Nautilus Elliptical Review
Are They Right For You?
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Considering a Nautilus elliptical?
Nautilus is one of the largest fitness equipment manufacturers in North American.
They also own popular brands like Stairmaster, Bowflex and Schwinn.
The Nautilus brand itself tends to be a more 'commercial' brand in people's minds.
And a few years ago, that was accurate as Nautilus had a few very strong commercial elliptical trainers. |
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However now, Nautilus is really only putting out one residential elliptical model - the E514. This is a basic starter elliptical that is similar in style to the Schwinn crosstrainers.
How does it stack up? Well, user reviews have been mixed however it was top rated by a leading consumer magazine. And Prevention magazine said "This model is so smooth, it feels like high priced gym models."
Here are some of the pros and cons of the Nautilus elliptical E514:
Pros:
Backlit Console - The console is bright and backlit. While on the smaller side, it's very easy to read and shows information like Time, Interval Time, RPM, Watts, Distance, Pulse, Speed, Calories, Resistance Level, and Course Profile.
Compact - The E514 is smaller than many other ellipticals measuring only 26" W x 62" L. It's also slimmer in design and more lightweight, which makes it a great choice for apartments or condos.
Wireless Heart Rate monitoring - For an elliptical under $1000, this is pretty good. You can track your heart rate with the hand grip sensors or the wireless chest strap that comes with the machine.
Cons:
Starter Elliptical - With the Nautilus name on it, many people think this elliptical is tougher than it actually is. This is a starter machine and would be best for light use. It doesn't have the construction, stability or warranty coverage to protect you for heavy, frequent use.
18" Stride - While this should be fine for most people, if you're over 5'9" you may find it feels a bit short when you pick up your pace.
Editor's Conclusion:
Nautilus elliptical trainers used to be more popular, but not so much right now. While Nautilus will probably release more ellipticals in the future, right now the brand has stagnated with only one residential model - the E514.
While it's been popular in 'expert' reviews and magazines, user reviews have been mixed. This is probably due to people thinking that they were getting a stronger machine because of the brand name.
Still, for an elliptical under $1000, it still gives you decent value and is a great option if you're looking for a compact machine.
If you're looking for more of a commercial model, you may want to check out a Smooth or Sole. If you still want Nautilus elliptical products, you may also want to check out the Schwinn brand.
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