True M30 Elliptical Review

The True M30 Elliptical ($2299) is the lowest-priced model in a residential elliptical line from True Fitness. This brand also builds commercial cardio trainers, and all their fitness equipment is reviewed as high quality. True ellipticals for home use have center drives, which helps makes them space-conscious and easy to use. The motion supported on the M30 is very similar to that on True’s commercial ellipticals in the CS Series, although the M30 has a smaller resistance range (25 to 300 Watts). For total body training the M30 has moving handlebars that synchronize with a 21” elliptical footpath — plus you can use the arm bars in isolation, which is rarely an option with ellipticals. Steps on the sides of the trainer let you work your arms while resting your legs.

Topping off this fitness machine is the Emerge console. It has 12 preset workout programs with impressive variety: Choose from workouts in the categories Hill, Pace, Performance and more. True’s patented “Cruise Control” for heart rate training is among the options, so you can set the M30 to train you at a constant exertion level in terms of your pulse. (Heart rate can be measured wirelessly or with handheld sensors.) Another special built-in program, Cardio 360, works like a personal trainer with prompts for a variety of exercises in sessions as short as 20 minutes. And finally, to help you pass the time the Emerge console has a ledge for a magazine or mobile device.

 

True M30 Elliptical - Notable Specs:

Overall Rating:	4-stars
Compact / Folding:	Yes
Incline:	No
Stride Length:	21"
Flywheel:	N/A
Programs:	12
Fan:	No
Weight Capacity:	300
Dimensions:	42" L x 30" W x 9" Step Up" H

Our Favorite Features

• Welded steel frame has a lifetime warranty and helps ensure a stable, quiet ride
• Compact footprint measures just 42” long and 30” wide, making the True M30 one of the smallest high-quality ellipticals on the market
• Center drive design with 21” stride supports a natural gait and makes it easy to keep your balance
• Versatile cross training options; allows total-body or arms-only exercise, and has a training program for advanced cross training with varied exercises
• Heart rate control and patented HRC Cruise Control can help maximize your cardiovascular efficiency
• Media shelf for magazine or mobile device
• Water bottle holder is built-in between the stationary grips
• Contact or wireless heart rate monitoring
• Five-year electrical and parts warranty

Our Least Favorite Features

• Price is above average for a home elliptical, yet the machine isn’t as powerful as those sold to clubs
• Stride length is fixed at 21” and cannot be varied with incline
• Handlebars have a straight design instead of a multi-grip design, so there’s less support for upper-body workout variety compared with the M50
• Consoles for True Fitness ellipticals are useful for training support, but not very engaging; exercise might be dull if you don’t bring your own entertainment
• Does not have a cooling fan
• No Bluetooth connection for exporting your workout data to fitness apps

The Bottom Line

The True M30 Elliptical is high quality for an entry-level cross trainer. If you’re at a beginning or intermediate level for elliptical training, it can help you keep attaining higher levels of strength in addition to training your heart and managing your weight. We’re also impressed that it gives you the option to exercise just your upper body. The workout display is lackluster but the programming is above average in terms of variety and effectiveness.

Still, for around the same price you can find high quality ellipticals with more advanced features. For example, the M30 might be disappointing compared with ellipticals that let you vary the upper body and lower body movements more extensively. If you want to go beyond the basics, you should opt for an elliptical with incline and/or adjustable stride length and multi-grip handlebars. Check out our charts of best ellipticals by price for some top-scoring alternatives.