 "Perfect for at Home Workouts!" | 2009-09-30 |
| - Reviewed By User: A3UTUAWP8OKJQE |
I am so thrilled with my Gazelle Freestyle. It was easy to put together and even easier to use (once I got the coordination thing down :-D). The video that comes with it makes the machine worth the money. Sharon Money Twombly is easy to listen to and gives a great workout for all levels of fitness. It's easy on the joints as well.
I bought this because I didn't want to pay to go to a gym, and I didn't want to pay the big bucks for an elliptical. With the Gazelle, you get strength, stretching/range of motion and cardio all in one!
You won't be disappointed if you learn to use it.
Word of caution: go easy for the first few times and STRETCH really well after... otherwise you will be very sore for two or three days. |
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| "Very Happy Customer" | 2009-09-23 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2QMH09KON10NV |
I am very happy with my purchase, cost, and delivery arragements, of my Gazell Freestyl. It's heavy duty, went together with easy, and I had everything I needed to put it together in the box. I am really enjoying my Gazelle,which assisted me in loosing 10 lbs. in the first week. I will using Amazon.com many more online purchases. I've always heard from family and friends, "Have you checked Amazon.com?" Well the answer from now on will be,yes!
Thanks so much,
Brad Miller |
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| "A solidly built, joint friendly, inexpensive cardio solution." | 2009-09-19 |
| - Reviewed By User: AW33RDB2CET4O |
I have had the Gazelle Freestyle for 5 years now, and its still chuggin' along just fine. When I first started using this machine, I was 24 and in the worst shape of my life at 315lbs (6'1"). I needed something that was easy on the joints, as well as something that was built well enough to support my weight. The Gazelle did both.
While putting it together, I made sure to WD40 the areas that could squeek, and mine has operated silently since. Never did I have any sense of it breaking under my weight.
Getting my heart rate up with this thing was easy, and the thumb sensor was a nice touch. However, after dropping my first 40-50 lbs, I decided to get a real heart rate monitor to use for High Intensity Interval Training. Since then the onboard display has stopped working due to the battery dying (which can be replaced), but I have no need for it now. I know a lot of people here are saying that this doesn't have enough resistance and that they can't get a good cardio workout. This is simply not true, if you know how to use it. I hardly used the DVDs that came with mine, but here are a couple tips to maxing out your Heart Rate and getting a good cardio workout on this.
1. Use full motion strides to the point where your legs almost hit the front bar. Make sure to rotate your hips inorder to engage your abs for this.
2. Lean Back and use your arms to pull your legs up towards the front. This will give your back and biceps a good workout.
3. Lean Forward and use your arms to push you legs back as far as they can go. Your chest and triceps will be definitely feel it after 15-30 secs.
In short, I used this machine along with a simple weight bench (for muscle training)to go from 315 to 185 in 9 months. I also used the Body-For-Life nutritional and exercise plan for the last 4 months. Now I was pretty hardcore, but I want people to know that this machine makes that possible if you go for it. For those still skeptical about getting a good cardio workout, I can still get my heart rate up to 195 on this thing, and I consider myself to be in very good shape (resting heart rate of 45-50).
So in short:
Pros:
1. Solid Build Quality. I used at 315lbs with no problems. Use WD40 on squeek-prone areas.
2. Inexpensive. I grabbed one for $150, and it has lasted me 5 years.
3. Stores upright against a wall or under a bed.
4. Provides a great cardio workout provided you know how to use the machine correctly.
5. Also can work Abs/Back/Bis/Tris/Chest when shifting weight from back to front and vice versa.
Cons:
1. Heart Rate Monitor is very basic, and sometimes gave strange readings. The "thumb pulse" area of the handlebar can get a little slippery with heavy perspiration.
2. Can be a little awkward to operate at first. I would use in front of a mirror so you can see what you are doing at first. |
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| "wonderful machine highly recommend it for a good workout" | 2009-07-13 |
| - Reviewed By cori_clown |
| I bought my machine a couple of years ago and still have it. I use it and yes it does squeak so as other reviewer's have suggested, oil it since most machines do need some oil on occasion. There are a variety of different motions that can be used. It really depends on what motion you use or how you place your hands where, that is, on the handles, on the front bar, leaning forward, leaning back, etc. as to how intense the workout can be and how high you allow yourself to swing or how wide you allow yourself to swing with your legs as it has incredible motion options. I am in good shape and I love this machine. I wouldn't trade it for anything. I have two other workout pieces that I use and love them also. I recommend this machine to anyone. It does have pressure gauge options to increase the workout but most people can use the setting it comes with. I keep it on the first setting as the other settings make it too tough of a workout. The pumps have three settings, regular, tough, and tougher. I changed the setting one time to the next level and it was more than I wanted so I keep it at the default setting that is recommended for most. It keeps it fun and keeps it as a good workout. I watch a movie while I workout with it and vary the workout to the different motions it can do. The introductory video that comes with the machine is very helpful to understanding all that you can do with the machine. It is a great machine. |
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 "Not worth any amount of money or space" | 2009-06-07 |
| - Reviewed By User: A5Q1FK0FWU7DH |
I was lucky enough to use this over a period of a few weeks while at my mother's house. It does not provide an aerobic workout compared to a treadmill or an elliptical. There is very little resistance. It is squeeky. The movements are jerky compared to an elliptical. It take sup a lot of space. I found no value to it since it didn't get my heart rate up, it wasn't working any muscles, and it didn't provide a core work out. Not sure what the purpose would be. I am not a very aerobically fit person and can easily work up a sweat on other equipment within a few minutes so not getting an aerobic workout here really says a lot. So, I don't even think that this is a good machine for beginners.
On the positive side, all of the grandchildren love to swing on it and play on it. (that probably isn't a positive for my mother though). The kids think it is fun. |
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| "It needs resistance options and i regret buying it." | 2009-05-07 |
| - Reviewed By reliable_2u |
| It's pretty easy to put together, i had help. The bars do start to squeek not long after using it. The CD it comes with does make you sweat, but i wish it had resistance options, cause like the name "Free-style" it just glides along too easily. I do regret purchasing it, but the kids enjoy playing on it, cause it's like a swing. :-) |
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