Kettler Elliptical's are Smooth.
It's great when you can kill two birds with the one stone. In this case we can cover Smooth elliptical trainers and Kettler ellipticals in the one review as the Smooth ellipticals are rebadged versions of ellipticals from the German manufacturer Kettler. The Smooth ME being the Kettler Astro and the Smooth CE being the Kettler CTR1.
We will stick with the Smooth Fitness model names as they are the more recognizable brand, at least here in the U.S., though I am sure it is probably the other way around in Europe.
Designed by Porsche, electronics by Siemens, 10 year guarantee on the frame,
3 years on parts. Smooth
Elliptical Trainers
certainly have a solid quality background on a par with the big players in
the industry, such as Precor, with whom they like to compare themselves. Are
you getting a Precor here? No you're not, but you won't be far off the mark
and at the end of the day you're not going to be paying anything like the
same money. The Smooth
CE
goes for $1399 and the Smooth
ME
for $899 compared to the $2300 for the least expensive Precor. All in all,
a good quality machine at a reasonable price i.e. value for money.
What do you get for your money from a Smooth Elliptical.
The Smooth CE features
- Electronic eddy current brake system controls resistance independently of revs.
- 8 exercise programs including pulse rate controlled program
- Large 48lb flywheel for super smooth ( that must be where they got the name from) operation
- Optimized drive and bearing technique, all pivot joints have dual ball-bearings
- High resolution blue LCD graphic display
- Electronic pulse meter either by ear clip, hand pulse sensors (both included) or Cardio-Pulse set (accessory)
- Backwards or forwards movement for differing muscular exercise.
- Non-slip adjustable foot plates
- Transport castors at front, height adjustment at rear
Smooth Fitness sell most of their fitness equipment online, which ordinarily would put me off considering their ellipticals as I am a strong advocate of everyone getting down to a elliptical outlet and giving the demonstration model of any crosstrainer they are considering a good workout before they splash out their money.
Luckily enough with Kettlers and Smooth's being identical this is still possible if there is a Kettler dealer nearby.
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