Ellipticals Buying Guide

Advices to buying Ellipticals

Thinking about buying ellipticals? How to choose the best ellipticals for your needs? Selecting ellipticals is not an interior decorating sport. You have to look at quality and function, not style...

When you are shopping for your new elliptical machine, make sure to use our comparison lists and articles. If you want to have a review of an elliptical that is not included here please email us. We may be able to review it for you.

What to look for in an Elliptical Machine?

Most important is the quality of the machine. Some of ellipticals are like toys in comparison to other elliptical machines. Realize the quality and overall reputation is most important!

1. Elliptical Consoles & Monitors
2. Foot Platforms
3. Heart Rate Monitor
4. Noise Level
5. Resistance Mechanism

Before Buying

6. Decide Your Budget
7. Decide Where to Place Your Elliptical Machine
8. Meaure the Space for Your Machine
9. Try Out Ellipticals You Consider to Buy
10. Check the Warranty
11. Consider Online Buying

1. Elliptical Consoles & Monitors
Make sure what are your needs. Even budget ellipticals show your claries burned, distance covered or total exercise time. Exercise programs can make a workout less boring and more varied, but you can watch your pet, observer garden or neigborhood or... just watch your favorite movie on TV.

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2. Foot Platforms
If more than one person use the elliptical machine you might want to get an elliptical machine with adjustable foot peddles. Take the Smooth CE for example, it has moveable foot peddles that allow you to adjust the elliptical motion based on your height.

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3. Heart Rate Monitor
A heart rate monitor simply monitors the rate of your heart and provides feedback. On ellipticals heart rate monitors are normally found on stationary handles located in front of the console. On some models they are located on the moving handlebars, which gives you the advantage of monitoring your heart rate while still getting an upper body workout. However, you can buy a heart rate monitor separately for about $30 - $150. There are numerous of heart rate monitor models on the market today. From quality wathches to chest placed heart rate monitors.

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4. Noise Level
It can drive you crazy! It may not bother you at first, but over time... In general, magnetic resistance is quieter than belts, and a solid, weightier machine will be quieter than one that may wobble or thump on your floor. The little advice: just place a non-skid mat under your machine.

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5. Resistance Mechanism
The workout value comes from resistance that slows the machine's flywheel as you try to turn it. The best offer electronic versus manual resistance. With electronic resistance there is not need to stopping your workout to adjust knobs and levers, you can simply press a button and keep going.

• Most of the budget ellipticals have the manual resistance system. The magnet is manually tensioned closer or further to create resistance.
• In the budget to mid-range you will find ellipticals equipped with motorized brake systems, also called particle brake system.
• The high-end models, such as: Sole or SportsArt tend to use the eddy current brake system. The eddy current resistance technology is extremely reliable and durable. It requires little maintenance, and allows systems employing the technology to operate smoothly and quietly.

Generally, the models we compare on this website have not significantly differences regarding a noise level. For more information see our FAQs section: Elliptical machine resistance system

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Before Buying an Elliptical

6. Decide Your Budget

As we mentioned above, first of all make sure what are your needs. Even budget ellipticals are ellipticals that work! Don't pay more for options you don't need. Just follow one simple rule: a certain parametar of a higher quality is extended warranty. Less expensive equipment is often less reliable and carry short-length warranties. Most home ellipticals, especially under $400, aren't as smooth as the more expensive models. Weigh those considerations into your budget decision.

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7. Decide Where to Place Your Elliptical Machine
This will help you discover what size machine you may consider. Start by, deciding on a placement where you want to put it. Looking at a bare wall will not invite you to exercise. A view on a television or a window is a much better solution.

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8. Meaure the Space for Your Machine

Make sure you measure the space in which you plan to put the elliptical machine in. Ellipticals take up as much floor space as a couch. Most of them do not fold and are hard to move. So, meaure the space for your machine first. This will help you shop for equipment you have room for.

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9. Try Out Ellipticals You Consider to Buy

If you consider several like models and cannot decide which one will work best for you, maybe you should tryout them. Some fitness stores offer the advantage of actually trying and comparing various ellipticals. Sometimes, bauble could make a difference.

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10. Check the Warranty

As we mentioned above, higher quality goes hand-in-hand with better warranty. When you are comparing two like items, make sure to look their warranties.

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11. Consider Online Buying
Buying online saves you time and money. You will get free shipping, which means you do not pay extra and your order will arrive to your door. Plus online buying is exempt from sales tax. You can do all your research from home and choose from a much larger selection. We have reviewed all of the popular elliptical trainers available today. Also, we have reviewed all of the reputable online suppliers that offer best rates.

A few online stores have earned reputations for quality products, outstanding customer service and product knowledge. At stores like WorkoutWarehouse, EliteFitness or TreadmillsCentral, you can shop for ellipticals at great prices, get detailed information on all the models they carry and receive outstanding customer service.

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