The Proform 1280 S Elliptical is one of the top selling elliptical trainers on the market today - and it's not hard to see why.
At $699 (Sale), the price is affordable for the home gym on a budget, plus the Proform 1280 includes several features that set it apart from other ellipticals. Here is a detailed review:
Main Features:
Incline - Also called 'Ramp', the incline feature lets you change your slope up or down electronically throughout your workout (Incline is not the same as Resistance). Incline allows you to work different sets of muscles resulting in better crosstraining, more efficient fat burning and reduced injury from overtraining one set of muscles.
(The incline option is rarely found in an elliptical under $2000, making it an incredible feature in the 1280S.)
SMR™ Silent Magnetic Resistance - Magnetic resistance uses magnetic pull to create the resistance in your workout and helps to challenge your body and burn calories. This also makes for a very quiet workout.
Reflex Step™ Technology - A slightly curved pedal flexes with each step, then returns to its original position, propelling you to the next stride while absorbing impact. This gives you smooth feeling workout that's easy on your joints.
5 Pedal Positions - You don't have to worry about straining while you workout. You can choose from five pedal positions for the most comfortable fit for you (and for others in your household.)
Strengths:
While all of the above features these all make a good basic elliptical trainer, here's the icing on the cake:
CD Player and Speakers - Listen to your favorite CD and or play interactive workout discs right on your elliptical console. This is a much-appreciated feature if you get bored easily during your workout.
Weaknesses:
Obviously for this price, you are not going to get the feel and durability of a commercial machine (or even a mid-priced elliptical). Also, the warranty is horrible (90 days) but at this price, you can't expect much else.
Summary: Good Value For An Economy Elliptical
Although you won't get the stability or durability of a Sole or Schwinn, if you're looking for an elliptical under $800 that offers some unique value like a CD player and incline capability, the Proform 1280 is a good value. Few ellipticals at this price point can compare.
Please note that the Proform 1280 S is not recommended for frequent or heavy use.
Where To Buy At A Discount:
You can save store markup and sales tax. Also you can sometimes get free shipping as well, which saves you even more money.
