Matrix Fitness A30 Ascent Trainer with Xir Console

The elliptical itself is an impressive, high-quality machine, but I could write for hours on how poorly the XIR console works. First off, you have to start your workout before you can choose an app to fire up. So now the clock is running, you're probably moving, and you have to balance yourself enough to start lots of touchscreen presses to get Netflix, Facebook or whatever app you want to use launched and running with the content you desire. I write "lots" of presses because the touchscreen is not as sensitive as a cell phone and different than a vehicle screen. No matter how strong your WiFi network is, this console will have terrible performance. Its processor cannot handle streaming, which is presumably why Johnson/Matrix has moved YouTube to the penalty box. The "Virtual Active" application is very cool with the way it works in concert with the machine, however, you only get a few locations. The marketing says you get something like 5 or 7 locations, but that's misleading. If you want to buy more locations, it's very expensive, and you can't load them onto the console. You have to keep a USB drive plugged in. I have also yet to find a way to save the default workout time. It comes as 30 minutes, but I would've liked to change it to 45 minutes for a while. The WiFi and Bluetooth connections do work, but the little informational status icons make no sense to me. Even when working, there is a little red x on the icons. So I recommend buying the cheapest possible console, and make sure it has a ledge on the face so you can put your own tablet or laptop on it. NOTE* Johnson did start making a newer version of the XIR, so some of these items may have been fixed. The serial number on the back of the console will tell you which version it is. Definitely do not pay for the first version CTM699.

I bought my Matrix A30 about two years ago. I've used it semi-regularly since then, and I'm always amazed at how quiet it is. I paid a pretty penny for it, so you would hope it works well, but it has really met my high expectations. You can work out as hard as you want, and you completely avoid any impact that would come with running. It has all of the bells and whistles (if you buy the fancy screen and hook it up to the internet, which I did), but I just use it when watching something on TV. I hope it keeps working this well for years to come. Two years in, it's still quiet and excellent.