The Eclipse 4100 HRA Elliptical Trainer – Value for Your Money

The Eclipse 4100 HRA elliptical trainer is made by Fitness Quest in Ohio and falls in the middle of their reasonably priced fitness machines. For a machine priced around $550, the Eclipse 4100 HRA comes with some surprising features such as heart rate control and handlebar heart rate monitoring that you don’t see on other elliptical trainers in the price range.

What You Get

This elliptical offers a fitness computer that tracks time, speed, distance and calories burned on a dot matrix LED readout. Other features of the Eclipse 4100 HRA elliptical trainer include:

15" Stride Length

8 Programs; 6 Preset and 2 Heart Rate

Orbital Linkage System

Pulse Grip Heart Rate Monitor

Heart Rate Control

Electromagnetic Resistance

Dual action (forward, reverse)

Transport Wheels

Upper body handlebars

Adjustable floor leveling

Power -- 9V adapter

275-lb. User Capacity

One Year Warranty: Parts, Motor, Electronics, Frame and Labor

We should mention that the warranty on the Eclipse 4100 HRA may seem short for an elliptical machine, but other models offer only 90 days coverage while Fitness Quest covers the machine for the first year.

The Word on the Street

This Eclipse 4100 HRA elliptical trainer boasts a smooth elliptical pattern thanks to its patented Orbital Linkage System (OLS) although experts tend to roll their eyes at such claims but this little guy really does deliver a true oval motion. The elliptical trainer has a nice feel with a low impact stride but the 15" length is far too short for tall users to get an advanced workout. The Eclipse 4100 HRA is a small, lightweight machine that may be perfect for a small user, but it certainly isn’t recommended for anyone over 200 lbs.

UPDATE: Fitness Quest is no longer making ellipticals. If you're interested in a good budget elliptical check out the selection at Amazon:

Compare Ellipticals $500 and under here

Home users like the elliptical trainer’s dual action stride motion and the upper arm workout. The cardio grip pulse monitor lets the user grab the handle for an immediate heart rate reading which tells you if you’re in your target zone. Users have been satisfied with the Eclipse 4100 HRA giving it high marks for reliability. One frustration though is that the poles are way too tall especially for women who would prefer them to be around chest height.