Beny Ellipticals

The Beny Sports Air Elliptical Trainer (AET) 1 represents the budget end of the Beny Sports range of Elliptical Trainers (or Cross Trainers). The V-Fit umbrella brand - of which the AET1 is a part - covers a range of models designed for light to modest intensity domestic workouts. While the AET1 might not be the right choice of the professional athlete, it provides outstanding value for money for any casual elliptical user, or perhaps for someone who wishes to try a budget elliptical machine for a while before committing to a more pricey model. Cheaper ellipticals are a great tool to get the kids up and about, and if you can convince the little ones to be healthy without ruining their joints for only this kind of price, then that’s got to be a big plus.

The fact that outlets are offering the AET1 for as little as £99 (~$195) at the time of writing is amazing enough, but when the features, durability and reputation of Beny, the V-fit brand and the AET itself are taken into consideration, the offer becomes too good to miss.

In this article

• Main Features
• Executive Summary
• Operation
• Build
• Conclusion

Other articles relating to this model

• Specifications
• Pricing

Main features (see also the specification page)

• Black frame, with oversized footplates and contoured dual action handlebars
• Micro link chain attached to a fixed wheel drive powering a fan wheel with 8 vanes and an ‘Airway’ cover.
• Frame-mounted adjustable resistance control
• 5 function exercise monitor
• Handles and footpads fixed providing dual action workout.

Executive summary

Covers the basic requirements of elliptical trainers; does what it needs to; very reasonably priced; no bells or whistles. Great starter machine, or an budget solution for the casual exerciser.

Operation

The exerciser stands upon the AET1 elliptical trainer’s pedals, and holds the dual action handles which are attached and (and therefore synchronised) with the pedals. Movement of either the pedals or handles causes the drive system - a micro link chain - to turn a fixed wheel drive, which turns a 50cm diameter fan-wheel.

In order to produce the necessary resistance and to ensure an adequate exercise session, the Air Elliptical Trainer’s 50cm diameter extruded PU fan-wheel with 8 ‘vanes’, or spokes, housed in resistance inducing ‘Airway’ covers all augmented with polypropylene friction tape with felt backing. It really is called the ‘Air’ elliptical for good reason! During exercise the fan-wheel displaces the air in and around the spokes. This air is pushed outwards, where it meets the ‘airway’ covers (a collander-like perforated case covering the fan-wheel); the cover provides additional resistance to the air and as a consequence to the pedal and handle arrangement.

Manual adjustment of the amount of resistance provided by the fan-wheel can be acheived with the use of a frame mounted micro tension controller; this coupled with the dual action motion (in forward or reverse) make for the possibility of a tailored workout. While this limited flexibility cannot compete with the preset and programmable exercise patterns offered by the higher-end machines, it at least affords some measure of custom tailoring for the eager amateur. Nautrally progress can be monitored with the built-in 5 function exercise monitor, measuring Calories, Distance, Speed, Scan and Time depending on the mode to which it is set.

Build

The AET1 Elliptical Trainer is constructed from a combination of round and oblong tubular steel frame. The paintwork is finished in black and coated with chip resistant silver coloured epoxy powder. The pedals (or footplates) are oversized and also coloured black. Handlebars are contoured and are covered with smooth foam padded grips. Assembled, the elliptical trainer stands 150cm high, by 100cm long by 51cm wide, and weighs only 23kg.

Conclusion

While this machine covers all the essentials, and covers them admirably, it does not quite match (nor does it appear to have any aspirations to match) its higher priced siblings. This is a basic ‘no frills’ machine designed for those who will exercise moderately. Whether this is the right machine for you will depend on your usage patterns, and how seriously you want to take your work out - for the casual exerciser that doesn’t require all the bells and whistles that come with a bigger price tag, this just might be a solution.

Further reading

• Specifications
• Pricing
• Other featured Beny Elliptical Trainer models