MP3 players, smartphones or tablets. The console also features keys for sound adjustment. The tablet holder is placed under right under the program keys, being wide enough to accommodate just about any tablet or smartphone.

Assembly and Maintenance

The Livestrong Fitness LS13.0E-2 is fairly easy to put together, as the box includes quite an intuitive manual, which provides step-by-step guidance for the assembly of all parts. Anyway, the most important part of the machine – its mechanism – comes already assembled, enclosed within its plastic case and attached to the front part of the frame. Therefore, all you need to do is attach the frame bases, connect the rear part to the front part, the console post, footpad bars, arms, console and several plastic covers. The whole assembly may take up to 2 hours. Tools for assembly are also included.

Maintenance requires the periodic cleaning of the incline rails. Any grain of sand or small object passed over by the rollers may cause nicks in them, and affect the overall smoothness of the ride. Also, in case the joints of the machine develop squeaking noises, lubrication is required. The internal parts of the machine come pre-lubricated, and should not require any maintenance for a long period of time.

The Pros

• Sturdy frame and overall construction;
• Elegant design lines;
• Adjustable stabilizers;
• MaxTone ergonomic pedals, with gel inserts for maximum shock absorption;
• Automatic incline, with up to 15° slope;
• Resistance for all levels of fitness, 20 levels;
• Energy Saver feature reduces power draw to conserve electricity;
• Smooth and quiet drive;
• Both fixed and mobile handlebars;
• Pulse sensors and incline/resistance keys incorporated within the fixed handlebars;
• 12 built-in workout programs;
• Large 8.5 LCD display, with LED backlight;
• LIVETRACK, integrated app that offers superior possibilities for tracking your progress;
• Multiple amenities including sound system, tablet tray, accessory holders (x2), and integrated cooling fan;
• Little maintenance required;
• Excellent warranty package.

The Cons

• Cooling fan is rather weak;
• A tablet or magazine placed on the reading rack will cover the display partially or totally, along with the program keys.

Summary

The Livestrong Fitness LS13.0E-2 is a mid-range elliptical trainer, with a frame construction similar to the commercial grade models. It’s an excellent machine for stamina building, interval training, weight loss, and of course, cardio training. It offers 20 levels of eddy current resistance, offering a training range for users of all levels of fitness. Its console offers 12 workout programs, and the LIVETRACK application, which provides extensive possibilities for tracking your progress. Along with these, it also integrates a sound system, cooling fan and a tablet holder. And finally, considering that it costs less than $1,000 it’s pretty safe to say that its price / value ratio is fairly decent.