Got myself a Cybex Arc Trainer - Here's my review of it

When I couldn't get my NordicTrack Elliptical down to my home gym in my basement, I started the search for a smaller machine. I found this Cybex Arc Trainer at a great price and picked it up. Thought I would make this video overview and review of the good and bad for those that might be interested.

[@sqd8r]

For a non-fitness guy you did a much better review than the so-called fitness experts. Tons of detail. Appreciate it. Thanks.

[@RoughRidersTV]

Thanks for watching. Glad you liked the video. Getting ready to head to the basement right now to get my daily workout in.

[@bluenetmarketing]

Great video. Parker Valby, the young lady who won the 2023 NCAA cross country championship swears by the Arc Trainer for her great running success.

[@bluerfoot]

She only runs 3 days a week wow.

[@bluenetmarketing]

@@bluerfoot In her video from last week, she said she only runs about 30 miles a week. I find that amazing. She also finally got smart and is now running the tangents on turns in her races. She didn't do that last year.

[@RoughRidersTV]

Thanks for the comment. I don't follow NCCA Cross Country but the Arc trainer continues to be my favorite cardio machine. As I travel frequently, I get to try a lot of different machines at various hotel chains. The only thing I've tried that I felt was close to the Arc trainer was the True Fitness elliptical. It had a similar foot print as the arc trainer and the motion was very smooth.

[@ermfine2]

I just started using this machine at my gym and your explanation was super helpful. Right now its my favorite machine. Low impact and i break a sweat.

[@RoughRidersTV]

Thanks. I really like this machine more than the Nordictrack I had for a few years. I use it everyday and this is from someone that hates working out.

[@nordicwilly6650]

What a great review! One of the few detailed ones that I could find. You have convinced me to go for a used 625A. Many thanks and best of luck on your journey.

[@RoughRidersTV]

Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it. I still use it daily and it's still my favorite cardio machine. Only issue I had is the battery went bad and I had to replace it. Other than that, it continues to be a great machine.

[@omshomestead]

Thank you so much for this awesome review I’ve been trying to decide for six months and I just decided arch trainer. I had bad knee surgery. Leg surgery anyway bless you both!!!)

[@RoughRidersTV]

Thanks for dropping by and checking out the video. We do like this and use it pretty much every day. I have another video on the previous elliptical as well if you haven't seen that one.

[@kellygarvin7955]

Love this machine. I use the total body one- with moving arms. Great workout.

[@RoughRidersTV]

Yes, it's a great machine. I prefer it over the elliptical I used to have.

[@monkeyb1820]

wow, I didn't know there were basements that didn't have a door to outside. Today I used the arc 750at at my gym for the first time. Awesome workout. I'm not sure what the norm is. I had the left set at like 15 to 20, rightside resistance at 50. I was getting tired after like 10 minutes, so maybe I had it set a tad harder than I should have set it. The most fun thing I've found for keeping weight down is my Elliptigo 8 speed, bought used, it's a stand-up bike, really fun, very easy to keep weight down.

[@RoughRidersTV]

Yep, a bit cardio is important in keeping weight off and maintaining health. I use it every day.

[@marivellexo]

Thank you so much for sharing!!!!

[@RoughRidersTV]

You are so welcome!

[@kennikuhlmann-clark9860]

The models at the YMCAs have moving levers for (optional) exercising of the arms as well; otherwise this one appears very similar

[@RoughRidersTV]

Yes they have a couple of versions, with and without the arm bars for the upper body workout. I'm fine without them as I have a full set of dumbbells and a cable machine for upper and lower body workouts. I like this for the cardio side workout.

[@themightiestpen]

Picked one of these up for a good deal. Having trouble getting it charged. How long did yours take to charge up? Worked mine about 20 minutes didn’t seem to hold a charge tho. Maybe need a battery swap? Not sure

[@RoughRidersTV]

It doesn't exactly charge up...well, it charges as you work out. However, what you are describing sounds similar to the problem I had after about a year...the battery failed. I'm guessing your battery is going or already dead. I did a separate video on how to swap the battery. It's a pretty easy fix and cost me about $20.00 for a new battery. You can find the video here...kzbin.info/www/bejne/bKDRhHeNiKiFgdE

[@MrThebald1]

How did you get it into your basement with all that weight? I have the opportunity to buy one at a great price but I have no idea how to get it into the van weighing so much let alone getting it in the house.

[@RoughRidersTV]

My son in law helped me get it onto a flatbed trailer at pick up and the off the trailer at the house. Then used its wheels on the front to get into the house. Took a bunch of stuff off to lighten the weight. Used 2 10 ft 2x6 boards on the stairs as a ramp. Neighbor and son in law helped me control the speed down the ramp to the bottom of the stairs. Then wheeled it into place and put it back together. It wasn't too bad with the 3 of us using the boards as a ramp on the stairs.

[@_Only_Zuul]

i'm checking out cybex 600A model arc to buy on the weekend. 600A model is not the full body arc that i was hoping i could find but i'm wondering if i can convert it to 600AT or attach some kind of resistance for the upper body.

[@RoughRidersTV]

I am not sure. I have been wondering something similar. I was thinking about trying to find an upgraded console for it. Though, not sure you can easily add the arm pieces to it or not.

[@_Only_Zuul]

@@RoughRidersTV actually when i went to inspect the 600A, they had an older 610AT next to that. it's missing the HR monitor parts on the handle bars and the machine works perfectly without it so i'm going back tomorrow to inspect and test again before i buy it, it's much cheaper reduced price with 5yr warranty on parts and frame. i tried the 600A it's just not the same for me need arms handles, much more drive and speed. if you want to try to add some arms handle bars to your machine, perhaps consider using 2x standard size barbells attached to where the handles on the AT models would be, attaching with some resistance bands will create a tension without having to attach them to the leg mechanics. that bottom cross bar in front of the engine is perfectly shaped like a long flat ellipse tube steel perfect for creating a lever with tension when a round iron bar is crossed over it and wrapped with bands. that could not happen with 2x round tube steel bars, there'd be no tension. and look at the AT models how the arms handles work with the legs mechanism.. i believe that you can recreate something similar to that. also, that would be VERY inexpensive to do. if you want to try that and need a better description, add me instagrams is mja81081.

[@peterp4319]

what actually changes when you command different climbing angle ? do the connecting rods get longer ?

[@RoughRidersTV]

No, the attach point at the front rotates creating a longer swing which increases the arc. It starts to make it more into a stair climber type workout when you max out the incline.

[@RoughRidersTV]

Imagine a circle for a second on the ground. When at 0, you swing at the bottom of the circle. Now imagine that instead of swinging at the bottom of the circle, you go further up the arc of the circle...it starts to increase the difficulty like you are going up an incline. Not sure if that makes sense but that is sort of what happens.

[@fredhicks7483]

If the Arc trainers weren't so crazy expensive I'd get one. I used to work out on one. I have had a treadmill at home for about 30 years but I'd like something that worked my upper body more. I decent Arc trainer just isn't worth it for the cost.

[@RoughRidersTV]

You can find used ones at a pretty good price. I paid $950 for this one which is that midway model between residential and commercial. I saw residential models for as low as $600. But I agree, new they are very expensive. However, with my wife's bad knees, a treadmill or elliptical just won't work. This is the only machine she can use that doesn't cause pain in her knees.

[@fredhicks7483]

@@RoughRidersTV I'm an American living in the UK.....talking around $10k for the Arc.

[@mohsenraghian210]

Question for you, had you tried Precor AMT or Matrix Ascent to see how it compares to those two? I watched a video from the company which claims to be better and burn more calories per workout than any other machine!

[@RoughRidersTV]

Thanks for the comment. I have tried the Precor AMT on several occasions while traveling for work as many of the hotels I typically stay at have them in their gyms. The versatility of them is really nice because it can switch on the fly between elliptical motion to stair climbing. However, I found it awkward to use and getting a regular motion down took a lot of getting used to. As for calorie burn, I don't know if their statements are accurate or not. Honestly I don't trust any machine on stated calorie burn as I have no independent way to verify it. My Nordic Track elliptical would report one number for calorie burn at a set level and when I set the Arc Trainer up to what feels to be a similar level (both incline and resistance) it reports a different number...is one more accurate than the other? I don't know and have no real way to verify. What I did notice with the Arc trainer was way less leg fatigue over the same period of time on the machine as well as less stress on the knee. I know this was a long answer to your question but wanted to be clear on my response. Hope that helps.

[@mohsenraghian210]

@@RoughRidersTV Yes, it does help. Right now I am inclining toward Cybex total body Arc trainer. Like you, I am looking at acquiring a "remanufactured" unit from a vendor who tears them apart and refurbish them inside out with a 6-month warranty here in CA about two hours away from where I live. I spoke to him this AM and he said he carries all three brands, Precor, Matrix and Cybex and invited me to go down and try them out before deciding which one to pick, which I am going to do next Sat. And His prices beat the heck out of buying new. The only other thing I picked up over black friday was an awesome deal from AssaultFitness makers of Assault Runner non-motorized treadmill. They throw in their classic exercise bike plus a mat for the treadmill and a sweater/hoode at a discounted price for the treadmill plus a two year zero interest financing with no payment due for the first 5 mos. Couldn't beat that! I will let you know how the tryout would go. Thanks.

[@RoughRidersTV]

@@mohsenraghian210 Good luck. I've been trying to finish out my basement home gym. Dumbbells are really hard to find right now but I'm getting close. Speaking of mats, check out horse stall mats for your flooring. You can get them at Tractor Supply for around $40 for a 4x6. I posted a short review of them on my channel.

[@mohsenraghian210]

@@RoughRidersTV Lol! Funny you mentioned horse stall mats from tractor suppy, I already bought one. It is sitting in the garage for now. It is heavy, I believe it weighs like 100lbs. I will need help to bring it inside or just leave it in the garage and place one of my exercise equipments in the garage. Do you have any experience with rowers by any chance? I am looking at Horizon oxford 6 rower. It has good reviews and it is discounted like $500 (33%) for $999 with 0% interest financing.

[@RoughRidersTV]

@@mohsenraghian210 I don't. I am running out of space in my home gym and just don't have room for anything other than dumbbells at this point. Tip on the mats...get some ratchet straps and roll the mat up and then ratchet strap them on top and bottom. Then use a dolly to move them around. That is how I got them down to the basement by myself.

[@brooke86]

I bought mine thinking it would be able to go in the basement...and now it’s stuck in my living room 😂😂 no excuses now!!

[@RoughRidersTV]

Yep. I had to take the legs off it to get it into the basement but it eventually worked. But yep, having it in your face every day is a good motivator to get on it. I have been using it every day for months now and like it better than the elliptical I was using.

[@bwhite1234]

@@RoughRidersTV first off $900 is a steal. 2nd, I'm in the market for one and I was looking at a 625A but it's 32in in width and my door is 29 3/4 barely (I'd have to remove the door and 2 pieces of wood on either side of the door so I have a full 30 inches. Curious, how did you take the legs off, the guy told me that the only way I could get it any smaller was to take off the plastic pieces by the handrails. If I could take the legs off, that would be ideal because I really like this machine. Thanks in advance.

[@RoughRidersTV]

@@bwhite1234 Yes, I removed the plastic pieces which was 3-4 screws per side. Then you have access to the bolts that hold the pedal bars...if I remember correctly, they were an allen key head on the bolts. This allows you to completely remove the pedals from the arms and then also from the front so the pedal and bars come off as a single piece. Since mine does not have the upper body pieces, I also removed the stationary handles (this gave me a bit more room as well as made it lighter). The back legs can also come off easily in case you need to make any right angle turns. Took 15 - 20 mins or so to disassemble it enough to get it in the basement and about as much time to put it all back together. Since I had it apart, I greased all the bearings/moving pieces.

[@bwhite1234]

@@RoughRidersTV thank you for responding. This sounds really promising for the 625AT or the 625A which the specs say the width says 32 inches. I live where it snows and I definitely don't want to put this in my detached garage because it would never get any use if I had to use it outside in the winter. Hoping if I take it apart, it will go through my back door without too much pain and into my basement. This is a really awesome machine, hope you have many years of use out of yours. Thanks again

[@bluerfoot]

Just so I understand this, this is not at all like a tread mill, here you move the machine and power the electronics? If so that would be great as there is nothing like a big old motor to break?

[@RoughRidersTV]

Correct, it's more like an elliptical than a treadmill. So basically, it's a big magnetic drive motor that your motion powers which then charges the battery that powers the electronic display and the motor that adjusts elevation/incline and changes the electromagnetic resistance. They do have a power cord kit for it where you can connect it to wall power to control the display and incline motor but this version doesn't have it. I'm still using it daily and it works great. The only issue I had was the battery was old and failed so I had to replace it for about $30.00 off amazon.

[@martin122964]

Did you know what to do when the LED left panel (moderate pedals) turns in two short lines???

[@RoughRidersTV]

Not sure exactly what you mean by turning into 2 short lines. Can you clarify?

[@martin122964]

Rough Riders The left side panel where it indicates the inclination between both pedals, the number 6 appears immediately when I start pedaling. But right there it disappears and becomes two short lines. I have no idea how to reset it and it does nothing on either of the two arrows.

[@RoughRidersTV]

@@martin122964 That is odd. Mine does not do that. What happens when you hit the quick start button, does it stay at 6? When it goes to 2 dashes, does the inclination change?

[@RoughRidersTV]

@@martin122964 FYI, I just looked up the User Manual and went to the troubleshooting section. There are a couple of things it could be. Do a search for Arc Trainer User Manual, it should pull up different model user manuals. Then check the Error Codes section.

[@martin122964]

Rough Riders, thanks... I will be doing the recommendation

[@jwdiho]

what is this like moving it into the basement? I am looking to do the same. How many people did it take?

[@RoughRidersTV]

It wasn't too bad as gravity was on our side. It was myself and my son in law. I tacked in a couple of 2x6 boards about 10 feet long. Once I was able to get the Arc trainer on the boards, I only needed to control the speed of the decent to the landing. From there, it was 2 steps to the basement floor where I could wheel it in place. I did have to disassemble a bunch of it to help lighten it up and to give us more room to make the tight turns do the stairs.

[@DaCodesMan]

Go ride that YZ250F!

[@RoughRidersTV]

I know, right? Trying to find some time with so many projects going on at once. Hope to get out next week. I need to buy some camera mounts though so I can get some ride footage. I plan on bringing the drone with me as well for some follow me footage.