Elliptical Trainers Buyers Guide
Elliptical trainers offer the benefit of an intense workout without the harsh impact that comes with running or jogging. They allow for the type of smoothness you can expect from bicycling while involving the arms. No other type of exercise lets you increase your heart rate with so little effort or discomfort. Active fitness enthusiasts who normally run or bike may be surprised at how quickly elliptical workouts help to burn calories and elevate the heart rate with so little effort. The reason elliptical workouts are so effective is because they evenly distribute the work among many muscle groups so every part of the body but no one part is doing all of the work. That’s why elliptical machines have exploded onto the home fitness scene.
Reading this guide will help you have a better understanding of elliptical machines when you read our elliptical trainer reviews. While each one of our elliptical reviews offers a thorough explanation of each model, this guide will provide a deeper understand of elliptical trainers in general.
Main Features
Stride Shape –What makes it an elliptical trainer
Stride Length – Depends on your height
Footpads – Closer spacing feels more natural
Flywheel – Location and size matter
Adaptive Motion or Variable Stride – You control your stride
Additional Features
Weight Capacity
Heart Rate Monitor
Console Display, Workout Programs, Other Accessories
Flywheel and Resistance
Flywheel Rods
Foot Pedals
Water Bottle Holders + Magazine Racks
Warranty
The Skinny – Deciding Which Elliptical Trainer is Right for You
Finding a Good Value
Elliptical trainers range in price from a few hundred dollars to several thousands of dollars depending on a lot of different features. It’s fair to assume that you get what you pay for—cheap elliptical machines don’t hold up to the level of expensive machines. Low end elliptical trainers tend to have inferior stride shapes that are more circular rather than a natural elliptical shape. The result is an awkward, clunky workout. They also tend to have shorter stride lengths which can make users feel like their shuffling their legs rather than extending them. Shorter stride lengths are very limiting, especially for tall users or anyone looking to increase flexibility. Cheap elliptical trainers don’t usually have as many resistance levels which means you’re more likely to hit a plateau and less likely to be challenged. And of course low end elliptical models just don’t live up to the durability of more expensive machines and may squeak, sway or even break down. If an elliptical trainer breaks down outside of its warranty, which also tends to be shorter on cheaper machines, then you may have difficulty finding replacement parts and a repair technician to fix it. Elliptical trainers under $500 are rarely worth the investment unless they are so cheap because they are on closeout. Elliptical trainers between priced between $500-$1000 are usually a good buy for most people as they are usually stable enough for the average users and sometimes include cool features. Getting into the $1000-$2000 range you find a big difference in stability and the quality of the consoles and electronic features. Above $2000 you’ll find commercial grade elliptical trainers meant for gyms or serious athletes. Depending on your specific budget you’ll have to decide what features are most important because in every prices range there are compromises. Some elliptical trainers are rated for heavier users, but lack extra gadgets and add-ons like built-in speakers and integrated fans. Others might have a long stride length, but have a lackluster digital console. That’s why it’s so important to understand all of the features and components of elliptical trainers before deciding on which model is best for you.
Main Features
The main features that you should look for when buying an elliptical trainer include stride shape, stride length, footpad spacing, flywheel size and location, and whether or not it includes an adaptive motion. Understanding these features helps you understand how an elliptical machine works. These core features depend based on price and manufacturer and can have a major impact on how natural and comfortable your elliptical workout feels.
Stride Shape –What makes it an elliptical trainer
The most important feature that makes an elliptical truly an elliptical is its stride shape. Elliptical machines feature two foot beds that move in an elliptical shape, or oval shape that mimics the natural movement of your feet as you walk or run. This elliptical shape is very different than the circular motion you get from biking or the linear motion you get from cross country skiing. Different elliptical trainers have different stride shapes based on their design. Elliptical machines with footpads that are attached directly to the flywheel tend to be more circular that oval shaped making them feel less natural. In this case the stride is humped and feels like bobbing up and down rather than back and forth. This isn’t a good ergonomic design and doesn’t allow the user to find a good workout rhythm. Better quality elliptical trainers include a track that the footpads are mounted on which results in a longer oval or elliptical shape. The resulting stride motion is much more natural and smooth. The downside to this design is that it’s less compact, which is an important feature for home use. Center drive or side-flywheel designs solve this problem, which we will discuss further so keep reading!
Stride Length – Depends on your height
Stride length dictates how much freedom your legs have to move, which is controlled by the size of the flywheel. Your natural stride length while walking tends to be around 1-2 feet and your running stride is even longer. Most elliptical trainers limit your stride to a fixed length, which can sometimes be adjusted between a few specific lengths. If the stride length isn’t long enough the motion feels choppy and more like shuffling than running, so naturally the taller you are the longer the stride length should be. Most users find 17”-18” comfortable while taller users require at least a 20” stride. A stride length of 16” or under feels short and choppy. Some elliptical trainers offer adjustable strides so different users at different heights can use them comfortable. Some experts say that adjustable stride lengths are also useful to work different muscle groups. Although it’s not common, a few manufacturers offer variable stride elliptical trainers that let you switch your stride length on the fly natural without making adjustments to the machine. These types of variable stride elliptical trainers often feature up to 35” stride lengths.
Footpads – Closer spacing feels more natural
The spacing between the pedals has a lot to do with comfort on an elliptical machine. Some machines boast a pedal spacing as low as 2” which feels very natural. But anything wider than 6” feels like you’re straddling the machine, which can be very uncomfortable for petite users. The problem with many elliptical designs comes from the width of the flywheel which determines how far apart the pedals are spaced. Center drive elliptical trainers (with two flywheels on the side rather than one large one on in the front or back) tend to have the closest pedals since they don’t have to leave space for a flywheel in between them.
Flywheel – Location and size matter
The size of the flywheel is a factor in how stable, smooth and quiet an elliptical trainer is. A large flywheel that’s at least 14lbs or more tends to offer a smooth and quiet ride and can also play a factor in stability. Yet large flywheels may also mean wide pedal spacing which can be uncomfortable for small users. The location of the flywheel is also important. A rear flywheel in many cases offers a good stride length while front flywheels tend to feel more level. However the location isn’t as important as the overall design and engineering as well as the design of the connecting rods.
Center drive elliptical trainers replace the standard front or rear single flywheel design with a dual flywheel design that places two smaller flywheels on each side. The biggest benefits are closer pedal spacing and a lower step on height, which is great for homes with low ceilings. However cheaper side-flywheel or center drive machines may not have consistent resistance on both sides.
Adaptive Motion or Variable Stride – You control your stride
One of the most exciting innovations in elliptical technology is the ability to control your stride on the fly with adaptive motion or variable stride elliptical trainers. These revolutionary new elliptical trainers are not locked in to one specific stride length allowing users to switch between longer and shorter strides for a completely natural experience. By using an extra set of mechanical linkages it’s possible to move back and forth somewhat independently of the flywheel.
The drawback to variable stride motion in some machines is that it can significantly decrease resistance and force the users to also lift their feet to involve the flywheel. However not every machine has this flaw. The benefit of adaptive motion is of course the unique range of motion and potential to work different muscle groups and increase flexibility. The motion may be difficult for new users, but with practice it can be mastered.
Additional Features
It’s important to understand all of the major features of an elliptical trainer that determine its value. Some users prefer elliptical trainers with lots of bells and whistles while others prefer a focus on quality design over features. Stronger machines tend to lack elaborate console displays and add-ons like built-in speakers, while machines with impressive feature sets may have a lower weight capacity or use a smaller flywheel. It’s up to each individual user to decide what features are most important when purchasing an elliptical trainer in their budget.
Weight Capacity
Weight capacity isn’t just important to heavy users. As a rule the higher the weight capacity the more stable the elliptical trainer so keep that in mind if you plan to work out frequently.
Heart Rate Monitor
Since elliptical trainers are cardio machines, monitoring your heart rate is essential. Some elliptical machines include workout programs that use your heart rate reading to determine the correct resistance level for your workout. Less expensive elliptical trainers include grip sensors that are usually stationary which mean you have to stop your upper body workout to use them. Customers tend to find grips annoying for that reason and prefer chest strap heart rate monitors. Chest straps measure your heart rate the entire time you work out without interruption so you can maintain a good upper body workout. Some customers don’t like chest straps because they get sweaty and putting them can be annoying. While the inclusion of heart rate monitors is nice, you could always use your own third party heart rate monitor that you trust in lieu of these.
On the subject of cardio, here are some tips to find the right target level for you. Start with 220 and subtract your age. Using 30 years old as an example you would take 220, subtract 30 and get 190. 190 is your maximum heart rate or MHR. Multiply that by 60% to find your fat burn target, 70% to find your aerobic threshold, 80% for your aerobic peak and 90% for your max safe limit. For our example that‘s 114, 133, 152, and 171. Using these numbers as a guide, a 30 year old should include 5 minutes of warm up getting their heart rate to 114 and then keep their heart rate between 135 and 145 for around 20 minutes out and cool back down for another 5 minutes. Of course it’s important to find the right work out for you and consult your doctor before staring any new work out. It’s a good idea to start low and work your way up, especially if you’re a beginner. Beginners may find that it’s easiest to just follow a built-in cardio routine in their elliptical trainer that adjusts intensity to achieve your target heart rate.
Console Display, Workout Programs, Other Accessories
The overall quality of the display can impact how much you enjoy using your elliptical trainer on a regular basis. A large amount of pre-programmed exercise routines keeps things interesting. The ability to program your own routines or add more later is even better. Options like calorie counters are also somewhat helpful, although they are notorious for giving unreliable readings sometimes. Some elliptical machines have simple displays with LED lights while others have high resolution LCD screens. Other luxury features that can make your workout more enjoyable include built-in speakers and TV screens. Built-in fans are fairly common, but most don’t blow fast enough to make a significant difference.
Flywheel and Resistance
The bigger the flywheel the smoother the ride. A large flywheel can also indicate a longer stride length in some cases. Magnetic resistance also impacts smoothness and is less likely to malfunction than mechanical resistance. Also, it’s important to look for more levels or resistance if you want control over how customizable your workouts are.
Flywheel Rods
The quality of the rails connecting the pedals to the flywheel determine the overall shape of the stride. Good geometry and a comfortable stride depend on how the pedals connect. Generally two rails for each rod is stable and less likely to fail. These rollers tend to break on cheaper models, while some really budget models don’t have traveler wheels putting all the weight on the hinges connecting the arm rods and the foot rods.
Foot Pedals
Oversized foot pedals allow the user to find the perfect foot placement. High-end elliptical trainers usually feature padded or cushioned footpads for a truly comfortable experience. High quality elliptical trainers also tend to feature articulating footpads that pivot allowing your feet to move natural with the elliptical motion. Pivoting footpads reduce stress on the ankles and knees significantly.
Water Bottle Holders + Magazine Racks
Look for these features to get you through long workouts.
Warranty
The length of the warranty an elliptical trainer comes says a lot about how willing the manufacturer is to stand behind their product. Longer warranties usually indicate quality design that’s less likely to break or malfunction. Inexpensive elliptical trainers come with short warranties as low as 90 days on parts and labor. You’ll want to look for warranties that are at least 1 year and in those cases it may be wise to opt for an extended warranty. Elliptical trainers offer different types of warranties for parts, labor and the frame. Most brands offer lifetime frame warranties because they almost never break. Some also offer lifetime break warranties, but again this is usually only offered on elliptical trainers with magnetic breaks which almost never malfunction. Most brands only offer 1 year on parts and labor, but high quality elliptical trainers may come with a warranty as long as 5-10 years depending on the price and overall value.
The Skinny – Deciding Which Elliptical Trainer is Right for You
The elliptical trainer buyer’s guide is designed to help you understand all of the many features and components that make up an elliptical machine. The amount of details in terms of design, manufacturing techniques and electronic components can seem overwhelming to new buyers, but if you take the time to understand what to look for in an elliptical it will keep you from making a costly mistake. Core features like stride length and flywheel location as well as knowing the difference between a fixed stride and a variable stride elliptical trainer will help you make an informed decision. Also knowing what to expect in terms of quality and gadgets in each price range will help you decide which features are most important to you within your budget.
