Best Elliptical Brands

How much space you have

Space is an important consideration when you plan to buy an elliptical, especially if you are buying one for home or office use. Measure your space before you go elliptical shopping, and consider the different size types of ellipticals during your search.

• Compact: Compact ellipticals are ideal for home and workspaces. Some elliptical trainers only include pedals, without any handlebars, which can easily be stored in a closet or even under a desk. These can be great space-saving and cost-effective options for anyone looking for an easy way to burn extra calories throughout the day.
• Foldable: Those who want a full-size elliptical but still need to save space will want to look for a foldable elliptical. These machines have all the functionality of a full-size elliptical, but with the added benefit of easy storage.
• Full-size: Homeowners with dedicated space and commercial facilities that are not concerned with saving space will want to buy a full-size, non-folding elliptical. These machines are durable and heavy, so they typically have a higher weight capacity than other types of elliptical trainers.

Workout type

The types of workouts you intend to do on your elliptical will factor into the type of elliptical you buy.

• Rehabilitation workouts: People who use an elliptical as a rehabilitation/recovery tool, such as after surgery, will want an elliptical that has minimal impact. They may not be as concerned about the amount of resistance levels as people who are using ellipticals for more intense training. They will want a magnetic resistance elliptical, which is easy to adjust and requires less effort than an air resistance elliptical.
• Intense training: Users who want intense training sessions on their ellipticals will want an elliptical with a high resistance level. They may want an air resistance elliptical, which can offer a more intense and challenging workout.
• Low-intensity workout throughout the day: People who are looking for a way to burn calories all day long doing low-intensity workouts will benefit from compact strider machines that can be stored easily. These machines use the same feet movement as a full size elliptical, but they can be used while seated at a desk to burn additional calories throughout the day.

Drive type

The drive system of an elliptical impacts the overall feel and experience of your workout. It determines your elliptical’s stability, which can significantly impact how your workout feels.

• Front-drive: Also called a center drive system, front-drive ellipticals have the most stable platforms. Most newer elliptical designs have front drives since it’s needed on machines that feature an adjustable stride length. The front-drive adjusts the lower and the upper body motions so they are in sync throughout your workout.
• Rear-drive: More expensive ellipticals, typically those found in commercial facilities, are rear-drive ellipticals. On this type of elliptical, the drive system is located behind the user. They have fewer moving parts than front-drive ellipticals, and they also have a smoother pedal movement that is more similar to the natural motion of walking or running than front-drive ellipticals.

Console types

For many people, the amount of entertainment options available during a workout is more important than any other feature. Gym owners might want to consider upgrading their consoles to provide entertainment options to their users, and home users may find they use their elliptical more when it has features that keep them occupied. People concerned with cost, though, may want to skip an enhanced console and stick to a basic one.

• Traditional: A traditional console keeps track of vital information, including speed, incline, calories burned, time spent exercising and distance, throughout your workout. This is the console included with most ellipticals.
• Upgraded entertainment console: Users who want their console to do more than just track their workout will want to upgrade to an entertainment console. These consoles have a variety of features. Some are web-enabled, allowing users to surf the Internet and watch TV while also keeping track of their workout progress.
• Tablet and book holders: Both traditional and upgraded entertainment consoles can come with tablet/book holders. These are handy for anyone who likes to read while they workout and can be a cost-effective way to add entertainment value.

Stride length

The stride length on an elliptical is an important factor to consider, since getting one that is too long or too short can severely impact the effectiveness of your workout and even cause injury.

• 16-18 inches: Ellipticals with a range of 16-18 inches, and even those that extend to 20 inches, are good for people who are under five foot three. This length gives shorter people room for a comfortable stride without risking overreaching.
• Over 20 inches: People taller than five foot four should choose an elliptical with at least a 20-inch stride, preferably one that can adjust to a longer stride if needed. This gives taller users space for a comfortable stride.
• Up to 26 inches: Users who are very tall, over six foot seven, may want to consider ordering a special elliptical trainer with a stride length that ranges up to 26 inches.

Adjustability

To get the most out of your elliptical, make sure you find one that has adjustability features. Static ellipticals are rare, and they can quickly lead to burnout, boredom and exercise plateau when used regularly as part of your workout regimen. Nonadjustable ellipticals are more suitable for people who use them infrequently.

• Adjustable incline: An adjustable incline allows users to focus their workouts on different muscle groups, so it’s an important feature for those who are using their elliptical for serious training. Some ellipticals also feature an adjustable decline, which simulates running downhill.
• Adjustable resistance: Adjusting resistance allows users to push themselves during workouts. Most ellipticals use variable magnetic resistance, which makes it simple for users to change their resistance level.
• Adjustable pedals: Ellipticals with adjustable pedals allow users to add variety to workouts. It also allows users of different heights to use the same machine, since they can easily make the pedals comfortable for their needs every time they use it.

Hybrid

Hybrid elliptical machines combine an elliptical trainer with another type of cardio machine, such as a stationary bike or stair stepper. These machines can be a cost-effective way to add multiple types of exercise machines to a home gym.

Cross trainer

Cross trainer ellipticals feature movements for both the upper and lower body. They have handlebars that move in tandem with the leg pedals, giving users a total body workout.

Magnetic resistance

Magnetic resistance ellipticals allow users to change settings digitally and are quieter than air resistance ellipticals. These are the type most commonly found in gyms and other commercial facilities.

Air resistance

Air resistance ellipticals are driven by air, so the faster a user works, the harder the resistance becomes. These can be noisy, due to the amount of air that is blown through the fan to move the elliptical. These are more challenging than magnetic resistance machines.