Life Fitness markets its elliptical trainers largely for home use, although it does manufacture some health-club-quality machines. According to former fitness equipment industry insider Fred Waters, Life Fitness elliptical trainers are well-built and can compete with top competitors in the home fitness industry such as Precor. However, any piece of exercise equipment will break down after enough use, and Life Fitness elliptical trainers are no exception.
Types of Problems
Problems that can occur on a Life Fitness elliptical trainer include excessive noise from the drive mechanism, loose arm handles, an unbalanced base and resistance issues. The electronic display may occasionally experience issues related to accurately displaying workout data. These issues may be within the electronic console itself or they may be originating from the workout sensors located throughout the elliptical trainer.
Causes
The leading cause of problems in a Life Fitness elliptical trainer is a buildup of dust and grime on the equipment. Life Fitness states that excessive dirt on the machine can get into the moving parts and create noise or make it difficult for the bearings to move. Dirt on the sensors of the heart rate monitor can also cause erratic readings from the machine. In addition, faulty wiring or normal wear and tear on the drive system can cause malfunctions over time.
Prevention
The best way to prevent problems with the elliptical trainer is to clean it regularly according to the guide provided by Life Fitness. The company suggests that you use a cotton cloth that is slightly damp to wipe down all visible surfaces on the machine once a week. Never apply cleaner directly to the machine, however. You should also inspect all of the mounting bolts on the machine every six months. Tighten any bolts that are loose to prevent the drive system from malfunctioning.
Obtaining Service
If you follow the troubleshooting guide in your Life Fitness manual and find that you need to have a part on the elliptical trainer replaced, report the serial number of the equipment and the part you need to replace to Life Fitness. You have to report this sort of problem within 10 days of discovery it. Any issues caused by negligence or unauthorized service of the equipment are not covered by your warranty.
References
- American College of Sports Medicine: Selecting and Effectively Using an Elliptical Trainer
- Fitness Equipment Reviews; Life Fitness Elliptical Trainer Review; Fred Waters
- Life Fitness: Club Series Elliptical Cross-Trainer User Manual
- Life Fitness: X-9 Total Body Elliptical Cross-Trainer User Manual
- Life Fitness: X-1 Total Body Elliptical Cross-Trainer User Manual
Member Comments