Matrix E30 Elliptical Review

Quick Summary

The smooth-running E30 with 20” stride is the most affordable Matrix Fitness elliptical. Built for home use, this center drive trainer is remarkably compact and carries a competitive residential warranty.

Customers get a choice of three appealing consoles described below.

Resistance options make this elliptical best for the intermediate skill level and below, but the E30 can give advanced athletes great cardio workouts too. Pricing starts at $2299.

Learn more from our full Matrix E30 review.

Specifications

Model	Matrix E30
Rating Our custom rating considers all of the elliptical's features, specs, warranties, and 100's of user & expert reviews, to save you time!	87.8%
List Price Suggested retail price, typically higher than the price you'll pay with our recommended retailers.	$3,399
Best Price Since prices change daily, this link goes to our preferred retailer for the best price we've found.	$2,299
Resistance Resistance is what determines calories burned per stride. The more levels, the more precisely you can control the difficulty.	20 Levels
Resistance Type The type of resistance affects the performance of your elliptical. Magnetic and Eddy-Current are the most common types.	Electronically Adjustable
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).	20"
Pedals Elliptical pedals can be cushioned and adjustable for maximum comfort and minimum impact on joints for injury prevention.	Oversized
Incline Some elliptical trainers can be set at an incline to increase difficulty and burn more calories.	n/a
Flywheel The flywheel controls the smoothness and resistance of your workout. In general, the higher the better.	23.1 lbs
Programs Elliptical Programs allow you to complete a workout with changing speeds and inclines, without changing anything manually.	5-13
User Profiles For each profile the elliptical allows, you can create a custom user account with saved programs and goal settings.	n/a
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.	Yes
Display Elliptical Display refers to the screen you'll look at to monitor workouts. LED and LCD displays are similar to TV screens.	XR, XER or XIR
Max. Weight Max User Weight is the amount of weight, in pounds (lbs), that it can safely support, which can represent durability.	325 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).	57.5” x 29.5” x 67.8”
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: 7 Years Labor: 2 Years

Our Rating

Rating: 87.8/100. Well-built and compact, the new Matrix E30 can bring high quality elliptical exercise to homes of all sizes. This fitness machine is less than 3 feet wide yet has an ergonomic 20” stride just like traditional health club ellipticals… But what really stands out is the selection of workouts and special features to help pass the time: Matrix Fitness gives three choices for the console, letting shoppers keep things simple or buy ellipticals decked out with touch screens, integrated video workouts, efficient eight-week training programs, Internet browsers and much more.

Overall the Matrix E30 is one of the better elliptical trainers in its price class. The $2299 base price includes five-year warranties on parts and electronics, two years of labor, and other consumer protections. Here are lists of pros and cons to consider.

Pros:

Compact
20” Stride
23-Pound Flywheel
20 Resistance Levels
Quiet Magnetic Braking
Preset Workouts
Wireless Heart Rate Monitoring
Wireless Data Tracking
Optional Integrated Virtual Active Video
Passport-Ready (Watch Virtual Active on TV)
Optional Speakers
Optional Mobile Apps & Web Browser
Reading Rack
High Capacity (325 pounds)

Cons:

Only One Stride Length
Extra Cost for Passport Media Player
Difficult to Move (284 Pounds)

Introduction

The Matrix E30 is a small and hefty center-drive elliptical machine for home use. Specs include an ergonomic 20” stride, a 23-pound flywheel, and a choice of three attractive workout consoles. The available display screens are a 6” touch screen on the XER console, a 10” touch screen on the XIR, and an 8.5” LCD on the XR. Here are details about the workout consoles and other features of the Matrix E30 elliptical.

Workout Programs

Customization helps Matrix Fitness stand out from other home elliptical brands. The E30 and other Matrix home trainers are compatible with the XR, XER and XIR consoles. As just explained above, these have different types of touch and non-touch display screens. They have different menus for standard elliptical training too: The XR has five programs, the XER has ten, and the XIR has 11. These consoles also support special elliptical workouts:

The Matrix XER and XIR consoles have the Sprint8 exercise app for exercisers at all skill levels. Sprint8 delivers eight-week elliptical exercise programs that are scientifically proven to yield rapid results. Each workout is just 20 minutes long, but time is used extremely efficiently thanks to four minutes of high intensity interval training (HIIT) per session. Some benefits of completing a Sprint8 program include weight loss, an increase in lean muscle mass, and a lower level of “bad” or LDL cholesterol.
Virtual Active video tours are an option with all Matrix elliptical consoles. Virtual Active high definition videos are filmed in favorite tourist destinations around the world, from spectacular trails of New Zealand parks to Rocky Mountain paths and colorful Venetian canals. These special videos are speed interactive; their sights and sounds match the trainee’s exercise intensity. One way to view Virtual Active is directly on an XER or XIR console; three videos are included with each. Another option with any Matrix elliptical console is watching Virtual Active on a home TV. This requires the separate purchase of a Passport Media Player.

Workout data can be logged automatically, as explained below.

Matrix E30 Features

All Matrix elliptical consoles have ViaFit connectivity. ViaFit makes it easy to share statistics from each elliptical session with other apps that you use for fitness, as well as devices such as pedometers. This mobile app also makes it easy to send data to social media.

Heart rate is a popular data point to track, and each console for the E30 makes this easy with a wireless heart rate receiver. (The required chest strap is included with purchase of an XER or XIR console, but is sold separately from the XR.) The E30 elliptical also has grip pulse readers built into its handlebars.

If desired, distraction is easy with the E30! Music is easily integrated with both the XER and XIR consoles; connect your MP3 player and take advantage of on-board speakers. Additionally both the XER and XIR are loaded with mobile apps including Facebook, Twitter, Hulu, YouTube, MyFitnessPal and Weather… And getting online during exercise is especially convenient with the XIR console, which has a web browser for its 10” touch screen.

Striding on the E30 follows a 20” elliptical path. This is a natural fit for most adults, although not for people who are especially short. (See the end of this elliptical review for alternatives.) Matrix also makes Ascent Trainers with long variable strides for faster calorie burn and emphasizing different muscle groups.

Resistance comes from a 23.1-pound flywheel. Trainees get 20 resistance options with easy digital control. Magnetism rather than friction controls the braking, so the elliptical has quiet operation.

Pedals on this elliptical machine are oversized for comfort; the extra room allows for repositioning of the feet to help riders avoid fatigue.

For the upper body the Matrix E30 gives two options: use the resistance of moving handlebars, or keep still and grip the cushioned stationary bars. Handlebars on the E30 have a basic straight design. A higher model of Matrix suspension elliptical, the E50, has curved handlebars as well as straight handlebars. The curved bars on the E50 make it easier to isolate different muscle groups, plus they allow for a more customized grip.

All Matrix home ellipticals have bottle holders and reading racks.

Warranty & Guarantee

The Matrix E30 elliptical home warranty includes:

– Frame: Lifetime
– Parts: 5 Years
– Console: 5 Years
– Labor: 2 Years

Matrix ellipticals are sold with 30 day trials. See the Matrix Fitness website for details.

Conclusion

With its diverse workout options, high quality parts and long warranty, this trainer is built for shoppers who have a serious interest in keeping fit. The Matrix E30 elliptical’s resistance is a good match for intermediate-level trainees and newcomers to elliptical training.

Who wouldn’t necessarily be satisfied?

Advanced athletes would likely prefer the Matrix E50, which offers greater and more precise resistance.

Smaller shoppers at all skill levels might find that the Matrix E30 has too long a stride. Alternatives with similar prices and adjustable strides (great for all heights) are the Yowza Islamorada and the Sole E95s.