Spirit XG400 E-Glide

Assembly: Elliptical Trainers usually require assembly. For this machine, assembly was considered somewhat simple since a relatively small number of threaded fasteners were included in order to attach a small number of parts. User manuals can help or hinder assembly. The diagrams that illustrated the steps were clear and detailed. We found that the written instructions and diagrams somewhat helpful for assembly. Operation: The sounds this elliptical trainer made when pedaled were unobjectionable, the frame was considered responsive, and the pedal-arm linkage felt well constructed and tight. Controls: The resistance level controls are often the most commonly accessed buttons and on this elliptical trainer are large in size, which makes it easy to use them during exercise. The controls are laid out as you would expect with the increment control on the top or right, or for a dial control, having a clockwise rotation. This machine has individual increment and decrement controls which were positioned poorly; separated from one another. Access to the level controls is fairly open but requires navigating around the stationary handgrips. Display: Seeing a numeric and graphic indication of the resistance-level setting is convenient. The resistance-level setting is displayed constantly as a numeric value and constantly as a graphical image. Glare can partially obscures the visibility of the display. Ergonomics: Elliptical Path: The pedaling action was heavy, making it hard to accelerate and decelerate and creating too much drag and push because of the flywheel's momentum. The pedaling motion at the front and/or back of the elliptical cycle was smooth but lacked a feeling of continuous flow. To maintain good lower-body alignment, a minimal side-to-side pedal separation is best. The spacing on this machine was considered excellent. Exercise: Stepping through the resistance levels resulted in inconsistent changes; where some steps were hardly noticeable and others more drastic. The difference between the lowest and highest resistance-level setting determines the range of exercise intensity; which for this machine was considered good.

The Spirit XG400 E-Glide is part of the Elliptical exercisers test program at Consumer Reports. In our lab tests, Elliptical Exercisers models like the XG400 E-Glide are rated on multiple criteria, such as those listed below.

Ergonomics: Ergonomics considers how well an elliptical accommodates people of various sizes and aspects of the pedaling motion.

Exercise range: Exercise range considers aspects of exercise intensity and measures incline and the effort to pedal the machine through the resistance level settings.

Ease of use: Ease of use considers ease of use aspects of controls, display and using the programs.