Smooth CE 2.0 Elliptical Trainer Review

Adjustable Pedals and Moving Handlebars For Customized Workout Feel - You can choose from 3 pedal distance options and 4 changeable handlebar lengths. This allows you to customize the elliptical for a better overall feel while you're working out. It's also great for families with shorter or taller users.

12 Pre-Set Workout Programs For Workout Variety - This helps you to keep challenging yourself and prevent reaching an exercise plateau. In addition to the 12 pre-set workout profiles, you can also choose manual mode, watts mode, heart rate mode or even design your own workout.

Body Fat and BMI (Body Mass Index) Calculator - This is something we haven't seen on a elliptical before. The CE 2.0 has a built-in sensor that takes your height and weight into account, then gives you your body fat percentage. This helps you to monitor your workout progress and can be a great tool to motivate you to work harder.

Recovery Pulse Measuring To Track Your Cardiovascular Improvement - This is another first. After your workout, you just press the recovery key for 60 seconds. The 2.0 monitors your heart rate, sees how quickly it returns to normal and then gives you a score from 1-6 (1 is the highest). This can help you monitor your cardiovascular improvement over time.

Excellent Warranty - The warranty covers the frame and brake for a lifetime, electronics and parts for 2 years and 2 years on labor. At this price point, this is one of the best elliptical warranties out there - and tells you something about the quality of construction.

Weaknesses:

The Smooth CE 2.0 Elliptical does not have the ergonomic pivoting foot pad of the higher end models like the Smooth CE 3.2 which helps to follow and support the motion of your ankle and keeps your body in neutral alignment.

It also only offers a 16" stride. Taller users may want to step up to the CE 3.2 with a longer 18" stride or the Smooth CE 7.4 with a 21" stride.

Summary: Great Value Budget Buy

The Smooth CE 2.0 elliptical is simpler than the higher end Smooth models with a more basic console and shorter stride length. However, standing on it's own as a budget elliptical, it's an extremely strong contender in the under $1000 market.

The heavy 22 pound flywheel gives a smoother ride than most budget buys and even outdoes many mid-priced ellipticals. The warranty is also longer than most ellipticals under $1000. Plus you get some great tracking tools like the body fat calculator and the heart rate recovery tool.

Taller users may prefer a longer stride like the Sole ellipticals with a 20" stride or the Smooth CE 7.4 with a 21" stride. However overall, the Smooth 2.0 is a solid, well built elliptical for under $1000 and an excellent budget alternative to the ICON brands.

Where To Buy At A Discount:

The Smooth Manufacturer sells the Smooth 2.0 direct from their website. This way they can skip the middleman and offer their equipment at up to 45% off store prices.

Click here to Save on the Smooth CE 2.0 Elliptical Trainer

The Smooth CE 2.0 Elliptical is Smooth's venture into the economy elliptical market. And it's actually an impressive first try.

The 2.0 comes with a very heavy 22 pound flywheel (which is heavier than most $1500 ellipticals) which gives a very smooth elliptical ride. You also get adjustable pedals, electromagnetic braking and 16 levels of resistance.

Is it a good buy for you? Here's a review to help you decide

Features:

Price: $1099

Stride Length: 16"

Resistance Type: Magnetic

Resistance Levels: 16

Built In Workout Programs: 12

Upper Body Arms: Yes

Heart Rate Monitor: Handgrip Pulse Sensors

Water Bottle Holder: No

User Weight Capacity: 300 pounds

Footprint: 45"L x 20"W x 62"H

Warranty: Lifetime on Frame 2 years on Parts & Electronics, 2 years on Labor

Strengths:

22 lb Flywheel For Smoother Elliptical Feel - One of the strengths of Smooth ellipticals is their solid construction and heavy flywheels.

A heavier flywheel means a smoother ride without jarring or jerking. Just to give you an idea, even higher end $1500 ellipticals only use a 14 lb flywheel. So this speaks to the better construction on the Smooth 2.0.