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Elliptical Trainer Reviews, Best Cheap Elliptical Machines
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Cheap Elliptical Trainers Buying Guide
Exercise enthusiasts and professional trainers love elliptical machines because of their ability to train the whole body with minimal impact to the joints. But it's hard to justify spending thousands of dollars on a machine when you can join a local gym for much less. Thankfully, several budget elliptical machines are cheaper than a gym membership and offer lots more convenience. In fact, you can find a quality machine that should stand up to years of use while spending less than $1,000.
With more than a dozen brands of elliptical machines on the market, sorting through the best affordable models can be a workout in itself. Schwinn (a division of Nautilus), Horizon, Weslo, Icon (which also manufactures ProForm), Fitness Quest, Stamina, and Eclipse dominate the value segment yet offer models across a range of price points.
To help you decide which budget machine is best for you, we've prepared a rundown of features commonly found on affordable elliptical machines as well as a summary assessment of how they perform.
Back to top »What to Look for: Cheap Elliptical Trainers Features
Cheap Elliptical Trainers Stride Length.
Stride length is an important consideration, especially if you or anyone in your family is above-average height. Stride length on the best budget elliptical machines ranges from 14" to 21". Most consumers say a stride length of at least 18", as found on the Schwinn 430 (starting at $550, Amazon
), provides maximum comfort. Elliptical trainer reviews by experts at AllEllipticals.com recommend that users taller than six feet steer clear of the Stamina Fitness Silent Magnetic Resistance Cross Trainer Elliptical (starting at $250, Amazon
), which features a relatively short 14" stride length. The Weslo Momentum 610 (starting at $180) has an even shorter 12" stride length.
Discount Elliptical Machines Footprint.
If space is limited in your home, you'll want to consider the footprint, or amount of floor space, the elliptical trainer occupies. You want the machine to have a large enough base to be stable, but you may not want it to consume half of your living room or home gym. Measure your workout space at home and compare it to specs on each machine (don't forget ceiling height). Professional elliptical trainer reviews at sites such as Myellipticalmachines.net and Treadmillsensei.com like the compact footprint of the Stamina Fitness Silent Magnetic Resistance Cross Trainer Elliptical; but there's a tradeoff with these models -- the short stride length.
Cheap Elliptical Trainers Exercise Programs.
Preset programs are a helpful tool for orienting your workout around specific fitness goals, be they fat burning, cardio, or interval workouts. Some machines also let you customize your own workout program. Both the Schwinn 430 and the Eclipse 1100HR/A (starting at $400, Amazon
) offer preset programs as well as manual or customizable ones.
Low-price Elliptical Machines Resistance.
Whether manual or electronic, resistance is something you want to be able to easily adjust during your workout—preferably without stepping off the machine. Planning to do interval workouts? If so, electronically adjustable resistance is essential. The Schwinn 430, the Eclipse 1100HR/A, the Horizon EX76 (starting at $950), and the Stamina Fitness Silent Magnetic Resistance Cross Trainer Elliptical all feature electronic or computerized resistance. Typically, the more expensive the machine, the greater the number of electronic resistance levels, which adds variety to your training and keeps you motivated. Resistance levels on the very budget-priced Weslo Momentum 610 must be adjusted manually.
Discount Elliptical Trainers Noise Level.
A well-designed low-priced elliptical trainer provides quiet, smooth operation at all intensity levels and speeds. Unlike household appliances, however, manufacturers don't disclose how loud a machine is in decibels. What sounds noisy to you is a subjective measure and a good test is whether you can easily listen to music, carry on a conversation, or watch TV while using the machine. Elliptical trainer reviews by consumers on Amazon.com and elliptical trainer expert reviews at AllEllipticals.com give high marks for low noise levels to the Schwinn 430, Horizon EX76, and Stamina Fitness Silent Magnetic Resistance Cross Trainer Elliptical. The Eclipse 1100HR/A, on the other hand, scores a little high on the noise meter in user reviews of cheap elliptical trainers on Amazon. But take note: Proper assembly is key to avoiding irritating noises, such as squeaks and creaks.Bargain Elliptical Trainers Foot Pedals.
Pedals should cradle your feet without constricting them. Most pedals on low-cost ellipticals offer some sort of traction control, as well. Higher-end machines provide more cushioning on the foot pedals or feature pedals that articulate (i.e., they pivot like a bike pedal, allowing for more fluid motion through the ankle). Articulating pedals are a nice bonus, but not necessary to achieving a comfortable workout; the budget Schwinn 430 comes with articulating pedals.Cheap Elliptical Trainers Safety Features.
Elliptical trainers should provide a safe, low-impact workout. If you choose a machine without upper-body poles, make sure it comes with handrails to provide balance; all the machines on our recommended list have handrails. Some machines, including many models made by Precor, also offer something called a "pedal arm safety pin," which keeps unsupervised children from using the machine.
Discount Elliptical Machines Adjustable Incline.
The ability to adjust the ramps can add intensity to your workouts, although this feature is usually found only on high-end machines, such as the Precor EFX series (starting at $2,800, Amazon
) or the NordicTrack AudioStrider 990 (starting at $1,000, Amazon
).You can get similar results with budget models by adjusting the resistance. The Horizon EX76 is one of the few affordable elliptical trainers we found that offers adjustable incline, but it is priced at the far upper reaches of the Cheapism niche.
Cheap Elliptical Trainers Warranty.
Good budget elliptical machines come with a manufacturer's warranty of a year or more; the longer and more comprehensive the warranty, the better for the consumer. The Schwinn 430 offers an astonishing 15-year warranty on the frame, two years on parts, and one year on electronics, but only 90 days on labor. The ProForm Razor 400 ES (starting at $450, Amazon
), on the other hand, only offers a 90-day warranty on parts and labor; after 90 days, not even manufacturer's defects are covered.
Low-cost Elliptical Trainers Console Gadgets
Extras such as an in-console CD player, MP3 port, speakers, fan, water bottle holder, and LCD screen or TV certainly aren't necessary, but can add fun and comfort to your workout. NordicTrack's Freemotion S5.8 (starting at $2,000, Amazon
) comes with a built-in 7" TV screen, and the LifeFitness X Series elliptical trainers (starting at $2,000, Amazon
) let you upgrade the console to include larger LCD screens and more entertainment options. But if these extras need repair, having them serviced can be a problem. A handful of budget elliptical trainers offer basic gadgets: the Horizon EX76 has a port to plug in your MP3 player, which you can listen to through the console speakers or your own headphones. And other budget brands, such as Schwinn, Eclipse, Stamina, and Horizon, offer heart rate/pulse monitors standard on every model, regardless of price. And most affordable elliptical trainers include a water bottle holder.
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What to Expect: Discount Elliptical Trainers Performance
A few sources, such as AllEllipticals.com, actually test and review elliptical machines each year. Besides that, we have to rely on elliptical trainers ratings and reviews provided by users. Here's what consumers have to say about how the budget elliptical machines perform:
Cheap Elliptical Trainers Ease of Assembly.
To get the best prices on elliptical machines, you typically have to order online, which means your machine arrives at your doorstep in a box and you're on your own when it comes to assembly. All of our recommended buys can be assembled within a couple of hours with the labor of one or two people. Target and Walmart customers give a thumbs up to the Eclipse 1100 HR/A for ease of assembly, although occasional reports crop up about screw holes being the wrong size. On the other hand, several elliptical machine reviews on Amazon.com warn that the Schwinn 430 can be tricky to assemble. Users say predrilled holes don't always line up perfectly and in a few instances, parts were missing from the box; in most cases, users say, a quick call to Schwinn's customer service line remedied the problem.
Discount Elliptical Machines Ease of Use.
What makes affordable elliptical machines great for aerobic workouts is the close simulation to walking or running, minus the impact. Elliptical trainer reviews by experts at AllEllipticals.com tout the Schwinn 430 for its smooth action and ease of use, though they note that some testers wished for a larger screen for better visibility of the user's exercise data. The Horizon Fitness EX76 garners kudos for its myriad features and easy to understand, intuitive programs and display screen; an elliptical trainer review on Horizontreadmillreviews commends the variable stride length and smooth motion of this model. Reviewers at AllEllipticals.com also praise the Stamina Fitness Silent Magnetic Resistance Cross Trainer Elliptical for being an all-around good performer given its bargain price. Likewise, consumer posts on Target.com say the Eclipse 1100 HR/A "does the job" despite lacking the bells and whistles of pricier machines.Cheap Elliptical Trainers Durability.
Most consumers review products within the first few months of use, so it's hard to predict how well the machines hold up to multiple users or years of wear and tear. Out of more than 55 elliptical trainer reviews on Amazon for the Eclipse 1100 HR/A, three reviews claim the machine is not durable: One reports the motor breaking and the other two report handles or other connections coming loose and needing adjustment; still, the vast majority of customers don't report these problems. Based on our research, highest marks for durability go to the Horizon Fitness EX76, with users equating it to an affordable, club-quality machine. Similarly, reviewers have only good things to say about the durability (at least short-term) of the Schwinn 430. EllipticalTrainers.com gives low marks on durability to most ProForm machines, warning that the cheap plastic and components hold up to only "light use." Likewise, at BestBuy.com, consumers complain that Weslo elliptical machines wobble during use and screws require periodic retightening.Budget Elliptical Trainers Results.
Of course, no elliptical machine is worth anything if it sits and collects dust in your basement. Your ultimate satisfaction comes with results, whether that's weight loss, improved cardio endurance, or just a daily endorphin high. And those results can only be achieved if you actually use your budget elliptical machine on a regular basis. Professional elliptical reviewers, muscle magazines, and customers all agree, however, that the easier your machine is to use and maintain, the more likely you'll be to stay motivated and stick with your workouts.Final note:
Once you've narrowed down your choices, if you have time, take your research a step further and visit retailers to test-drive the budget machines. Wear comfortable clothing and use each machine for several minutes, noting how smooth the motion is, how loud the machine is at high speeds, and whether you feel comfortable with the foot pads and handrails. Some of the low-priced machines have a tendency to "walk" across the floor during use, especially with heavier adults. If you notice that sort of jerky motion, walk away from the machine. Back to top »
Best Cheap Elliptical Trainers
Schwinn 430
A relatively new model made by Nautilus with 18" stride length, solid frame, articulating footpads, eight computer-controlled resistance levels, eight exercise programs (including custom user-profile programs), grip heart-rate monitor; critical features and a record of durability make this one of the best buys.
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Good Cheap Elliptical Trainers
Horizon EX76
Reminiscent of a club machine at a more reasonable price with 18"-19" variable stride length, 16 resistance levels, 16 programs, and heavy-duty 14.3 lb flywheel; unlike most budget machines, the EX76 also features power incline up to 16%, supports users up to 300 pounds, and comes with MP3 port and speakers; users like the smooth motion.
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Products Mentioned in This Review
Weslo Momentum 610ProForm Razor 400 ES
Horizon EX76
Stamina Fitness Silent Cross Trainer
Schwinn 430
Eclipse 1100HR/A
