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79 of 79 found the following review helpful:
 A solidly built, joint friendly, inexpensive cardio solution. Sep 19, 2009
By DHGroove
"dhg"
I have had the Gazelle Freestyle for 5 years now, and its still chuggin' along just fine. When I first started using this machine, I was 24 and in the worst shape of my life at 315lbs (6'1"). I needed something that was easy on the joints, as well as something that was built well enough to support my weight. The Gazelle did both.
While putting it together, I made sure to WD40 the areas that could squeek, and mine has operated silently since. Never did I have any sense of it breaking under my weight.
Getting my heart rate up with this thing was easy, and the thumb sensor was a nice touch. However, after dropping my first 40-50 lbs, I decided to get a real heart rate monitor to use for High Intensity Interval Training. Since then the onboard display has stopped working due to the battery dying (which can be replaced), but I have no need for it now. I know a lot of people here are saying that this doesn't have enough resistance and that they can't get a good cardio workout. This is simply not true, if you know how to use it. I hardly used the DVDs that came with mine, but here are a couple tips to maxing out your Heart Rate and getting a good cardio workout on this.
1. Use full motion strides to the point where your legs almost hit the front bar. Make sure to rotate your hips inorder to engage your abs for this.
2. Lean Back and use your arms to pull your legs up towards the front. This will give your back and biceps a good workout.
3. Lean Forward and use your arms to push you legs back as far as they can go. Your chest and triceps will be definitely feel it after 15-30 secs.
In short, I used this machine along with a simple weight bench (for muscle training)to go from 315 to 185 in 9 months. I also used the Body-For-Life nutritional and exercise plan for the last 4 months. Now I was pretty hardcore, but I want people to know that this machine makes that possible if you go for it. For those still skeptical about getting a good cardio workout, I can still get my heart rate up to 195 on this thing, and I consider myself to be in very good shape (resting heart rate of 45-50).
So in short:
Pros:
1. Solid Build Quality. I used at 315lbs with no problems. Use WD40 on squeek-prone areas.
2. Inexpensive. I grabbed one for $150, and it has lasted me 5 years.
3. Stores upright against a wall or under a bed.
4. Provides a great cardio workout provided you know how to use the machine correctly.
5. Also can work Abs/Back/Bis/Tris/Chest when shifting weight from back to front and vice versa.
Cons:
1. Heart Rate Monitor is very basic, and sometimes gave strange readings. The "thumb pulse" area of the handlebar can get a little slippery with heavy perspiration.
2. Can be a little awkward to operate at first. I would use in front of a mirror so you can see what you are doing at first.
101 of 104 found the following review helpful:
pretty satified Jan 07, 2007
By Jenifer
When I bought this product it was because I wanted a way to work out at home but i did not have enough money to buy an expensive tredmill or eliptical and thought this was a cheaper alternative. I was worried because I read a lot of online reviews that stated it was very hard to put together but I did not find that was the case I just dont think people realize it takes between 30 and 45 miniutes to assemble but the directions were easy to understand and I got it together with out any major problems.
I have also read reveiws that states that the machine is very squeeky which it is at times for me but if you just spray some DW 40 on it a little that seems to solve the problem.
I orginally wanted to use the machine while watching TV but I usually dont feel like I am getting much of a workout. My machine came with DVD's (I bought mine from HSN) and when I follow along with those I feel like I get a much better workout. Its good to watch them to at least see all of the diffrent execrcises you can do with this product.
The machine does fold up but it is not something that should be considered very portable. I thought I would be able to keep it in a closet and take it out every day but it is just to hard.
I am happy I bought this product it is easy to do and it very low impact. I would recommed it to others.
79 of 85 found the following review helpful:
The gazelle is everything you need! Feb 18, 2007
By L. Hass
Just 3 weeks ago, I came here looking at reviews for the Tony Little's Gazelle Freestyle, and read mixed reviews. However, most were encouraging, and I thought it sounded like the thing for me. I have now used the gazelle for less than 2 weeks, and have already seen results!
This is no lie -- I lost 2 inches in the waist, 2 in the hips, 2 in the abdomin, and 2 in the thighs. I'm just as freaked as you may be, but I'm telling you, this is the honest truth!
I was discouraged that I had not been seeing any results on the scales lately, and needed to change things up, so I'd see something move again. This gazelle did it for me. At this time, I'm only up to 30 minutes a day, and 1-3/4 miles... I'm still a work in progress. But these results are no lie. Just think how much results I'll see when I can stay on longer! They advertise it as a low impact overall machine, and it truly is. I have Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Fibromyalgia, so I was looking for something I could do that wouldn't hurt me. I can honestly say I get a full workout on this machine... oh, I forgot to mention, also 1 inch in the arms. So, that's a total of 9 inches in 2 weeks.
This is the best machine I've ever used, (we also have an exercise bike, and ab lounge, which I've not used in the last 2 weeks at all, cause I was getting such a good workout on the gazelle) and I'm so happy I found it. And I thank you people, users of Amazon.com, for coming here and posting your reviews, and making it easy on me to know which machine to buy. Mine is the exact picture above, and folds up. I also love that feature. It's not a problem to just fold it up and lean it against the wall beside my bed after each use. Therefore, I've still got lots of walking space beside my bed.
46 of 49 found the following review helpful:
It's GREAT! Just make sure you've researched it enough to know what to expect! May 06, 2006
By M.D. Edwards
"Avid Aesthete"
I actually ordered mine from JC Penney, since I got a GREAT price on it by way of an advertising error on their part... Either way, I only got it last night, and didn't find it too difficult to assemble just going by the sheet instructions. It IS quite heavy weight in construction, which I definitely count as a plus.
The one thing that I can see that, so far, hasn't been mentioned in the reviews is, if you're on the heavier side (I'm 210 lbs at 5'5" tall, the heaviest I've EVER been - ick!!!), and wide through the hips, it doesn't SEEM particularly roomy when you're on the machine. I DID have a great time exercising on it last night after assembling it, though!
If you love elliptical machines, as I do (they were my only motivation for going to the gym, and every time I went, I had to wait at least 20 minutes to get on one, so I cancelled my membership... Now I've got my own, dagnabbit! ;) ), you should really like this machine.
I don't know if they're as squeaky over time as the other reviews state, but I'd assume that they are. Also, I live in a single bedroom apartment, and don't have a lot of room left over to leave this standing up. The main problem? I'd planned on sliding it under my futon when I'm not using it, but everything but the handles will fit - the handles just sit too high up to fit underneath it. It IS a heavy piece, as I said before, so a bit unwieldy, but the wheels on both the bottom of the rear frame, and the foot pedal pieces, help for maneuvering it.
If you're not big on exercise, as I am not unless it's fun for me, but love cross trainer and elliptical machines, then I'd suggest you get this, if it's not more money than you want to spend. It does take a little initial exercise to figure out your rhythm, but once you get going, it's GREAT! I woke up this morning eager to get back on it and go, and I haven't felt that way about exercise in YEARS, if ever!
59 of 65 found the following review helpful:
A review that answers other reviews. May 22, 2008
By M.D.C.
"The Franchise"
OK.
So no doubt the title caught your eye and you're curious - what does he mean? I mean some of the reviews here are a little inaccurate, and I intend to respond to some of these comments. But first, let me give my personal thoughts on this machine.
Background: I'm currently in the process of getting my body back into the shape it used to be in during high school. I have a Bowflex which does great for the strength training and muscle development, but regardless of what the commercials say, it's NOT designed to help you lose weight. So I decided to get the Gazelle Freestyle.
First thing I noticed was that the parts are very sturdy and thick, definitely not as cheap as it looks in the pictures. They're hollow piping, so the whole deal is not too heavy; less than 60lbs. There also aren't that many parts to assemble, however I was not happy with the assembly process, for many reasons.
First, the parts had some bolts pre-screwed into final holes which irritated me. It means you have to unscrew, find a place for them, then re-screw them after you connect the parts which, incidentally, might not happen until the end of the assembly. It's just an irritant; I'd rather just have the standard board of bolts and parts that comes with stuff today and let me attach it when it's good and ready.
Second, the instructions aren't clear and the pictures are ambiguous. It makes it extremely difficult to know how things should be laid out - additionally, one of the steps is wrong. It shows a picture of the foot rests upside down, yet if you install it that way, it'll be wrong.
Third is a symptom of the second one above. The steps in the instructions tell you to do things the wrong way - literally, assemble it in the wrong direction. If you do it in reverse, the assembly will go a LOT quicker and you'll realize that it's actually nowhere near as complex as it's made out to be. It's quite simple, really consisting of three steps instead of the 7-8 that the instructions have you believe.
Ok, so now that the bad news is out of the way, onto the actual experience (and my responses to the other reviews).
Squeaks: Haven't noticed any. It makes a tiny noise as moving parts will, but it's nothing deal breaking. If you get some regular grease and add a bit to the axle bar, you won't even notice it. It does come pre-greased, but again, if the squeaking bothers you so much....
Ineffective: Uh, what? I'm in decent shape and I was able to get a decent workout from this thing. I think some of these guys had super-high expectations based on Tony Little jumping around like an idiot. You're not going to start sweating on this thing after a minute of moving, even if you do it rapidly. There's a reason for this, and it's a good reason if you think about it: merely moving doesn't cause you to sweat. Impact causes you to sweat, even if you don't actually come in contact with something. That's why if you were shadow boxing, you'll get a good workout, because you're actually making impacts with the air, sharp hits that actually exert your muscles. This machine doesn't actually exert your muscles beyond normal range of motion, which is why it shouldn't be used for any strength or endurance training. It will, however, give you a good cardio workout after a time. NOT A MINUTE. That said, I did the workout all through a 10-minute WWE match, and by the end of it I was at the beginning stages of sweating, and started to feel a little fatigue; comparable to what you would feel after having walked rapidly for two miles, but with less muscle exertion. I took a break, and got the feeling in my legs where it seemed as though I was still going through the motion.
Heart Monitor: I think this device is not useful. I'm serious. I mean if I were actually running or walking then I would pay attention, but as I mentioned before, there is no true exertion on this device which would really push your heart muscle. To me, a heart monitor is more useful on a treadmill or even an elliptical, not on this. If you use it, great...I didn't even bother installing it, therefore I can't review it.
So, do I recommend it? Yes...as long as you don't have any misconceptions about performance. It's not going to cause you to start sweating after a minute of use. You really need to work it for at least 10 minutes, consistently, changing speed and angle. If you lean forward, you add some resistance and will feel it.
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