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Merit elliptical trainers are a discount line produced by Johnson - a well known name in the business that also owns names like Matrix, Horizon and Vision.
They are the 4th largest maker of fitness equipment in North America and have been making equipment for over 20 years.
Merit Fitness ellipticals are mainly economy, starter-level machines - with most coming in under $500.
In this economy, that makes them quite popular. But how do they stack up - are they really a good buy? Here's a quick review to help you decide.
Strengths:
1) Bargain Prices - Probably the best thing about Merit units is that they are affordable for people on a tight budget.
Depending on where you buy them, most are priced under $500. And if you get them online, you can also usually get Free Shipping which will also save you about $100.
2) Compact - Merit Fitness ellipticals are built a bit smaller than other ellipticals. So if you don't have a lot of room you'll appreciate the smaller footprint of these machines. For example the Merit 715E elliptical trainer measures only 24" Wide x 57" Long.
3) Thumb Pulse EKG Heart Rate Monitor - You can stay in your target heart rate zone by pressing your thumb into the heart rate monitor. While these types of heart rate monitors aren't usually as accurate as grip-pulse sensors, it's still nice to have on a starter machine.
Weaknesses:
Unfortunately, there are a lot of red-flags here.
#1) Mixed Reviews - The user reviews we read here are mixed. Many people loved the price. Others didn't like them and a common complaint was that they developed squeaking noises after a few months of use.
It really isn't hard to see why - these ellipticals use a single roller system instead of the double roller (encased) system that you find in higher end ellipticals. This can lead to higher wear because of a greater load on each roller. Plus you've got to keep the tracks very clean to get the best use from your elliptical, which can be a pain.
2) Light Flywheels - The heavier the flywheel, the smoother ride you're going to get with an elliptical. Merit uses 10 pound flywheels for both their 715e and 725E ellipticals - which is very light. Horizon for example uses 14-16 pound flywheels and Sole uses monster 25 - 29 lb flywheels.
3) Short Warranty - The warranties on these elliptical are super short - which should tell you something. Standard warranties give you 5 years on the frame 3 years on brake and 90 day on parts and labor - not a lot of protection on your investment.
4) Short 16" Stride - A longer stride works more of your leg muscles and thus gives you a more effective workout. The Merit ellipticals only come with a 16" stride, which most people will probably find quite short. (An 18" - 20" stride is ideal for most people.)
Summary: Not Recommended
While everyone likes to get a good deal - and we'd love to tell you that these are great buys so you can save money - we just can't recommend these ellipticals.
The strides are short, the construction is not the best, users reviews report squeaking and wobbling and the warranties are too short to give you any real protection on your investment.
If you're on a strict budget but can swing just a bit more, we'd recommend you check out the Schwinn ellipticals first. They're still starter ellipticals but they give you way more in terms of a smoother ride, longer stride lengths, better warranties and stronger construction.
Where To Buy At A Discount:
You can buy Merit ellipticals at a discount from Amazon Fitness. They're currently offering Free Shipping which will also save you a few hundred dollars.
