Ann Arbor Shoe Repair

Proform 1280 S Elliptical Trainer

Icon health and fitness is the largest fitness company in America and Europe combined. Proform is a product of Icon that is primarily sold at large fitness outlets and big box stores like Sears and Sam’s Club. They are highly ranked for the low prices for their fitness equipment. The also make Reebok and Nordic Track fitness equipment.

Proform elliptical equipment are designed and built for people who use their elliptical trainers lightly and irregularly. Essentially these are light duty elliptical trainers for in home use only. If you are going to use your elliptical trainer intensely then we recommend spending more money for another machine outside of ProForm’s line of equipment.

We recently had the opportunity to use a relatively new ProForm 1280 S elliptical trainer that was purchased by a neighbor for home use. It was purchased from a local department store that featured low to mid range priced elliptical trainers. ProForm elliptical trainers range in price from $299.00 to $990.00.

We used the ProForm 1280 S for a period of about two weeks. A total of 4 different people tested the machine. Their weights ranged from 115 lbs to 280 lbs, all had experience using elliptical trainers at the local YMCA and fitness centers. Unfortunately we had a breakdown the very first day when the resistance suddenly decreased to zero and a loud thrumming sound was generated. The local repair people came and spent a couple of hours making the necessary adjustments and repairs. Upon opening the machine a lot of black powder ended up on the floor. According to the repairman it was due to the lack of proper adjustment.

The next day a second of our testers was able to use the ProForm Elliptical Trainer for a full workout any significant problems. Noise was a big factor when the intensity level was increased. It was noted that a crack in the plastic wheel housing had appear or had increased in size as a result of the workout. Also more black plastic powder was on the floor following the workout.

The third test was conducted the next day and was halted because of increasing level of noise. It was decided that this unit was not durable enough to with stand our relatively intense workouts.

On the positive side the ability to change the slope and shape of the stride on the fly was a real plus. However t
1000
he change was slow and noisy. The problem is that 1280 S is not very a well-constructed elliptical trainer. During the workout plastic parts flopped around during moderate workouts. Again the plastic powder shows wear on internal parts. We again contacted the repair company and they basically said you get what you pay for and they have had a lot of problems with ProForm fitness equipment, however a lot of them are sold each year.

On the outside the PorForm 1280 Elliptical Trainer looks like a great piece of fitness equipment but in reality the plastic parts just do not hold up to normal use. It is obvious the quality of their internal parts is still very poor. Of course plastic is cheap. Icon is also big on bells and whistles, a perfect example is their iFit technology an interactive program that controls your workouts with various challenges. Their flaw is in the quality of the components. Past models of ProForm elliptical trainers have faired poorly in Consumer Reports testing. They were at best rated as average with only ease of use rated as very good.

It is our policy to always recommend the purchase of an extended warranty when purchasing any piece of fitness equipment. If you really like the ProForm elliptical trainer you absolutely need to acquire the extended warranty to include parts and service, Proform elliptical trainers come with a standard very short warranty, that include 90 days service and 90 days parts. One additional and serious concern with all Icon products is that support and service is only fair during the warranty period.

Unless you are only a casual user of your elliptical trainer we strongly recommend that you spend more money on a different brand of elliptical trainer. It should be noted just as our local repairman has stated ProForm sells a lot of treadmills and elliptical trainers and many of these people appear to be satisfied with their purchase. When it comes to ProForm Elliptical Trainers, Cavet Emptor, let the buyer beware.

By: Jim Kesel -

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

James Kesel< MS. is the publisher of Elliptical Trainer Information website, We have information on ProForm Elliptical Trainers

Click the XML Icon Above to Receive Fitness Equipment Articles Via RSS!
Additional Articles From – Home | Health & Fitness | Fit
1000
ness Equipment

The Best Features of Timex Heart Rate Monitors
Benefits of a Manual Treadmill
The Many Benefits of Stationary Bikes
Thinking About Purchasing Discount Fitness Equipment? Now’s The Time
Ab Exercise Belt Or Science Fiction Movie Prop?
Save Money and Get Fit with Cheap Fitness Equipment
Home Gym Fitness Equipment: Piece By Piece Or All-In-One?
True Fitness Equipment: Improving Body, Spirit, and Lifespan
Why you need to keep your treadmill lubricated
Treadmill Calibration – What You Need to Know

Women have a problem with their new shoes that are a bit too tight every now and then. If your shoes feel a little tight, fret not, because there are lots of great methods to stretch your shoes. Whether you want to do it yourself or seek professional help, there is always a solution you will be comfortable with. Here are some great tips on how to stretch your shoes.

1. Put on a very thick pair of socks, spray the inside of the shoe with water till its half damp and then rub some alcohol solution. After that, wear the shoes for 20 minutes.

2. If your shoes are waterproof or made of a natural fabric, try stuffing the insides tightly with wet newspaper or damp towel. When the newspaper or towel dries up, it expands and will help to stretch the shoe a bit. Do not try this method if your shoes are made of leather.

3. This is another shoes good tip for women. Put your shoes out in the sun for about 20 minutes to soften their material. After that, put on very thick socks and walk around in the shoes for at least 20 minutes. Do some exaggerate movement like walk fast, stretching your feet and toes. These will help to loosen the front part a bit.

4. Alternatively, you can also blow a hairdryer on your shoes for about 20-30 seconds until they are warmed up (good method if there is no sunlight), this will also help to soften the material and cause it to expand a little. After that, put on a thick pair of socks, walk and stretch in them for 20 minutes.

5. If your women’s shoes are made of leather, suede, nubuck or reptile skins, you can buy a shoe stretcher spray that helps to enlarge the shoes. This can be bought at shoe repair stores or from online. The chemicals in the spray help to penetrate shoe leather quickly and relaxes the leather fibers for easy stretching. The leather is softened and it gives even better stretching results when used with a shoe stretcher. Spray the area of your shoe to be stretched, insert the shoe stretcher, bring your shoe in the new shape and let it dry.

6. Vaseline can also work wonders for stretching your shoes. Wear a pair of thick socks, rub some Vaseline on the area you want to stretch and wear the shoes round the house for about 20 minutes. This method will not cause the material to dry out and is less likely to tear the material.

7. If you want to soften your women’s leather shoes, cut some potatoes and stuff them into the area that you want it stretched or softened. Leave the potato overnight and they will give even better results. You can also use banana peels instead of potatoes, they work just fine.

8. Go to a shoe repair shop and ask them to help you stretch your shoes with a shoe stretcher. Or you can also buy a wooden shoe stretcher and stretch your shoes on your own.

9. For the pair of women shoes that need stretching, fill some small air-tight bags with water up to three quarter level (zip lock bags are the best). Wrap the shoes in a tea towel and leave them in the freezer for a few hours, as the water freezes it expands and stretches the shoes. Do not to fill the bags to full level of water or it might burst and split the shoe when it freeze. Don’t try this with leather shoes as well, they will be damaged.

Dith is blogger on fashion, shoes and hairstyles related topics. As a budget shopaholic, she loves beautiful things and can never have enough bags, clothing, shoes and accessories. Do visit her blog at http://www.nicewomenshoes.com for new finds on pretty shoes, creative shoes and budget fashion shoes.

Technorati Tags: shoe repair