The BodyCraft ECT400G elliptical trainer is a piece of light-commercial equipment with a long-lasting design and a self-generating “green” power source.
It has a good resistance range and a good training basis; however, it lacks an inclination mechanism.
Although many other elliptical machines in this price range offer an incline mechanism, this BodyCraft model is still worth considering because of numerous additional advantages.
The BodyCraft ECT400G is a light-commercial elliptical trainer with a self-powered eddy current resistance system that offers 20 levels.
Its console has eight fitness routines, a workout summary function, and telemetric capabilities.
The machine features a sturdy structure that can accommodate people weighing up to 350 pounds. It’s a trainer for mild to moderate cardio, recovery, muscle toning, stamina improvement, and weight reduction.
Table of Contents
Construction
The BodyCraft ECT400G has a two-piece frame, to begin with. The pedal rails link the back section to the front part, which houses the drive and resistance systems.
The unit’s structure is composed of solid steel tubing, while the rails on which the pedal wheels slide are aluminum.
Also constructed of ABS are the coverings for the drive and resistance components.
All steel bars in the machine’s structure are coated in corrosion- and chip-resistant paint.
Except for the aluminum rails, which have their natural gloss, the color utilized is gray, with the BodyCraft emblem painted white.
The completely built equipment is rather hefty due to the many steel bars used in its construction.
Two people should build it because it weighs around 212 pounds (96 kg).
The unit’s front wheels, on the other hand, make movement and relocation easier after it’s assembled.
However, this massive weight serves a critical part in the unit’s stability.
Moreover, the six points of contact with the floor are all fitted with rubberized stabilizers that may be adjusted.
For this reason, you can be certain that this machine will not cause any stability concerns on any floor.
The ECT400G machine, like the Bowflex BXE216 elliptical trainer and other front-drive machines, takes up a lot of room while in use.
It measures around 71″ (180 cm) in length, but the pedals extend two and a half inches beyond the base frame at the back while the machine is in operation, making the entire length 73.5″(187 cm).
Its width is 28.5″ (72 cm), and the handlebars’ maximum height is 68″(173 cm). When the unit is in use, it is suggested to provide at least two feet of space all around it for safe access and operation.
Handlebars and Pedals
A huge pair of pedals are mounted to two heavy-duty steel bars on this BodyCraft elliptical trainer.
The unit’s pedals and internal crank are intended to support people weighing 350 pounds (159 kg).
The pedals themselves are comprised of tough ABS plastic with a thick layer of padding.
For this reason, not only did the elliptical workout minimize a significant amount of tension on your joints, but these integrated cushions also reduced a significant amount of stress on your feet.
Their surface is sticky, and the front half of the shoe features a border to help with foot stability and alignment.
The ECT400G type, like most other front-drive elliptical trainers, has two sets of handlebars, one movable and one fixed.
The movable bars are relatively lengthy, allowing for various grips to be used.
A Start (GO) control is located on the left grip, while resistance controls are located on the right.
The stationary bars are fitted with stainless steel pulse sensors, allowing the unit’s console to measure your heart rate just by holding on to them.
Heavy-duty, sealed ball bearings are used in all joints between the handlebars, console mast, and pedals.
For this reason, the pedals and handlebars move incredibly smoothly. The pedal bars are fitted with industrial-grade wheels that include ball bearings.
The wheels are hidden to avoid damage or accidents and extend their lifespan.
Step-up Height
Even though the BodyCraft ECT400G is a light-commercial elliptical trainer, it lacks an inclination function, as we discussed before.
Its horizontal elliptical route encourages a natural stride. The pedals are just 2.5″ (6.35 cm) apart, allowing for natural foot placement without putting additional strain on the knees and ankles.
The stride of the machine is not customizable.
The stride length is 23″ (58 cm), which is a little longer than, say, the Schwinn MY17 470.
For this reason, it should easily fit people up to 6’5″ (196 cm). Users under 5’3″ (160 cm) may find this stride too lengthy for their natural range of motion, but they should still be able to utilize the machine.
The step-up pedal height is 12″ (30.4 cm), with the pedals climbing a couple of additional inches at their tallest position.
For this reason, it is advised that the machine be installed and used in a room with a ceiling height of at least 18″-19″(45-48 cm).
Resistance Level
The mid-range 20 pounds (9.0 kg) flywheel of this BodyCraft elliptical trainer is balanced and engineered to produce a very smooth and consistent pedaling motion.
It can also be used in both directions. In other words, if you want to mix up your training, you may bike in reverse. The console will also measure your training data while riding in reverse.
A stretch-resistant poly-v rubber belt provides the transmission of the machine.
The pedaling action is virtually silent with this sort of gearbox, which contributes to the drive’s silence.
It also does not necessitate any lubrication. The self-generating power system is one of BodyCraft ECT400primary G’s advantages.
It includes a tiny power generator that generates the necessary energy for the console to function.
The console is powered by a rechargeable battery charged as you pedal. For this reason, there is no need to connect the unit to a power source.
Eddy current is used to power the resistance system.
A servo motor and a magnetic brake are included. It’s digital; in other words, the resistance can only be adjusted from the console or the controls in the right grip.
The servo motor adjusts the location of the brake in respect to the flywheel as you alter the resistance, modifying the intensity of the internal magnetic field and increasing or reducing pedal stress.
The unit’s resistance system is fully automated.
If you work out using one of the console’s programs, the machine will automatically alter the resistance based on the segment of the program you’re working on.
There are 20 levels of resistance on this elliptical trainer.
The lowest settings provide a gentle exercise ideal for warming up, healing, or people with particular limitations.
The top 18-20 resistance settings, on the other hand, let you get a high heart rate in a short amount of time and burn more calories.
Console
The console provided with the ECT400G model lacks functionality compared to other elliptical machines in this price range, such as the NordicTrack SE9i.
It lacks online connectivity, a sound system, and a cooling fan, to name a few features.
However, it offers a variety of training regimens and covers all of the major workout data.
To begin with, the console has a high-contrast LCD with a user interface that is both straightforward and simple to use.
It displays the following information: time, distance, speed, calories, RPM, watts, pulse, and current resistance level.
Both metric and English units can set up speed and distance.
You may enter personal information like your age and weight to help the machine measure your energy output, and calories burnt more accurately.
A Polar T34 HR chest strap transmitter may be used to read your pulse. However, this item is not included. For this reason, if you don’t choose it, you’ll have to rely on the embedded pulse sensors to get a heart rate measurement.
The console features a total of eight programs. Manual, Random, Interval, Hill Climb, Strength, Target HR, HR Interval, and Custom are some options.
The Manual program allows you to work out at your own pace while cycling, increasing the resistance as needed.
The machine will auto-adjust the resistance for HR programs to keep you in the desired or needed HR interval.
The Custom program allows you to design your exercise, while the Random program offers a selection of workout profiles to choose from if you’re looking for a new challenge.
There’s also a review tool for the exercise summary.
An extensible tablet holder and a front tablet holder are also included with the console.
It has a USB connector on the bottom, but it can only be used for software updates; you can’t transfer your exercise data to a USB stick for internet transmission, and it can’t charge your phone or tablet.
Assembly
The machine’s construction isn’t difficult, but it may take more than an hour because of the numerous pieces that must be assembled.
In essence, you’ll need to join the two major base frame sections, add the console mast, the pedal bars and handlebars, the pedals, the bottle tray, and the console, and connect the necessary wiring.
All of the necessary equipment is provided, and the handbook includes schematics and assembly instructions that are quite clear.
This elliptical doesn’t require much in the way of upkeep.
Internal parts and the unit’s joints are pre-oiled at the manufacture and shouldn’t be lubricated again for many years.
For this reason, all you have to do is periodically check for loose bolts and parts, clean the machine, and keep liquids away from the console.
