Fitness Quest Tony Little's Gazelle Freestyle Elite: Jo's review

Pros: Easy to use, very gentle, lightweight.
Cons: Must be careful on it, no resistance at all.

The Bottom Line: If you want a simple to use and very gently on your joints inexpensive piece this will do the trick. Just be careful, please.


Tony Little has come out with some popular and simple pieces of equipment. I reviewed Tony Little’s Gazelle Freestyle Elite on epinions

and a few months later the Edge Glide. (Let me know if you want me to post them here.) Tony Little’s products are made by Fitness Quest. There are about 15 different models of Gazelles. Various stores request various machines.

The Xtreme is $130 on Amazon

The Xtreme, its technology and how it works::

The closest machine I can compare the Xtreme to is a simple version of an elliptical machine in its movement. However an elliptical machine usually has levels that allow the pedals to raise and lower. Tony’s XTreme does not. On it I glide back and forth.

Looking at the Xtreme it doesn’t look much different than the other models which to me didn’t look very sturdy. It is about 46 pounds and it measures 45 inches long by 34 inches wide by 56 inches high. This is a larger machine than the Elite but it is still what I would call a small, compact machine and one that easily fits in a corner. In addition it folds very easily.

I moved it slightly with my leg to see if it would fall over. It didn't. That isn't to say it is a sturdy machine. It is light but it will not tip over while you are on it.

The maximum user weight is 300 pounds which is 50 pounds less than the Elite. If you weigh closer to 350 than 300 pounds you really don’t have to read on because this machine will not be for you and I would suggest looking at the Elite. In general I think in spite of the machine being made of steel, if you weigh as much as 300 pounds and plan on using the machine frequently – well let’s just say there are a heavier, sturdier pieces out there though you will pay more than $220!

The Xtreme has handle bars that are covered in foam which make them quite comfortable. The Xtreme allowed me to take my pulse by holding the top of the handles where there is no foam. You may see Tony Little selling a Gazelle with a Thumb Pulse. I would not recommend that one. It is fairly well known that taking our pulse using our thumbs is the most inaccurate way to get a reading. However you may read online that taking your pulse with your thumb is most accurate so there are difference of opinion.

The Xtreme has arms that move so I could work my upper body while working my lower body and get in some cardio vascular benefits as well. I do like the fact that my legs could move independently from my arms so I knew I wasn’t pulling with legs with arms and vice versa. I like being able to work my body parts separately or else it is too easy to move my legs with the arm handles and move my arms by moving my feet.

There is a small computer on the machine that showed me my speed, distance, approximate calories burned, my heart rate and my time. The machine has no programs making it very simple to operate. Without inputting my age and weight though that word, approximate, must be in bold.

The Xtreme has a water bottle that is attached to the side. It isn’t integrated in the machine because there is no console. At least though there is a space for a bottle however it is a flimsy piece of plastic that I wouldn't count on lasting too long.

I was comfortable using the pedals for platforms. There is a lip at the top which stopped my foot from sliding off. The platforms have treads on them though and given I was never climbing up a programmed hill, slipping off wasn’t really an issue. As I glide and what that means is that one leg moves in front while the other one goes in back and then vice versa I can hold onto the handles which move also. The pedals move freely in the air connected by a thin cable. I consider this to be a dangerous machine until you get used to it. If you are older or brand new to this type of technology have someone with you when you first get on. The pedals are going to move as you get on.

This would be a good time to mention the Soft Glide technology since it is in the name of the machine. Tony claims that this system would put a bounce in my step “with every glide creating an even better natural movement” to energize my workout.” Seriously did I feel any thing different in my glide using the Xtreme versus the Elite? No I really didn’t. I felt they were both fairly smooth but I never went from one to another. One would have to have them side by side to see if the Elite which is more expensive has a better glide in spite of our being told that the Xtreme does for less money. I think if there is any feeling of smoothness it comes from there being no resistance at all. As in none! So perhaps some do feel like the ride is smoother because it is like being on a bike at the easiest level and going downhill versus putting the bike on 5 and riding uphill.

The Xtreme comes with an eating plan, 4 DVDs with Tony Little which include a timed workout called a “Personal Trainer Workout, one that will help you work on your lower body, one for your abs and one for your butt. You’ll also get exercise guidelines, how to know if you are working in your target heart rate (the maximum of which is 220 minus your age), and progress charts. We are also told that if you buy the Xtreme you will get access to personal trainers who will answer questions or help you get motivated. This is actually a nice feature. Being a personal trainer I wanted to check on this so I called Tony Little. The Personal Trainer Club goes through Tony Little's customer service. I don't know any of them but I feel confident that they are trained. They will tell you how to use the machine and get the most out of your workout. I am not too happy with the fact they are giving nutritional and diet information over the phone however.

My rating:

The Xtreme is only for the beginner. I would recommend the Xtreme if you are overweight and have health problems. This machine is gentle on your joints and once you get used to the machine it is safe. I was bored on the Xtreme but it does have its place in addition to those who are overweight or have a physical condition that doesn't allow them to use resistance. For the older person this is an easy way to get you moving and not have to worry about hurting joints but please, please check with your doctor first and again have someone with you the first several times you use the Xtreme.

Since the arms move there is also the option of giving those I've recommended the machine for some movement in their upper bodies. I would rather you use a treadmill and spend more money but if you can't and you like the idea of gliding then I am surprising myself that I consistently like the Gazelle for the right person.

The product has a 90-day warranty.

© Jo Levy