Sole E35 Elliptical Trainer

After doing a bit of research on quality elliptical machines, I settled on Sole and chose this model roughly 2 years ago. After weekly use on a carpeted area and now about two weeks into a new location, the machine runs like it's out-of-the-box new. Quiet and fluid motion, all features function as intended, and all the exterior parts have held up perfectly.The only real negative experience from owning this machine has been the assembly. This wasn't necessarily a complicated procedure but a very involved and time-consuming one. Plan on devoting at least four hours if not more on getting this thing together. Also, make sure you assemble it in the room this this machine will 'live' in because once assembled it is extremely difficult to move.Despite the complex ... MoreAfter doing a bit of research on quality elliptical machines, I settled on Sole and chose this model roughly 2 years ago. After weekly use on a carpeted area and now about two weeks into a new location, the machine runs like it's out-of-the-box new. Quiet and fluid motion, all features function as intended, and all the exterior parts have held up perfectly.The only real negative experience from owning this machine has been the assembly. This wasn't necessarily a complicated procedure but a very involved and time-consuming one. Plan on devoting at least four hours if not more on getting this thing together. Also, make sure you assemble it in the room this this machine will 'live' in because once assembled it is extremely difficult to move.Despite the complex assembly, the fact the it's difficult to move actually becomes a positive once it's where you want it. It's solid, and stays in place. I'm a big guy and even after very intense sessions on this machine with 85-90 rpm on the elliptical, it doesn't budge. For the price, I believe that this product is as close to commercial/gym quality machinery as you can get without having to fork over $4000 or more. Sole has higher priced models, but I believe that this one is the sweet spot for features/value/quality.The only other thing I will mention is that when I recently and painstakingly moved my machine from an upstairs room to my downstairs loft, a partial disassembly was required to be able for it to fit through doorways. After splitting the machine at its midsection and reassembling it, I ran it through its paces and it functions flawlessly.Couldn't recommend it enough, the Sole E35 is an excellent machine.

My goal when shopping for an elliptical was to get the best quality machine I could for the most reasonable price. I found again and again when on competitors' websites that the mechanical specs of their machines -- the flywheel weight, the frame material, the pedal ergonomics, etc. -- never seemed to stack up to Sole when in the same price range. I found the e35 to be the best middle ground -- I was worried that the e25 didn't have adjustable pedals, and didn't think the e95 was worth the extra money for my personal needs. The 25 pound flywheel makes riding the e35 smooth, and I really am impressed with how quiet the machine is -- of course, you have to keep the rollers clean and lubricated to keep it that way. Additionally, the pedal adjustment option is a ... MoreMy goal when shopping for an elliptical was to get the best quality machine I could for the most reasonable price. I found again and again when on competitors' websites that the mechanical specs of their machines -- the flywheel weight, the frame material, the pedal ergonomics, etc. -- never seemed to stack up to Sole when in the same price range. I found the e35 to be the best middle ground -- I was worried that the e25 didn't have adjustable pedals, and didn't think the e95 was worth the extra money for my personal needs. The 25 pound flywheel makes riding the e35 smooth, and I really am impressed with how quiet the machine is -- of course, you have to keep the rollers clean and lubricated to keep it that way. Additionally, the pedal adjustment option is a game-changer for me. I was previously riding a standing elliptical that caused me constant knee pain throughout the day, and I was pretty worried this meant all ellipticals would be painful. Totally wrong -- I keep the e35's pedals set to be highest in the back so that my heels stay planted on the elliptical each time I run, and it's been unbelievable. All of my knee pain is gone. A few couple caveats with this machine. First, the other reviews are correct about assembly. It is a nightmare. My husband is an engineer and it took him all evening to put the machine together. Look up YouTube videos of how to assemble this elliptical before it gets here and then follow that, not the elliptical's insane instruction manual, to put it together. Next, I am 5'8" and bought this machine thinking the 20" stride length would be enough for me. 95% of the time, it is. It's just that sometimes if I want a burst of speed, I think it holds me back a little. If you're used to stretching your legs and lengthening your stride in short bursts on standard gym equipment, you may want to look at the tiers above the e35 in the Sole lineup for an adjustable stride elliptical. Still though, this rarely ever bothers me and riding this elliptical still feels very natural. Last, as I said before, I was looking for high quality equipment at a reasonable price, so I was fully aware this meant sacrificing a fancy elliptical screen -- and that was okay, actually preferable, to me. Exercise equipment subscription services majorly creep me out and I did not want to pay a premium for that. This Sole e35 has a basic screen that does more than I want an elliptical screen to do -- all I want is to be able to see my time, change level, and change in incline. I leave everything else, the tracking, etc., to my smartwatch. I tried out the Sole app and Bluetooth feature with my phone, and found it to be more trouble than it was worth. It didn't crash on me or bug out like some users have reported, but I didn't like the third party interface and it is just as easy as well as more streamlined to track my workouts on my watch like I've always done. So again, no loss there because I didn't even want upgraded technology. All in all, I would buy from Sole again -- but I am hoping this elliptical will last me a long time. So far, it seems like it will. It is so great being able to have this machine in my own home and not have to go out to a gym, and I didn't have to break the bank to get it.

This is a great elliptical. It’s quiet and feels sturdy. I like the pre-set workouts. The screen is big and easy to read. Like other reviews have stated: the fan blows above an average person’s height. The biggest improvement needed isn’t for the elliptical itself- it’s needed for the app. The company is clearly lacking in the technology department. The app is useless, so don’t buy the Sole brand if you’re wanting your workouts to link/connect with your phone for tracking purposes. It’s also impossible to register your product on the Sole website because their website has glitches. If you solely want an elliptical, this is great. But if you’re looking for additional features, you’ll have to look elsewhere.