The Body-Solid E100 Endurance Center Drive Elliptical Trainer is a premium full-body cardio machine designed for home users who want robust fitness equipment without sacrificing an enormous amount of floor space.
It combines 16 levels of magnetic resistance, low-impact upper and lower-body movement, a compact center-drive design and a straightforward LED console in a machine measuring just 48″ long × 30″ wide.
As a female Personal Trainer and Health Coach who has worked with women for more than 20 years, I prefer cardio equipment that is reliable and durable, comfortable and easy to use, and is equipped with the essential features needed to get the most from your workouts.
In this Body-Solid E100 elliptical review, I’ll look at the features I think matter, the advantages and limitations, and whether I think it is worth buying.
Body-Solid E100 Elliptical at a Glance
The Body-Solid E100 home elliptical features:
- 16 levels of magnetic resistance
- Full-body upper and lower-body movement
- LED display
- Time tracking
- Distance tracking
- Speed display
- Calories burned
- Heart-rate display
- Integrated heart rate handles
- Easy step-up height
- 275 lb user capacity
- 182 lb machine weight
- Dimensions of 48″ L × 30″ W × 66″ H
What I Like About the E100 At-Home Elliptical
16 Resistance Levels Give You Plenty of Variety
The Body-Solid E100 delivers 16 levels of magnetic resistance, which is far more than most standard home ellipticals. What I like about this is that it appeals to a wide range of fitness levels and adds workout versatility, while always giving you room to progress.
With 16 resistance levels, you can start light and then gradually increase the workload as your fitness improves. You can also use the different resistance settings to vary workouts rather than repeating exactly the same session every time.
It Gives You Full-Body Cardio
Body-Solid designed the E100 to engage both the upper and lower body. That makes it different from other cardio machines, where most of the active work comes from the legs. You can actively push and pull through the moving handles while continuing the elliptical movement with the lower body. And you can vary your workouts by placing more emphasis on the upper or lower extremities.
The Footprint Is Impressively Compact
Given the robust quality of this machine, it boasts a very compact footprint, which is ideal for a room at home. It measures 48″ L × 30″ W × 66″ H. This makes it much easier to fit into a home gym, spare room or other dedicated exercise area than some extremely long elliptical machines.
It Has an Easy Step-Up Height
The E100’s easy step-up height is a simple feature, but one that many women can appreciate. Fitness equipment should feel easy to approach and use. You should not need to awkwardly climb onto the machine before every workout.
The Console Gives You the Information You Actually Need
The informative LED display tracks:
- Time
- Distance
- Speed
- Calories
- Heart rate
I don’t think every piece of home fitness equipment needs an enormous touchscreen. What I want from the machine is clear workout information, and the E100 elliptical provides that.
The 275 lb Capacity Is Substantial
The Body-Solid E100 endurance elliptical has a maximum user weight of 275 lbs. The machine itself weighs approximately 182 lbs. So while the footprint is compact, this is not a lightweight, flimsy elliptical. It is a substantial piece of cardio equipment intended for regular home use.
It’s a Low-Impact Cardio Option
Body-Solid’s E100 provides a low-impact cardio workout. Your feet remain supported on the pedals throughout the movement. And your hands grip sturdy handles. That makes it a useful alternative for someone who enjoys challenging cardio, but doesn’t necessarily want all of her workouts to involve running.
The Warranty Is Strong
Body-Solid backs the E100 for residential use with:
Frame & Welds — Lifetime
Parts — 5 Years
Electronics — 2 Years
Wear Parts — 6 Months
Labor — 1 Year
That is one of the reasons the E100 ranks as a more premium home elliptical – and this solid warranty reflects that. You can buy with confidence and peace-of-mind.
SHOP THE BODY-SOLID E100 ELLIPTICAL
Body-Solid E100 Elliptical: Pros and Cons
What I Like
✓ 16 resistance levels
Gives you plenty of room for workout variety and fitness progression.
✓ Full-body movement
Engages both upper and lower body.
✓ Compact footprint
Only 48 inches long, making it ideal for home use.
✓ Easy step-up height
Makes getting onto the machine straightforward.
✓ Simple LED console
Tracks the essential workout information you actually need.
✓ 275 lb user capacity
Substantial residential capacity.
✓ Strong warranty
Especially important on cardio equipment with moving and electronic components.
Things to Consider
✗ It doesn’t fold
This is a compact elliptical, but it is still designed to remain assembled.
✗ It weighs 182 lb
You should treat it as a fairly permanent part of your home workout area.
✗ It costs more than an entry-level elliptical
You’re paying for a more substantial machine and a larger resistance range.
✗ It doesn’t have a giant entertainment screen
If that’s important to you, this may not be your preferred machine.
E100 Elliptical vs Alternative Cardio
This really comes down to movement preference. Choose a treadmill if you specifically enjoy walking or running, and a bike or stepper if you prefer a lower body focus. Choose an elliptical if you prefer a continuous supported motion and like the option of actively involving both the upper and lower body.
Is the Body-Solid E100 Elliptical Good for Women Over 40 or 50?
Yes. The home E100 center drive endurance elliptical can be used across a wide range of ages and fitness levels because it is low impact, and you control the resistance.
You don’t need to start at a high intensity. Start with a comfortable setting and gradually increase the challenge as your fitness improves. Additionally, its easy-access low step makes this machine less daunting to use and appealing to older adults.
Is the E100 Good for Beginners?
Yes. The resistance can be adjusted across 16 levels, so beginners can start at a lower setting. The simple console also makes the machine fairly straightforward to use. And the fixed arms and pedals guide your form so you can feel more confident about exercising.
Can the E100 Give You a Challenging Workout?
Absolutely. “Low impact” should not be confused with “low intensity.” Increasing resistance can make an elliptical workout considerably harder without turning it into a high-impact activity.
You can also change:
- Duration
- Resistance
- Pace
- Interval structure
to create different levels of challenge.
Who I Think the E100 Is Best For
I think the E100 makes most sense for someone who:
- Wants regular cardio at home
- Wants upper and lower-body involvement
- Wants a low-impact cardio option
- Wants a variety of resistance levels
- Has limited floor space
- Wants a substantial machine
- Values a simple console
- Plans to exercise consistently
Who Probably Shouldn’t Buy It?
I would choose another cardio machine if you:
- Prefer high impact activity
- Need something that folds away
- Want a very lightweight machine
- Only expect to use it occasionally
- Want the least expensive option available
Is the Body-Solid E100 Worth Buying?
Yes. The E100 endurance elliptical is ideal for someone who wants a substantial long-term machine for home. The E100 gets the important things right:
16 resistance levels + full-body movement + compact footprint + easy step-up height + useful workout tracking + strong warranty.
It is not loaded with unnecessary gimmicks. Instead, it focuses on giving you a solid cardio machine that can continue challenging you as your fitness develops. If your budget allows it and you expect to use an elliptical regularly, the E100 would be my premium choice.
Shop the Body-Solid E100 Elliptical
The Body-Solid E100 Endurance Center Drive Elliptical Trainer is available from Tenacity Fitness, with free U.S. shipping (excluding Alaska and Hawaii.)
✓ 16 Levels of Magnetic Resistance
✓ Full-Body Cardio
✓ Compact Center-Drive Design
✓ Easy Step-Up Height
✓ 275 lb User Capacity
✓ Strong In-Home Warranty
✓ Free U.S. Shipping
Frequently Asked Questions
How many resistance levels does the Body-Solid E100 have?
The E100 has 16 levels of magnetic resistance.
What are the dimensions of the E100 home elliptical?
It measures approximately 48″ L × 30″ W × 66″ H.
How much does the E100 Home Elliptical weigh?
Approximately 182 lbs.
What is the maximum user weight?
The E100 supports users up to 275 lbs.
What does the console display?
The LED console shows time, distance, speed, calories and heart rate.
Is the Body-Solid E100 low impact?
Yes. The Body-Solid E100 elliptical delivers a full-body low-impact cardio workout.
Does the E100 fold?
No. But it is already relatively compact at 48 inches long.