The Best Elliptical Machines Out There – and the Best Tips for Using Them
This is an in-depth listing of some of the top-rated ellipticals on the market. You’ll find information to answer which elliptical will be the best for your individual needs. We have the winners for Best Value, Best Budget and Best Overall. This article will list the both pro’s and the con’s for each machine, giving you all the tools you need to make the most informed decision.
Best Overall: The Precor
If cost isn’t something that concerns you, the Precor is the best money can buy. Manufactured by an international company who has twenty years of experience behind them in building top-notch exercise equipment, this is a sleek and powerful machine.
The specific aim of the Precor creator’s was to design a machine that followed the body’s movements as naturally as possible, and in this they have succeeded. The ride is smooth and quiet. The machine is solid and durable, backed by an excellent warranty. Customer service is reliable and efficient should you ever need them.
The extras are everything you could wish for: elevated screen, heart monitor, deep foot pedal rims for keeping you in place as you work out and designed to imitate the natural roll and flex of the foot while walking.
The only two drawbacks to the Precor are the cost – models begin at $3000 and continue upwards – and the fact that this is a large machine. You won’t be able to back it into a quiet corner of your living room. This machine will need its own space.
However, if you have a room chosen for your elliptical and you’re willing to spend the money it takes to have a gym-quality exercise machine, the Precor is for you.
Best Budget: The Eclipse and The Schwinn
We’ll start with the Eclipse. This machine is made by Fitness Quest and though the price is very reasonable – in the $350 – $750 range – it still offers an outstanding one year warranty. This is virtually unheard of in lower priced models, where the average warranty will last you 90 days.
Fitness trainers say the Eclipse is a good buy for the money, but argue that its shorter stride and lack of extras will not make it worth the time of a more enthusiastic and experienced athlete. Customes, however, give the Eclipse excellent ratings across the board. The assembly is rugged and hearty, able to take heavier weight and still give a smooth movement. The Eclipse is available at such stores as Sears and K-Mart, making it easy for consumers to get to and test for themselves.
The Schwinn, priced between $599 and $899, also offers exceptional quality for the price. Even trainers are imprssed by the stability and quiet of this elliptical. The foot pedal construction offers realistic and natural movement. The flywheel construction is praised for its smoothness and even stride.
The drawback to the Schwinn would be the limited warranty.
Cheap / Best Value: Smooth and Sole
Smooth stands out in its unusual marketing methods. Designed to be sold solely through the internet, Smooth has managed to creat a high-end machine for the serious enthusiast while cutting the cost by 20 – 30%. The pivoting foot pedals limit stress to the feet and ankles and the upper body movement allows for a full workout. The construction is good and solid, and the customer service is highly ranked. The Smooth stands out.
The Sole should be noted for its exemplary warranty conditions as well as its smooth and expert construction. Beginning at just over $1000, this machine comes backed with a lifetime warranty for the frame and a five year warranty for parts and labor. For a machine intended for home use this backing of their product is outstanding.
The makers of Sole went a step further when they designed their machine. They consulted a physical therapist during the making of the foot pedals to reduce the strain put upon the heel, ankle, knee and Achille’s tendon. Together they devised the unique 2 degree foot pedal slope.
Trainers like the sturdy build of this machine and the variety of extras it comes with. The heavier construction allows for greater weight endurance. Consumers love the natural feel of the machine and its easy, long stride.
If you’re interested in a few other options that didn’t quite make it into the top five, but deserve attention and consideration just the same, have a look at these models.
BH Fitness
Formerly Bladez and manufactured by DK in Taiwan, BH Fitness delivers a high quality elliptical machine. Prices range from $699 to $1999. The engineering and long stride speak well for this lesser-known company. The quality is performance rated, and the solid, heavy body of the machine makes it durable and trusted.
A unique quality of the BH Fitness elliptical is the adjustable width foot pedals, allowing each member of the household to create a feel that fits them personally. The only real drawback to this machine is the simple lack of an established industry name, in spite of the fact that the original company has been in business for years. Hopefully a few years down the road, when people become more familiar with this product, that will change.
American Fitness Group
AFG creates a great elliptical machine noted for its heavy flywheels. The result is a smooth and quiet ride accompanied with a long, comfortable stride. Priced between $899 and $1799 this machine also has pivoting foot pads and handlebars for upper body workout. The warranty and customer service is also to be praised.
Nordictrack
This company earned its fame back in the 1980’s when it introduced exercise equipment designed to imitate skiing. Still in business and dedicated to producing quality machines, Nordictrack offers a stylish design and great comfort. Their price ranges fall between $800 and $3000 and are geared towards people who are already in good shape, and want to get into better shape. The motion on the glide is smooth and enjoyable.
However, Nordictrack buyers have reported issues with product assembly. Often bolt holes are not aligned properly, making home assembly nearly impossible. Calls to customer service often lead nowhere. Once the machine is built, if there was any problem during assembly it soon shows up as the elliptical is put to use. Consumers have complained of noises and lack of smoothness.
This issue is clearly with the manufacturing of the machine and hopefully will be cleared up with time. Trainers have noted that while these machines are a good buy in the medium price range, the more costly are not a bargain.
Ellipticals below $500 are not recommended by trainers and fitness experts. They complain that the lightness of the construction and limited movement in the stride makes for a machine that will not last long and will not be comfortable or fully beneficial to the customer.
Companies such as Weslo create such a product. Though the price will meet the needs of the person trying to stay on a strict budget, pricing their models in the low $100’s, the over-simplicity of the construction and the lack of weight to the materials result in a machine that will have a few year life expectancy at best. The products come with a 90-day warranty. Bear in mind that people over 250 pounds are not recommended to use these machines.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Elliptical Workout
When you use an elliptical, apply these suggestions to maximize your workout:
- Find a comfortable and firm hold for your feet.
- Keep a bottle of water and a towel handy.
- Begin slowly to find an appropriate rhythm for your stride.
- Experiment with different machines to find the one right for you.
- If you’re tired, slow down. Going back to a steady, gentle rhythm will help you get your breath back. Once you regain yourself, step the pace back up. This will help build endurance.
- Make use of the machine’s heart monitor to track your heart rate.
- Try not to read a book while on an elliptical. You can become dizzy. Instead, keep your head up and your eyes trained on distances.
You should now be able to make an informed decision when choosing an elliptical for home use. Remember, if you’re going to a store to make your purchase, test drive the machine. Make sure that it feels right for your height, weight and body type.