The LC-990 Elliptical Machines Reviews

LC-990 Elliptical Machines - Click Elliptical Machines if you don't have time to read the review (takes you to sellers section of review)

The LC-990 elliptical machines are very heavy duty and well constructed cardio zone ellipticals machines from Lifecore Fitness. (Not Cardiozone, a different manufacturer and design).

What are cardio zone ellipticals machines?

Cardio zone elliptical machines are any eliptical trainer that has a very useful and possibly life saving feature that should be standard equipment on all elliptical machines.

This feature is usually only found on ellipticals in the price range above the LC-990 --> more on that in a moment.

First let's discuss the warranty because it is very good for a machine at this price.

Lifecore claim these elliptical machines will easily support a person weighing 350 lbs.

That's about 100lbs heavier than average.

Lifecore encourage this type of punishment while at the same time offering a lifetime light-commercial warranty on the frame & all pivot joints and a 5-year light-commercial warranty on everything else.

No other machine we know of in this
price range can match that warranty.

A light-commercial warranty means it is designed to survive the punishment of a fire house full of hefty fireman, police stations, hotels, apartment complexes, team gyms and so on.

An elliptical machine not built to last wouldn't survive the first week under those conditions.

If you have ever owned an elliptical machine or trained in a gym where they have them, then you know they can be prone to breaking down, again and again if the quality isn't good. It pays to buy quality when purchasing elliptical trainers.

The manufacturers of elliptical machines know this and that's why the industry usually offers warranties of 90 days to one year on units in the lower to mid price range (the range most home use shoppers buy from and the range the LC-990 is in)....

The worst case is your elliptical machine comes out of warranty and then you have a problem. We have experienced this exact same problem and we were unable to receive any compensation for repair and parts costs from either the manufacturer or the supplier. Again, buy quality - it will be cheaper in the long run (look for the 'Value Ratio' calculation further down the page).

Now about cardio zone ellipticals.

Being a university trained physiotherapist, qualified fitness leader and experienced instructor, I've learned (from lecturers, books and seeing someone collapse on the gym floor) to appreciate the great importance of knowing and monitoring your 'optimal cardio zone'.

For all of us, depending on your age and current level of fitness, there is a narrow heart rate zone in which you can train safely while receiving maximum benefit.

There is a greatly increased risk of heart attack in exercisers 30lbs or more overweight or returning to exercise after a long break, therefore, not knowing and training outside of your cardio zone is potentially life threatening.

It is also less efficient since maximum benefit is derived from exercising within your cardio zone, hence, besides being dangerous, training outside your zone means you must train more often and longer to receive the same benefit.

The LC-990's on-board computer knows your optimal cardio zone, it continually monitors your heart-rate in real time and compares it to your zone.

The moment your heart rate goes outside of the optimal cardio zone, the LC-990's computer automatically adjusts the resistance to bring you back into the safe/maximum benefit range.

You don't even have to think about it, we found this feature very convenient. Adjusting controls on your console in the middle of a full-blown workout is like trying to tune your radio when doing 60mph on the freeway - too much of a distraction.

Quickly, there are a couple more things worth mentioning..

We were immediately impressed with the LC-990's compact size without sacrifice of features and functionality.

Recently, mid to upper range elliptical machines seem to be getting bigger for no other reason than to look more impressive. But when you are training at home by yourself, who cares? Doing a great job and fitting comfortably in your training area are more important from a the standpoint of a user.

Finally, many models in the lower to mid range have a bouncy movement arc. Although they call themselves elliptical machines, their movement is more circular and there is increased compression of the lower back and lower limb joints. Ellipticals were invented to decrease these stresses not encourage them.

The LC-990 on the other hand has a very elliptical movement arc and a heavy fly-wheel. This eliminates the bounce and creates a very smooth, comfortable, exercise motion.

Lifecore have a video on their site proving the movement arc is definitely elliptical.

Features

• heavy steel frame (light-commercial weight)
  

• non-slip, fully adjustable, oversized pedals
  

• dual action arms
  

• hand pulse monitor
  

• optional wireless chest strap heart monitor
  
  

• 12 resistance levels
  

• reverse motion is possible
  

• LCD console
  

• heavy, rear-positioned flywheel
  
  
• reading rack

Console Features

• large LCD display (better than LED)
  
• 9 user personal data storage
  
• speed
  
• RPM
  
• distance
  
• time elapsed
  
• calories burned
  
• watts
  
• pulse

Console Programs

• 12 program profiles
  
• 4 HRC (heart rate control) programs
  
• watts dependent program
  
• recovery programs
  
• users preset program

Pros

1. Without a doubt, the #1 pro is the warranty.
   
2. The price. Anything with a lifetime light commercial warranty AND a cardio zone feature usually hover in a price range $800-$1000 more expensive than the LC-990.
   
3. A true elliptical movement and therefore very smooth.
   
4. The on-board computer has a lot of program options to keep things interesting.
   
5. The cardio zone monitoring and adjusting is a standard feature.
   
6. I didn't mention this above, but the pedals are intentionally postioned to be under your hips.
   Many ellipticals have the pedals in a wider than natural position which becomes uncomfortable and places strain on your medial collateral knee ligaments and lateral ankles ligaments.

Cons

1. The reading rack is optional, but I'd like to see it included standard on a machine in this price range.
   
   (The president of Lifecore Fitness contacted elliptical-trainer-reviews.com recently, informing us the reading rack is now standard equipment on the LC-990).
   
   

Overall

An impressive unit. It meets all our requirements without exceeding a reasonable budget.

In consideration of the warranty, many good features and excellent 'Value Ratio' (see box below), the LC-990 is our top pick for elliptical machines in this price range.

For most fitness equipment, we recommend upgrading to a new unit at least a few days before your warranty has expired or it can become a nightmare of expensive repair costs and extended down-time in your training schedule.

Here is a useful method we use and teach for deciding on an upgrade machine..

In consideration of the warranty, many good features and excellent 'Value Ratio', the LC-990 is my top pick for elliptical machines in this price range.

Sellers

Lifecore are one of the rare manufacturers that sell directly from their own warehouse.

We recommend always buying this way if you can because buying direct from the manufacturer results in better after sales service (no one knows the machine better than they do) and cutting out the middle man means more money in your pocket at the end of the day.

Lifecore Fitness Factory Direct - $1499 plus $150.00 shipping (Don't buy from this link, read the review update below).

Review Update :

Lifecore are running a factory direct Internet promotion LC-990 at the time of writing this.

The promotion is limited to 100 units and last time we visited their site, there were only 87 units left.

Click the link below to go to the special promotion page. If you are too late and the promotion has ended, you will be redirected to the regular sales page.

Lifecore Fitness LC-990 Promotion - $1099 (save $400) + wireless`chest strap heart monitor (usually $89) + free shipping (usually $150)