This Sunny Circuit Zone Elliptical is a solid, beautifully designed and built machine. It’s worth much more than the price.
I am a perfectionist. I want absolute whisper quiet performance from the sliding rails, and no rattling, squeaking, clanking, or grunting noises from the moving parts. I want to look at a well-built machine without cheap elbow joints, screws or bolts, and this elliptical satisfies my every demand. It is built to last way beyond my lifetime and still look as beautiful and operate as quietly as it does today.
I chose this elliptical for it’s 16” stride, which is a good, medium length for a person of average height. If you’re tall, you may prefer a few more inches. It’s important to find a stride length that is comfortable for you, so you may want to try out some ellipticals at the gym or a sporting goods store before making your purchase. I was not comfortable with the 20” strides at the gym, so I chose 16,” and it’s perfect for me.
I put it together easily in an afternoon. When I first tried it, I was surprised by the seemingly difficult resistance at the lowest level. I am used to the effortless glide of the ellipticals at the gym, so I called the man who maintains the gym equipment, and also a salesman at a sporting goods store. Both of them advised me to give it some time to break in. The salesman tried out a similarly-priced elliptical in the store, for comparison, and said he felt the burn almost immediately on that one, too. So, for the first week, I used it for a few minutes at a time, several times during the day. After two weeks, it has become much easier, so the machine and I have broken in together. Already, I feel stronger and more energized than I have in years. I recommend beginning with programs 21-24 with level 1 resistance, and working your way up from there.
One huge, unexpected benefit is that the pain and circulation issues in my left knee and leg, caused by a fall a few years ago, have ceased entirely. I had been using a treadmill and rebounder, both of which made the pain worse. The Sunny elliptical operates with fluid body movements that put no pressure on the joints, while still giving an excellent cardio and total body workout.
I live in an apartment building with neighbors below me, and I was not using my treadmill as often as I wanted to, for fear of annoying them with the noise. I like to exercise in the evening, during the day, on weekends, and basically whenever I feel like it. During the winter, indoor exercise is even more important. To my amazement and delight, the Sunny elliptical is almost silent. The only sound is the soft swishing of the wheels on the aluminum rails. This quiet movement is easily maintained by occasionally wiping the dust off the rails and adding some silicone treadmill lubricant by Impresa.
In conclusion, the Sunny Circuit Zone Elliptical rates 5 stars in every way. The quality is equivalent or superior to more expensive models. Even the price gets five stars. I will be using this magnificent machine for the rest of my life.
Update after a month....
This elliptical has changed my life !! I use it 4-5 times during the day to get my heart rate going, to lift my spirits, and just to enjoy the ride. It’s my happy place. After breaking in, it now glides easily at the lowest resistance level.
As for noise, it’s as quiet as ever. I enjoy exercising any time of the day or night, and my neighbors can’t hear a thing.
Extra benefit: I am losing weight without dieting, and I feel wonderful.
I wish I had bought this elliptical years ago. What a pleasure. It’s the best thing I own, because everything else in life is enhanced when I’m energized, strong and happy. ;-)
| Model Name | Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E3862 Magnetic Elliptical Trainer Elliptical Machine w/ LCD Monitor and Heart Rate Monitoring - Circuit Zone |
|---|---|
| Brand | Sunny Health & Fitness |
| Color | Black |
| Product Dimensions | 21"D x 66"W x 63"H |
| Material | Alloy Steel |
| Resistance Mechanism | Magnetic |
| Maximum Weight Recommendation | 120 Kilograms |
| Maximum Stride Length | 15.75 Inches |
| Item Weight | 125.7 Pounds |
| Number of Resistance Levels | 16 |
| Item Package Dimensions L x W x H | 45 x 37.5 x 17.5 inches |
| Package Weight | 66 Kilograms |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 63 x 21 x 66 inches |
| Brand Name | Sunny Health & Fitness |
| Warranty Description | 3yr / 180 day Manufacturer Warranty |
| Suggested Users | unisex-adult |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Manufacturer | Sunny Health & Fitness |
| Part Number | SF-E3862 |
| Style | Classic |
| Included Components | Elliptical, User Manual |
