Sole E35 Elliptical Review – 2023

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Last Updated: January 5, 2023

The Sole E35 Elliptical is Sole’s best selling elliptical machine. It is reasonably priced, built for the average user, and has excellent functionality, with a 25 pound flywheel and 20” pedal span. The E35 provides the best bang for your buck when it comes to elliptical trainers. For larger users or those who want a heavier drive, the E95 is a nice upgrade. Or you can go all out with the E95s which has an even heavier drive and an adjustable pedal span. But for those who want a quality elliptical that is durable, functional and provides a smooth elliptical experience, the E35 is a best buy.

The Sole E35 is covered by Sole’s impressive lifetime warranty on the frame, with five years coverage on the motor. It is also backed by Sole’s exceptional reputation for quality products and design. This elliptical is well priced, usually under $1500 which makes it affordable for most people.

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Who it’s For: Those looking for a quality elliptical that is affordable and designed to suit the needs of most users

The Sole E35 is good for users who are looking for:

• A sturdy elliptical that is quiet when in use
• A low impact machine that provides a full body workout
• A product that can be used while watching TV
• Ergonomic pedals that don’t cause your toes to go numb
• Various hand positions on both stationary and moving handles
• Affordable price point
• Easy to use console that doesn’t require internet

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Summary

The Sole E35 is a great elliptical at an excellent price. The 375 pound weight capacity makes this a good machine for most people. Ellipticals are an excellent way to gain cardiovascular conditioning and full body muscle strengthening while staying low impact for comfort. The E35 has a 20” stride length and comes with 10 preloaded programs. This is a good machine for your average user who wants the most bang for their buck. The E35 is smooth and doesn’t rock even when at a heavy resistance.

In-depth Review of Sole E35 Elliptical

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Construction

Frame

The E35 is supported by a steel frame with a supportive track system under the pedals and weighted rear stabilizer. The frame is powder coated black so it won’t rust and the overall design is chic and subtle. This is a relatively large machine but there are wheels on the front stabilizer so you can lift and roll it if needed. The has three supporting stabilizers, with one at the front, center and rear of the machine. Each stabilizer beam has leveling feet beneath it and extends laterally to keep the E35 centered on your floor which prevents rocking and wobble side to side.

The handlebars connect directly to the foot pedals, which creates a synchronized motion between hands and feet. The stationary handlebars and low step up height of just 14” make it easy to get on and off.

Pedals

The E35 foot pedals are oversized and textured. A contoured ridge around the edge of the pedal keeps your foot from slipping off. These pedals will work with any athletic shoe.

The pedals use a durable foam cushioning and have a slight inward slope which reduces ankle and knee stress common on other ellipticals. A dial on the back of the pedal allows for custom angle adjustment so you can find the right angle to eliminate the issue of numb toes which often happens while using an elliptical.

Stride Length: 20”
The E35 pedals do not have an adjustable stride length. You’ll have to upgrade to the E95 or E95s for an adjustable stride. However, the 20” length is sufficient for most people and this is one of the reasons the E35 is one of Sole’s most popular models. If you are significantly taller or shorter than average, then an adjustable stride length may be necessary, but if not, the 20” on the E35 works well for most people. We are of the opinion that it’s not necessary to pay for a feature you won’t use — so while adjustable stride length is a handy feature, it may not be necessary for everyone.

Handles

Like its sister machines, the E35 has both static handlebars and multi-position moving handlebars that move in line with the pedals. The static handlebars are attached firmly to the frame and do not move. These provide a necessary hand position when getting on and off the elliptical. This is an important safety feature. We have tested ellipticals that do not have stationary handlebars and they are very difficult to get on and off safely — even for young people with good balance. The static handlebars sit below the console and are attached to the main frame.
The raised handlebars move in line with the pedals and allow for a full body workout on the E35. The inclusion of upper body exercise provides a full body workout on the E35. The custom molded hand grips provide a comfortable feel. There are also incline and resistance controls in the handles for convenient use. Sole also added built-in pulse sensors for monitoring your heart rate in the stationary handlebars. A heart rate chest strap is also included for hands free pulse monitoring and heart rate interactive programs.

The multi-position handlebars have several grip positions. These bars angle to form a semi-circle that provides two vertical and two horizontal hand positions. The moving handles are angled up to provide a vertical grip so you can keep your wrists, elbows and shoulders in alignment while in use. A spongy grip material adds a bit of cushion to the steel beam bars.

The rotating handlebars also include adjustment buttons so you can control your resistance and incline without having to remove your hands from the handlebars. This is very helpful. These are placed at what would usually be thumb height on the outside of the vertical grip. We love the addition of these control buttons.

Incline: 20 Levels

The E35 has 20 levels of incline. It also has 20 levels of resistance. This increases training variables for a more well-rounded workout. The combination of incline and resistance makes the E35 a challenging but low impact workout machine. Both incline and resistance can be changed on the handlebar controls. By changing the incline, you can also target different muscle groups for more specified training.

Incline is automated in the onboard programs, so you can start any program and the machine will adjust for you as you progress. This allows users to keep their hands on the handles at all times. You can also run the elliptical in manual mode where you control the incline.

Resistance: 20 Levels

The E35 uses eddy current resistance that is virtually silent so you can use this machine in a family room or other shared space. The whisper quiet drive system and double track under the pedals are smooth and fluid. The pedals will also move in both forward and reverse motion. The E35 has a 25 pound flywheel and a power incline feature which offers additional resistance as well as variable positions for diversity in your workout at the touch of a button.

Console/Controls

Screen

7.5” LCD Screen
The E35 has a slightly smaller screen than the E95 and E95s. This screen is white backlit and maintains much of the functionality found on the more expensive models, just on a smaller screen. The console includes a built-in cooling fan and water bottle holder. It also has built in speakers which allow you to hook up any MP3 player (iPod, etc.) for your personal music. Like Sole’s other ellipticals, the E35 has 10 preloaded workout programs in the console. These do not require a subscription or internet connection.

Console Layout

The color LCD screen sits in the center of the console for easy visibility. There is a tablet ledge just below the screen where you can set a phone or tablet, however, setting a large device here will block the screen. At the top of the console there are two speakers and a fan. Sole fans aren’t the most powerful and the fan placement is a bit high, so don’t expect much cooling power from this fan.

The main control panel allows users to select a program and input user data. Two large buttons on either side adjust incline and resistance levels. There is also an AUX input port so you can plug your phone in and play your music through the console speakers if desired. A headphone jack is present for outgoing volume. The console is also Bluetooth enabled so you can sync your phone via Bluetooth as well.

Sole machines are built to last forever, but the tech is usually quite simple. The E35 has large buttons that are easy to see and press so this is a great machine for users who want functional simplicity. However, the E35 does not have a color touchscreen, subscription options or video programs you can download. If you are a user looking for updated tech on the console with classes and routes that are regularly updated and possibly even live — you’ll have to shop elsewhere. The E35 is built for those who just want to get on and go without the hassle of downloading programs, waiting for videos to buffer or worrying about internet connection. The E35 does require power from a wall outlet – but this is all you need to get going.

Console Features

Fans
There is one fan at the top of the console as we mentioned, however, we wouldn’t recommend relying on this for much air flow though. If you enjoy a cool breeze while working out, you’ll do better with a standing fan placed near the machine.

Tablet Holder
Sole now offers an integrated tablet holder at the top of the console which will hold most devices securely. There is a lip beneath the screen that will hold a tablet or phone, but placing something here may block the screen. The addition of a tablet holder is especially helpful since the console itself doesn’t use WiFi. You can watch your favorite show or read a book on your personal device while you workout without having to navigate a touchscreen console.

Bluetooth
The E35 is Bluetooth enabled so you can sync your phone with the machine and play music through the speakers. You can also sync your personal chest strap or the one included from Sole to get real time heart rate readings on the screen.
Bluetooth functionality also allows users to transfer workout data from the E35 to their personal smart device. Sole offers a free Sole App, or you can upload your data to any number of fitness apps, such as: Fitbit, Record, Mapmyrun, and Apple Health.

USB Port
A USB port on the side of the console allows you to charge your personal device while using it on the E35.

Noise Level

Since the E35 uses magnetic eddy current resistance, the machine is very quiet when in use. The pedals glide and handles are attached in such a way that you can exercise without disturbing those around you. The motor makes a bit of noise when inclining or declining, but this is subtle and limited to those times when you are adjusting the tilt. In general, this is a machine you can use in shared spaces. The lack of foot noise due to the smooth action of the elliptical pedals makes a big difference in noise control.

Storage / Folding

The E35 does not fold. There are wheels on the front stabilizer so it can be lifted and rolled when needed. We do recommend having two people or at least one strong person lift and roll the machine. The E35 weighs 261 pounds, so it is large and difficult to lift. We don’t recommend moving it often. Like most ellipticals, the E35 does require a bit of space, so make sure you have enough room before purchasing this machine. Depending on the age of your home, the E35 should be okay on an upper floor. If you plan to use it upstairs, we recommend assembling it in the room you plan to use it. It’s easier to move in the original box than once it’s all assembled.

10 Preloaded workouts

Pre-programmed workouts

There are 6 pre programmed workouts on the E35 elliptical that will guide you through various intensities and resistance. These include:

• 6 Standard Programs
• 2 Custom Programs
• 2 Heart Programs

No Subscription Content

As we mentioned, the E35 does not offer subscription content or video classes on the console. While Sole does have the Sole App, this is simply a way to store your workouts and information. However, the E35 is designed to be fully inclusive so it does not rely on the internet or an ongoing subscription model for classes and videos. This saves you money since you don’t have to pay for added content. The screen is relatively simple compared to other fitness equipment. If you are looking for a quiet elliptical that has simple, understandable programs that don’t require internet, then this is a good option for you.