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Gazelle Power Plus
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Average customer review:
Product Description
Gazelle Power Plus has Power Pistons with 3 levels of resistance for even more muscle toning. High-tension aircraft cables and steel frame supports up to 350lbs.
Product Details
- Amazon Sales Rank: #53237 in Sports & Outdoors
- Brand: Gazelle
- Model: C11700-2
- Released on: 2007-03-12
- Dimensions: 56.00" h x 30.50" w x 41.00" l, 88.00 pounds
Features
- High-performance exercise glider for improved cardiovascular performance
- Unsurpassed range of motion goes from slow walk to full run with no sudden stops
- Easy-to-use, multifunction workout computer tracks speed, distance, time, and more
- Extra-wide, non-skid foot platforms; built-in thumb pulse monitor for tracking heart rate
- Maximum weight capacity of 350 pounds; includes personal trainer video
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Product Description
The Gazelle Power Plus exercise system employs a unique dual-action split suspension system to provide muscle-toning performance with a complete range of motion, ensuring both aerobic exercise and resistance training in a single easy workout. At the same time, the low-impact design won't put undue pressure on your joints, making it safe and efficient for people with creaky knees and shins. And thanks to the multifunction fitness computer, it's a breeze to track the workout time, speed, distance, and calories burned. Other details include a heavy-duty steel frame with high-tension aircraft cables; a thumb pulse sensor for heart rate monitoring; a self-centering design for rock-solid stability; extra-wide, sure-fit foot platforms; high-density foam handlebars; an attached water bottle/TV remote holder with a water bottle; and a personal trainer video for enjoying a fun, informative one-on-one workout. The Power Plus holds up to 350 pounds and has wheels and handles for easy maneuverability.
Key Features:
- Extra-wide, sure fit foot platforms for added comfort
- Provides a low-impact workout that is easy for all fitness levels
- Gives you both an aerobic workout and resistance training in one easy workout
- Self-centering design for rock-solid stability
- High-tension aircraft cables and steel frame supports up to 350 pounds
- Features a thumb pulse for heart rate monitoring
- Fitness computer tracks your time, distance, approximate calories burned and speed
- Handlebars are covered with high-density foam for added comfort
- Includes water bottle and attached water bottle/TV remote holder
Customer Reviews
fun and effective
Ever since last year, when the company I work for went to a 10 hour per day, 4 day per workweek schedule, my gym time has suffered. During the primetime health-club hours (between 7 and 9 PM), I have barely enough time to do my powerlifting regimen let alone get in a cardio-vascular workout. Anyway the lines waiting for the four eliptical machines are way too long. And injuries to both my knees (thanks to old martial-arts and motorcycle accidents) preclude using high-impact treadmills and stairmasters. When I happened upon Tony Little's TV infomercial for the Gazelle, I almost channel-surfed right by it. But I just couldn't resist the exhuberant energy of that brawny, spandex-clad guy with the blond ponytail! I'm glad I watched and found out about the Gazelle. This machine is perfect for at-home aerobic exercise -- sturdy, effective, and so much fun I want to keep using it. And quiet enough, I can watch my favorite Star Trek or Law & Order late-night reruns while working out on it! I can focus on my heavy lifting at the gym and "gazelle" for an hour when I come home! The exercise itself feels like a cross between the eliptical riders and the old Nordic Track. Operated vigorously, the exertion level is comparable to a power-walk with wrist-weights or dumbbells. Unless you pump pretty hard on the handlebars, you're not going to build much muscle with this apparatus. But it's a great complement to your anaerobic weight-training. You can use it to warm up before going to pump iron. There are several incarnations of the Gazelle, but I recommend the "Power Plus" or "Elite" model. This is the one with the 3-position "Power Pistons". It is much sturdier-built and can take a lot more beating. And you'll need at least the Number One setting for an effective workout. Begin slowly to get the feel of the basic movement, because I get the idea falling off this contraption could hurt! Progress to the long strides Tony takes in the videos and you'll feel the burn in the glutes! The Gazelle is supposedly easily dismantled for storage, but since it takes about an hour just to assemble, I kinda doubt it. And although it's fairly light (about 70 lbs), it's a bit too bulky to move around much, especially if doors or stairs are involved. So put it together where you expect to use it. I can honestly say, this is the only home exerciser I expect not to tire of and consign to the back of the garage.
An update, July 2006: On the job the other night, a drunk driver crashed through our traffic-control setup and into our work zone, pinning my leg against the step-bumper of my work truck. I have a clean radial fracture of the fibula just below the knee, and some spectacular bruises and abrasions! I found that I can use my Gazelle in its non-impact "free-glide" mode. By pumping hard on the handlebars I get a nice cardio workout without causing pain or stress to the injury! Thanks, Tony!
Tony Little Gazelle Power Plus Fitness System
In May of 2005, I cut sodas and fried foods from my diet and greatly reduced sweets. I began walking in June, but I live in a high desert area and it becomes extremely hot during the summer. My walking routine was at best erratic. Weighing 230 lbs, I found working out at the gym to be an uncomfortable experience. I began looking into home equipment. My husband was supportive, but somewhat hesitant because at the time I already owned an elliptical trainer with powered incline that was serving as a very large clothing rack. I had also recently donated a power treadmill to charity because it too was taking up space and not getting used. While shopping one day, I saw a Gazelle in a local retail store. I was surprised by the range of motion and cardiovascular workout the machine offered. I purchased the Gazelle in July of 2005. It is now October of 2005. I currently weigh 150 lbs. Up until 1 month ago, the Gazelle was the only piece of workout equipment I used to lose the weight. I found the Gazelle gave me an excellent cardiovascular workout and I also liked the stretch from the range of motion this machine allows. In addition, I found the workout to feel extremely natural.
The only downside to the Gazelle is that since I purchased it 4 months ago, I have had to repair it twice. 2 weeks after I purchased the product one of the welds broke on the swing arm. FitnessQuest was very helpful and sent a repair part with no hassle, but delivery took 2 weeks. One month later a bolt holding a foot pedal broke causing me to fall and slightly injure myself. On examination, the bolt had worn away due to friction. Once again I called for a repair part and received it in 2 weeks.
Other than when I have had to wait for repair parts I have used this machine every day since its purchase. In the event that the machine breaks again after the warranty expires, I will most probably spend the money and purchase another one. The workout is that enjoyable and the results have been that good.
Cheap "Power Pistons" detract from overall value!
My wife bought the Gazelle Freestyle Evolution a year or so ago, and we had it setup in our livingroom for daily exercising. When takedown and setup became such a chore, it was put away in the bedroom to make space in the livingroom. It stayed unused for about 6 months.
When I decided that I needed to loose about 50 pounds, I was looking for something that I could do to exercise without having to leave the house. The stored Gazelle fit the bill nicely.
Only problem was, the space requirements to set it back up. I finally decided on the garage because there was space out there, and the south Texas heat and humidity provided for a nice "sweat factor."
Since late June 05, I have been able to lose 45+ pounds with the help of the G.I. Diet and the Tony Little Gazelle Freestyle Evolution. I wouldn't have been able to do it in such a short amount of time (just over two months) without these two.
So, why do I rate the Gazelle Series at only 3 stars?
The big problem with the Gazelle series of exercisers (at least in my case) are the "power pistons." These are the shock-absorber looking items that provide the resistance. The original pistons lasted for about a year. Over time, they seem to loose their resistance generating capability.
About a month ago, I was using the Gazelle with the original power pistons, when one of them went totally out on me ... by that, I mean no resistance ... zip, zero, nada! Needless to say, it's impossible to get any kind of cardiovascular rhythm going when one leg has resistance and the other doesn't.
At that time, I decided to order two new pistons (though I only needed one) from FitnessQuest. Total cost for two new pistons, plus shipping, was a just under $70. The replacements came, and I used one to replace the inoperable original piston. That worked for a few weeks, when the other original piston went out. No problem ... I had another replacement, so I installed that one too.
The two new replacement pistons worked together for only a couple of weeks, when one of those went out on me too. Since we had just purchased the replacements, we wrote the company and they sent another replacement piston at no charge. Cool!
However, since that time, both replacements have now gone inoperable, and I am left with only one good power piston. I am now relegated to swapping this good piston from one leg to the other every week, and using whichever of the other four pistons is working best at that time, for the other leg.
I am of the opinion that these pistons are cheaply made and costly to replace. I will seek to get additional replacements free of charge from FitnessQuest, but suspect that I will likely encounter problems.
I'm not saying don't buy the Gazelle, just beware that the pistons may not last as long as you need them to, and you may have to replace them frequently. Otherwise, I am slimmer and trimmer due in part to the Tony Little Gazelle.
My $.02
