French Fitness Elliptical Comparison Guide

French Fitness Elliptical Comparison Guide

If you’re seeking a low-impact, full-body workout, elliptical machines are an excellent choice. Perfect for both home gyms and commercial fitness spaces, they help improve cardio, tone muscles, and burn calories. Elliptical workouts are weight-bearing, meaning they support your body weight and strengthen your bones, while also being gentle on your joints.

In this guide, we compare three of the top elliptical machines from French Fitness, offering tips and advice on to help you choose the best one for you:

  • French Fitness E500 Elliptical
  • French Fitness E200 Commercial Elliptical
  • French Fitness Arc Elliptical Trainer (Available in Black and Silver)

French Fitness E500 Elliptical


The French Fitness E500 Elliptical is the top choice for your personal home gym, with 20 workout intensities and 20 magnetic resistance levels. This elliptical machine also comes with multiple handlebars to keep your arms active while your legs are moving. It’s equipped with a strong magnet on the flywheel, which will automatically adjust the absorption resistance. It also features a self-powered bidirectional transmission that allows you to control your pace better.

The E500 machine is fitted with sensors on the handles that monitor your heart rate while you exercise. For extra safety, it’s designed with stabilizers on the base and large anti-slip pedals. You can easily move the machine around your space with its built-in wheel.

Pros

  • It features versatile magnetic resistance with 20 levels and bidirectional transmission.
  • It provides a full-body workout with multiple handlebars.
  • Hand grips are designed with a heart rate monitoring sensor.
  • Offers improved safety with the base stabilizers and large anti-slip pedals.
  • It features a cordless design with an alternator and battery for ease of use.

Cons

  • Limited to 3 pre-set workout programs.

French Fitness E200 Commercial Elliptical

Next is the French Fitness E200 Commercial Elliptical which offers 20 resistance levels and a 20-inch stride to suit your evolving fitness goals. Like the French Fitness E500, this machine is also fitted with heart rate sensors.

The E200 Commercial Elliptical features eight preset programs and four target programs, offering more diverse workout options. It is powered by a front drive train and dual track system that adds to its stability. The machine also uses an alternator and battery for power, making it a convenient option for commercial fitness centers and home gyms.

Pros

  • Engages the lower and upper body with synchronized handlebars and pedals.
  • It comes with 12 programs to meet a variety of workout goals.
  • The 20” stride length offers an ergonomic design for most users, giving a comfortable stride.
  • Features 20 levels of adjustable resistance which caters to different fitness levels.
  • LED displays show important workout metrics to help users monitor progress.

Cons

  • The high step up height makes it less accessible to users with a shorter stature.

French Fitness Arc Elliptical Trainer

Another model to consider is the French Fitness Arc Elliptical Trainer, which is constructed with high-quality steel tubes for maximum durability. This machine can push your limits with its 900W 18 rpm resistance, 20 incline levels, and 24” stride length.

The Arc Elliptical Trainer is designed for a comprehensive fitness and health experience with its contact-type heart rate monitoring system in the hand grips. The machine also comes with a step-up height of 7 inches, making it suitable for individuals of varying heights.

Pros

  • It provides a comprehensive workout with varied programs and moving arms.
  • It offers accurate tracking of your heart rate through hand grips.
  • Easy to adjust and customize with 20 levels of resistance and incline levels.
  • It has a compact and user-friendly design that fits in home gyms.
  • It is available in two colorsblack and silver.

Cons

  • It cannot fit through doors under 33.5” even when disassembled.

French Fitness E500 Elliptical vs. E200 Commercial Elliptical vs Arc Elliptical Trainer: Factors to Consider

Choosing the perfect French Fitness elliptical machine can be challenging with the variety of options available. When making your decision, consider factors such as resistance levels, weight, stride length, space requirements, and the range of exercises each machine offers. Here are some key points to help you select the ideal French Fitness elliptical machine for your needs.

Drive Type

The French Fitness E500 comes with a self-generating system with EMS self-powered bidirectional transmission. This provides a smooth and efficient drive mechanism. Meanwhile, the French Fitness E200 uses a front-drive system with a dual-track setup, which improves stability and provides a seamless elliptical motion. The Arc Elliptical Trainer has a versatile drive system that supports different exercise modes, including elliptical, climbing, and skiing.

Stride Length

The stride length differs notably among the French Fitness models. The E500 and E200 feature the same stride length of 20 inches, which is ideal for different kinds of users, providing an elliptical motion. The Arc Elliptical Trainer has an extended stride length of 24 inches. This accommodates taller users and those who want a more extended range.

Resistance Levels

With these three French Fitness models, you get 20 levels of adjustable resistance. The E500 comes with a magnetic resistance mechanism, making it precise and quiet. The Arc Trainer is the most powerful option, with a 900W 180 rpm resistance system that offers a broad range of intensity for challenging workouts.

Space Consumption

The E500 has the largest footprint with dimensions of 86, 29.87, and 64.37 inches in length, width, and height. This makes it ideal for large workout spaces. Meanwhile, the E200 is slightly more compact, with dimensions of 80 inches in length, 26 inches in width, and 69 inches in height. If you want a small elliptical machine, you should consider the Arc Elliptical Trainer. It has ample width space but still maintains a relatively low height.

Elliptical Motion

The French Fitness E500 and E200 provide a more traditional elliptical motion, with the former featuring a magnetic resistance system while the latter has a dual track system. The E500 comes with multiple handlebars that are in sync with the pedals, with low pressure on your joints. On the other hand, the E200 has an alternate rhythmic movement of the handlebars and pedals.

As for the Arc Elliptical Trainer, it has 20 adjustable incline levels, which allows individuals to use a wide range of workouts. You can target different muscle groups effectively. It has moving arms that synchronize with the different modes.

Maximum User Weight

The E200 is the machine with the highest maximum user weight, at 440 pounds. It also has a step-up height of 12.9 inches, although this might be inaccessible for users with short stature. The French Fitness E500 can accommodate up to 350 pounds instead and has a lower step-up height of 10 inches. As a compact exercise machine, the Arc Elliptical Trainer supports up to 330 pounds and has a step-up height of 7 inches.

Brake System

The E500 uses an Electromagnetic Resistance (EMS) system for precise control. Meanwhile, the E200 and the Arc Elliptical Trainer use electronic resistance control for easy use of your brake system.

Comfort and Ergonomics

The three elliptical exercise machines have heart-rate monitoring sensors in their hand grips for easily tracking your body condition while exercising. The French Fitness E500 comes with large padded armrests and anti-slip pedals, which provide extra comfort during your use. As for the E200 model, it has a high step-up height and a compact 3-inch pedal spacing. Perhaps the most comfortable is the Arc Elliptical Trainer, with the lowest step-up height, a long stride length, and adjustable incline levels.

Workout Variety

The French Fitness E500 comes with four workout programs, including a manual, which might be limited for most users. The E200 has a wider range that might appeal to most exercise buffs. It has eight preset programs and four target programs, which gives you a total of 12. With the Arc Trainer, you can enjoy five exercise modes, which include elliptical, climbing, skiing, manual and automatic mode.

Which French Fitness Elliptical Machine Should You Choose?

Based on our review of the three French Fitness elliptical machines, you can consider the best one for your exercise needs. The French Fitness E500 is a robust exercise machine with a large footprint and efficient resistance. For a high-capacity elliptical machine with an ergonomic design, consider the E200. It’s also ideal for commercial use. Finally, the Arc Elliptical Trainer stands out with its compact design and adaptable workout options. Consider your exercise goals, the available space in your home or commercial space, and your body type to choose the ideal one for you.