1) Incline (Power Incline Ramp) For Better Crosstraining - Incline allows you to automatically increase your workout slope and work different muscle groups to burn the maximum amount of calories.
Incline is a feature that isn't found on most elliptical trainers (unless you want to spend $2800+ on a Precor) so it's a great feature on the Epic 1200.
2) Quick Target Toning System - This system helps you target trouble spots like glutes, quads, hamstrings, upper-body and more. You press the muscle group you want to focus on and the elliptical automatically controls the resistance and the incline for you, very cool for goal-oriented exercisers.
3) 16 Personal Trainer Workouts & 2 Customizable Workouts - You get 16 workouts designed by a personal trainer. These automatically adjust the resistance of the elliptical to focus on aerobic, weight loss and performance goals. It also comes with 2 Customizable Programs so you can create and save your own preferred workouts.
4) Longer 18" Stride Length - Most cheaper ellipticals offer 14" - 16" stride lengths which give you a less effective workout. An 18" stride length is quite good and helps you work your leg muscles fully. While die-hards and taller users may still prefer a 20" stride, the 18" stride is still pretty good for an economy elliptical.
5) Heart Rate Monitor To Stay In Your Target Fat Burning Zone - The hand-grip heart rate monitor, while fairly standard, is still a handy feature to help you stay in your target heart rate zone.
Weaknesses:
We would have liked to see a longer parts warranty (parts are covered for 1 year). However this is pretty much on par with what you get with most ellipticals at this price point. Plus you can buy extra warranty coverage on checkout.
Summary: Recommended
Since ICON is the largest fitness equipment in the business, they have the resources to offer better designs for less. The Proform Epic EL 1200 Commercial Pro elliptical is a great example of this.
For under $1000 you get a well built, stable feeling elliptical with a wide 18" stride, power incline, high 350 lb user weight capacity and some cool extras like the Quick Target Toning system and 16 personal trainer workout programs.
While it's not a commercial quality elliptical, it's a great value at this price point.
Where To Buy At A Discount:
You can buy the Proform Epic EL 1200 Commercial Pro elliptical direct from the Manufacturer. You can also get Free Shipping right now which will save you about $125.
The Epic EL 1200 Commercial Pro elliptical (also called the Proform Epic 1200 Pro) is one of the latest Proform-Epic elliptical trainers on the economy market. (ICON owns both the Proform and Epic names and they've combined them here)
With a higher grade of construction than older models the Epic 1200 fits a lot of value into an economy price. The main strength of this elliptical is the power incline. Incline changes the slope of the elliptical motion which works different sets of muscle groups and is great for crosstraining.
Other key strengths of the Epic 1200 are the Target Toning feature where you choose the muscle group you want to tone - glutes, quads, hamstrings, 16 personal trainer workouts and built-in workout fan.
Is it a good fit for your needs? Here's a review to help you decide:
Features:
Price: $999
Stride Length: 18"
Resistance Type: Magnetic
Built In Workout Programs: 18
Upper Body Arms: Yes
Heart Rate Monitor: EKG on handlebars
Water Bottle Holder: Yes
User Weight Capacity: 350
Warranty: Lifetime Frame, 1 year parts and labor
Strengths:
