Assembly: Elliptical Trainers usually require assembly. For this machine, assembly was much more involved and the number of included threaded fasteners and unassembled parts was more than usual. User manuals can help or hinder assembly. The diagrams that illustrated the steps were confusing or unclear. On the whole, we found that the written instructions and accompanying diagrams were adequate. Operation: The sounds this elliptical trainer made when pedaled were unobjectionable, the frame was considered flexible, 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 somewhat small in size which makes it somewhat hard to use them while exercising. The controls are laid out counter-intuitively with the increment control on the bottom, left or for a dial control, having a counter-clockwise rotation. This machine has individual increment and decrement controls which were positioned poorly; separated from one another. Access to the level controls is partially obstructed by 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: A short user's arms occasionally contacted the frame or moving parts of the machine causing interference. Elliptical Path: The pedaling action was slightly heavy making it somewhat hard to accelerate or stop pedaling. The pedaling motion at the front and back of the elliptical cycle flowed nicely around the transitions. 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 uneven changes; where changes were slightly inconsistent from one level to the next. The difference between the lowest and highest resistance-level setting determines the range of exercise intensity; which for this machine was considered fair.

The Xterra FS5.8e is part of the Elliptical exercisers test program at Consumer Reports. In our lab tests, Elliptical Exercisers models like the FS5.8e 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.