Gym Equipment Review: The ProForm 500 ZLE Cross Trainer

Introduction:

We’ve found that cross trainers are the hottest, fastest growing category of fitness equipment. A cross trainer is one of the best ways to get a total body workout in 20 to 30 minutes. Walk into the cardio room in any gym or health club and you’ll notice that there are more cross trainers are in use than treadmills, stair steppers or stationary bicycles. Why? Because people who are truly committed to a serious fitness regimen know that they get a superior workout on a cross trainer. One cross trainer we really like comes from industry giant gym equipment manufacturer ProForm. Here’s our review of the popular 500 ZLE model

Overall Rating:

4.5 out of 5.0 stars

Key Features:

The ProForm 500 ZLE is a rear folding cross trainer that has a 3-level adjustable stride length. This allows the user to easily focus their workout on a specific muscle group, making for a versatile, effective and enjoyable exercise session. The design allows the machine to be stored in a small space, a great feature for those with little room to spare. The console has an easy to read backlit LCD display with stereo speakers. There’s also a fan to keep you cool and an integrated iFit SD reader that gives you virtually unlimited training options.

Price:

About £600.00

Product Description:

This is a quality cross trainer that has 16 pre-set programmes and a flywheel for maximum speed and smoothness. The adjustable stride length ensures you’ll get a safe and effective workout. If you’re interested in reaching your fitness goals in the shortest possible time, this machine is worth a serious look.

Product Specifications:

Assembled size: 164 cm high x 64 cm wide x 195 cm long

Folded size: 164 cm high x 64 cm wide x 125 cm long

Weight: 80 kg

User weight limit: 130 kg

Flywheel weight: 6 kg

Number of pre-programmed workouts: 16 (8 based on calorie goals and 8 based on weight loss goals)

Type of resistance: QuietTech® digital silent magnetic resistance

Stride adjustment: 13″, 15″ or 18″ user selectable

Product Features:

The backlit blue LCD console display shows resistance level, speed, time, distance, pulse rate and calories burned. Heart rate is measured by way of an EKG grip pulse and heart rate monitor. A belt for the popular Polar® heart rate monitor is optional, but highly recommended. There’s an iPod compatible port as well as capability for an interactive workout using an iFit SD card. iFit technology allows customised workouts to be uploaded directly to the cross trainer, so you can have a virtual workout in a variety of locales. iFit controls the speed and resistance to simulate the terrain of your chosen locale. The 500 ZLE also has ergonomically designed hand levers to tone the upper body and improve coordination.

Conclusion:

We like the ProForm 500 ZLE’s compact size that doesn’t compromise performance. It has all the features you’d expect from a mid-to-low priced cross trainer from a well-respected manufacturer of gym equipment.