The Spirit EL-5 Elliptical – Rated ‘Good Buy’

For today’s good news, get the Spirit EL-5 Elliptical with health club quality comfort and all the features of a Sole machine, for a budget price. If a Sole has been on your wish list but out of your price range, you have found the perfect alternative in the EL-5.

What You Get

The Spirit EL-5 Elliptical has a large blue backlit display that shows your time, distance, calories, weight, speed, RPM, level, laps, and heart rate. The trainer also comes with 2° inward pedal slope, electronically controlled magnetic brake, 8 different workouts and a heart rate control program.

Here’s the full list of specs on the Spirit EL-5:

• 20 Resistance Levels
• 8 Programs; 2 Custom User & HR Control
• Dual-Action Upper Body Arms
• 20" Stride Length
• Heart Rate Monitoring
• 2% incline pedals
• 3-position Articulating Pedal Adjustment
• 30-lb Flywheel
• 350 lb. user weight capacity
• Large transport wheels
• Institutional Size Frame
• 1000 Watts
• Warranty – lifetime frame & brake, 5 yrs parts, 1 yr labor

Compare models on the Spirit Fitness company site

The Word on the Street

Equipment experts have spotted this model to be the remake of a Sole E55 elliptical (the 2006 model, not the 2009 upgrade). Dyaco, which manufacturers both Sole and Spirit, has taken the Sole E55 and changed the console layout, and painted the frame white to create the 2008 EL-5. Then they dropped the price but kept the dynamic features, such as the 20" stride and the articulating and adjustable foot pedals.

They have also increased resistance to 1000 watts for tougher workouts. It also has Sole’s patented 2° incline pedals which helps to eliminate the “numb foot” problems often associated with elliptical riding for 30 minutes or longer.

Elliptical reviews by users are calling the Spirit EL-5 to be more comfortable in the elliptical motion than Spirit’s recent XE-250 and XE-550 machines, which now seem overpriced when compared to the EL-5. This one has an excellent drive system that provides a quiet, sturdy ride.

The weight capacity is 350 pounds and the warranty is decent: five years parts and one-year labor. The titanium white paint isn’t as attractive as the black model Sole, and it lacks cushioned footpads, but otherwise, it is a very affordable model with advanced features.

Our Thoughts

Also known by its longer name, the Esprit EL-5 Elliptical by Spirit, this model has an MSRP of $1,499 but you can often find it on sale for $1,099 (or less) which includes the shipping costs.

If you can find the Spirit EL-5 elliptical for that price, it is an excellent value and rates as a Good Buy. If you like the design but think you can get by with a shorter 18” stride and a more compact design than this 200-lb unit, you can also find good value with the Esprit EL-1 elliptical for under $900.

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