Two ellipticals were judged to be a safety risk

In our Spring 2009 evaluation of ellipticals, tested by 10 panelists, we found two models that posed a potential safety hazard. On the Stamina 1725 and similar Stamina 1772, bolts attaching the pedal arm to the drive-wheel assembly loosened, and came off in one instance. That put the user at risk of losing balance and possibly falling. We judged both models Don't Buy: Safety Risk, a new designation previously termed Not Acceptable.

In late April our technical division told Stamina officials about our findings. Stamina said it was aware of the issue and had updated its manual to instruct users to tighten the bolts before each use, an instruction we consider unrealistic.

In July, the company issued a voluntary recall and offered consumers "modified warnings and assembly instructions." Although the updated manuals provide more detailed assembly instructions and a warning on the risk of injury should the joint loosen, the onus remains on the consumer to ensure that the joint is tight. We think this is an unreasonable expectation. Since the product itself was not altered, we retained our recommendation of Don't Buy: Safety Risk. If you have one of the machines, stop using it immediately and notify the company at 800-375-7520 if you've had a problem.

We think that ellipticals whether idle or in use, pose a danger for children. Owners should keep the machines where children can't get to them. Some machines have a lockout to discourage unattended use by children. The Octane Fitness Q37e has a software lockout while the Precor 5.31 has a hardware lockout.

The Proform Stride Select was judged Don't Buy: Performance Problem because two of them arrived with a defective drive-wheel assembly, causing an abnormal pedaling motion. And a loose piece of hardware within the drive- wheel housing could be heard clicking on every revolution.