The LC - 980 Elliptical Training Reviews

Elliptical training reviews of the LC-980 from Lifecore Fitness are few because it is a new machine from a lesser known company.

But if you are interested in eliptical training and searching for a new machine, this company's low profile is to your benefit because you aren't paying for brand name.

Lifecore Fitness is a recent 'discovery' of elliptical-trainer-reviews.com and we are rather pleased with ourselves.

Pleased because they create excellent fitness equipment, including eliptical training machines that, in our opinion, are under-priced.

The model up from this one, the LC-990 (elliptical machines reviews), is about $800-$1000 underpriced in comparison to similar quality machines from well known manufacturers.

In writing my review, we spoke with the President of Lifecore Fitness.

Review Update: Don't worry, we didn't ask him to increase his prices - in fact quite the opposite has occurred. He contacted me recently to say he is temporarily reducing his prices until 100 units have been sold. More on that at the bottom of this review.

Roger Bates, the President of Lifecore Fitness, told us he has created professional promotional videos, has a full schedule of trade shows to attend and many retailers have already added his elliptical training machines to their product list - in short, his brand is emerging from obscurity and becoming more famous.

At the moment Lifecore's prices are set to 'get a foot hold' in the market. But unfortunately, that looks to change as demand for these elliptical training machines increases.

In short if you like what you see, don't wait too long.

We wrote the elliptical training reviews for the LC-990 first. Both machines are very similar except for a few minor features, so this review will be shorter.

If you wish to see a fuller review, read the LC-990 review (elliptical machine reviews), we recommend you take a look at the LC-990 before making a decision anyway. It's probably our favorite elliptical in terms of a combination of machine-warranty-price.

Features

• steel frame
  

• 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

 

Break-Down-In-A-BOX™
Dual Action:	Yes
Console:	Yes
Resistance Control:	Via console
Resistance Type:	Magnetic
Heart Rate Monitor/Type:	Hand sensor. Optional wireless chest strap sensor.
Heart Rate Control:	Yes
Programs:	Many (see list above)
Stride Length:	16.5"
Weight Capacity:	250 lbs.
Folding:	No, but comes with oversize transport wheels for easy storage.
Reading Rack:	Optional
Bottle Holder:	Yes
Warranty:	5-year warranty on everything.
Size
Weight:	135lbs (weight in delivery box)
Dimensions:	51"L x 23" W x 63" H

Pros

1. A very strong warranty, 5 years is enough. We wouldn't recommend keeping an elliptical training machine, treadmill or stairclimber beyond 5-years if you plan to use it regularly.
   
2. The price. Like we said earlier, it is underpriced. Once you have seen and used it you will know what we mean.
   
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. This is an awesome feature, we didn't mention it here but gave a full explanation in the LC-990 review (elliptical machines review)
   
6. 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 knee and lateral ankles ligaments.

Cons

1. Reading while working out is a double use of your time - anything to increase efficiency. The LC-980, however, doesn't have a reading rack.

Overall

A very good machine with a long, all covering warranty.

We have made no attempt in our elliptical training reviews of the LC-980 and LC-990 to conceal the fact we like the Lifecore Fitness product range.

They are under-priced and represent a very good buy for anyone in the market for a new elliptical trainer.

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 - $1199 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-980 at the time of writing this.

The promotion is limited to 100 units and last I heard there were only 72 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-980 Promotion - $799 (reduced from $1199)+ free shipping

Lifecore Fitness LC-990 Promotion - $1099 (reduced from $1499) + free shipping + free wireless chest band heart monitor (usually optional)