Sunny Magnetic Elliptical Trainer SF-E905

Unit	Size	Supported weight	Resistance	Apps	Warranty
Sunny SF-E905 Check Discounted Price	L:37.8" W:26.6" H:60"	220 lbs	Magnetic	No	Frame: 1 year Parts: 90 days

When it comes to budget elliptical trainers, there are plenty of options for you out there. But in this case, you have to be careful about the one you choose, because there are many rather flimsy models, which may not last very long. There are several inexpensive ellipticals though, which pack up some quality with their low price, units that are actually worth it. One of them is the Sunny SF-E905.

The SF-E905 from Sunny Health & Fitness is a light to medium exercising machine. It might not offer you the setting for a high-intensity aerobic training, and weight loss, but it’s an exercising machine great for your daily workout, if you don’t want to put pressure on your joints, or don’t feel like exercising outside.

Details and Specs

• Assembled dimensions: 37.8L x 26.6W x 60H inches (96L x 67.5W x 152H cm)
• Product weight: 68 lbs (30.8 kg)
• Supported weight: 220 lbs (100 kg)
• Stride: 11 inches (28 cm)
• Incline: No
• Footplates: Standard, ribbed
• Handlebars: Mobile and fixed (with pulse sensors)
• Brake system: Magnetic
• Resistance: Adjustable, 8 levels
• Progress tracking console: Yes
• Bottle/Cup holder: No
• Warranty: 1 years frame / 90 days parts

Frame, arms, pedals

The Sunny SF-E905 features a one-piece, steel-made frame, coated with anti-corrosive paint (gray). The housing of the drive system is made of hard plastic though (gray and black). It’s not a very bulky exercising machine, actually having quite a subtle profile when compared with other ellipticals. With a footprint of 26.6″ (67.5 cm) in width, and 37.8″ (96 cm) in length, this elliptical won’t take too much space, which makes it a great choice for a small apartment, or a small room.

Since it does have a small footprint, it’s not recommended to heavier or taller users, because in this case it may wobble or move during a higher intensity workout. The machine is listed for users up to 220 lbs (100 kg), weight that it can support without problem, without breaking or anything of the sort. But if your weight is close to limit, stability may become an issue. That’s why if you weigh more than 200 lbs (90 kg), you may want to go for a more solid elliptical, such as the Schwinn A40, or Exerpeutic 1000XL.

The bases of this elliptical do not feature leveling “feet”, only leveling caps. These are pretty OK, but in case you will place the machine on uneven, hard flooring, you might want to add a mat or a carpet underneath it, to enhance stability.

This exerciser is not heavy. At 68 lbs (31 kg). Relocating it shouldn’t be an issue, especially considering that its front base has small transport wheels.

The pedals of the SF-E905 Sunny elliptical are wide enough to accommodate users with big feet, up to size 13 or even more. They feature a ribbed design for enhanced adherence during workouts. They don’t feature articulation, like other more expensive models, but still, the workout is pretty smooth, with minimal impact on ankles and knees. Also, the stride of this elliptical exercising machine is rather small and non-adjustable, measuring 11″. Actually, the motion promoted by this elliptical exerciser is more similar to a stepper, or stairmaster, than to an elliptical with an elongated stride. This is yet another reason this exerciser is not adequate for taller users. It’s actually recommended to users between 4’5″ (134 cm) and 5’8″ (172 cm). Nonetheless, taller users can workout on this machine, but without the benefit of an adequate stride.

The maximum elevation generated by the pedals is about 15″ (38 cm). Add that to your height to find out the required ceiling height for adequate training on this machine.

Handlebars and arms have a multi-grip design, to offer a comfortable workout position for any user. They also feature rubber-foam padding, for a better grip, even if your palms become sweaty during workout. The stationary handlebars include pulse sensors, great feature to have if you must undergo a rehabilitation training program, and require to keep in a specific cardio activity interval.

Drive and brake system

This Sunny elliptical features a magnetic brake system, which means it doesn’t require electricity to be powered. The brake pad is connected via wire to the resistance control knob. To adjust resistance, you simply turn the knob, the magnetic pad moves closer of farther from the flywheel, adjusting tension. There are 8 levels of resistance to choose from. The first 3-4 are rather easy, but the 7-8 levels will generate quite a burn on your glutes, thighs and calves.

The drive systems involves a steel pulley, connected to the flywheel through a solid belt. Crank arms are also steel-made, very solid, made for long-term use. 

Progress tracking console

The progress tracker or the meter of this elliptical trainer is not exactly one of the most advanced ones. It does have though, a basic goal setting function. It can also track time, speed, distance, calories, and has an odometer function. Plus it displays heart rate, and has an alarm function for goal tracking.

The console is pretty straightforward to operate. It only features 3 buttons, MODE, SET and RESET. The MODE key is used to scroll through the functions of the unit, and SET to give a desired value to calorie, time or distance, to setup a goal. Evidently, RESET is used to clear any of the values given. There is also an AUTO SCAN function which automatically cycles through the values monitored, displaying each one for 6 seconds.

The unit requires 2 AA-type batteries. It’s also battery-saving, as it automatically shuts down after not using the machine for 3 minutes.

Assembly and Maintenance

Since it’s a pretty basic machine, the assembly isn’t difficult at all. It shouldn’t take more than 45 minutes, even to a less techy person. There aren’t many parts to assemble. All you have to attach are main handlebar post, handlebars and arms, lateral legbars and pedals, connect the console wires and the tension wire, and finally mount the console. The pulley, flywheel, belt, brake and other pieces of the main mechanism of the exerciser are already assembled and sealed into their plastic cover, which is attached to the main bar of the frame. The box includes the manual and the tools required for the assembly.

Maybe the most difficult part of the assembly is the connection of the tension wire. To do this make sure the resistance knob is turned to the lowest setting, so that you benefit from the longest reaching point of the wire. Also, you might want to ask a friend to hold the handlebar post while you make the connection of the wires.

Maintenance does not require much. The brake pad doesn’t need changing since it’s magnetic (it doesn’t wear out), belt is also very resistant and doesn’t require maintenance. All you have to do for maintenance, is keep the machine dirt and debris free, grease the joints, pulley or flywheel if they begin to squeak (WD-40 will do), and keep the machine and console moisture free. The manual has specific guidelines for greasing the inside parts, if its the case.

The Good

One of the best aspects about the Sunny SF-E905 is definitely its price/quality ratio. For a budget elliptical trainer, this one is actually well-built, offers just about the amount of comfort that you need from an elliptical, and the setting for your daily, low-impact aerobic workout.

It’s one of the smallest ellipticals that you can find at the moment, ideal for a small apartment, or room. It features a quiet drive system, and with the proper maintenance it should never squeak or emit any annoying noises.

Integrated pulse sensors are another plus. Not many low-cost ellipticals have them, but this does, which makes it recommendable to elderly users, or users who require to monitor their heart rate during exercising.

Last but not least, the unit has a progress tracking computer. Even though it’s a basic unit, it’s still nice to have on such an inexpensive machine. Not only this particular feature can help you keep an eye on your progress, it can also act as an important motivation factor.

The Bad

Due to its small footprint it’s not a super stable unit, thus not recommended to heavier users, over 200 lbs (90 kg), even if the maximum specified supported weight is 220 lbs (100 kg). Also, due to its rather small stride, it may not be the best choice for taller users than 5’8″ (172 cm).

Does not have an incline system. However, most ellipticals that have this feature, aren’t quite inexpensive.

Final Word

The Sunny SF-E905 elliptical trainer is not exactly the best exercising machine of this type that you can find. However it’s a fairly decent elliptical, with an acceptable price/quality/capability ratio. It offers the right setting for a light and medium cardio workout, it’s great for muscle toning, and rehab exercising. It offers the low impact on the joints and back just like most ellipticals. All in all, it’s definitely one of the best ellipticals for this price range, a unit worth every penny.