The XTERRA FS150 cross trainer is one of the most economical digital magnetic resistance elliptical trainers on the market.
It can be comparable to the Marcy ME-704 in terms of characteristics. It features the same console style and amount of programs as the Marcy model, but its resistance mechanism is not self-generating and requires electricity.
It has a console with numerous training routines, including a Body Mass Index and a Recovery function, and an automated magnetic resistance system with 24 tension levels.
It’s good equipment for low to medium-intensity cardio, interval training, muscle toning, and weight reduction, and it’s one of the most cost-effective elliptical trainers with a motorized resistance system on the market right now.
Table of Contents
Construction
The steel frame of the XTERRA Fitness FS150 is reinforced with ABS sections. To put it another way, most of it comprises steel tubing; the only ABS pieces are the drive system covers, the pedals, and a few other minor covers.
The machine has a rather solid overall build for a piece of home-use equipment. It can accommodate persons weighing up to 265 pounds (120 kg).
The XTERRA FS150 is smaller than other elliptical trainers, such as the Horizon Fitness 7.0 AE. It measures 50 inches (127 cm) in length and 23 inches (58 cm) in width. However, for ease of access and unrestricted use, at least two feet of space is suggested all around it.
The completely completed machine isn’t particularly heavy, but it does weigh around 72 lbs (33 kg), ensuring good stability.
In addition, its rear base has adjustable stabilizers. The front base also has transport wheels, making moving easier after it’s built.
There are two sets of handlebars on this XTERRA elliptical, one fixed and one movable.
The machine’s front mast is directly linked to the fixed handlebars. They can’t be changed. They have pulse sensors, which aren’t seen on all cross-trainers. The movable handlebars have extremely lengthy grips and a rock-climber grip at the top.
Taller users reach about 64.2″ (163 cm) above floor level, allowing for more natural hand positions.
The pedals on the machine are large enough to fit sports shoes of various sizes.
They have a textured surface for better foot adhesion. For added foot stability, they incorporate inner and front guards.
However, unlike the more costly cross trainer versions, the pedals are not articulated and do not offer additional padding.
They do, however, feature three different connection points. Hence, you can attach them to their bars closer to the front or back.
They detach easily from their bars; each one is attached to its bar by two bolts closed with two knobs rather than two nuts, so you won’t need any tools to remove and reattach them if necessary.
Step-up Height
To begin with, the XTERRA FS150 lacks an inclination mechanism. Hence, you can’t change the elliptical path’s position or stride length.
In addition, the elliptical path on most rear-drive elliptical trainers is slightly slanted forward.
Hence, riding them feels like descending a soft slope. This is also true with this XTERRA cross-trainer; however, the elliptical path’s inclination is just 1-2 degrees.
Its elliptical route is nearly horizontal, resulting in a more natural pedaling action, reducing the impact on your joints. The XTERRA FS150 features a short stride, similar to other trainers with this build style.
It’s only 13″ (33 cm). Because of this, it is not suggested for individuals who are taller than 6’0″(183 cm). So, if you’re taller, you might want to go with a machine like the Exerpeutic 5000 or the GoElliptical V-200.
The height of the pedal step-up is approximately 6″ (15 cm). Even so, getting up onto the pedals shouldn’t be too tough for those with handicaps.
The pedals, however, are approximately 15″ (40 cm) above the floor level at their tallest position.
Hence, placing and using this elliptical cross trainer in a room with a ceiling at least 20 (51 cm) higher than your height.
Resistance Level
A belt drive mechanism is used in the XTERRA Fitness FS150. This has several advantages. First and foremost, you do not need to lube its transmission. Second, the pedaling motion is incredibly smooth, silent, and produces far less vibration, unlike a chain drive.
The internal flywheel of the machine weighs 15.5 lbs (7 kg), which isn’t terrible for a little elliptical.
This weight improves the ride’s consistency. It features a well-balanced construction that helps the ride’s smoothness.
The flywheel rotates in both directions. This allows you to bike in reverse, allowing you to vary your routines. When cycling in reverse, the console keeps track of your miles traveled, calories expended, speed, and so on.
A motorized magnetic resistance system is included with this elliptical trainer.
This indicates it has to be powered from somewhere else. The adapter comes with a cable, and the connector is located above the back base.
Moreover, the resistance can only be changed from the console because it is a motorized machine.
The console unit may also auto-adjust the resistance since it has preset programs.
The unit’s resistance is an internal servo motor and a magnetic brake.
When you change the resistance (or the console does it for you), the brake slides closer or further away from the flywheel, increasing or decreasing the magnet’s pull on the spinning.
This makes pedaling more or less difficult. There are 24 resistance settings on this elliptical trainer.
The first few settings have a low resistance, ideal for warm-ups and recovery exercises.
However, the 20-24 resistance levels give significantly greater pedaling effort, allowing for a higher burn and a more consistent total exercise.
Console
A mid-range console is included with this XTERRA Fitness elliptical trainer.
It’s almost identical to the one seen on the XTERRA Fitness SB150 recumbent bike.
It has a 3.7″ LCD with LED lighting for improved reading, which is user-friendly for starters.
Distance, time, RPM, speed, calories, and pulse are displayed. The speed and distance are displayed in English figures and cannot be changed to metric equivalents.
Moreover, because the console is not telemetric, it can only read your pulse if you keep your hands on the embedded pulse sensors.
A wireless HR chest strap cannot interact with it. The console does not have internet access.
It does, however, have a total of 23 training plans to pick from. The first program is Manual, which allows you to freely modify the resistance during your exercise and set time, distance, and calorie targets.
The following 12 programs are pre-programmed. They come in various segment configurations to satisfy the needs of different sorts of workouts.
There are also four user programs and five heart rate programs available.
Using the user programs, you may generate four distinct custom programs with the necessary resistance for each section.
The heart rate programs are configured for 55 percent, 65 percent, 75 percent, and 85 percent HRC, respectively, while the fifth HR program is also configurable, allowing you to choose the appropriate target heart rate.
There is also a BMI program and a Recovery feature.
The BMI software allows you to assess your body fat ratio based on your height, weight, gender, and age, and it then provides you with a set of workout programs tailored to your body type.
The Recovery feature measures how long it takes your pulse to return to normal after an exercise and assigns you a fitness grade between F1 (good) and F6 (poor).
The built-in sound system and the phone holder are two more prominent console features.
Two speakers are built into the bottom of the console as part of the sound system.
It works with the majority of MP3 players and cell phones. Hence, you may connect your machine to the unit (by cable) and listen to music through the built-in speakers.
Finally, the machine holder is positioned beneath the unit’s main controls. It has a little shelf where you can put your smartphone if it’s connected to the console.
Assembly
The elliptical’s main body is already constructed.
The engine and other resistance parts are already mounted to the base frame, and the ABS covers to protect them.
However, several additional elements must be assembled. The two base bars, the front mast, moving arms, fixed handlebars, pedal bars, pedals, and the console must all be attached.
This may take more than an hour. The work, however, is rather simple, and the handbook includes detailed assembly instructions and diagrams.
A suite of fundamental tools is also offered.
There isn’t much that has to be done in terms of upkeep.
Internal components do not require lubrication. The machine’s joints may need to be lubricated from time to time. Apart from that, all you have to do is regularly keep the machine clean and check for any potential loose bolts or parts.
