AFG Sport 5.5AE Elliptical Review

Quick Summary

Are you a beginner trainee on a budget looking to kickstart a regular training routine at home? Then check out the AFG Sport 5.5AE elliptical. This entry-level machine is a good quality elliptical that offers a decent value for beginners. AFG is known for its quality construction, and this elliptical is backed by a lifetime frame warranty. While some of its performance features are subpar, its biggest selling point is the variety of built-in workout programs and levels, which you won’t find in most budget ellipticals.

Specifications

Model	AFG Sport 5.5AE
Rating Our custom rating considers all of the elliptical's features, specs, warranties, and 100's of user & expert reviews, to save you time!	83.3%
List Price Suggested retail price, typically higher than the price you'll pay with our recommended retailers.	$999.99
Best Price Since prices change daily, this link goes to our preferred retailer for the best price we've found.	$999.99
Resistance Resistance is what determines calories burned per stride. The more levels, the more precisely you can control the difficulty.	10 Levels
Resistance Type The type of resistance affects the performance of your elliptical. Magnetic and Eddy-Current are the most common types.	Magnetic
Stride Length Stride Length is important for comfort and smooth strides. A stride length of 18-21 inches is ideal for most heights (5'3 - 6'7).	18 inches
Pedals Elliptical pedals can be cushioned and adjustable for maximum comfort and minimum impact on joints for injury prevention.	Oversized footpads
Incline Some elliptical trainers can be set at an incline to increase difficulty and burn more calories.	no
Flywheel The flywheel controls the smoothness and resistance of your workout. In general, the higher the better.	14.3 lbs
Programs Elliptical Programs allow you to complete a workout with changing speeds and inclines, without changing anything manually.	43
User Profiles For each profile the elliptical allows, you can create a custom user account with saved programs and goal settings.	1
Heart Rate Heart Rate programs allow you to track how many times your heart is beating per minute (bpm), and some control the workout for you.	Pulse Grips
Display Elliptical Display refers to the screen you'll look at to monitor workouts. LED and LCD displays are similar to TV screens.	LCD Screen
Max. Weight Max User Weight is the amount of weight, in pounds (lbs), that it can safely support, which can represent durability.	275 lbs
Dimensions Dimensions are included to help you figure out if this elliptical will fit properly (Length x Width x Height and Height x Depth).	74” x 24” x 66”
Upper Body Most ellipticals have handles to hold while you're working out that provide an upper body workout.
Accessory Tray Some ellipticals include an accessory tray for holding items such as water bottles, wallets, keys, or MP3 players like iPods.
Speakers Ellipticals that include a sound system allow you to listen to your MP3 player/iPod through built-in speakers (without headphones).
Cooling Fans Cooling Fans are designed to help keep you cool during an intense workout on your elliptical.
Folding? Some ellipticals are designed to conserve space by folding up. This is a convenient option, but some features might be reduced.
Quick Controls Quick Controls allow you to select speed, incline and even workout programs with the touch of a button (usually on the handles).
Warranty The warranty is an important part of your investment. The longer the warranty, the longer you can get free/discounted repairs.	Frame: Lifetime Parts: 1 year Frame: 3 year

Our Rating

Rating: 83.3/100. The AFG Sport 5.5AE Elliptical (priced under $1,000) is an entry-level cardio trainer best-suited for beginners looking to start a regular workout routine at home. This treadmill is made by a reputable company and features sturdy construction, backed by a lifetime frame warranty. Pair that with a budget-friendly price tag, and the AFG Sport 5.5AE Elliptical is a real contender in its category.

One of our favorite features is the huge variety of workout programs and levels you can choose from. However, for intermediate to advanced users, this elliptical’s performance features may be a disappointment. The flywheel is relatively light, and it offers limited resistance and no incline options. These could be deal breakers if you’re looking for a more intense training experience.

Next are lists of pros and cons about this treadmill deal.

Pros:

Varied resistance
Cushioned handlebars (stationary and mobile)
43 built-in workout programs and levels
Multiple user profiles
Oversized footpads
3 displays for scanning performance data
Quick touch keys
Sturdy construction
Has contact heart rate sensors
Shelf for mobile device
Integrated sound system
Cooling fan
Water bottle holder
Lifetime warranty on frame

Cons:

Stride is fixed at 18”, which may be too short for some
Flywheel is relatively light
No incline options
Limited resistance levels (only 10)
Basic console
Does not offer a USB charging port
No wireless heart rate monitoring

Workout Programs

The AFG Sport 5.5AE includes five basic pre-programmed workouts: Manual, Intervals, Weight Loss, Distance, and Calories. However, each of these programs offers multiple levels – such as different intensities depending on your goals. With this added customization, you actually get 43 different ways to spice up your training – you won’t find that much variety on many entry-level machines!

You can also adjust this elliptical’s performance settings manually. With 10 resistance settings, you can choose your challenge level to get a more of a strength-based training session. Whether you’re focusing on endurance, calorie burn, or toning, this elliptical can help you reach your goals.

AFG Sport 5.5AE Features

The AFG Sport 5.5AE has a relatively light 14.3 pound flywheel. This means it doesn’t have the smoothest or quietest operation when compared to most ellipticals on the market.

While it does not offer any incline options, it does have 10 levels of resistance to vary your training and intensity.

The AFG Sport 5.5AE also boasts quality construction and is a sturdy elliptical, backed by a lifetime warranty on the frame.

With a 3-part LCD display, you can track and scan your workout statistics, such as distance, time, calories, heart rate, and speed. You also have the ability to save multiple user profiles, making this elliptical a great way for the whole family to get fit.

Heart rate can be read with grip sensors. The grip method involves touching sensors on a handlebar; a reading shows after about 15 seconds of constant contact.

The AFG Sport 5.5 AE has a stride length fixed at 18-inches. The industry standard is typically considered 20-inches, so this stride length may be too short for taller users.

The console features a small media shelf, as well as an integrated sound system. The two built-in speakers produce quality sound that’s far better than the average smartphone or tablet. There is also a headphone plug-in if your neighbors or family aren’t big fans of your tunes.

Warranty & Guarantee

The AFG Sport 5.5AE Elliptical warranty includes:

– Frame: Lifetime

– Parts: 1 year

– Labor: 1 year

Conclusion

For beginners, the AFG Sport 5.5 AE elliptical boasts plenty of value to kickstart your workout routine in the comfort of your home. And it has far more workout programs and variety than most budget models. However, for more advanced fitness buffs looking for a tough, challenging workout, this isn’t the elliptical for you. For users that can stretch their budgets just a bit, check out our top-rated, entry-level Sole Fitness or NordicTrack ellipticals instead.