M30 Elliptical

This elliptical is amazing! It is smooth and SOLID. I used to go to a gym regularly, and I used their Life Fitness ellipticals all the time. They were very good so I thought I wanted to stick with that brand; however, the reviews for the non-commercial ellipticals were not that great. So I did some research, and for the money, the M30 was a best buy in its price range. I was a bit worried that I wouldn't like it. First of all, I live in the sticks, and the closest store for me to try ANY type of elliptical is about 5 hours, so I was stuck basing my purchase on reviews read. Yes, I was a bit worried. I almost purchased the Best Fitness E1-it looks almost the same as the M30 (same center drive, good reviews, $1100 less) but it was almost 60 pounds lighter. I wanted something heavy and constructed solidly. I wanted to get a good one the first time around. I can't tolerate any clickity clacks, or wobbles. It must be smooth and good quality or I won't use it. And it needed to fit in our budget <$2500. So far the thing is a beast. My husband assembled it all by himself, and he said it was VERY simple to set up. The instructions are very clear and concise, and it took him about 90 minutes from start to finish. My husband said it was machined very well. The holes all line up exactly from part to part for fitting screws, etc. I am satisfied with the programs (I prefer manual most of the time). The only thing I find annoying is that it beeps loudly whenever you change resistance level in the workout. Maybe it can be programed to not beep? I don't know, I didn't see anything in the manual (which is a CD-rom). There is also apparent attention to detail in the construction and build. For example, there's little round rubber bumps on the console in case you put a plastic book holder-so it doesn't scratch or rub up against the console.I am 5'6" and I found the stride a little shorter than what I am used too, but I'm not complaining.I'm also pleased with the customer service so far. A day after purchasing, True Fitness called to verify address and ask if I had any questions. They told us to call them any time if there was ever any issues or problems. So far no problems, and if there ever are, I will add it on to my review!18 months later with frequent use and no maintenance other than dusting, this thing is amazing! I get a GREAT workout, the levels get hard enough so that even after 18 months of fairly regular use, it still isn't easy! Great workout, and quality elliptical trainer. I have used it for about 30-45 minutes 4-5 days per week for the last 18 months, and it still works just as good as the first day I got it. I am down on average 15 pounds, and my resting heart rate has decreased by 10 beats/minute. I do not use it to lose weight, but to stay healthy and keep my immune system strong. :) I highly recommend!

I bought the True M30 2.5 years ago. It's footprint is much smaller than other ellipticals and it was, therefore, perfect size-wise in my apartment. The console broke down a few months in. The fitness store where I bought it sent a technician to fix it. But the fix didn't last - a new console had to be ordered from the manufacturer and the technician had to return. The process tooks weeks and weeks. Then the console broke down again about 6 months later. Although the console was under warranty, the service wasn't. Service and labor cost hundreds of dollars and, at this point, it was clear to me that something was really wrong. The store refused to help - they pointed the finger at True. I called True and they refused to help, stating that a new console could only be delivered to an authorized service provider. I wasn't inclined to put in another nickel into this product. Again, weeks went by. Finally, I called again and convinced True to send me the console directly. We were able to install it and sent back the old one. Guess what? The console broke down again 6 months later. The elliptical I had when I had a house was a Life Fitness that lasted 18 years without a single service visit. All I know is that, at a purchase price of thousands of dollar, True should be able to sell a product that doesn't break down every few months. Save your $$ and do not buy this!

Quiet, sooth, and great workoutUpdate: I changed my rating from 5 stars to 2 stars because of how True Fitness handled my warranty claim.After less than 4 years of use, the frame on my machine cracked. I promptly notified True Fitness. The frame has a lifetime warranty. True Fitness offered me roughly 36% of the cost of a new machine as the depreciated or "cash out value" of my machine because, they said, True Fitness "does not stock frames for replacement."True should have replaced the machine if it was not able to make the repair under its warranty. Depreciating the value of the machine is inconsistent with a lifetime warranty.

Have been using for about 1 week now. Very smooth operation. MUCH MORE QUIET than my 4 year old Nordic Track ACT that I just got rid of (I frequently had to work on the ACT to get rid of knocks, and the tension adjustment quit working properly - it had to go). This feels like a very solid machine with tight tolerances. I'm an intermediate level athlete, mid 50's, and the preset workout variety suits me fine. I'm 5'6", and like the position of the upper arms much better than the ACT. Their position makes me feel more upright and better postured. My wife is 5'5" and my son is 5'9", and they also like it better. The only thing I would change: I wish that the display would show workout time remaining, work level, heart rate, and calories all at once without having to push the "change display" button. If you do the assembly yourself, take your time. I had to work with the balance bar a little to get it positioned correctly for mounting. Also, centering the pedal tubes on the rollers may take you a couple of tries.

The elliptical is smooth, quiet and has excellent ergonomics. Easily one the best non-commercial ellipticals that we tried. We wanted something that had a very small footprint to fit into our family room. This elliptical is around 4 feet in length and 3 feet wide.So far both my wife and I are super happy with this True M30.