Body-Solid Elliptical Reviews and Comparisons
If you’re looking for your next strength and conditioning equipment, you may have stumbled upon a little company called Body-Solid, Inc. Well, it’s not little! This American manufacturer specializes in making fitness-related equipment so you can build your home gym and be proud of it.
Body Solid ellipticals are our focus today, but before we get into all the Body Solid elliptical machines they have to offer, we want to give you a short overview of the company itself and what they’ve accomplished in the industry.
We know how important it is for you to trust the companies you’re doing business with. Especially when you’re investing hundreds if not thousands of dollars in equipment you want to be using for a very long time. Body Solid exercise equipment has gained a strong reputation through the years, so it’s definitely one of those brands you need to consider.
Body-Solid Background
Body Solid came to be in 1989 in Chicago, Illinois, and its mission ever since has been to provide fitness products to specialty retailers at a value price. Their first product was an Olympic bench, and they grew very quickly from then on. They soon started making weightlifting bars and plates, as well as home gyms.
In 1994, they introduced their Lifetime Warranty, which was actually the first of the industry. We’ll talk about this later because it’s one of the biggest advantages of purchasing Body Solid ellipticals. In 2016, Body Solid expanded quite a lot and they made a lot of additions to their commercial lines.
As of this year (2021), Body Solid offers over 500 different products that cater to all facets of fitness and all levels of fitness. This equipment is used not just for home or garage gyms, but also in schools, gyms and other commercial workout facilities, fire and police departments, the military, as well as rehab and medical facilities.
They sell not only in the US, but also Canada, and over 100 other countries. Now that we know a little bit about Body Solid’s history, let’s take a look at all the ellipticals they have to offer. This way you can choose the perfect one for your budget and your goals!
Editor's Choice From Body Solid!
Compare Body-Solid Ellipticals
| Review | Image | Verdict | Price | Capacity | Display | Resistance | Programs | Stride | Holder | Dimensions | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Body Solid BFE1 Elliptical |  | Good Value | Check on Amazon | 225 Lbs | 5-Window LCD | 8 Manual Magnetic Levels | No Built-in Workouts | 12" Fixed | No bottle or tablet holder | 45” x 26” x 66” | 97 lbs |
| Body Solid BFE2 Elliptical |  | Good Value | Check on Amazon | 275 Lbs | 5-Window LED | 15 Electromagnetic Levels | 12 Built-in Workouts | 18" Fixed | Bottel & tablet holders | 48” x 30” x 66” | 182 lbs |
| Body Solid E300 Elliptical |  | Great Value | Check on Amazon | 300 Lbs | 2-window LED | 20 Electromagnetic Levels | 7 Built-in Workouts | 21" Fixed | Bottel & tablet holders | 50” x 31” x 66” | 232 lbs |
| Body Solid E400 Elliptical |  | Great Value | Check on Amazon | 300 Lbs | 2-window LED | 20 Electromagnetic Levels | 12 Built-in Workouts | 17"-23" Manual | Bottel & tablet holders | 50” x 31” x 66” | 244 lbs |
| Body Solid E5000 Elliptical |  | Good Value | Check on Amazon | 325 Lbs | 2-window LED | 20 Electromagnetic Levels | 12 Built-in Workouts | 21" Fixed | Bottel & tablet holders | 68” x 31” x 69” | 249 lbs |
Overview of Body Solid Ellipticals
When it comes to elliptical series, Body Solid only has two, but they offer pretty amazing options for you. There’s the Best Fitness Series, which features the Best Fitness Cross Trainer Elliptical BFCT1, and the Best Fitness BFE2 Elliptical. Body Solid cross trainer reviews are very good. There’s also the Endurance Series, which features the Endurance E300 Elliptical Trainer, the Endurance E400 Elliptical Trainer, and the Endurance E5000 Premium Elliptical Trainer.
Now, choosing an elliptical requires some thought. After all, you’ll be spending hundreds if not thousands of dollars. You want to make sure you’re making the right choice, not only for your budget, but also for your fitness goals. If you’re considering Body Solid, here’s what you should know of every elliptical they have to offer.
BFE1 Elliptical (Best Fitness Series)
The BFCT1 elliptical cross trainer is perfect for people who want to enjoy a non-impact cardio workout and don’t have much space. This machine features synchronized arms, which engage your upper body for a full-body workout.
The magnetic resistance system offers 8 different resistance levels so you can customize your workouts. The LCD console will also provide all the feedback you need, such as time, speed, distance, heart rate, and calories. As you’re working out, you will have access to all the information you need and you’ll be able to control the resistance levels as well.
The console can also measure your BODYFAT, BMI and BMR as well. It will provide an estimate of healthy body weight for you and it can help you identify weight problems. You can also establish workout goals in the console and control your workout time, distance, and calorie loss.
The BFCT1 also features the Heart Rate Contacts, which will send your heart rate information to the console so it can be processed. The Heart Rate Contact sensors are found on both sides of the handlebar, so your heart rate is measured when you grasp the handlebars firmly. This Body Solid elliptical is also portable thanks to the transport wheels.
Overall, the BFCT1 elliptical is perfect for people who are getting started on their fitness journey. It provides the kind of workout you’re looking for and it allows you to set and reach your fitness goals. It’s also very compact, so it doesn’t need much space, which is perfect if you’re only just starting to build your home or garage gym.
BFE2 Elliptical (Best Fitness Series)
The second and last elliptical on the Best Fitness Series is the BFE2 Center Drive Elliptical Trainer. This machine is the perfect blend of quality and technology, and it’s very affordable. The patented technology provides an effective yet comfortable upper and lower body workout. Once again, it’s perfect for small spaces because the machine is compact.
This elliptical features a balance frame and a low center of gravity, which means the workouts will be super smooth. The digital display, 5” console will provide all the information you need. Including time, temperature, distance, speed, RPM, calories, pulse, watt, temperature, calendar, clock, and load.
There’s also a training mode, which means you’ll have access to different exercise options that will allow you to customize your workouts. The training mode includes Manual Mode, User Mode, Program Mode, and Watt Mode.
There are also 12 different preset program profiles you can choose from with workouts that will be tailored to your goals and fitness level.
Overall, the BFE2 is an affordable machine that provides a few extra features and functions when compared to the BFCT1. It’s still user-friendly and it provides great features to help you reach your fitness goals more effectively.
Perhaps the most important advantage of the Best Fitness Series is that the ellipticals are perfectly suitable for entry level people. That means this equipment provides all the features you need to enjoy a good workout and not just set, but also reach fitness goals.
They’re also very compact and easy to move. If you have limited space for your home or garage gym, any of these two machines will be perfect. They’re also affordable, especially when compared to the machines we will discuss in the Endurance Series. Why? Because they are meant for beginners and they provide the necessary features for people at this fitness level.
The drawback of this series is that these ellipticals provide only the basic features. Even though the technology is great, they’re meant for people who require only entry level features. That means people with a more advanced fitness level won’t benefit as much from the ellipticals on this series.
The monitors are pretty basic and there is no preset programs or heart rate controls resistance system on any of the BF Series Body Solid cross trainers. Also, these machines don’t come with incline or stride adjustment so everyone in the house is stuck with the same settings which can be annoying and uncomfortable.
E300 Elliptical Trainer (Endurance Series)
The Endurance E300 elliptical trainer is one of the best ellipticals in the market because it provides a quiet and smooth workout, it’s compact, stable, and it won’t take up much space at all. This equipment features a patented center-drive design that provides a natural 21” stride rate. It also has a balanced frame and a low gravity center so it won’t sway or rock while you’re working out.
The premium hand grips will allow you to engage your upper and lower body and they also have sensors to measure your heart rate so you can stay at your target range during your workouts.
You can program the elliptical trainer as you see fit thanks to the six preset programs, the manual mode, and two user profiles available. The LED display is easy to use, the foot levelers provide greater stability, there’s a water bottle holder, and the transport handles make it easy for you to move it around.
The six preset programs featured in the E300 include mountain, hill, random, interval, interval mountain, and interval speed training. The mountain program will gradually take you up to a high resistance level and then bring you back down to the resistance level you started with. This will provide a difficult and intense workout.
The hill program will take you through two hill profiles and the resistance changes are small. This program provides a low-impact workout that’s perfect for beginners. The random program will generate a random program every time you choose it. This is perfect if you want your workouts to be different every time.
The interval program provides interval training with a series of two hill profiles, the interval mountain will provide interval training with a difficult mountain profile, and the interval speed training will provide interval training with extreme levels of high and low intensity.
The LED display will provide all the information you need, such as distance, speed, time, calories, stride/minute, pulse, calories/hour, and resistance level. It will also display the program profile, resistance bar, heart rate bar, programs, lap display, and more. This elliptical also features Heart Rate Contacts, so your heart rate information will be processed by the console.
E400 Elliptical Trainer (Endurance Series)
Next on this series is the Endurance E400 Elliptical Trainer, which also features the patented low gravity center and center drive design. This design makes for a quiet, smooth workout. It’s exactly what you want from the equipment for a home or garage gym. The stride on this elliptical is adjustable from 17” to 21” so users of all heights can enjoy their workouts.
With the E400 you will be able to engage in dual-action, upper and lower body movements for a full-body workout. You also have 20 levels of resistance to play with and a wireless heart-rate monitor that features a chest strap to keep you in your target zone. This elliptical also features six preset programs, five heart-rate programs, a manual mode, and two user profiles.
The six preset program modes included in this elliptical are the same as we described above for the E300. The heart rate programs are meant to automatically change resistance so your heart rate is kept at a predetermined level. Each heart rate program will cater to a specific goal, so make sure you select the right one for you.
The E400 also features the Heart Rate Contacts and the heart rate control chest strap you must use for the five heart-rate programs available. These five heart-rate programs include the % target heart rate, which will allow you to choose a percentage of Maximum Heart Rate that you’d like to maintain during your workout. The HR 80%, which is for high-intensity cardio, the HR 65%, which is for fat burn, the HR hill, and the HR interval, which is for cardio and fat burning at the same time.
The LED display will provide all the information you need, such as resistance level, time, speed, distance, calories, pulse, and more. You’ll also have access to all the programs you need.
Overall, the E400 is a great option. It’s smooth, quiet, compact, and stable. It will allow you to engage the upper and lower body, and the variety of programs will help you get the most out of your workout.
E5000 Elliptical Trainer (Endurance Series)
Last but not least on the Endurance Series, we have the E5000 Premium Elliptical Trainer, which combines research, technology, engineering and performance. This elliptical provides a stable workout and it’s very compact as well, so you’ll be able to find a spot for it very easily.
The E5000 is designed for durability and it’s a high-quality machine that will last you a long time. It will allow you to enjoy low-impact, full-body workouts that are rigorous enough to help you reach your goals.
This Body Solid elliptical features a quick-start mode, six preset programs, five heart rate control programs, and two user profile modes. The six program modes and the five heart rate control programs available on the E5000 are the same we already explained above. The elliptical features a heart rate control chest strap you must wear when you use any of the five heart rate control programs so the console can process your heart rate.
You don’t want to workout at your maximum heart rate, you want to workout at your target heart rate. That’s what the heart rate control programs allow you to do and they provide different levels. Each program has its benefits and they’re tailored to specific goals. For this reason, you want to make sure you choose the right heart rate control program for your workouts. So you can reach your goals more effectively!
The two-window, LED display is very functional and easy to use. You will have access to all the information you need, including pulse, calories, speed, distance, time, resistance level, and more. Not to mention you will also be able to program your workout very easily.
The lap display will show you your progress around a virtual track as well as the resistance level. Overall, the E5000 is a great premium option for people who want to invest on a high-quality machine that provides everything they need to push themselves and reach their goals.
As you can see, the Endurance Series is very different from the Best Fitness Series. The Endurance ellipticals are packed with a lot more features in terms of workout programs. It’s also clear they’re more focus towards heart rate control workouts and they provide all the tools to help you engage in this type of workout.
The Endurance ellipticals provide many more options so you’ll have a lot more freedom to tailor your workout to your needs and your fitness level. They provide more features to help you make the most out of your workout and reach your goals more effectively.
The drawback here is the price tag! The Endurance Series is a lot more expensive than the Best Fitness Series. However, the value is enormous and it goes beyond the price tag. You will have a machine that’s a lot more powerful, of higher quality, and better equipped to help you achieve what you want.
Our least favorite feature of the Body Solid Endurance ellipticals is the lack of high-tech monitors with Bluetooth and app connectivity. No matter the model and the price tag, they all come with relatively basic old-style screens which is not even comparable with the cheapest Sole ellipticals.
Body Solid Warranty
Before we move on, I want to discuss the Body Solid warranty because it applies to all the ellipticals we just mentioned. The warranty period is: 5 years for the frame, 5 years for the motor (if applicable), 1 year for parts, 1 year for electronics (if applicable), 3 months for wear parts (if applicable), and 90 days for labor.
If you find yourself in need of warranty service, you need to put the machine back to the original container or the equivalent of it. You also must pay for shipping fees, export fees, customs duties and taxes, and you’ll also be responsible for the shipment and return of the product. You assume the risk of loss during shipment, and you also need to present proof of purchase documents.
The warranty won’t apply for products that are not purchased from the company itself or an authorized reseller. It also won’t apply for damages as result of misuse, abuse or accident, or using parts that are not manufactured or sold by the company, or modification, or as a result of service that wasn’t done by the company. So, certain conditions do apply for this warranty.
The Body Solid warranty provides you with specific legal rights in the US, and they may vary from state to state. The drawback is the warranty doesn’t work outside of the US, so you need to keep that in mind.
Body Solid Advantages
Perhaps one of the most important advantages about Body Solid is that they’re an established company. They’ve been in the business since 1989 and they’re still going strong because they provide high-quality equipment at affordable prices.
Another great thing about Body Solid is that they offer a great variety of equipment. In the category of gym systems you’ll find functional trainers, single stack gyms, multi-stack gyms, free weight gyms, and gym accessories. You can also find many types of free weights, as well as different kinds of machines and machine accessories, treadmills, fan bikes, stationary bikes, climbers, rowers, and, of course, ellipticals, which we have shown you today.
They also have a great website that provides a ton of information about the equipment they offer and they have a blog. On the blog, you’ll find a ton of information about how to use their equipment, as well as advice on how to reach your goals and a ton of valuable information. There’s also a Body Focus tool on their website, and if you go there and select the part of your body you want to focus as well as your fitness goals, they will provide suggestions for the equipment you should purchase and the exercises that will help you.
Body Solid Disadvantages
Overall, clients seem very happy with Body Solid products and they leave positive reviews for the most part. Not everything is perfect, though. Customer service can sometimes drop the ball if you have an issue with the elliptical, but they come through in the end.
Low-tech monitors without touch or wireless Bluetooth technology. Also, Body Solid ellipticals don’t come with incline adjustment so the users can’t target different leg muscles.
It’s also worth considering there are other companies out there that are strong competitors. For example, Life Fitness, which was founded in 1977, is one of the biggest rivals. Powertec is a close second, and York Fitness comes in third. All of these companies offer great products and services. At the end of the day, it all comes down to making your research and determining which brand can fulfill your needs the most.
The Final Verdict
The price, durability and the compact footprint is what makes Body Solid one of our favorite brands. The company is known for some of the best compact elliptical cross trainers with center drive design design. The whisper quiet bio-mechanically engineered motion and space-saving compact size and stability are what makes the Body Solid cross trainers more unique.