True ES700 Elliptical Review

With self-adjusting stride and other premium features, the ES700 Elliptical is True’s most advanced elliptical for home use. Other elliptical trainers might have too-short or too-long stride paths, but the ES700 auto-adjusts to let any user move naturally and with very low impact on sensitive joints and tendons. A bonus is that with stride settings from 16” to 27”, the ES700 lets you diversify your lower-body workouts and give specific muscle groups more attention. The upper-body training is premium too: Moving handlebars on the ES700 can be comfortably gripped in more than one position, so you can target-tone muscles in your arms, chest, back or core. You also have the choice of using the moving arm bars in isolation or combining them with the elliptical pedals for a total-body workout.

The True ES700 retails for $4199 or $4799 depending on your choice of console. It’s priced higher than most other home use ellipticals, but it also carries a seven-year warranty on the parts and electronics. (The parts/electronics warranty standard in lower price classes is one to five years.) The two compatible consoles are named “Emerge” and “Transcend.” Each supports wireless heart rate monitoring and offers above-average program variety. The Transcend console is more advanced; it’s the only option with a touchscreen, Bluetooth connectivity for stats tracking with mobile apps, and Bluetooth for audio entertainment. The Transcend also has a more extensive program menu with 22 preset workouts instead of 12, although True’s unique Cardio 360 program (which acts as a virtual personal trainer) is included on both options. Whichever console you choose, the ES700 Elliptical can guide you through pro-quality exercise for weight management, cardio endurance, interval training, strength training and lean muscle definition.

True ES700 Elliptical - Notable Specs:

Overall Rating:	4-stars
Compact / Folding:	Yes
Incline:	None
Stride Length:	16" - 27"
Flywheel:	N/A
Programs:	12 or 22
Fan:	None
Weight Capacity:	350
Dimensions:	49" L x 32.5" W x N/A" H

Our Favorite Features

• Commercial-grade components and a seven-year parts/electronics warranty
• Auto-adjustable stride with range from 16 to 27 inches in ½” increments; can fit any trainee’s natural gait and also allows variation for targeted muscle sculpting
• Multi-grip moving arm bars can be used for varied exercises with or without the foot pedals
• Center drive design helps conserve space and promotes easy balance compared with cheaper front-drive models; the ES700’s footprint is compact at just 49” long and less than three feet wide
• Welded steel frame with lifetime guarantee and 350-pound user weight capacity
• Pedals have orthopedic inserts for especially gentle cross training
• Pedals have an ergonomic Q-factor; they’re placed just 2” apart to support comfortable motion in your hips
• Built-in training guidance from 12 or 22 workout programs, depending on choice of console
• Heart rate “Cruise Control” and wireless heart rate receiver
• Optional Bluetooth connectivity for wireless audio and syncing your workout data with mobile apps
• Six user profiles supported on the Transcend console
• Each console has an integrated media shelf for a magazine or mobile device
• Water bottle holder and accessory tray are within easy reach
• Handrails add to your safety and are high quality to resist moisture

Our Least Favorite Features

• Price is high even for a high-end residential elliptical
• Does not have a fan to help keep you cool
• The Emerge console lacks Bluetooth and the convenience of a touchscreen
• Labor warranty is for just one year; at least two years seems more appropriate for the machine’s MSRP

The Bottom Line

The True ES700 Elliptical performs like a health club model and is sized to fit virtually anyone. It’s exceptional not only for its commercial grade construction, but also for its many stride settings from 16 to 27 inches and its premium moving handlebars that can be worked alone or with whole-body conditioning. All in all the ES700 is pricey but ready to support a whole household’s cross training for many years.