The ProForm ZE9 elliptical trainer doesn't do much to stand out from other low- to mid-price elliptical trainers. It offers the usual wide spread of features you should expect from ProForm in almost any price range, with a somewhat short warranty period that introduces potential concerns about ProForm's confidence in its own build quality.
Resistance
The ProForm ZE9 elliptical trainer comes with 20 levels of magnetic resistance and a power-incline ramp. You can either adjust the resistance and incline yourself with push-button controls, or use one of the 20 pre-programmed performance workouts or two calorie-burn workouts. You can also customize either of the two "Create & Save" workouts to be replayed at a later time.
Stride
Although the ZE9 is advertised as having an adjustable stride length, it works differently than a true adjustable-stride-length elliptical trainer. Instead of adjusting the elliptical stride length at any incline, the ZE9's stride length shifts in response to the incline. Increasing the incline creates a longer stride, and decreasing the incline creates a shorter stride length. Although this does allow you to customize the stride length to fit your body, it also forces you to work out at a set incline to maintain that ideal stride length.
Features
The ZE9's power-incline ramp is a somewhat unusual find in a low- to mid-price elliptical trainer. Although the ZE9 sports standard console-based controls, you can also adjust the ramp angle with controls mounted on the left moving handlebar, and adjust resistance with controls set into the right moving handlebar. The ZE9 also comes with handgrip heart-rate sensors, built-in speakers and an iPod-compatible music port. This elliptical trainer is also iFit compatible, a feature you'll find on almost all cardio equipment by ProForm and other ICON Health & Fitness companies. Inserting an iFit memory card into the ZE9's console effectively increases your elliptical trainer's repertoire by several pre-programmed workouts; you'll hear the personal trainer guiding you through the workout as the elliptical adjusts incline and resistance for you.
Specs, Price and Warranty
The ZE9 measures 78 inches long by 29 inches wide by 18 inches high and weighs 294 lbs., heavy enough to give a sturdy, stable ride. The ProForm ZE9 has a maximum user weight limit of 325 lbs. As of January 2011 it retails for about $900 to $1,000, and comes with a lifetime warranty on the frame plus one year of parts and labor coverage.
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