Octane Fitness xR4x Elliptical Trainer

Unit	Size	Supported weight	Resistance	Console	Warranty
Octane xR4x Check Discounted Price	L:53" W:35" H:53"	300 lbs	Eddy current, 20 levels	6 workouts, 3 Booster programs	Frame: Lifetime Parts: 3 years Labor: 1 year

Octane Fitness is a brand that specializes in elliptical trainers. You can find quite a few different types of trainers under this brand name. For example, there are vertical ellipticals, such as the Octane Fitness ZR7 Zero Runner, or conventional type ellipticals, such as the Q47x model. However, today we’re going to address a different model, the Octane Fitness xR4x.

This fitness machine is actually a hybrid between a recumbent bike and an elliptical trainer. Or, differently put, it’s an elliptical machine designed for seated workouts. It has much more to offer than other elliptical/recumbent bike hybrids, though. For example, the seat is 4-way adjustable, and the console has quite a few workout programs specific to Octane products.

Technical Details and Specifications

• Assembled dimensions: 53L x 35W x 53H inches (135L x 89W x 135H cm)
• Assembled weight: 196 lbs (89 kg)
• Weight capacity: 300 lbs (136 kg)
• Seat: 4-way adjustable
• Handlebars: Mobile and fixed
• Resistance system: Eddy current, 20 levels
• Console: 6 programs, 3 boosters
• Extras: Tablet shelf, bottle holders
• Warranty: Frame lifetime / Parts 3 years / Labor 1 year

Frame construction

Although it’s not labeled as a commercial machine, the Octane Fitness xR4x does have the construction of one. To begin with, it features a frame made of steel tubing, with a considerably sturdy and heavy construction. When fully assembled, it weighs approx. 196 lbs (89 kg). All this weight is well-reflected into its overall stability. Differently put, the machine won’t wobble or rock with you when exercising. On top of that, the front base features a set of adjustable levelers, concealed by two plastic covers.

Despite its weight, the xR4x elliptical is fairly easy to move once it is assembled. Its rear base features rotating caps, which serve as transport wheels. However, keep in mind that the machine is not foldable. With the frame fully assembled, its footprint is approx. 48″L x 22″W (122 x 56 cm), and its overall length / width are 53″L x 35″W (135 x 89 cm). So, these being said, the machine will require a minimum usage area of 5′ x 4′ (152 x 122 cm).

As we’ve mentioned above, all the parts in the machine’s structural frame are steel-made. They feature a highly durable, industrial-grade powder coating, resistant to scratching and corrosion. The color used is gray, this being the only color available for this machine. But its construction does integrate several plastic parts. These are the covers of the drive system and several joint covers. The pedals are also made of heavy-duty PVC material, but their bases are steel-made as well.

This Octane Fitness elliptical trainer doesn’t have a step-through design. However, entry and exit are easy to achieve as the front part of the motor case features a durable step-up pad. This pad can also be used as support for your feet when you only want to use the mobile arms of the machine and not the pedals.

Seat and handlebars

The Octane Fitness xR4x recumbent elliptical trainer features a highly adjustable seat. It offers 15 adjustment positions for its height and 5 tilt adjustments. The adjustments are easily done by pulling the levers underneath. There’s one for tilting and one for adjusting height.These being said, the machine can accommodate users between 5’0″ and 6’6″ (153 – 198 cm) with no problem. Also, the machine is rated for a weight capacity of 300 lbs (136 kg).

The backrest does not adjust independently from the seat, but due to the 5 tilt adjustment settings, you can change its angle. This can help you achieve either a more comfortable exercising position or focus your muscles in a different way.

The seat offers excellent comfort. Both the seat and the backrest integrate a consistent layer of cushioning. The upholstery is made of a highly durable vinyl material which can last a lifetime if not abused and treated with care. And one last aspect to mention about the seat regards the two bottle holders. They attach to the rear bar of the seat’s frame and they’re large enough to accommodate sports water bottles of most sizes.

When it comes to handlebars, this Octane fitness elliptical machine has three sets. Two are fixed, one attached to the seat assembly and one attached to the front console mast. The grips of the seat handlebars are equipped with EKG pulse sensors, so by holding onto them, the console unit can monitor your pulse.

There’s also a set of moving arms or handlebars which are connected to the machine’s pedal bars and crank system. Therefore, they will continue to move for as long as the pedals are moving. Also, they can only move alternately back and forth and cannot move independently from the pedals.

Drive and resistance

The first aspect to mention here regards the machine’s pedals. The Octane xR4x is equipped with a set of durable pedals featuring a soft grip surface. They are articulated which means they adjust position slightly as you pedal, in order to adapt better to your foot positioning. They’re also fairly large and allow you to position your feet on them in different ways, in order to focus various groups of muscles.

The joints between the pedals and the moving arms of the machine integrate heavy-duty, sealed, stainless steel ball bearings, which promote a very smooth motion. The internal transmission is powered by a durable poly-v belt, which results in a very quiet drive. Also, another advantage of a belt drive is that the belt doesn’t require lubrication.

The flywheel weight is not specified, but according to the resistance and momentum it produces, we can safely say it’s a mid-range flywheel. It’s perimeter weighted, thus, the pedaling motion is smooth and steady. It’s also bi-directional; in other words, you can pedal in reverse without losing resistance. In fact, one of the booster programs on the console will actually prompt you to pedal in reverse.

On important characteristic to mention regarding the drive of this fitness machine is the Octane 16″ PowerStroke technology. This interests the machine’s elliptical path, which is oblique, designed to deliver more muscle engagement. Due to this aspect, you will benefit from more glute activity, and produce a power output of up to 22% more than for the average recumbent bike.

The Octane Fitness xR4x elliptical trainer is equipped with a motorized magnetic resistance system which consists of a small magnetic brake and a servo motor. This means that the resistance can only be adjusted from the console. And for the console to become operational, the machine must be connected to a power circuit (power cord and adapter are included).

As you adjust the resistance from the console controls, the servo motor will adjust the position of the magnetic brake in relation to the flywheel which will result in more or less resistance. Also, the resistance is automatic, which means that some of the programs on the console will automatically adjust the resistance.

The machine makes available 20 distinctive levels of resistance. The first several ones promote light workouts, great for muscle toning, warm-ups or rehab training after surgery or injuries. The top 18-20 resistance settings deliver quite a consistent pedal resistance, offering the possibility to undertake more demanding cardio workouts and simulating a steep climb.

Control unit

The machine’s console is somewhat similar to the one on the Q47x elliptical trainer. It features a LED-based display which indicates various workout metrics, including time, distance, speed, calories, and heart rate. Distance and speed can be calculated in both imperial and metric units. However, it can only monitor your heart rate if you use the EKG sensors integrated into the seat handlebars. The unit is not telemetric and does not work with wireless HR chest strap transmitters. Also, it allows you to input personal data such as age and weight, in order to calculate your calories burned more accurately.

The console unit does not have online connectivity. However, it has 6 main workout programs, and 3 booster programs to keep you motivated. The main workouts are Manual, Random, Interval, Beginner, Distance Goal, Calories Goal.

Manual Program – it’s the machine’s base program, one of the most preferred by users, the program which allows you to just pedal and adjust resistance as you like during your workout;

Interval Program – it allows you to design a custom workout of up to 4 alternating intervals, defining the desired duration and resistance for each interval;

Random Program – provides computer-randomized resistance variation with a virtually infinite number of combinations. It will basically give you a new course every time you select it;

Beginner Program – offers a 14-day planned workout sequence to help jump-start your exercise program. Each day’s workout includes preset values for resistance level, time and a suggested speed;

Distance Goal Program – gives you the possibility to complete a virtual race with a distance readout that counts down from 6.2 miles (10 kilometers). The program has “hills” as well, in order to simulate a terrain variance.

Calorie Goal Program – offers a “flat course” workout until you have burned a desired number of calories. You can adjust resistance during this workout as you like, in order to burn more calories during a shorter time period but with a higher intensity.

The Booster programs are specific to the Octane Fitness ellipticals. The xR4x has three exercise boosters, these being X-Mode, Chest Press, and Leg Press.

X-Mode – is a workout mode which chooses 1 of 6 challenges every minute. The challenges are Push-Legs, Pull-Arms, Push-Arms, Reverse, Fast, Resistance+. Each challenge has its own specific, and the machine will guide you through it in order to benefit from a diversified workout.

Chest Press – although the term might remind of a bench press of fly press that you can perform on a weight stack machine or strength cage, it’s not exactly like that. During the Chest Press booster, the machine will prompt you to only use the moving arms in order to focus chest, arms and back muscles. Also, keep in mind that the mobile arms cannot be moved simultaneously in the same way as for a bar press.

Leg Press – similar to the Chest Press booster, during the Leg Press booster the console will prompt you to only use the pedals and not the mobile arms. Also, just as for the mobile arms, the pedals cannot be moved simultaneously in the same way, as for a conventional leg press in a leg press machine. So, the Leg Press booster is basically a workout that only involves pedaling.

The console features an M.O.M (Movement Management Mode) function. This is a safety function which disables the buttons and adds maximum resistance to the pedals, rendering the machine almost impossible to use. It’s designed to discourage small children from using experimenting on the elliptical.

One last feature to mention here regards the console tablet holder. It’s actually a tablet shelf which can host tablets or magazines, in order to keep yourself entertained while exercising. However, as we’ve mentioned before, this elliptical does not have a Wi-Fi function or online connectivity, so you cannot transfer the workout data to an online fitness tracking website.

Assembly and Maintenance

Most of the machine comes pre-assembled. You only have to attach the backrest, the console mast, the moving arms and the console. This shouldn’t take more than half an hour. All the necessary tools are included, while the manual provides clear assembly instructions.

This fitness machine doesn’t require too much maintenance. Basically, all you have to do is keep it clean and periodically check for loose bolts and parts.

The Pros

• Extremely sturdy machine;
• Elegant, professional-looking design;
• Decent weight limit – 300 lbs;
• Adjustable levelers;
• Adjustable seat with 15 height positions and 5 tilt positions;
• Three sets of handlebars, one on the seat, one on the console mast, and one set of moving arms;
• Pulse sensors integrated into the seat handlebars;
• Large soft grip pedals;
• Quiet operation, ideal for apartment use; 
• Perimeter weighted flywheel for a consistent momentum and smooth pedaling;
• 20 levels of eddy current resistance;
• 6 main workout programs;
• 3 Booster programs;
• Safety locking function for the console and pedals;
• Goal tracking functions for time, distance and calories;
• Tablet holder and accessory tray included;
• Little maintenance required;
• Excellent warranty plan.

The Cons

• No online connectivity;
• No cooling fan;
• No sound system.

Summary

The Octane Fitness xR4x is a recumbent elliptical trainer featuring a motorized magnetic resistance system with 20 levels and a programmable console with 6 standard programs and 3 booster programs. It has an ergonomic, 4-way adjustable seat. It’s perfect for recovery training, endurance development, and muscle toning, but also for interval training and weight loss. And finally, it’s not the most affordable machine but does offer great quality and value for the price.