Stair stepper recommendations? (Tectrix?)
Alan B Langerman
I'm looking for opinions about what machines are good.
To begin with, my current machine is a ProForm 3001 STX. It is now
almost exactly three years old. I have had a like/hate relationship
with this machine. I liked it during those few months it worked and I
hated it the rest of the time. Poor design (FIVE replacements of the
computer console!, a rotation sensor requiring close alignment against
a magnet but held on with VELCRO!, the list goes on) and lackadaisical
service are my primary complaints. I am extremely reluctant to ever do
business again with ProForm or their captive service company, UTS. I
used to think I had been smart to get a maintenance contract, but
lately I wonder whether that was false economy: I should have ditched
this machine years ago.
But I like a stair stepper when it works.
So: I've been looking around at "gym quality" steppers. Things like
LifeFitness, Precor, Trotter and Tectrix. These machines go for
anything from $1K-$3K. A lotta money, but it'll be worth it to me if
the machine is robust enough and enjoyable enough that I can use it
every day or two for a long, long time. (I just can't bring myself to
jog, and I've never quite felt right with a Nordic Track.) I'm
currently leaning towards the Tectrix Personal Climber, which lists
around $2200 (on sale now for $2000). Looks sturdy, Doesn't look too
complex, mechanically, either. Has a wide range of speeds, various
programs. Can take input from a Polar heart monitor. It also feels
very smooth and natural. Does anyone out there have experience with
this model, or other Tectrix models, to report? Or a recommendation to
make about another stepper? I definitely am not fond of the low-end
steppers, none of which appear to be adjustable on-the-fly (I like to
change the speed a lot as I go) and all of which I've tried so far
feel, well, awkward.
Thanks for your time!
Alan
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Alan Langerman (al...@world.std.com)
Anne-Marie Gaspar
>I'm
>currently leaning towards the Tectrix Personal Climber, which lists
>around $2200 (on sale now for $2000). Looks sturdy, Doesn't look too
>complex, mechanically, either. Has a wide range of speeds, various
>programs. Can take input from a Polar heart monitor. It also feels
>very smooth and natural. Does anyone out there have experience with
>this model, or other Tectrix models, to report?
Hi Alan!
I have a Tectrix Personal Climber. I paid $2000 for it. I've had it
since July '94. I haven't had any problems with it so far. It is very
sturdy.
My husband uses it too. He weighs 200 lbs. and puts it on a high speed
for 30 min. (I swear he's going to fall into the basement one of these
days<g>.) He shakes the whole house. I'm about half his size and I
gradually increase my speed for 5 min. and keep it there for 50 min.
and gradually decrease it for another 5 min.
The reason why I bought it is because I was using a Stair Master at my
gym and I wanted something for home that was similar. It has more
features than I use. It feels very smooth like you said. I highly
recommend it.
Good luck,
Anne-Marie
Jeremy McCarthy
>I'm looking for opinions about what machines are good.
>So: I've been looking around at "gym quality" steppers. Things like
>this model, or other Tectrix models, to report? Or a recommendation to
>make about another stepper?
I like Tectrix a lot, it is definitely a smooth ride. Are you
aware of the difference between an independent and a dependent
stepper? LifeFitness, Precor, and I think Trotter are all
dependent steppers, meaning as one pedal goes down the other
comes up automatically. I'm not familiar with your ProForm so
I'm not sure which one you are used to. I recommend the
independent steppers (Stairmaster and Tectrix.) In fact, I think
Stairmaster has a patent on the independent step and are battling
out the rights with Tectrix on an ongoing basis.
A good person to talk to might be Jim Avery from Stairmaster. He
floats around the newsgroups sometimes and I think his e-mail is
xro...@aol.com.
Good luck!
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BRAD SCHUPP
4000PT also uses "step pedals" as opposed to stairs to simulate stair-
climbing. Both these commercial grade units would last in home use
practically forever. Thses units are easily serviced by most any
individual and almost every fitness equipment retailer or service company
is capable of repairs.
Expect to pay $1,000(as is) to 1,800(extensive remanufacture).
Call 800-713-2880 for info on used fitness equipment dealers.
SportSmith
Geoff Wattoff
>I apologize for jumping into this conversation without seeing the
>original post, but I would also recommend looking at the Bodyguard
>Quantum. It is very quiet, a little less expensive and I find a lot
>smoother than the Stairmaster. I have also been much more satisfied with
>the service received from Bodyguard as compared with others.
>BRAD SCHUPP (bsc...@ix.netcom.com) wrote:
>: Consider the tectrix climber and the StairMaster 4000PT. The StairMaster