Nautilus E614 Elliptical

Unit	Size	Supported weight	Stride	Apps	Warranty
Nautilus E614 Check Discounted Price	L:71.5" W:26.7" H:63.2"	300 lbs	20"	22	Frame: 10 years, Parts: 2 years, Electronics: 1 year, Labor 90 days

The Nautilus E614 elliptical trainer shares many similarities with the Schwinn 430 model. Many would say that these are basically the same machine. There are several differences between the two though, but nonetheless they’re both excellent fitness machines for home use, offering a training setting similar to the commercial ellipticals.

The E614 from Nautilus offers a design that aims to cover all levels of workout that can be achieved on an elliptical trainer. It’s a machine made for stamina training, superior cardio and weight loss, with a minimum impact on your joints. Therefore, if you’re looking for a solid exercising machine that can supply a full body workout, this Nautilus elliptical is definitely one to put on your list.

Technical Details and Specifications

• Assembled dimensions: 71.5L x 26.7W x 63.2H inches (181.7L x 67.7W x 160.5H cm)
• Product weight: 167.3 lbs (76 kg)
• Supported weight: 300 lbs (136 kg)
• Stride: 20 inches (51 cm)
• Incline: Manual, 6 positions
• Footplates: Articulating, with cushioning
• Handlebars: Both mobile and fixed (with pulse sensors)
• Resistance system: Eddy current, 20 levels
• Console: 22 workout programs
• Bottle/Accessory holder: Yes
• Media tray: Yes
• Fan: 3-speed, incorporated in the console
• Speakers: Incorporated in the console
• Warranty: Frame 10 years, Parts 2 years, Electronics 1 year, Labor 90 days.

Frame

This elliptical exercising machine uses steel tubing for most parts of the frame. All metallic parts are powder coated with anti-corrosive paint, for a long-lasting finish. The frame consists of two main pieces: the front part with the flywheel case attaches to the rear part which incorporates the rails of the elliptical. It has three bases, all finished with plastic caps and adjustable levelers, to maximize the machine’s stability on just about any type of floors. The front base is equipped with transport wheels, while the rear base features a small handle, which facilitates the lifting and moving of the assembled elliptical.

Although it’s not exactly the smallest machine, this elliptical still occupies less space than others such as the SOLE E95. It has a 72 x 27 inches (182 x 68 cm) footprint, and evidently requires a little bit of clearance on each side, on its front and in the back. Therefore, prior to ordering it, you should make sure you have the adequate space.

The machine weighs 167.3 lbs (76 kg). It’s not the heaviest, but it’s not exactly a feather either. When assembled it can easily be rolled on its front wheels. However, if you must carryit up or downstairs, the task definitely takes two people. The maximum supported user weight of this elliptical listed by the manufacturer is 300 lbs. Heavier users, up 330 lbs, have reported that they’ve been using it without any damage for over a year though.

Like most elliptical trainers, the Nautilus E614 features both fixed and mobile handgrips. The mobile ones are longer, and slightly inclined towards the main axis of the frame, for a natural and ergonomic grip. The smaller, stationary handgrips include pulse sensors, great feature to have if you want/must monitor your heart rate. Both fixed and mobile handgrips are coated with rubber foam material, featuring plastic caps on their top ends.

The footplates are made of hard plastic material, with a pretty neat design, offering enough foot space even for users with a plus shoe size. They’re also articulating and cushioned to absorb as much as possible impact from your ankles, knees and lower back.

This elliptical trainer offers a fixed stride, of 20 inches. Now, this stride is just enough for users up to 6′ tall. Taller users might find it a bit short, but even so, this machine can still supply a consistent workout that will provide an excellent burn to your arm, back and leg muscles.

Incline, drive and resistance systems

The Nautilus E614 features a manual incline system, with 6 levels of incline. Evidently, this particular feature diversifies the array of possible workout routines. However, since the incline mechanism is manual, you cannot adjust the incline while actively working out on the machine. The incline is adjusted via a lever at the rear part of the flywheel case. The highest incline setting is about 30°, and will add 16-17 inches to your height. This being said, even if you’re 6’5″ (196 cm) tall, you should still have 2-3 inches clearance in a room with an 8′ (243 cm) ceiling.

This Nautilus elliptical machine is belt-driven, featuring a heavy-duty belt, stretch-resistant, made to last for many years of use. The drive system also involves a large pulley and a perimeter-weighted flywheel, meant to render a smooth motion.

The resistance system features an eddy current brake, which means the resistance is controlled exclusively through the console of the machine. It also requires to be plugged into a standard 120V power circuit, in order for you to benefit from any resistance from it. It can be operated though, without being connected to a power supply, however this way you will exercise only on its first level of resistance. Pedaling backwards on this machine is also possible. The box includes the adapter, which is a UL listed, rated 120V 60Hz Input, 9VDC, 1500mA Output. Class 2 adapter, and it plugs into the machine near its front base.

Console and other amenities

The Nautilus E614 elliptical machine features a pretty advanced console, which incorporates several accessories. To begin with, it has a 3-speed fan, great feature to have in case you must workout in a heated room. There’s an excellent quality sound system, consisting of two speakers, one on each side of the fan, on the lower part of the console. It also has a tablet shelf, which can accommodate pretty well just about any type of tablet or smartphone.

The console features a DualTrack display, consisting of two high-resolution LCD monitors, which give you the possibility to always keep an eye on your workout data. In case you will be using a tablet, it will overlay onto the top monitor, but your most important workout data such as time, distance and calories will still be visible on the lower monitor.

In terms of fitness oriented capabilities, the console equipped on this Nautilus model keeps track of your speed, time spent working out, distance, RPM, pulse, also displaying the current resistance level. It offers 22 workout apps, including 1 Quick Start, 9 Profile, 8 Heart Rate, 2 Fitness Test, and 2 Custom. It offers the possibility to set up goals for your workout, and also create your own, custom workout, or use one of the on-board programs, which will automatically change resistance, for a more challenging workout.

When it comes to the command keys, the console features direct keys for half the resistance levels, but there are also arrow keys for gradual resistance adjustment. There’s a Quick Start key for the standard workout program, and also a Pause key in case you need to briefly interrupt your exercising routine. The console also features a key for the preset profile programs, one for goal tracking and one for your user profile.

Last but not least, the console features a USB port, which allows you to copy your workout data, and export it to MyFitnessPal or Nautilus Connect, for a superior analysis, to compare it with others, or even to compete.

Assembly and Maintenance

For the assembly part there are 22 pieces to put together. However this task is far from being difficult, and shouldn’t take more than an hour, even for a user not so handy with tools. Basically, all you have to do is attach the drive system part of the frame to the rear frame, add the bases, the pedals, the lateral arms and the console post, connect the wires and finally add the console. The tools for the assembly, and the manual, are included.

Maintenance requires the rails to be periodically cleaned and lubricated, preferably with silicone-based lubricant. If the joints begin to squeak, lubricate them as well. Also, even though the bases of the machine have rubber levelers, it would be for the best to place it onto a mat, to prevent any damage to the floors, if it’s the case.

The Good

In case you’ve missed any of the advantages and positive aspects regarding this machine, here’s a brief summary:

• Solid and heavy, steel frame, made to last.
• Adjustable levelers.
• Articulating and cushioned pedals, for a minimum workout impact on your joints.
• Perimeter-weighted flywheel, for a smooth pedaling motion.
• Eddy current brake with 20 levels of resistance.
• 22 workout apps.
• 6 levels of manual incline.
• DualTrack display.
• 3-speed cooling fan.
• Sound system consisting in two acoustic chambered speakers.
• Accessory / bottle holder.
• Tablet tray.
• USB charging port.
• NautilusConnect or MyFitnessPal compatibility.
• Quiet machine, great for apartment use.
• Easy to maintain.
• Solid warranty package.

The Bad

There aren’t many flawless fitness machines out there, and evidently the E614 from Nautilus has it’s share of drawbacks, which shouldn’t be left out. So, here they are:

• Monitors don’t have any backlight. However, readability is great, unless you use your elliptical in the dark.
• No pulse sensors on the mobile handlebars.
• Console is not telemetry enabled so you won’t be able to use a heart rate chest strap.

Bottom Line

An excellent price for an elliptical trainer that excels in quality, sturdiness and design, and also come with a consistent warranty pack. It offers an impressive array of fitness apps, and provides a complete training setting for users of all levels. It’s a great machine for anyone who wants to keep a healthy cardiovascular shape, build stamina, tone muscles and lose weight. Easy to put together and far from being a hassle to maintain, this machine will surely serve you well for many years.