The BH Fitness XS5 Elliptical Trainer - Too Expensive for What You're Getting

Solidly built but pricy, the BH Fitness XS5 elliptical trainer is another entry into the mid- to high-end market by BH Fitness. The list price of $2,399 simply isn't justified, and even the sale price is steep when you can get more features on other brands.

What You Get

The BH Fitness XS5 elliptical trainer has 12 workouts and 16 levels of resistance on an elliptical frame that's extremely sturdy and backed by an excellent warranty. The recently improved LED matrix display is now easier to read and gives you time, speed, distance, calories burned and pulse rate.

The specs on the XS5 include: 

• 20" stride length
• 16 levels of magnetic resistance
• 12 programs, including manual, heart rate control and pre-set
• Active Flex shock absorption system
• Converging/diverging handlebars for effective upper body workout
• Oversized, anti-skid foot pedals
• Front drive flywheel
• Dual aluminum guide rails for added stability
• Backlit LED matrix display
• Contact heart rate sensors
• 325 lbs. user capacity
• Dimensions/Weight: 72"L x 28"W x 67" H/211 lbs.
• Water bottle holder
• Reading rack
• Warranty: Lifetime frame and generator, 5 years parts, 1 year labor
  

The Word on the Street

UPDATE: As of 2016, the XS5 Elliptical is no longer being sold.  You can check out all of the current models on sale here.

Although recent reviews have commended BH Fitness for improving their service and attention to detail on parts, most reviewers are still firmly in the "it's too expensive for what you're getting" camp. Reviewers have noted that while they like the stability and weight of the BH Fitness XS5 elliptical trainer, it doesn't offer some features that are standard on other brands such as NordicTrack.

You don't get any of the advantages of personal trainer designed workouts, Google maps training paths or any interactive features like iFit to make things interesting. Most users admitted that they could have bought a similar elliptical for half the price that would have had more features.

Our Thoughts

The list price simply isn't justified when you're getting a mere 12 workouts and 16 resistance levels and a complete lack of popular features like iFit connectivity, Google maps compatibility or other perks that many in-home users use to motivate themselves.  For serious athletes, the BH Fitness XS5 falls short because it just doesn't have the muscle or variety to truly stretch your workout limits.

While the fingertip resistance controls in the handlebars are a nice touch, they don't warrant the sale price, let alone the inflated list price. If the BH Fitness XS5 elliptical trainer was as good as its warranty, we'd consider the lowest sale price, but there's just too much missing here for our money.

Show me other BH Fitness Elliptical Trainers