Many people choose running or cycling for cardio, but the best ellipticals can provide an equally challenging workout. In fact, elliptical workouts provide more of a full-body training experience since you use both your arms and your legs to power the machine.
One of the latest ellipticals we tested is the Echelon Ellipse EL-8s. There are many things we liked about it, but there are also a few drawbacks worth mentioning. In this Echelon Ellipse EL-8s review, we’ll help you decide whether this elliptical is worth adding to your home gym.
Gliding Our Way Through Hundreds of Elliptical Workouts
Here at GGR, we live and breathe fitness. Our team includes certified personal trainers, certified nutrition coaches, CrossFitters, and home gym owners. We even have an Olympian on our staff. We know the industry inside and out and use that knowledge to bring you unbiased reviews.
The products we test aren’t just limited to fitness equipment—we’re also experts in reviewing protein powders, training shoes, cold plunge tubs, and more.
When testing ellipticals specifically, we order and assemble the machines ourselves and put them through several workouts. We then use our fitness equipment testing methodology to rate them on a scale of 1 to 5 in various categories, including:
- Footprint and portability
- Durability
- Customizations and ergonomics
- Technology benefits and conveniences
- Customer experience
- Assembly
Echelon Ellipse EL-8s
Echelon Ellipse EL-8s
Product Highlights
- 22-inch touchscreen monitor
- Color-changing LED lights on the flywheel
- Extended 5-year warranty coverage for Premium Members
- Front roller wheels and a handlebar on the back for portability
- Moving and fixed handlebars
- Adjustable foot pedals that accommodate up to a 20″ stride
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Classes through the Echelon Premier membership are led by high-quality instructors
- Includes conveniences like a water bottle holder, a device holder, and built-in speakers
- LED lights add a fun touch to your workouts
- High 325-pound weight capacity
- Large, 22-inch touchscreen monitor
Cons
- Large footprint
- Monitor can be wobbly
- Warranty coverage isn't as great as other brands
- Heavy and difficult to move
Bottom Line
The Echelon Ellipse EL-8s is a solidly built elliptical with a sleek design and a modern, 22-inch touchscreen monitor. It has a large footprint, though, so you'll need adequate space for it in your home gym.
A Quick Look at the Echelon Ellipse EL-8s
Echelon is known for its cardio equipment, including treadmills, exercise bikes, rowers, and stair climbers. The brand currently sells two elliptical machines: the Ellipse EL-8s and the Ellipse EL-5.
The two ellipticals are similar in several ways. They’re both designed and engineered in the USA, have the same dimensions (81″ L x 27″ W x 66.5″ H), and offer 15 levels of incline and 32 levels of magnetic resistance. However, while the Ellipse EL-5 comes with a simple LCD display, the Ellipse EL-8s comes with a 22-inch class HD touchscreen through which you can stream live and on-demand classes.
This heavy-duty, light commercial elliptical also boasts a 325-pound user weight capacity. It comes with several features you’d expect to find on the best cardio machines, like built-in speakers, a device holder, pulse sensors on the handlebars, and a wireless charging station.
Before You Buy
- Echelon offers financing through Citizens Pay, with payment plans starting at about $42 per month.
- The Ellipse EL-8s is just over 66 inches high, and the 22-inch monitor makes it feel even taller. Double-check the height of your ceilings to ensure the elliptical will fit and that you’ll have plenty of head clearance while on the machine.
- Be prepared to pay around $40 per month for a monthly Premier Membership (or $400 in total for an annual subscription), which you’ll need to get the most out of the machine.
- Echelon doesn’t offer white glove assembly, but the elliptical comes with all the tools you need to assemble it yourself.
Echelon Ellipse EL-8s Video Review
Is the Echelon Ellipse EL-8s Worth It?
At nearly $2,300, the Echelon Ellipse EL-8s is an investment. You’ll also have to pay for an Echelon Premier Membership, which costs around $40 per month for a monthly plan or around $400 per year (equaling about $33.33 per month) for an annual plan.
Our tester, Lindsay Scheele, CPT, enjoyed using the Ellipse EL-8s and admits that while it wouldn’t be her first choice, she would still recommend it. “I don’t think this is a five-star product, but I like the programming, the look and design of it, and how smooth it feels when I use it,” she reports. “It’s not my favorite elliptical, but it’s a decent machine, and if you’re looking for something that looks nice and has some nice features, I say go for it.”
Great for:
- Folks needing an option for low-impact cardio workouts
- Anyone who wants an elliptical with a sleek aesthetic
- Heavier individuals who need an elliptical with a high weight capacity
Not recommended for:
- Individuals with small home gyms
- People who don’t want to pay for virtual classes
- People wanting a budget elliptical
Echelon Ellipse EL-8s Specs
| Footprint | 81″ L x 27″ W x 67″ H |
| Weight | 228 lbs |
| Weight capacity | 325 lbs |
| Display | 22” class HD touchscreen |
| Incline levels | 15 |
| Resistance levels | 32 levels of magnetic resistance |
| Stride length | Up to 20” |
| Warranty | 1 year (5 years for Echelon Premier Members) |
Workout Experience on the Echelon Ellipse EL-8s
Our tester Lindsay Scheele, CPT, was initially impressed with the look of the Echelon Ellipse EL-8s. She especially liked the LED lighting, which adds a nice touch and makes this elliptical stand out from others that are more monochromatic.
The Ellipse EL-8s also performed well during testing. “It feels a lot smoother than other ellipticals I’ve tested, and I think the Echelon programming for the elliptical specifically is great,” Lindsay says. “The classes are a bit short, about 10 to 15 minutes, but the trainers gave clear instructions and did a good job mixing incline and resistance levels, so you get a good balance of high and low intensity.”
However, Lindsay also notes that while the 32 resistance levels are impressive and she felt her legs and glutes working while she used the Ellipse EL-8s, the resistance didn’t feel as challenging as it does on other elliptical machines.
RELATED: Echelon EX-8s Review
Footprint and Portability
The Echelon Ellipse EL-8s is 81 inches long and 27 inches wide. It’s 67 inches high, though Lindsay notes that it feels a lot taller because the 22-inch screen sits high up on the machine.
The elliptical has transport wheels at the front and a handlebar at the back for portability. The product weight is 228 pounds, but when Lindsay measured the actual feel weight, it came out to around 90 pounds. Healthy, in-shape individuals should be able to roll the Echelon Ellipse EL-8s around easily. However, according to Lindsay, anyone who can’t safely deadlift about 100 pounds may struggle to move it.
Due to its large size and heavy weight, we rate the Echelon Ellipse EL-8s 3 out of 5 stars for footprint and portability.
RELATED: Best Compact Elliptical
Durability
Two things we look at when determining an elliptical’s durability are its product weight and its max user weight. Machines that weigh more and/or have higher max weight capacities tend to last longer and feel more stable during use.
The heavy-duty Echelon Ellipse EL-8s weighs 228 pounds and has a 325-pound max user weight capacity, compared to the industry standard of 300 pounds.
The main callout Lindsay has is the screen. You can adjust it to be higher or lower, depending on how tall you are, but it wobbles when the machine is in use. “No matter where I positioned the screen, it did shake a little bit. I wasn’t really worried about the durability or scared that the monitor would fall off, but it makes the screen annoying to look at,” Lindsay says.
Overall, we rate this elliptical 4 out of 5 stars for durability.
Customizations and Ergonomics
When it comes to customizations, the Echelon Ellipse EL-8s earns a 3.5 out of 5. It offers 15 levels of incline, which is decent but not super impressive. We’ve tested several other ellipticals with inclines, like the ProForm Carbon EL and Sole E25, that provide up to 20 incline levels.
The 32 levels of magnetic resistance also left Lindsay underwhelmed. “It’s not the best magnetic resistance I’ve ever experienced, but it’s pretty good. I’ve used other ellipticals where I had them at the highest resistance and could barely get the pedals to move, but the Ellipse EL-8s wasn’t quite as challenging at the top resistance level,” she notes.
This Echelon elliptical has moving handlebars with incline and resistance controls and fixed handlebars with heart rate sensors. The cushioned foot pedals are adjustable, but Lindsay wasn’t a fan of the adjustment mechanism. “Most ellipticals that I’ve tested have a pop pin, but the Echelon elliptical has a knob instead. It doesn’t lock into place very easily, and I’m concerned that it could become loose after some time,” she reports.
On the plus side, the Echelon Ellipse EL-8s allows for a stride length of up to 20 inches. We haven’t seen many ellipticals with stride lengths over 18 inches, so this helps elevate the ergonomics score to a 4 out of 5.
Technology Benefits and Conveniences
We rate the technology benefits and conveniences 3.5 out of 5 stars. Despite looking like a high-end machine, the technology on the Echelon Ellipse EL-8s has some flaws—namely in how difficult it can be to set up for the first time.
“I had a lot of trouble getting the screen to turn on at first. I unplugged it, turned the machine on and off, and tried to see if there was an update that needed to be made. I finally asked someone else at GGR to look at it, and he tried the same things I did, and then it magically started working. I haven’t had any issues since then, but be aware that it may take some time to get this machine up and running,” Lindsay says.
The Echelon programming is one of the standout features of this machine. In addition to elliptical workouts, it offers HIIT, strength, and stretching classes. You do have to pay around $40 per month (or about $400 at once for a yearly plan), but the variety of workouts and the level of instruction you get are pretty solid.
The Echelon Ellipse EL-8s comes with several conveniences, including a device holder and water bottle holder. It has a large 22-inch class HD touchscreen monitor and two built-in speakers, which have good sound quality, according to Lindsay. There’s also a wireless charging station, but it can be finicky.
“I had to take the case off my phone to use the charging station. I thought maybe it was because I don’t have a MagSafe case, but even people at GGR who have iPhones and use MagSafe cases had trouble using the charging station with the cases on their phones,” Lindsay notes.
Echelon Ellipse EL-8s vs NordicTrack AirGlide 14i
NordicTrack AirGlide 14i Elliptical
NordicTrack AirGlide 14i Elliptical
Product Highlights
- Elliptical machine with incline and decline settings
- 14” touchscreen display
- iFIT interactive programming
- Adjustable stride length
- Built-in fan and speakers
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Automatic trainer control with iFIT
- 30-day iFIT trial included
- Large, cushioned pedals
- Bluetooth speakers
- Quiet drive system
Cons
- Expensive price tag
- iFIT trial requires your credit card
- iFIT requires monthly membership fees
Bottom Line
The NordicTrack AirGlide 14i Elliptical offers both incline and decline training, an adjustable stride length, and a 14-inch touchscreen display for iFIT interactive programming. You’ll enjoy the AirGlide if you want to break a sweat with expert instruction and motivation from iFIT trainers and coaches.
NordicTrack frequently tops our lists of the best treadmills, exercise bikes, and other cardio equipment. The AirGlide 14i, one of the brand’s recently upgraded elliptical machines, is similar to the Ellipse EL-8s in that it features heavy-duty construction, offers a huge library of workout classes (available through iFIT for a separate monthly fee), and includes several incline and resistance level options.
However, the touchscreen on the NordicTrack machine is only 14 inches, while the screen on the Echelon elliptical is 22 inches. The AirGlide 14i is a little over 4 inches taller but shorter and narrower than the Ellipse EL-8s. Despite taking up less floor space, the AirGlide 14i is heavier and more difficult to maneuver. It also has a lower weight capacity and a shorter stride length.
When comparing iFIT with Echelon’s programming, though, we think iFIT’s instructors and workout classes offer better quality. We especially like that iFIT has an integration with Google Maps, allowing you to stream workout routines performed from breathtaking locations across the world. Both iFIT and Echelon programming require subscriptions that cost around $40 per month.
RELATED: Echelon vs NordicTrack
If you don’t have a lot of floor space and are looking to save a few hundred bucks, the NordicTrack AirGlide 14i is likely the better choice. If you need a machine with a higher weight capacity or prefer watching your workout classes on a larger screen, the Echelon Ellipse EL-8s may be a better fit.
Learn more in our full NordicTrack AirGlide 14i review.
| Echelon Ellipse EL-8s | NordicTrack AirGlide 14i | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,299.99 | $1,799 |
| Footprint | 81″ L x 27″ W x 67″ H | 69″ L x 25″ W x 71″ H |
| Weight | 228 lbs | 244 lbs in-box weight |
| Weight capacity | 325 lbs | 300 lbs |
| Display | 22” class HD touchscreen | 14” HD touchscreen |
| Incline levels | 15 | 15 (plus the ability to go to a -5% decline) |
| Resistance levels | 32 levels of magnetic resistance | 26 levels of silent magnetic resistance |
| Stride length | Up to 20” | 17.8″-18.5″ auto adjustable stride |
| Warranty | 1 year (5 years for Echelon Premier Members) | 10-year frame warranty, 2-year parts warranty, 1-year labor warranty |
Customer Experience
The Ellipse EL-8s comes with a 1-year warranty. Premium Members receive a 5-year warranty backed by the Echelon Premier Membership Guarantee. Non-members can buy 1-year or 2-year extended warranty coverage for around $60 or $120, respectively.
However, all of these options fall short of industry standards. NordicTrack offers 10-year frame warranties on many of its cardio machines, and brands like Sole and Horizon Fitness include lifetime frame warranties on their ellipticals.
RELATED: Sole E25 Elliptical Review
While Echelon’s warranties are lackluster, its return policy is better than many of its competitors. Other brands may require you to pay a restocking fee or will only accept returns on unopened items. Echelon allows you to request a return within 30 days of the delivery date and will not charge you any fees if the product is in resellable condition. However, you must return the item in its original packaging with all of its tags, the user manual, and the charger.
All in all, we rate Echelon’s customer experience 3 out of 5 stars.
Ordering and Assembling the Echelon Ellipse EL-8s
The Ellipse EL-8s is available on Echelon’s website or Amazon. If you order through the company’s website, you can use Shop Pay, Amazon Pay, PayPal, or Google Pay at checkout. Financing is also available through Citizens Pay. You’ll pay as little as $42 per month if you qualify.
Echelon offers free standard shipping for those who enroll in an annual Premier Membership during checkout. If you opt for the monthly plan instead, expect to pay around $200 for shipping.
Sam Presley, the operations manager at GGR’s testing warehouse, assembled the Ellipse EL-8s. It came with clearly written instructions and photos, plus all the tools you need to put it together.
“It took about two hours to assemble. The majority of the build is easy and simple, but some of the bolts are in positions that make it difficult to spin them into place,” Sam warns.
Other than that, Sam has no major callouts, so we rate the assembly process a 4 out of 5.
Customer Reviews
There are currently four reviews for the Echelon Ellipse EL-8s on the brand’s website, and all but one gave the elliptical a 5-star rating. Customers speak highly of the variety of workouts in the Echelon library and feel the machine offers good value for money. The customer who left a lower rating notes that the elliptical takes up a lot of space and the video quality isn’t very crisp, but still gave it 4 stars.
As of this writing, the Echelon Ellipse EL-8s doesn’t have any reviews on Amazon.
Final Verdict of Our Echelon Ellipse EL-8s Review
The Ellipse EL-8s is a great way to get started with the Echelon fitness community. Some of its features are lackluster compared to its competitors, but it’s solidly built, has a nice aesthetic, and comes with excellent programming. If you’re willing to spend a bit more on a high-quality elliptical, this is a great choice.
Here are a few more things to keep in mind before you buy:
- Set aside around two hours to assemble this elliptical.
- Budget extra money for Echelon’s Premium Membership. It costs about $40 per month for a monthly plan or around $400 per year (roughly $33 per month) for an annual plan.
- If you know you’ll need to move the elliptical around a lot, make sure you can safely deadlift about 100 pounds.
Full Rating
Echelon Ellipse EL-8s
The Echelon Ellipse EL-8s is a solid elliptical with great programming, but you’ll need the budget and adequate space for it.
Product Brand: Echelon
Product Currency: USD
Product Price: 2299.99
Product In-Stock: InStock
3.7
Echelon Ellipse EL-8s: FAQs
Does the Echelon Ellipse EL-8s work without a subscription?
The Ellipse EL-8s requires a subscription to access Echelon’s full workout library. You won’t be able to do much with the touchscreen if you don’t pay for the Echelon Premier Membership.
Is the Echelon Ellipse EL-8s good for weight loss?
Ellipticals like the Echelon Ellipse EL-8s are good cardio machines for weight loss because they can help you increase your calorie expenditure. However, nutrition should be your No. 1 priority if you want to shed a few pounds. You’ll need to be in a caloric deficit to lose weight.
Is the Echelon Ellipse EL-8s good for beginners?
Ellipticals, in general, are good for beginners because they offer low-impact cardio workouts that are easy on the joints. If you’re just starting your health and wellness journey, the Echelon Ellipse EL-8s is a good choice. Not only does it allow you to exercise safely, but it also offers a vast library of live and on-demand classes. The instructors will guide you through each workout if you’re not sure where to start.
