| Unit | Size | Supported weight | Resistance | Console | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sunny SF-E3810 Check Discounted Price | L:58" W:28" H:68" | 220 lbs | Manual magnetic, 8 levels | Time, Distance, Odometer, Speed, Calories, Pulse, Goals, SCAN | Frame: 3 years Parts: 180 days |
The Sunny SF-E3810 is one of the newest elliptical trainers released by Sunny Health & Fitness in the second part of 2019. It’s a manual-magnetic trainer within the same range of features as the Sunny SF-E3803 that we’ve already reviewed. However, it’s a front-drive elliptical with a different frame design. It’s a light-capacity cross trainer made for home use.
Key Features and Specifications
- Assembled dimensions: 58L x 28W x 68H inches (147L x 71W x 173H cm)
- Assembled weight: 86.5 lbs (39.2 kg)
- Supported weight: 220 lbs (110 kg)
- Stride: 18 inches (46 cm)
- Incline: No
- Resistance: Manual magnetic, 8 levels
- Console: Time, distance, odometer, speed, calories, pulse, goals
- Extras: Tablet holder
- Warranty: Frame 3 years / Parts 180 days
Frame and parts
The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E3810 is mostly made of steel tubing offering a sturdy construction and 
a weight capacity of 220 lbs (100 kg). The only non-steel parts are the pedal trays, the covers of the flywheel, and the console casing. All the frame steel bars are coated with a corrosion-resistant paint finish. The color used is light gray, this being the only color available for this trainer.
The base frame of the machine consists of two main parts; the front section with the pedals and drive elements and the rear part with the rail bars for the pedal wheels. It basically has a similar frame construction to the Schwinn A40 elliptical. This type of frame has three base bars and delivers superior stability to other cross-trainers such as the Efitment E006, for example. Plus, the rear and middle bases have adjustable stabilizers that allow you to perfectly level the unit on any type of floor.
The Sunny SF-3810 is not an extremely heavy machine but does weigh approx. 86 lbs (39 kg). Therefore, its weight also adds to the overall stability. However, it can be assembled and carried by only one person. Plus, once it is assembled, its portability is improved by the transport wheels integrated into its front base bar.
The fully assembled machine is not extremely large. It’s approx. 20″ (51 cm) smaller than other heavier trainers, such as the XTERRA FS5.9e. It is 58″ (147 cm) long, and 28″ (71 cm) wide, but you still have to leave at least two feet of clearance all around it (or at least on each side) for ease of access and unhindered usage. It’s also important to mention here that its moving arms have pretty long grips. Their top reaches approx. 68″ (173 cm) above floor level which is a plus for tall users. The moving arms also have ball grips at the top.
This Sunny elliptical trainer also has a set of fixed handlebars. They are directly attached to the front mast of the machine and they’re non-adjustable. They are equipped with metallic pulse sensors and the machine’s performance monitor has a pulse reading function.
The Sunny SF-E3810 features a dual-bar pedal system. The top bars sustain the pedal trays while the lower bars are equipped with large silicone wheels that slide on the base rails. The pedals are non-adjustable and don’t have any additional cushioning. However, they do have a non-slip surface and front/side guards for improved foot stability.
Elliptical path, stride, and step-up height
The first aspect to mention here is that the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E3810 does not have an incline 
system. Therefore, the position of the elliptical path and the length of its stride are non-adjustable.
The unit’s elliptical path promotes a natural pedaling motion. At their lowest level, the pedal positioning is horizontal, while at the highest level, the pedals are inclined forward by a few degrees. This puts a bit of extra focus on the glutes.
The Sunny SF-3810 offers a stride of 18″ (46 cm). This is actually a mid-range stride, as other elliptical trainers like the Marcy NS-40501E only offer 12″ (31 cm) of stride. This being said, the machine can accommodate users up to 6’2″ (188 cm) comfortably.
One last aspect to mention here regards the pedal elevation. At their lowest point, the pedals are at approx. 15″ (38 cm) above floor level. Conversely, at their highest position, the pedals are at approx. 20″ (51 cm) above floor level. Therefore, to avoid any elevation-related issues, it is recommended to use this elliptical trainer in a room with a ceiling that is at least 25″ (63.5 cm) higher than your own height.
Drive and resistance
The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E3810 is equipped with a belt drive system. A belt drivetrain 
typically comes with three main advantages. First of all, you don’t have to take the flywheel covers apart to lubricate the transmission as it would be the case for a chain drive. Second of all, it promotes a very quiet pedaling motion. And third of all, it generates less vibration than a chain.
Like most other elliptical cross trainers, the SF-E3810 has an internal flywheel. Its exact weight is not specified, but considering the overall weight of the machine, it probably weighs between 10 and 20 lbs (4.5 – 9.0 kg). It has a perimeter-weighted design therefore it provides extra inertia. It is also bi-directional, so you can pedal in reverse if you want.
In terms of resistance, this elliptical trainer is equipped with an internal magnetic brake with manual action. The magnetic brake is attached to the tension knob on the front upright bar of the machine. By turning this knob clockwise, the magnetic brake moves closer to the flywheel which increases the pedaling difficulty.
Since the machine’s resistance system is manual, you don’t have to connect it to an external power source. But on the other hand, the console does not have preset programs and does not adjust the resistance automatically.
This Sunny elliptical trainer makes available 8 resistance levels. The first level of resistance doesn’t add too much magnetic pedal tension. If the first tension level is selected, you will basically workout only by the difficulty generated by the flywheel alone. Conversely, the 8th tension level delivers a considerably higher pedaling difficulty, simulating a hill climb and allowing you to get a higher pulse rate in a shorter period of time.
Performance monitor
Since the Sunny SF-E3810 elliptical trainer doesn’t have a motorized resistance system, its 
performance monitor does not have preset workout programs and does not adjust the resistance of the machine automatically. It also doesn’t have a Bluetooth function or online connectivity. However, it still offers the basic features for monitoring your workouts.
To begin with, the monitor unit features an LCD display that tracks multiple workout metrics, including time, distance, total distance (odometer), speed, calories, and pulse. Speed and distance are shown in English units; they cannot be set to metric units. Also, the unit is not telemetric; it cannot track your pulse through a wireless HR chest strap or armband transmitter. So, in order to track your pulse, you must hold on to the sensors integrated into the fixed handlebars of the machine.
The performance monitor unit has three buttons – Mode, Set, Reset. The Mode button allows you to select the workout value that you want to view on the screen, or to select the Scan Mode which rotates all the values showing each one for 6 seconds. The Set button gives you the possibility to select a workout goal for time, distance, or calories. And finally, the Reset button clears all the values to zero, except the odometer.
The monitor unit requires two AAA batteries as its power source. It starts up when you press one of the buttons. It also has a sleep function which is initiated after four minutes of inactivity on the machine.
Two other notable features that we must mention here with regards to the monitor unit are the tablet holder and the heart rate diagram above it. The tablet holder is fairly large and can accommodate any tablet or smartphone, but the unit doesn’t have any connection ports for it. The heart rate diagram indicates the heart rate zones that you should aim for depending on your age, in order to benefit from a better aerobic output, fat burn, etc.
Assembly and Maintenance
The machine’s drive and resistance elements come pre-assembled and attached to the front base frame. However, the rest of the machine pretty much requires user assembly. You will have to attach the front base bar, the rear base with the rail system, the upright mast, the fixed handlebars, the monitor, the two moving arms, the pedal bars, and the pedal trays. This may take more than two hours. But on the other hand, the manual provides very clear step-by-step assembly instructions and schematics. Plus, a set of basic tools is included.
For maintenance, the internal parts do not require any lubrication. Therefore, you only have to keep the sliding rails of the pedals clean to prevent any damage to the wheels. The unit’s joints may need some lubrication if they begin to squeak at some point. Other than this, it is also recommended to periodically check the machine for loose bolts and parts.
The Pros
- Compact frame for a front-drive elliptical;
- Three base bars for improved stability;
- Adjustable levelers on the rear and middle base bars;
- Transport wheels on the front base bar;
- Long grips and ball grips on the moving handlebars;
- Pulse sensors integrated into the fixed handlebars;
- Bi-directional and balanced flywheel providing a smooth and steady pedaling motion with a consistent momentum;
- Extra-large, non-slip, durable pedals;
- 8 levels of magnetic resistance;
- Performance monitor that can track time, distance, total distance, speed, pulse, and calories burned;
- Goal functions for time, distance, calories, and pulse;
- Tablet holder included;
- Heart rate intervals sheet on the console;
- Quiet operation;
- Easy to assemble;
- Little maintenance required;
- Decent warranty.
The Cons
- No bottle holder;
- No backlight on the meter display;
- No pulse recovery function.
Summary
The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E3810 is a manual magnetic elliptical trainer designed for home use. It offers 8 levels of resistance, a comfortable elliptical path, 18″ of stride, and a performance monitor with target settings for time, distance, and calories. It’s a great cross trainer for light to medium intensity cardio workouts, muscle toning, weight loss, and stamina development.