Is the BodyCraft ECT-2500 Elliptical Crosstrainer Worth the Extra Money?

The BodyCraft ECT-2500 elliptical crosstrainer retails for around $1,300, which is a few hundred dollars more than their only other current model, the ECT-2100. There are a few upgrades, but probably not $300 worth.

What You Get

The BodyCraft ECT-2500 elliptical crosstrainer is built for endurance and is well-constructed. Made of heavy gauge steel with heavy-duty welds and high performance components, nobody can deny that these machines are quality construction. However, an elliptical crosstrainer also has to perform and have the right features. The specs of the BodyCraft ECT-2500 include:

• Upper body workout
• Eddy current braking system
• Hand pulse and wireless chest strap heart monitors
• Adjustable pedals
• Adjustable stride
• LED dot-matrix display console
• 4 pre-set programs and 2 manual programs
• Warranty: Lifetime frame, 3 yrs. parts, 1 yr. labor

The warranty is usually a good measure of product quality, and for the price this is decent coverage, especially for the parts.

The Word on the Street

UPDATE:  BodyCraft is no longer making elliptical machines.  Take a look at NordicTrack for comparable models.

You won’t find many trainers who are willing to pay over $1,000 for an elliptical machine with a stride that maxes out at 16 inches. This is typical of the response from fitness pros when discussing the BodyCraft ECT-2500 elliptical crosstrainer. They admit that the resistance is phenomenal, but without a long enough stride, it becomes useless.

The limited number of programs is also an issue for many pros – variety makes a work-out more effective over the long term, and four pre-set programs isn’t going to do it.

Consumers rate the BodyCraft ECT-2500 as an average model. They appreciate its relative portability and feel that the console (which has six display windows) is especially nice for the price, but they don’t rave about the quiet operation or comfort like you’ll find with some other crosstrainer brands in this price range.

Our Thoughts

Average is what you’re getting with the BodyCraft ECT-2500. Is average enough? It depends on how bored you get working out. We find it difficult to believe that, for $1,300, you shouldn’t get more than just four pre-set programs.

You’ll blow through those in a few weeks of crosstraining and wonder why you’re doing the same thing over and over again. The same goes for the stride – adjustable sounds nice, but its misleading when the lowest setting is a miserable 14 inches and the maximum is only 16 inches.

It’s a shame, really, because the BodyCraft ECT-2500 elliptical crosstrainer is so well-constructed and the warranty means they stand behind their product. But without enough of the variety and options we’ve come to expect at this price level, we’re inclined to move on.

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