Octane Elliptical Trainers
If you are looking for the ultimate in cross trainers then you have to consider Octane elliptical trainers. This specialist cross trainer manufacturer makes machines that are aimed at the high-end of the market. But are the features that they provide worth the money? We look at whether you are getting value for money if you're buying an elliptical for home use.
There is no denying that Octane has an excellent pedigree. They supply many professional gyms such as 24 Hour Fitness. They also supply professional sports teams to help sportsmen and women recover from injury, notably the Chicago Bears and the San Francisco 49'ers. The machines are solid and built to produce outstanding results over a long period of time. But you will have to pay for this luxury. With prices starting at $2,000 and going to over $3,500 they are products that need some thought before taking the plunge.
The design of the machines is quite futuristic. All of the mechanism is at the front, which means that they have a smaller footprint than comparable premium ellipticals or treadmills. They are a robust build and you certainly won't have problems of the equipment 'walking' across the floor in use, as happens with some cheaper ellipticals. There are 3 main models for home users that you should consider: The Q35, Q37 and Q47.
Q35
This is a model that has been available for some time and has picked up many awards. It is the least expensive in the range. There is no heart rate monitor on this model, which may deter some people that are spending $2,000 or more. As with other Octane ellipticals, the pedals are close together which make the machine easier to use.
Q37
Moving up through the range, this model boasts the converging handlebars that are said to be ergonomically superior. There is a choice of stride length from 18-23 inches and 5 or 10 different program settings depending on the exact model. Prices start at $2399.
Q47
This is the top model and features the converging handlebars, Smartstride ergonomic design, and console fan. There is heart monitor on the Q47e and Q47ce models but not the basic model. At $3599 this is something of a budget buster.
Octane elliptical trainers are great quality machines but there are equally impressive offerings from the likes of Sole and Schwinn for a significantly lower price.