Ellipticals Buying Guide

Advices for buying Ellipticals

Are you thinking about buying ellipticals but do not know how to choose the best machine for your needs? Do not buy an elliptical trainer as part of a furniture that will decorate your room. You have to look at quality and functionality, not style and colours...

Before you go for a new elliptical machine, you can use the price comparison lists that we made for all price ranges, as well as to read the reviews and articles about each elliptical you are interested in. If you need a review of an elliptical trainer 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?

The most important thing is a quality of machine. Some ellipticals look like toys in comparison to other elliptical machines. The quality and overall manufacturer reputation is the most important thing you should consider! The parts that make a difference between products are:

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 the cheaper ellipticals would show statistic reports such as calories burned, distance or total exercise time. To be honest, additional exercise programs that can be found in more expensive machines, make your workout less boring, but you can always watch your pet, observe the garden or your neigborhood or just watch your favorite movie on TV during practice.

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2. Foot Platforms
If more than one person use your elliptical machine you might want to get an elliptical trainer with adjustable foot peddles. The great example would be the Smooth CE. 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 simple monitors your heart beats and provides feedback. The elliptical heart rate monitors are usually mounted at stationary handles, located in front of the console. In some models they are located in 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. It costs about $30 - $150. There are numerous models of heart rate monitors 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... Generally, magnetic resistance is quieter than belts. Also, a solid and heavy machine will be quieter than a machine that may wobble or thump on your floor. I give you an advice: just place a non-skid mat under your elliptical 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. An electronic resistance is much better solution than manual. With electronic resistance there is not need to stopping your workout to adjust knobs and levers, just press a button and keep going.

• The most of the budget ellipticals are equiped with the manual resistance system. It works by creating resistance with a magnet that is manually tensioned closer or further.
• In the budget to mid-price-range you will find ellipticals equipped with motorized brake systems, also known as 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 allowing the systems to operate smoothly and quietly.

Generally, the models that we compare on this website have not significantly differences in noise level. For more information see our FAQs section about elliptical machine resistance system.

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Before Buying an Elliptical

6. Decide Your Budget

As we already mention above, first of all make sure what are your needs. Even the budget ellipticals are fitness machines that work! Don't pay more for options you don't really need. Just follow the simple rule: a certain indicator of high quality is extended warranty. Less expensive equipment is often less reliable and carry short-length warranties. The most home ellipticals, especially under $400, aren't as smooth as expensive models. You should have this note when you consider your budget.

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7. Decide Where to Place Your Elliptical Machine
This will help you discover what is the size of machine you may bring into your room. Start with deciding about a place where you want to put it. Look at a bare wall during exercise will not invite you to exercise. A view on your TV or thru window is a much better solution.

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8. Meaure the Space for Your Machine

Make sure you measured the space where you plan to place the elliptical machine. Ellipticals take up as much floor space as a couch. The most of them don't have a folding option and they are heavy for moving around. So, primarily meaure the space for your machine. This will help you buy a piece of equipment which for you have enough space.

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9. Try Out Ellipticals You Consider to Buy

If you consider several similar models but cannot decide which one will work best for you, maybe you should try out all of 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 compare two similar items, make sure to look their warranties.

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11. Consider Online Buying
Online buying 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 research from your 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. In online stores like WorkoutWarehouse, you can shop for ellipticals at great discount prices, get detailed information on all of the models they carry and receive outstanding customer service.

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