Customer Reviews

Ironman Achiever Elliptical Trainer

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I purchased my ironman Adventure eliptical at a good price from [...]. Delivery and construction of the unit went smooth. However, when I went to testing it out, I quickly encountered a problem. Part of initializing this eliptical to work requires entering the year, month, day, and time. This is supposed to be done once, and the data is supposed to be maintained until the unit is unplugged. However, I would enter the data, and a few minutes later (without unplugging the unit) it would ask me to AGAIN enter the year, month, day and time. The data was not being stored. This data, along with the room temperature and some other things, are supposed to be displayed when the unit is in sleep mode, which is entered when the unit is unused for 5 minutes. However, my unit does not display anything in sleep mode, only a blank screen. I called Keys fitness (the manufacturer of ironman) help line. I was told (after some checking) that I apparently had one of the latest Adventure Elipticals. The older ones worked as stated in the owners manual. However, a screw-up was made during a software update such that the neweat Adventure Elipticals no longer works as stated in the owners manual. Rather than correct the problem, by updating the Software again to fix the bug they themselves introduced, I was told that they planned to issue a new owners manual stating that the way the machine works with the buggy software is now the "normal" operating mode. I see on some other web sites a new ironman elliptical called the Achiever. This looks exactly like the Adventure, with similar specs, but I think that it has the correct software mine should have. It's been about a month now and I'm still waiting for the new owners manual with the proper description of how my unit should work, including which features I've lost because of their error. I am totally disappointed in the way a large company like this treats quality issues with their products. My advice is if your considering an Ironman product or any other product by Keys Fitness Co, you particularly need to practice "buyer beware".

Other than the above issue, the unit is quite solid and I have no problems with using it to exercise and do get a good workout. The unit is quiet but not silent. I too (like another reviewer) get a click on the right side which is most noticable when working out fast with no magnetic resistance.

Update: (7/28/09)

To their credit, Keys fitness did eventually make the problems I described above right. I think it helped to keep calling them. The problems with the console not retaining data turned out to be a defective console. They never did send me the "revised" instruction manual. After I called several times to inquire about the manual, they had me send in the original console and sent me a new one, which worked. I was still bugged by the clicking noise on the right side though. I kept calling and eventually got a tech who could hear the noise as I exercised with him on the speaker phone. He had a professional service tech in our area come out and go through everything. Part of the problem was that I did not tighten some bolts enough during installation. Another problem was that one side of the unit did not have any grease and needed greasing. Ever since then the unit works liked I expected it to originally.

This elliptical is fantastic! It's very smooth and very quiet. The machine was easy to assemble. It's almost gym quality... great programs and wireless heart rate monitor -- just missing the incline!

We purchased this product from Costco over a year ago. It works smoothly as an elliptical. The heart monitor strap will not work even after the company replacing the console and sending a new strap unit. The transformer receiver plug on the main unit broke. I fixed it although I had to jury-rig the cheap plastic design to do so. If you want an accurate heart monitor don't buy this elliptical. I would not purchase it again. FYI-it is a very heavy piece and moving it is not easy after assembly.

The Ironman Achiever was a great buy. The quality is comparable to what you would find at a gym. My husband put the machine together in about 1 hour. It is very solid, sturdy and stable. The stride is perfect and plenty of options for your own level of fitness.