Life fitness X5 and Life fitness X5i feature the patented, Adjustable SelectStride Technology.

Life Fitness, the leading manufacturer of a full line of cardiovascular and strength training equipment, today introduced the X5 and X5i total-body elliptical Cross-Trainers for home use. The "i" means interactive and indicates the system comes standard with Polar wireless heart rate monitoring and Life Fitness' interactive heart rate Zone Training+ Workouts.

"Life Fitness certainly recognizes the popularity of the elliptical category, and we are thrilled to add these new units to our successful X-Series line," said Dan Wille, senior business manager, consumer cardiovascular products, at Life Fitness. "These unique models offer innovative features and exceptional variety to keep workouts fun and challenging as well as to keep exercisers motivated."

With the addition of these new systems, the complete X-Series line now consists of five models: X3, X3i, X5, X5i and X9i (formerly the CT 5500HR).

Advanced X5 and X5i Latest Elliptical Technology

Health-club quality tested, the X5 and life fitness X5i are designed with the latest elliptical technology and manufactured to stand up to the toughest conditions. Both units boast Life Fitness' revolutionary Adjustable SelectStride technology that enables users to adjust easily the stride length to their preference, regardless of the individual's height. Exercisers can chose between a walk (18 inches), jog (20 inches), run (22 inches) or sprint (24 inches) setting simply by releasing, lifting and locking a lever. The SelectStride also allows users to pause their workouts at anytime, adjust the stride and resume the workout. Regardless of the stride length selected, the X5 and X5i ensure that upper-body movements are synchronized with those of the lower body, allowing exercisers to burn maximum calories with lower perceived exertion.

The size of the pedals and spacing between them provide a natural movement and ensure proper body positioning throughout the exercise. A large welded steel frame also adds safety and stability to each workout, and standard rear wheels make moving the machine easy.

Additional Features

The X5 and X5i feature the patented Link6 elliptical drive system, which ensures a constant, fluid elliptical motion. Through Polar wireless heart rate monitoring, exercisers on the X5i can take advantage of the interactive heart rate Zone Training+ workouts, which include Fat Burn, Cardio, Heart Rate Hill, Heart Rate Interval and Extreme Heart Rate. Exercisers wear a heart rate monitor chest strap (included with the X5i) and the cross-trainer automatically adjusts the resistance level to keep them in their age-recommended heart rate zones. The two systems come with Cross-Train Reverse, EZ Resistance and Sport Training workouts, the classic Hill, Random and Manual workouts and 20 levels of resistance. For additional variety, the life fitness X5i features the Cross-Train Aerobics program, which cues individuals to push, pull, perform lower body only, change speeds or move in forward and backward motions.

The X5i's Activity Zone console, with integrated reading rack, has the buttons used most often conveniently positioned within the exerciser's reach, and the unit comes standard with an accessory tray and storage areas (optional on the X5).

Both new models include a lifetime warranty on the frame, three years on parts and one year on labor. Available now at authorized specialty fitness equipment dealers nationwide, the X5 has a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $3,099 and the life fitness X5i is priced at $3,499 (MSRP).

About Life Fitness

Life Fitness, a Brunswick company (NYSE: BC), is the global leader in designing and manufacturing a full line of reliable, high-quality fitness equipment for commercial and consumer use. Its cardiovascular and strength training products, including the renowned Lifecycle exercise bike, are used in health, fitness and wellness facilities, as well as in homes, worldwide. The company is headquartered near Chicago and distributes its equipment in more than 120 countries.

The Life Fitness company makes six different models. They are the Life Fitness Elliptical X3, the Life Fitness Elliptical X3i, the Life Fitness Elliptical X5, the Life Fitness x5i, the Life Fitness Elliptical x9i, and the Life Fitness Elliptical Sports Cardio SX30. These machines are at the higher end of ellipticals and the Life Fitness ellipticals are of the highest quality. The down side of the Life Fitness ellipticals is the warranties
could be better for the price you are paying. The last model mentioned the Life Fitness Sport Model gives you a lifetime warranty on the frame, two years on the parts, and one year on the labor. All the other models mentioned above have the same warranty, lifetime on the frame, two years on the parts, and one year on the labor.

The Life Fitness ellipticals X3, and X3i, are at the lower end of the six models. They are built very durable and are under three thousand dollars. The X3i has four more programs than the X3 and is slightly better. The Life Fitness X5, and the Life Fitness X5i, have something called the Select Stride, which means that you can select from four different settings, sprint, run, jog, and walk. These ellipticals may last a lifetime, they are built that well. They are amoung the heaviest ellipticals made, so after they are
put together, don't plan on moving them often. The Life Fitness X9i has eighteen programs and seven personal programs. The quality is said to be that of a commercial gym machine. This is one of the absolute best elliptical that money can buy. These ellipticals are quiet and very stable units.

The last model, the Life Fitness Elliptical Sports Cardio SX30 is at the lowest end that the Life Firness company makes. It is an average elliptical trainer at best and so if you are considering this model you may also want to check out other competitive makes.

All things considered it's hard to top the quality and value of Life Fitness Ellipticals.