Proform 590E Elliptical Trainer
If you're a light exerciser with an equally light budget, then the Proform 590E elliptical trainer is a fairly good choice for you. It's a decent budget elliptical that places the focus directly on workout programs and entertainment, but is somewhat lacking on durability.
Proform 590E Features
The Proform 590E is not a fancy, bells and whistles machine. That said, it includes everything you need to get a good workout... 14 workout programs plus iFit compatibility, 16 resistance levels, a ramp to up your intensity, and hand grip heart rate monitoring. The display is decent enough, with readouts for distance, time, pulse, resistance, and calories.
You can workout your upper body with this machine, and plug in your iPod or mp3 player to the music port for earphones-free listening. The pedals are large enough that you can find a comfortable foot position, but they are not articulating pedals so don't rise with your feet as you move.
This model suffers in the same way that other budget ellipticals suffer. The build quality is mediocre, with a lightweight frame that makes it unstable if you are past a certain weight. The user capacity is listed as 300 pounds, which is definitely not accurate. Many users who are over 200 pounds have reported some serious wobble issues. If you're a heavier user, then you want something more sturdy. If you are small and lightweight, then this machine shouldn't be a problem.
Value for Money
You can find the Proform 590E for sale at around $599, which makes it a great buy for a light user. However, Proform's 10ZE goes for the same price, and is a better elliptical all around. Better yet, the Schwinn 431 is a budget machine that has way more features, such as magnetic braking and articulating foot pedals. Proform also only offers a one year parts and labor warranty, so in the long run you may not be saving much money.
Bottom Line
The Proform 590E elliptical trainer is a decent machine, and does what you need it to do... provided, of course, you aren't too tall or too heavy for it, or you aren't a heavy exerciser. For light workouts several times a week, this model will do what you want it to do. Overall though, there are better elliptical trainers to be had for around the same price.
See more information on the range of Proform elliptical trainers.
