Gold's Gym Stridetrainer 380 Elliptical Trainer Review

Not Worth the Money

If you are considering purchasing the Gold’s Gym Stridetrainer 380 Elliptical Trainer, I commend you for taking a positive step towards getting in shape, and probably losing weight. Having the convenience of a crosstrainer in your home makes it easier to exercise on your schedule.

Elliptical trainers offer a number of benefits. They provide a low impact workout that minimizes the strain and stress to your joints. Crosstrainers also allow you to exercise both your upper and lower body. You can workout numerous muscle groups simultaneously. Not unlike swimming. However, use caution when considering purchasing a budget exercise machine.

Note: Also check out ProForm Elliptical Trainers, which are built by the same company. They have more of a selection and the quality is better.  The Gold’s Gym Stride Trainer 380 is available for sale on www.Amazon.com.

Four Reasons Why You Don’t Want the Gold’s Gym Stridetrainer 380 Elliptical Trainer

1. 14″ Stride Length — A 14″ stride is very restraining. It may work for someone under 5′, but otherwise the user is going to get a very choppy elliptical stride. In fact, it will be more like an oval than elliptical motion. I’m 5’8″ and I prefer a 20″ stride. I am also very comfortable on ellipticals with a 21″ stride. Below 18″ and it feels like I am bouncing up and down.
2. Light Weight Unit — They do not provide the weight of the Gold’s Gym Stridetrainer 380 Elliptical Trainer, but with a shipping weight of 109 lbs. it is safe to say it weighs under 100 lbs. That is not very heavy for a machine that needs to stabilize the weight of the user that is both utilizing a lower and upper body motion. They rate the user weight limit at 250 lbs. It is ludicrous to think that the Stridetrainer is going to be stable with a user that weighs more than double the machine. My recommendation is to purchase a machine that is not much less than the weight of the user.
3. Cheap Components — At under $300 with shipping, the Gold’s Gym Stridetrainer 380 Elliptical Trainer ranks in the low end of budget crosstrainers. When you factor a profit and shipping costs there is not much left for components and engineering. You end up with a machine that provides a substandard workout. In particular the Gold’s Gym Stridetrainer 380 lacks the smooth natural elliptical motion you get from machines with heavier flywheels.
4. Short Warranty Coverage — For me, the 90-day parts and labor warranty say it all. It reflects the confidence the company has in the durability of the machine. If it breaks after 90 days you may as well throw it away.

Our Review — Gold’s Gym Stridetrainer 380 Elliptical Trainer

The primary reason you may want to consider the Gold’s Gym Stridetrainer 380 Elliptical Trainer is the price. You are not committing considering money, particularly if you decide you would rather use the Stridetrainer 380 as a clothes hanger rather than an exercise machine. However, the lack of quality can be a deterrent to using it on a regular basis. Especially if you are use to the quality machines found at your local health club.

I will say there are a number of positive customer reviews, but when you get in this price range you increase the chances of incurring service issues. My recommendation is to try the Stridetrainer 380 out first. Don’t make this an impulse buy. Compare it with other machines that cost more and see if it will suite your needs. You want an elliptical that you’ll actually use and will not be inoperable because of mechanical problems.

Shop now at www.Amazon.com.