The Sunny SF-E3865, along with the SF-E3862, is one of the new elliptical trainers produced by Sunny Health & Fitness in 2019 for home use.
It’s a front-drive elliptical trainer with an open flywheel, comparable to the Fitness Reality X-Class 710; however, unlike the FR model, it lacks Bluetooth capability on the console.
It comes with a 24-tension-level eddy current resistance system, a console with 24 exercise routines, and a set of big, robust pedals.
It boasts a durable steel frame that can accommodate individuals weighing 265 pounds. It’s an ideal elliptical machine for light to moderate aerobic exercises, muscular toning, endurance training, and weight loss.
Parts, Frame, and Construction
The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E3865 elliptical trainer is solely meant to be used at home.
It is, nevertheless, built to last, with a frame constructed of solid steel tubing.
The sole exceptions are the pedal tracks, composed of aluminum alloy, the resistance element covers, and the pedals made of a durable ABS material.
The pedals can support a maximum user weight of 265 pounds (120 kg).
The steel pieces used in the machine’s construction have a long-lasting powder coating that resists chipping and corrosion.
Except for the red flywheel side panels, the main color is black; this is the only color combination available for this elliptical trainer.
The SF-E3865 is rather hefty due to its steel construction.
The frame weighs around 144 lbs when fully assembled (65 kg). However, this weight adds a lot of stability. In addition, all of its bases have rubberized adjustable stabilizers.
The item is not collapsible. However, it is quite easy to transport after it is put together.
It has huge silicone transport wheels on its front base.
The Sunny SF-3865, like most other elliptical trainers, is not a tiny piece of equipment.
It’s 66″ long (168 cm) and 30″ broad (76 cm). It’s also a good idea to allow at least two feet of clearance all around it for safety and accessibility.
Therefore, it might not work well in a tiny space.
As we said previously, the unit’s pedals are composed of ABS plastic.
The bars to which they are fastened are composed of steel and have huge rubberized wheels with internal ball bearings.
On the aluminum tracks, they produce a very smooth and silent motion.
Although the pedals are not cushioned, each pedal tube has four holes that allow you to change the training position forward or backward.
They’re very big, with a high inner rim and a non-slip surface for further foot stability.
The machine has two sets of handlebars, one of which is moveable and the other permanent.
Long, curved grips and top ball grips are included on the mobile handlebars. A layer of rubber foam material coats them to guarantee ideal comfort.
A short horizontal bar with gently bent downward grips makes up the fixed handlebar.
It has metallic pulse sensors, and if you hang on to them, the console can monitor your pulse.
Step-up Height and Stride
There is no inclination system on the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E3865. It does, however, provide a horizontal elliptical route. They’re angled forward slightly to deliver a stronger thrust with each step.
The machine has a stride length of 20″ (51 cm). It can easily fit users up to 6’3″ (190 cm) and offers a comfortable range of motion.
The stride is not adjusted due to an inclination mechanism or pedal articulation.
The range of motion may be limited for taller users. Even if you’re taller, you may still benefit from a fairly consistent exercise on this machine, depending on the severity of the session, pace, and resistance.
The pedals are approximately 12″ (32 cm) above the floor level at their lowest position.
The top pedal position has been raised a few inches. Therefore, the machine should be used in a room with a ceiling at least 20″ (51 cm) higher than your height.
Resistance Level
For an elliptical, the Sunny SF-E3865 has a somewhat hefty flywheel.
It weighs 44 pounds (20 kilograms) and has a smooth and constant pedaling motion.
It’s also bi-directional, so you can cycle backward if you want to. In this manner, you can add variety to your workouts while focusing on other muscle areas.
The pedal system is connected to a mid-size pulley hidden under two ABS covers.
A heavy-duty poly-v belt connects the pulley to the flywheel for transmission. On the other hand, the unit’s drivetrain does not require oil. It also provides a vibration-free and silent pedaling motion.
The SF-3865 has a motorized magnetic resistance mechanism, unlike other ellipticals with a friction resistance system, which uses an open flywheel design.
It does, however, require external power, and the resistance can only be modified from the console.
Also, because the console has various programs stored in its memory, the system will automatically alter the pedal resistance when you use one of them.
A tiny servo motor and a magnetic brake make up the machine’s resistance system.
Therefore, when you pick a resistance level from the console, the motor adjusts the magnetic pull, making cycling more or less difficult.
There are 24 levels of resistance on this Sunny elliptical trainer.
The lowest degree of resistance isn’t exactly feather-light because of the hefty flywheel.
You can get a good workout without even attaching the machine to a power source if you only use the first degree of resistance, produced purely by the flywheel’s 44 lbs (20 kg) weight.
The 20-24 levels, on the other hand, provide a reasonable amount of pedaling effort, allowing you to get in a more strenuous exercise.
Console
A mid-range console with a 6-inch diagonal LCD with LED illumination is included with the system.
It is separated into many sub-sections to display the majority of the exercise metrics at once, eliminating the need to utilize the scan function to rotate them.
Time, distance, total distance, speed, RPM, watts, calories, heart rate, and goal heart rate are all kept track of.
The distance and speed are only displayed in miles and MPH; there is no option to change the values to metric.
The console is also not telemetric. This means it can only monitor your pulse using the built-in sensors. Wireless HR transmitters are not compatible.
The machine is not connected to the internet and is not compatible with any online fitness applications.
It does, however, provide a total of 24 fitness plans, 12 of which are programmed.
The manual mode is the first program (P1).
You may manually modify the resistance using this application when you work out. It also allows you to set objectives for time, distance, and calories burned.
The preloaded programs are the P2-P13 ones.
They each have 12 profiles and can reach the 16th degree of resistance. You may choose the duration for each of them.
The Watts program is known as the P14 program.
You may choose a goal value for your Watt production here. The Body Mass Index (BMI) calculator is part of the P15 software. It will ask for your height, weight, age, and gender, and the console will determine your body fat percentage based on this information.
The heart rate programs are P16-P20.
They expect you to utilize the pulse sensors. P16 stands for “Target Heart Rate.” You may set a goal for your heart rate, and the console will alert you if your pulse drops below that level.
The P17-P20 programs are Heart Rate Control programs with predefined HRC goals of 55, 65, 75, and 85 percent, respectively.
The console will automatically alter the resistance during any of these programs, increasing intensity if your pulse falls below the specified heart rate and decreasing intensity if your pulse rises over it.
P21-P24, which are Custom User applications, round out the list of programs.
These allow four individual users to build and preserve their programs and personal data (weight, height, etc.).
There are no other features on the SF-E3865 console, such as a built-in sound system or an exercise fan.
It does, however, have a tablet holder, and the top piece has a grid with the heart rate zones you should strive for based on your age.
Assembly
The flywheel, gearbox, and resistance elements are all pre-assembled in the front area of the machine.
The remainder of the components, however, must be assembled. You’ll need to connect the front stabilizer bar, the console mast, the console, the moving arms, the fixed handlebar, the pedal bars, and various other elements to the base frame portion using rails.
This may take more than an hour. On the other hand, the manual includes step-by-step assembly instructions and all necessary equipment.
Internal maintenance is not required for the machine.
Once it’s put together, all you have to do is keep the train tracks clean to avoid damaging the wheels, lube the joints as needed, and check for loose bolts and parts regularly.
