The Horizon E5 Elliptical Trainer – Good Starter Machine

The Horizon E5 elliptical trainer is the least expensive of the Horizon elliptical machines. It’s obviously aimed at the budget shopper who is considering a first elliptical machine but doesn’t want to pay a lot of money, just in case it ends up being an expensive clothes hanger.

What You Get

You can rest easy knowing you’re getting your full five to six hundred dollars worth with the Horizon E5 elliptical trainer. You don’t get a lot of extras at this price point, but Horizon has focused on making a sturdy machine that can give you a relatively quiet, reliable performance.

It’s worth noting, however, that you get 14 programs with the Horizon E5 elliptical, a nice range of workouts that no one else can touch in this price range.

The specs on the Horizon E5 are:

• 18” Stride length
• 10 Levels of Resistance
• Magnetic brake resistance
• 14 Programs
• Water bottle holder
• Contact heart rate grips
• Pivoting footplates
• 14 lb. Front flywheel
• 275 lb. user capacity
• Cooling fan
• MP3 Input
• Warranties: lifetime frame and brake, 1 year parts and labor

The Word on the Street

UPDATE:  The E5 elliptical has been discontinued and is no longer available for sale. You can check out the latest Horizon elliptical reviews here.

Keep in mind that the Horizon E5 elliptical trainer is designed for the casual or first time user. Pro elliptical reviews will tell you that this machine isn’t as quiet or as smooth as a commercial machine, but you aren’t going to find that anywhere for $500-$600.

Realistic reviews admit that this is a decent deal for the money. Although the user weight capacity falls on the light side (a nod to the realistic expectations of the manufacturer), the noise level isn’t unnerving and you don’t get the jerky action of many other machines in this price range.

Consumers really enjoy the Horizon E5 elliptical. Most users feel they are getting their money’s worth. They comment on the nice range of programs (14) and nice extras like an MP3 input, which is rare for a budget machine.

Our Thoughts

The Horizon E5 elliptical is a decent little start-up machine. It offers some nice bang for the buck. Fourteen programs and 10 levels of resistance are not outstanding, but it is above par for an elliptical machine costing around $1000.

If you want to work out at home but just can’t afford a machine in the $2000 plus range, the Horizon E5 elliptical trainer may be a good way to get started.

If you like a stylish, attractive machine and love the option to listen to some tunes, this elliptical machine may be a good fit.

It probably won’t last ten years or more, but at this price point, you can get a good ride for several years, then move up a level once you know you’re going to stick with it.