Unit | Size | Supported weight | Stride | Resistance | Performance monitor |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sunny SF-E3955 Check Discounted Price | L:43.7" W:24" H:59.4" | 240 lbs | 12.5" | Manual magnetic, 8 levels | Time, Distance, Odometer, Speed, Calories, Pulse, Goals, Scan |
The Sunny SF-E3955 elliptical trainer is one of the fitness machines released by Sunny Health & Fitness in 2020. It’s a machine made for home use, similar in terms of features to the Doufit EM-01. It has a slightly lower maximum user weight limit, but on the other hand, it comes with a better warranty.
Key Features and Specifications
- Assembled dimensions: 43.7L x 24W x 59.4H inches (111L x 61W x 151H cm)
- Assembled weight: 58.5 lbs (26.5 kg)
- Supported weight: 240 lbs (109 kg)
- Stride: 12.5 inches (32 cm)
- Incline: No
- Resistance: Manual magnetic, 8 levels
- Fitness monitor: Time, speed, distance, calories, pulse, scan, goals
- Extras: Device holder
- Warranty: Frame 3 years / Parts 180 days
Frame construction
The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E3955 elliptical trainer features a frame made of steel tubing. It combines cylindrical and rectangular tubes in its construction. All the steel parts are double-coated with a durable paint finish. The color used is white, this being the only color available for this machine.
The unit also integrates several plastic parts. The most notable ones are the pedal trays and the side covers of the drive system. These are made from a durable ABS polymer. The drive system guards are gray, while the pedals and other small covers are black.
The trainer is not too large. Its footprint is 43.7″L x 24″W (111 x 61 cm). However, it is recommended to allow at least two feet of clearance all around the unit. That’s because when the machine is in use, the front sections of the pedal bars will extend past the front base. Also, having some clearance around your elliptical makes access easier.
The unit is not too heavy. Its net weight is 58.5 lbs (26.5 kg), so the packaged unit can be carried by only one person. Once it is assembled, it can be moved even easier as its front base features transport wheels.
Like many other elliptical trainers in this price range, the Sunny SF-E3955 is equipped with two sets of handlebars. One is fixed, the other is mobile. The fixed handlebars attach to the upper part of the front mast flanking the fitness monitor. They integrate pulse sensors. The mobile handlebars attach both to the front upright mast and to the pedals bars. They have longer grips and flat-head grips at the top.
Pedal construction, stride, and elliptical path
The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E3955 elliptical machine features a pretty standard set of pedals. Their trays are made from a durable ABS polymer. They don’t have any extra articulation or cushioning. They have a textured surface and front guards for improved foot stability.
The pedal trays attach to two steel bars. These bars and the crankset are pretty durable, thus, the machine is rated for a maximum user weight limit of 240 lbs (109 kg), which is not bad for a home-use machine.
The trainer does not have an incline system. Therefore, the length of its stride or the angle of the elliptical path cannot be adjusted. It offers a rather short stride of 12.5″ (32 cm). This being said, it may not be the best choice for users taller than 6’2″ (188 cm) as they may want a longer range of motion. But nonetheless, the machine can offer a fairly decent cardio workout for any user as long as they don’t exceed the specified user weight limit.
The unit’s elliptical path is slightly inclined forward. This being said, the pedaling motion resembles a descent on a soft ramp. This can be a plus especially for users who want to tone their glutes, thighs, and calves.
The pedal step-up height is approx. 6″ (15 cm), while the highest point reaches a height of approx. 13″ (33 cm) above floor level. Therefore, it is recommended to use the machine in a room with a ceiling that is at least 15″ (38 cm) higher than your own height.
Drive and resistance
The Sunny SF-E3955 elliptical trainer is equipped with a standard magnetic resistance system. It is not motorized, so it does not require an external power source, a power cord, or a power adapter. But on the other hand, the included fitness monitor cannot adjust the resistance automatically.
The resistance elements are an internal magnetic brake and a tension knob placed at the top of the machine’s front mast. The brake connects to the tension knob via a steel cable. Therefore, when you turn the knob, the magnets move closer or farther from the internal flywheel, which increases or decreases the pedaling difficulty.
There are 8 tension levels available on the adjustment knob. The lowest level delivers a fairly light resistance, great for muscle toning, or for a workout warm-up. Conversely, the highest tension level offers considerably more resistance, so you can achieve a high cardio rate faster, build stamina, and burn more calories.
The exact weight of the internal flywheel is not specified, but considering that the machine’s net weight is 58.5 lbs (26.5 kg), it probably doesn’t weigh more than 20 lbs (9 kg). It is perimeter-weighted in order to provide superior inertia. It is also bi-directional so you can pedal in reverse if you want.
The machine is equipped with a belt drive system. It uses a poly-v belt designed for superior traction. This is a plus, as you don’t have to take the drive unit apart periodically to lubricate the drivetrain as would normally be required if the machine used a chain drive.
Fitness monitor
The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E3955 features a fitness monitor similar to the one included with the Sunny SF-E3911 model. It features an LCD display (without backlight). It tracks time, speed, distance, total distance, calories, and pulse. Speed and distance are shown in English units (MPH and miles). There is no option for setting them to metric units. The pulse reading function is grip contact only. In other words, the monitor unit can only read your pulse if you hold on to the sensors integrated into the fixed handlebars. It cannot read pulse from a wireless transmitter.
The monitor unit does not have pre-set programs, online connectivity, and it is not compatible with any fitness apps. However, it does offer the possibility to create goals for your workouts. You can set a workout goal for time, distance, or calories. If a workout goal is set, the display will count down from the selected value as you exercise, until it reaches zero.
The monitor unit features three buttons. These are Set, Mode, and Reset. The Mode button allows you to select the workout metric that you want to view or select the Scan Mode which automatically rotates all the metrics showing each one for 6 seconds. The Set button covers the workout goal function, and the Reset button allows you to clear all the values on the display to zero, except the odometer.
The monitor unit is battery-powered. It requires two AAA batteries (which are included). It automatically turns off if it does not detect any activity on the machine for more than four minutes. It also integrates a device holder.
Assembly and Maintenance
The base frame of the trainer comes pre-assembled. This also stands for the drive and resistance unit. The other parts do require user assembly, though. You will have to attach the front and rear base bars, the pedals, the front mast, the handlebars, and the console. This may take more than an hour but the whole task is far from being difficult. The manual offers pretty clear assembly instructions with illustrations, and all the necessary tools are included.
The internal parts of the machine do not require lubrication. So, in terms of maintenance, you only have to check for loose bolts and parts and lubricate the joints in case they begin to squeak.
The Pros
- Sturdy construction – can support users up to 240 lbs;
- Transport wheels on the front base;
- Mobile arms with an ergonomic design and flat grips at the top;
- Fixed handlebars with pulse sensors;
- Smooth and quiet belt drive system;
- Large pedals with three adjustment positions;
- 8 levels of magnetic resistance;
- Fitness monitor included – it tracks time, distance, total distance, calories, speed, and heart rate;
- Goal setting functions for time, distance, and calories;
- Heart rate zones graph sticker at the top of the fitness monitor;
- Device holder included;
- Batteries for the fitness monitor are included;
- Easy to assemble;
- Tools for assembly are included;
- Little maintenance required;
- Excellent warranty.
The Cons
- No backlight on the fitness monitor display;
- No bottle holder.
Summary
The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E3955 is an elliptical trainer made for home use. It is equipped with an 8-level manual magnetic resistance system, it offers a 12.5-inch stride, and a maximum user weight limit of 240 lbs. It also includes a fitness monitor that tracks time, speed, distance, total distance, calories, and heart rate. It’s a machine for low-impact cardio workouts, muscle toning, stamina development, and weight loss.