When I was recently at the Smooth Fitness corporate headquarters, I put the CE 3.6 through the motions. I immediately noticed how it was very solid, stable and quiet. It also had a very smooth (no pun intended) motion.

Most elliptical manufacturers who market on price or features. Smooth focuses on building quality machines at a value price. They also back-up their equipment with excellent customer service and extended warranties.

NOTE: As of 5/15/10 the Smooth CE 3.6 was selling for $1,199 with free shipping. They dropped the price $100. Go to SmoothFitness.com for the latest deal.*

New: Check out my Smooth CE 3.6 Video demo. Taken when I was at the corporate headquarters.

Smooth CE 3.6 Elliptical Trainer Features

Stability — The Smooth CE 3.6 weighs in at a hefty 175 lbs. The weight combined with a long and wide footprint, make this a solid machine. For people who are over 200 lbs, this elliptical should be appealing. You don’t want one of those compact crosstrainers that are around 100 lbs.

In addition, the CE 3.6 is constructed with heavy gauge steel, which further adds to the stability. I’m not sure there is another elliptical at this price, which is as solid and stable.

Electro-Magnetic Drive and Braking System — The advantage of an electro-magnetic drive is there are less parts in the braking system. Resistance is created by electrical currents and not moving magnets. You’ll find most high-end ellipticals utilize this technology.

Rear Drive - There is some controversy over which is better, rear or front drive. It really is a matter of preference. However, there are three advantages to the rear drive.

1. First, there are fewer moving parts, and fewer parts means less service issues. With a front drive you have pedals that run along rails with wheels. These wheels often wear out. In contrast, the Smooth CE 3.6 uses sealed bearing instead of the wheels and rollers found in front drive machines. The overall design of the Smooth CE 3.6 is simplistic, and that simplicity results in less service.
2. In addition, the rear design with the sealed bearings makes for a very quiet mechanical operation. When you have less moving parts you have less wear and resulting noise.
3. Finally, the rear drive tends to center your body, while many front drive ellipticals can have you leaning forward.

Once again, it really is preference on which is best, rear or front drive. However, Precor, which invented elliptical trainers and is considered one of the best machines out, have rear drive.

Backlit LCD Display – Smooth has some of the better consoles and displays on the market. You can get feedback on speed, time, distance, heart rate, calories and resistance level.

Speakers, MP3 Input & Fan — Although built-in speakers is getting to be a standard feature, what I like about the CE 3.6 design is the fact the speakers are raised to be closer to your head. There is also a 3-speed fan.

Heart Rate Sensors on Moveable Handlebars — The majority of ellipticals have the heart rate sensors in stationary grips. You have to take your hands off the handlebars to get a reading. Which makes no sense since you want a reading when you are working both your lower and upper body.

Heart Rate Control — The Smooth CE 3.6 elliptical trainer is equipped with both wireless heart rate control, and handgrip HRC. Many people, including myself, prefer not having an uncomfortable strap around our chest. The heart rate control handgrips on the moving handles is a nice alternative. Smooth is one of the few companies to offer this innovative feature.

Pivotal Foot Pedals — The ergonomic, pivotal foot pedals reduce the strain on your joints. When you workout on an elliptical trainer your feet and ankles naturally want to pivot with the elliptical motion. The CE 3.6 foot pedals mimic the pivotal movement, thereby reducing harsh impact or possible injury. The design allows your ankles, as well as your knees and hips, to remain in alignment. The design reduces discomfort and numbness to your feet, which is a common complaint with ellipticals. It further prevents injuries from excessive straining.

Good Customer Service Record — In talking with the head of customer service, and was told me the service record for the CE 3.6 is excellent. The basic configuration of this machine has been out for several years and has proven to be very durable. If you have a winner, stay with it.

Warranty — An indication of the service record is the warranty. You get a 3-years parts, and a 2-year labor warranty. Above average coverage for the price.

Our Review — Smooth CE 3.6 Elliptical Trainer

The Smooth CE 3.6 is one of the best values when selling at $1,399 with shipping. I say that because of the overall design, durability, service record, features and the 2-year labor warranty. This is one elliptical I am quit comfortable recommending.

Customer Review

My elliptical machine arrived within a week of ordering it.  It was very easy to assemble and I am very pleased with the overall construction and stability of this machine.  I have searched for three years in various sporting goods stores for an elliptical of health club quality and found exactly what I wanted at a great price.  I have had it over a week and I am still amazed with all of the features.  – Teresa

For more information on the Smooth CE 3.6 go to SmoothFitness.com.

In the study, researchers analyzed the weight loss strategies of the more than 4,000 members of the National Weight Loss Registry who lost an average of 73 pounds and kept it off for an average of five years.

A little more than half lost the weight with some help from a commercial weight loss program, doctor, or nutritionist. The other half did it on their own. Nine in 10 of them lost weight through a combination of diet and exercise, and only 10% did it through cutting calories alone.

In maintaining their weight loss, researchers say the successful losers shared six major strategies.

Men and women who have kept the weight off report a high level of physical activity.  The most popular form of exercise is walking, followed by cycling, weight lifting, and aerobics.

Women reported burning off an average of 2,545 calories a week in physical activity.  Men reported an average of 3,293 calories per week. This is equivalent to about an hour a day of moderate-intensity activity, such as brisk walking.

Crunched for time? Higher intensity activities can burn calories faster.

Vigorous physical activities include:

• Running / jogging (5 miles per hour)
• Bicycling (more than 10 miles per hour)
• Swimming (freestyle laps)
• Aerobics
• Walking very fast (4 1/2 miles per hour)
• Heavy yard work, such as chopping wood
• Weight lifting (vigorous effort)
• Basketball (competitive)

Activity is a good way to lose weight, The most important thing to remember about your weight is the relationship between calorie intake (from eating) and calorie burn (from activity). To lose weight, you need to burn more calories than you’re taking in. To maintain your weight, intake and burn should be equal.

You need to burn off 3,500 calories to lose one pound of fat. That means if you walk four times a week for 30 minutes each, you’ll lose a pound of fat in less than six weeks. Add that walking to a diet that cuts 500 calories a day from what you’ve been eating and you’ll lose about seven pounds in six weeks.