The important role that cardio-vascular exercise plays in health and fitness has been well understood for many years, and the fact that elliptical trainers are one of your best options in getting that exercise is very well known.

One of the most popular brands of not just elliptical trainers, but exercise equipment in general, is Sole Fitness, which helps make the choice of what to buy a lot easier just leaves you with the job of selecting the right model for you.

So today we will be doing a Sole E25 vs E35 vs E55 vs E95 Comparison & Review.

Having a look at the price tag involved with buying one of these machines, not to mention the importance of your physical health and wellbeing, we are going to do a very thorough investigation of what these various models have to offer, so that you can make an educated decision about how to invest your money in home exercise.

Image	Model Name	Screen   Size	Weight Capacity	Flywheel	Price
	Sole Fitness E25 Elliptical – Editor’s Choice 2018	6.5 Inches	350 Pounds	20 Pounds
	Sole Fitness E35 Elliptical – Our Readers’ Favorite	7.5 Inches	375 Pounds	20 Pounds
	Sole E55 Elliptical Trainer	9.0 Inches	375 Pounds	20 Pounds
	Sole Fitness E95 Elliptical	10.1 Inches	400 Pounds	20 Pounds

History of Sole Fitness Company

To begin with, let us have a quick look at the humble beginnings of the company. A lot of people may not be that familiar with Sole, and the main reason for this is the fact that they originally started out as a manufacturer of hotel gym fitness equipment and it was not long ago when they ventured into home exercise machines.

The company has its headquarters in Salt Lake City, in Utah. It has a well-established presence in North America and Canada, where it bagged a contract to supply fitness equipment in some of the biggest hotel chains, including Hilton Hotels and Omni Hotels. Its products, however, are manufactured in Taiwan by a company called Dayco.

Because of the quality of the machines they produced for hotels and cruise ships, it became popular and soon became a preferred name even for home gyms. More than the quality of the products, the company has also made name for their affordability and generous warranty.

What are Sole Fitness Ellipticals?

Sole Fitness Ellipticals are exercise equipment that many people would consider as an excellent alternative to a treadmill for the reasons that will be specified in the next section of this post.

Also called cross-trainer, Sole Elliptical is a stationary equipment that is basically used for the simulation of running, walking, or climbing stairs. It does not apply pressure to the joints, which is why there is a minimal chance of suffering from an injury.

With the Sole Fitness Ellipticals, your exercise routine will concentrate on the improvement of hamstring, glutes, and quads. There are specific adjustments that can be made depending on the model that you will choose, which will be further discussed later in this post.

The Benefits of Sole Ellipticals

Among other things, affordability is the best asset of Sole Ellipticals. They are excellent for people who are looking for affordable machines but unwilling to compromise quality. The mere fact that they are chosen by some of the best hotels in the region can already speak a lot about what can be expected from their products.

As it is expected of other ellipticals, not just those from Sole Fitness, they can be excellent for weight loss and for improving your physical health without the risk of injuries. It aids in the development of muscle strength and endurance. It improves mood, reduces stress, and lessens the risk of obesity, among other benefits.

Reviews of Top Picks for Sole Fitness Elliptical Trainers

In this section, we will have a run-down of some of the best models of ellipticals from Sole Fitness, which will make it easier for you to decide which one can offer the best bang for the buck.

Sole Fitness E25 Elliptical

If you are looking for an entry-level elliptical, this is one option that should be on the top of the list. It comes with an affordable price, but for this reason, do not also expect this to be as superior as the higher-end models from the manufacturer.

In terms of its technical specifications, the unit has a weight of 212 pounds while the maximum weight capacity is 350 pounds. It comes with a 20-pound flywheel, which also allows the elliptical to operate as smoothly as possible.

There are also various features that will ensure your highest level of comfort when working out. For instance, it comes with oversized pedals. There is also a molded grip that can be adjusted based on the position that you are most comfortable with. The handle is equipped with built-in sensors for monitoring your heart rate.

To keep you cool during your workout, there is a built-in cooling fan. There is also a drink holder. More so, to easily monitor progress in your exercise, it has a 6.5-inch LCD display. There are also built-in speakers to keep you entertained when working out.

You will also enjoy the benefit of being able to customize the intensity of the routines. One thing that makes this possible is the adjustable ramp. There are more than 20 incline levels that are available.

Pros

• Assembly is relatively easy
• It is the most affordable model on this list
• Includes many of the same, more important features that all the other models have.

Cons

• Low maximum weight
• Its screen does not automatically show the resistance level you are working at
• It had the most consumer complaints about noise and general structural integrity

Sole Fitness E35 Elliptical

For challenging cardio exercises that are also enjoyable, this exercise equipment will prove to be a great investment. It weighs 215 pounds and has a weight limit of 375 pounds.

From the features and innovations incorporated in this product, one of the most exceptional is the quiet drive system. It provides fluid and smooth motions without making an annoying noise. It also comes with a 29-pound flywheel to deliver smooth operations.

Equipped with advanced sensor systems, you can be confident about the accuracy of the information that the unit will be able to detect. The built-in pulse sensors are located on the handlebar, which is a common feature of Sole Fitness Ellipticals. There is also an included heart rate chest strap.

Meanwhile, the LCD console that comes with this equipment is 7.5 inches, which is slightly bigger compared to the screen of the product that has been previously mentioned. The console also has several buttons that will allow you to control the various functions of the equipment. It also comes with an audio-in and headphone jack.

When it comes to adjustability, this model has a stride that can be adjusted from 20 to 22 inches. The footrests can also be customized based on what you are comfortable with. More so, you can change the incline to up to thirty degrees, depending on how challenging you want your workout to be.

Pros

• Footbed on the pedals are manually adjustable
• Has the same, longer warranties as the more expensive models
• Has a very heavy flywheel in comparison to other models

Cons​

• 40% more expensive than the E25, but does not have that many more features.
• Quite a couple of consumer review complain about the internal wiring being faulty
• Self-assembly could be easier

Sole E55 Elliptical Trainer

Equipped with a 9-inch screen, there is plenty of space to see everything that you need to know about your workout. From the part where the screen is, there is also a built-in cooling fan and speakers for your entertainment.

From the console, you can choose from 10 workout programs that are available. You will never be bored with the selections. In each workout, you can make adjustments on the recline and resistance to adjust the intensity of the routine. The power incline will allow you to choose from 20 settings. Even the position of the foot pedal can be changed, which can be adjusted in ten positions.

With Bluetooth technology, this model can offer connectivity that is hard to rival. This will allow you to input your workout settings through your mobile phone. You can also use compatible fitness apps to maximize the functions of the Sole E55 elliptical trainer.

Another feature that gives it an excellent reputation is the articulating foot pedal. The latter will help you to mimic the actual way you walk. This will lessen the likelihood that your toes will go numb or that your Achilles tendon will suffer from soreness.

This elliptical trainer weighs 211 pounds and has a maximum capacity of 375 pounds.

Pros

• Decent size, 9” display
• A compact model in its price range
• Very few consumer reviews that have consistent complaints.

Cons

• Even though it is one of the more expensive models, it has a relatively light flywheel
• Its maximum weight is not any higher than less expensive models
• Self-assembly can be quite difficult

Sole Fitness E95 Elliptical

From the four models that are mentioned in this post, this is the most expensive. Its steep price makes it more advanced in terms of features, guaranteeing superior performance.

Despite being an expensive choice, it fares well when it comes to being user-friendly. One of the reasons for this is the presence of a 10.1-inch TFT screen, providing a display that will be easy for you to see. Similar to the lower-end models, it also has built-in speakers, cooling fan, and water bottle holder.

Equipped with a 30-pound flywheel, users will be able to make certain adjustments to make it suitable to one’s needs and preferences. For instance, it comes with power adjustable recline. You can add resistance to your exercise in just a simple push of a button. There are 20 levels of incline that are available.

One thing that makes it different from the lower-end models from Sole Fitness is that it gives you the option to adjust the angle of the pedal for your highest level of comfort.

To monitor your performance, as it is common with the other Sole Fitness Ellipticals, it has chest straps and pulse grips to check your heart rate.

This is also one model that offers Bluetooth compatibility, providing endless ways to make use of it through compatible apps. You can also use your smartphone to control the various features of this exercise equipment.

Pros

• Has a weight limit of up to 400 lbs.
• 27 lbs. flywheel for maximum intensity workout
• Large 10.1” TFT screen

Cons

• The most expensive model in the range
• Quite difficult self-assembly
• A couple of consumer complaints about the internal wiring

What do all the models have in common?

There are a couple of standard features that you can expect to get with all the above mentioned models, which will not be taken into account for direct comparison purposes.

All the machines come with a heart rate monitor that can be used either through the stationary handlebars, or a heart rate monitoring chest strap that is provided with all models.

Many users have reported that more accurate measurements of their heart rates were taken with the strap, as the measurements provided by the handlebar grips are bound to be off with about 10 bpm with almost any exercise equipment that makes use of them.

All models have a built in fan, speakers, headphone jack, Bluetooth connectivity and a water bottle/accessory holder. It is worth noting that many consumer reports are a little disappointed in the quality of the built-in speakers, yet this is far from the primary function of this machine and thus is not regarded as a major issue.

All these models are front-drive machines that make use of a dual-rail system for the wheels, adding extra stability and helping to avoid pedal shifting when operating your exercise equipment.

They also all share the same set of 20 different incline and resistance levels, which are automatically, electronically adjustable. In addition, all models can operate both forward and in reverse.

Another standard feature is the fact that all models come with 6 pre-set programs and two user definable programs, as well as a 20” stride length that goes up to about 22” as the incline is increased.

Comparison: Sole E25 vs E35 vs E55 vs E95 Elliptical Machine

Let’s now have a look at what the differences are between these four models and see which one ends up being the best value for money:

​Assembly

With all of these models you have an option to either assemble the equipment yourself, or pay a little extra for a professional to assemble it for you.

If you are going to opt for the self-assembly option, you will find that the E25 is the simplest of the four to assemble by yourself, with the E35 and E55 being marginally more complex.

The E95 is the one where the most complaint about struggles with self-assembly were found, something that is further compounded by the fact that it is a heavier machine with a heavier flywheel, and moving the parts into the room where it is to be assembled (the fully assembled product me be too large to fit through standard doorways) can be somewhat cumbersome.

​Maximum Load Capacity

The maximum load that the E25 model can handle is 350 lbs, with the E35 and E55 both being capable of handling weights of up to 375 lbs. The E95 has the highest max load capacity, however, with people weighing up to 400 lbs. safely being able to use this model.

​Resistance Levels / Flywheel Size

The size of the flywheel has an effect on the resistance level you can achieve, and a general rule of thumb is that a heavier flywheel will net you a higher resistance.

This is not the only factor in how much resistance an elliptical machine will offer, but it is one of the main ones and the easiest to measure.

To that end we can see the E95 will offer the most resistance with its 27 lb. flywheel, the E35 comes in second with a 25 lb. flywheel, and both the E25 and E55 last at only 20 lbs. – still not light and still capable of giving you a very decent workout, but if you are a fitness fanatic seeking the biggest challenge, the E95 is most certainly going to be the machine for you.

Sole Fitness E95 Elliptical

​Pedal Size

The pedals on all of these models were deliberately made oversized so that anyone can have a comfortable experience.

The footbeds are also slanted inwards at 2 degrees, as this is claimed to be a more natural placement of the feet and will allegedly help to eliminate stress on the joints when operating the machine, but that is where the similarities end.

The E35 and E95 also have the additional option to further manually adjust the footbeds, in order to match your particular way of walking exactly, adding that extra level of comfort.

​Display and Controls

Sole E95

The display is where there is the largest difference between the different models. All of the models have white backlit LCD displays, with the size gradually increasing from a 6.5” on the E25 to 7.5” on the E35, 9” on the E55 and the largest display is the 10.1” TFT display found on the E95 model.

Sole E25

There is a practical difference to be found here as well, as the E25 does not automatically display the resistance level on the smaller screen and you will have to manually scroll through the various statistics to find that information.

Sole E35

The controls on all of the models a pretty much the same, with quick setting buttons for the resistance and incline found to the left and the right of the display respectively. These buttons are set at increasing intervals of two, ending at 16, from where you can increase the resistance or incline up to the maximum of 20 through the menu.

Sole E55

​Size and Weight

It is worth noting that all of these models are rather large, heavy machines, in order to give you the most stable, smoothest ride possible. The E25 and E55 are the smaller of the four, measuring 64″ x 70″ x 24″ and 64″ x 71″ x 27″ respectively, with the E25 weighing in at 212 lbs. and the E55 just two pounds heavier at 214 lbs.

The E35 and E95 are of the exact same dimensions at 67″ x 82″ x 31″, but the 236 lb. E95 is significantly heavier than the 213 lb. E35.

​Warranty

There is a lot of praise for Sole’s warranties and after sale service and all models come with a lifetime warranty on their frames.

The warranties for the electronics and parts on the E35, E55 and E95 are rather long, being 5 years, and a 3 year warranty on their labour.

The E25 has a slightly shorter set of warranties, being 3 years for electronics and parts, and one year for labour.

Consumer Complaints and Reviews

When preparing to make a large investment on anything, it is worthwhile checking online to see what other consumers who have already made the purchase have said in their reviews about the item and/or service you are about to spend your hard earned money on.

For the E25 there were consistent complaints about the wheels skipping off of the tracks on some of the older models, a squeaking noise being made not long after they have started using the machine, as well as some of the bolts and joints coming loose.

For the E35 the consistent complaints where about the internal wiring, but there were really not that many complaints to be found.

No consistent complaints were found for the E55, but that may also be because it is a slightly less popular model.

Finally, the E95 also had some generally good reviews, with the most common complaints being about control panel and monitor related issues, which may in turn be related to issues with the wiring.

Verdict: Which model will offer you the best value for your money?

When we consider all of the above, the E35 has to be the one that offers you the best value for money.

It might cost you quite a bit more than the E25, but it offers a much longer warranty, the second largest flywheel, a decent maximum weight and very few consumer complaints.

Truly a good mixture of positive features for the second most affordable model on our list.