Strengths:
1) 7" Flat Screen TV With Speakers - The TV is built into the console and comes cable and DVD ready. While it's becoming more common to find TV's with treadmills, you usually only find console TV's on commercial $4000+ ellipticals.
2) Longest Stride Available on an Elliptical - Up to 35" - The Freemotion s5.8 gives you stride of up to 35" - this is 2X what you get with most ellipticals.
This longer stride uses more muscle fibers and burns more calories. Nordic Track calls it a "User Defined stride" which means that you choose the stride length you want while on the machine (no buttons to push, no getting off the machine to adjust the stride length).
You can do short strides to work your calves, medium strides to work your quads and longer strides to work your glutes and hamstrings.
Because of the many different strides to choose from, the S5.8 elliptical is also useful for families or multiple users since everyone can choose the stride they like.
2) Inverted Arch Pattern Gives A More Comfortable Feel - The Freemotion elliptical uses an inverted arch pattern instead of a typical elliptical motion. According to Nordictrack, this gives a greater range of motion and can feel more comfortable than tradition elliptical workouts.
3) iFit Card Reader - iFit cards are unique to ICON products like NordicTrack or Freemotion. The cards each hold 8 weeks of interactive workouts.
Each card has a specific goal focus - performance or weight loss for example. You just plug the card into your console. The machine remembers where you left off and starts you on the next workout.
The voice of a personal traininer guides you through the workout, varying the resistance of the elliptical. It's like having a personal trainer in your own machine.
4) iPod Port With Built In Sound System - You can plug your iPod or MP3 player into the built-in audio jack and listen to your favorite music through the deluxe sound system built into the console. This can make your workouts a lot more enjoyable.
5) 8 Body Zone Workouts To Target a Specific Body Part - These are preprogrammed workouts that each focus on a specific body part. You can target your glutes, hamstrings or even your core for total body training. There's also 8 more workouts that have preset strides if you want more of an elliptical feel.
6) Monitor Your Heart Rate With Handlebars or Wireless Chest Strap - You can monitor your heart rate with either the handlebars in front of the console or the wireless chest strap.
The console gives you constant feedback on your heartrate (along with calories burned, RPM, distance and carbs burned).
Weaknesses:
The S5.8 is pretty much the same machine as the S5.6 - with the addition of the TV. So if you really don't care about having the TV, you may want to save a bit and check out the S5.6 elliptical first.
Summary:
The Freemotion s5.8 elliptical trainer is one of the few affordable home ellipticals with a built-in TV.
You also get the longest stride you can find on an elliptical - up to 35". Plus you can choose your own preferred stride length while on the machine - no buttons to push. So you can choose multiple strides in one workout which gives you an overall superior crosstraining workout.
There's plenty of fun stuff too with the iPod dock, speakers, neon green console, iFit card reader, built-in fan, heart rate monitor and stride ladder
Those who don't really care about the TV may want to consider the very similar S5.6 elliptical first. But if you're looking for a luxury elliptical with all the bells and whistles, you'll probably love the S5.8 elliptical.
Where To Buy At A Discount:
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That alone makes it pretty popular. But then there's the design - a hybrid elliptical/stair climber that gives you some advantages over traditional machines.
The S5.8 gives you the longest stride available on an elliptical - up to 35", twice what traditional ellipticals offer.
You choose your own stride while on the machine - no buttons to push, no adjustments to make. So it's easy to find a comfortable stride no matter your height.
Is the Freemotion s5.8 elliptical right for you? Here's a quick review to help you decide:
Features:
Price: $1499 (Sale)
Stride Length: 0 - 35"
Resistance Levels: 12
Built In Workout Programs: 8
Upper Body Arms: Yes
Heart Rate Monitor: Hand Grip & Wireless Chest Strap
User Weight Capacity: 300 pounds
Footprint: 26" x 77"
iFit card reader
iPod/Mp3 dock with Console Speakers
Warranty: Lifetime on Frame, 1 year on Parts & Labor
