Question

What is your opinion of the Cardiozone Center D Ellitpical machine? Thanks!

Answer

The Cardiozone Center D Elliptical is an Ironman CDT elliptical, which is a close cousin of the Keys Fitness Center G center drive elliptical. Confused yet? You should be, but I think I can help you sort this whole mess out.

The Cardio Zone Center D is a rebadged lower end unit made by the Keys/Ironman brand called the Ironman CDT elliptical. There are also more expensive models of the center drive ellipticals with the Keys badge on them called the Keys Center G, Keys Center G2 and Keys Center G3.

The funny thing about the Cardiozone equipment (Cardio Zone desn't make any of their own gear, they just rebrand it) is when you see it on some of the "blowout" and "mega deal" websites that I won't name here, you'd think you're getting the deal of the century on this machine at $1799.

The fact of the matter is, the Cardio Zone Center D is just an Ironman CDT elliptical you can buy for $1199. It should make you nervous about dealing with companies that try to decieve and mislead you with unrealistic sales prices and hodge podge websites that leave you more confused than when you got there. If you're interested in a center drive elliptical, get the Ironman CDT elliptical or the Keys Center G2 and forget about the Cardiozone (unless you like paying more for the same equipment, I know I don't).

Center Drive Elliptical Overview
When elliptical trainers first came on the scene they were all rear drive models and the majority of the market share was one company, Nordictrack (I had an early Nordictrack rear drive elliptical).

The trend the past few years has been to move the drive system to the front, making it easier to get on and off the machine, and also making the ellipticals more ergonomic by allowing the manufacturers to move the pedals closer together (Octane, Sole, Vision, Horizon, Proform) for a more natural motion.

The latest trend in ellipticals is the center drive which I first saw on the True TSX Elliptical. The pundits of center drive ellipticals claim that their design model has the most natural motion you can get on a cross trainer because it most closely simulates running.

While I agree with the claim that the center drive elliptical delivers a more upright neutral stance while exercising, I don't think it's the end all be all in ellipticals. The biggest problem with the center drive model is two-fold.

The first is the expense in manufacturing because of the dual side shrouds, and the second is the lack of stride length adjustability. All center drive elliptical models to this date (10-3-07) have a fixed stride length of between 18-20" (True TSX, Keys Center G, New Balance 9000, Ironman CDT).

Bottome Line
If you're interested in getting a center drive elliptical, skip the CardioZone Center D and opt for the Ironman CDT Center Drive or the better built Keys Center G elliptical. The Cardio Zone is just an overpriced copy of the Ironman and should be avoided.