Choosing the Best Elliptical Exercise Machine

With hundreds of models and dozens upon dozens of manufacturers, it can be a difficult task to choose the right elliptical exercise machine for you and your family.  The first thing to consider is your budget and with this you can narrow down which elliptical exercise machine is right for you. 

It is not recommended to look for an elliptical exercise machine for under $800, as anything in a price range lower than that is of such inferior quality that it will not meet your, and anyone’s, exercise needs.  This article will take a look at what to look for in each of the different price ranges.

Lower Priced Elliptical Exercise Machines

Finding a trainer in this range that is a quality piece of workout equipment can be very difficult.  Most of the high quality elliptical exercise machines will cost more than $1500, but there are some really good models in this price range if you know what to look for.  The first feature to consider is stride distance.  Many trainers in this price range offer a very small stride distance. 

This means a much poorer workout for you.  Look to see if you can find a machine with the stride distance of at least 20 inches, which is about what you require to complete a solid workout.  Most of the elliptical exercise machines in this price range offer some advanced features like pulse trackers, varied programs, and self programmable

routines.  These feature are not the most important, however should be included with any quality machine.

Medium Priced Elliptical Exercise Machines

Here is where some of the machines start to get much more advanced features.  Workout machines in this price range are starting to push towards the very expensive, so the first thing to consider when looking in this range is what kind of warranty, service, and support comes with your elliptical exercise machine. 

If the machine breaks, you want to know that your investment is protected.  Make sure that the trainer has at least a three year warranty.  Also, you should be able to find most if not all of the features that you are looking for, so be sure to double check that the trainer comes with everything you need before you buy.

Expensive Machines - $4000 and up

Here is where you get the truly gym class elliptical exercise machines.  For most people, spending this much money on a trainer is not a good idea because these are designed for everyday 7-20 hour a day use. 

For a normal home user that is just not practical.  In addition, most, if not all, of the features available on units in this price range are available on trainers in the lower cost bracket.  You would probably do better to simply find a trainer in that price range that has all the features you need.