Introduction
Yowza Fitness are renowned for creating gym-quality exercise equipment for the home, and so in this article I want to review one of their most popular elliptical trainers – the Sanibel i35 Cardio Core Elliptical.
This is not necessarily their best elliptical machine because they do sell a few others in the Cardio Core range that are a lot more expensive, but this one in particular seems to be very popular with home users.
Listed below you will find a list of the key features and benefits of this particular model, as well as a detailed guide to the main pros and cons to help you decide whether or not this machine is right for you.
Features And Benefits
- provides full body workout
- rotating Cardio Core handlebars
- helps to tone core abdominal muscles
- smooth and comfortable bio-mechanical motion
- 16 resistance settings
- 12 preset workout programs
- 9 user profiles
- adjustable stride length between 18 and 26 inches
- adjustable electronic power incline up to 35 degrees
- blue backlit LCD display
- wireless heart rate receiver
- console includes 3-speed cooling fan, speakers and iPod dock
- suitable for anyone up to 400 pounds
Product Dimensions / Weight
As you can probably see from the product photos, this Sanibel i35 Elliptical is quite a large machine, with dimensions in inches of 66 (L) x 33 (W) x 66 (H) and a total weight of 228 pounds. So it is probably best to keep it in the same place all the time if you do purchase this machine.
Video Demonstration
Positives
One of the biggest selling points of this Sanibel i35 Elliptical Trainer is its patented Cardio Core handlebars because these have a counter-rotation motion instead of a forwards and backwards motion. Therefore you will be able to tone up your abs whenever you use this machine.
It also provides a range of workout options for people of all shapes and sizes, and indeed for people of all fitness levels.
That’s because it has an adjustable stride length of 18-26 inches, and an adjustable power incline setting up to 35 degrees.
Plus there are 12 individual workout programs – manual, quick start, custom, target time, target distance, target calories, target heart rate, fat burn, core interval resistance, interval/motion incline, endurance and watt control – as well as user profiles that can be saved for up to 9 different people.
This Sanibel i35 machine also delivers a very comfortable workout because it has a rear drive system that delivers a fluid and natural motion with every stride, as well as pivoting foot plates that flex back and forth to prevent joint pain.
In addition, it is also very quiet in operation, and includes some useful extras such as a 3-speed cooling fan, an iPod docking station with built-in speakers and a water bottle holder.
Finally, it is worth pointing out how strong this machine is because it can easily accommodate anyone up to 400 lbs, and if anything goes wrong with this machine, it comes with a lifetime warranty on the frame and braking system, and a 5-year warranty on parts and electronics.
Negatives
This is just my own personal opinion, but I am not a fan of the overall appearance of this Sanibel i35 Elliptical because it looks like something out of the 1980s.
From a more practical point of view, there are a few other faults that people have highlighted online on various sites.
For example, although it is great to have adjustable stride length and incline options, the two cannot be adjusted separately. The stride length will increase as you increase the angle of incline. Of course this is not exactly a major issue because many people may well prefer that it works this way, but it is worth highlighting nevertheless.
In addition, a few people have said that they felt too close to the console whilst working out, and found themselves hitting their knees on the water bottle holder on occasions, but once again this is only a problem for a small number of people.
Finally, some people have said that this elliptical trainer was a little hard to assemble and ended up taking them a few hours, but unfortunately this is commonly the case with large items of exercise equipment.
Final Thoughts
Overall you would have to say that the Sanibel i35 Cardio Core Elliptical may have one or two faults, and may not be as good as some of the top-end models from Yowza Fitness, but it is still a high-performance machine that has enough workout options to satisfy most people.
With a power adjustable incline of up to 35 degrees, and a variable stride length that is ideal for interval training, this is suitable for people of all fitness levels and can easily be used by the whole family, particularly as it has a really strong frame that can accommodate anyone up to 400 pounds.
Admittedly it is not exactly the most attractive elliptical trainer on the market, but it is right up there in terms of strength and performance, and is pretty much on a par with the equally impressive Sole Fitness E95 Elliptical, for example, in many respects.