Who Purchases Ellipticals?
1. Those With Knee Pain Or Injury
Elliptical bikes are one of the top choices for those who have lately recovered from a knee injury or suffer from chronic pain in the knee. Unlike the intense effect of running on a treadmill or doing pull ups, the effect of ellipticals on the trainer’s knee is a lot less and the movements also tend to happen pretty smoothly. More than endurance, working out on an elliptical provides the user physical therapy, especially for those who have knee pain. However, the duration and workout level should be done with the approval of the concerned doctor.
2. Frequent Runners
If you are one of those who run frequently and want a workout machine that can provide you the same level of motion as running, then elliptical bike is for you. A lot of runners use elliptical for the purpose of cross training as it does not put too much pressure on the joints. It is a great option for doing a full body workout and you will get the same feel as running for an hour.
3. Commercial Gym Owner
If you own a gym, advanced-grade elliptical bikes should be a must in your list of gym equipments. Since they are also durable, a lot of gym goers also use them in their homes. However, home friendly elliptical bikes are slightly different from commercial ellipticals that are used in the gyms. And as a gym owner, you would definitely want to have those types of ellipticals that will be comfortable to use for the members in your gym.
Are Elliptical Bikes Good For Indoor Use?
Elliptical bikes are compact, portable and come with adjustable handlebars. Some elliptical bikes are also foldable and hence are great for small apartments, houses and flats. You can now exercise from the comfort of your home. The magnetic resistance bikes even allow for a silent workout (unlike the air resistance alternative) and hence wouldn’t be a nuisance in the neighbourhood.
Are Ellipticals As Effective As Running?
Elliptical bikes are generally considered a low impact exercising equipment and can hence be seen as a better alternative for users with arthritis and chronic pain. The framework is also equipped with flexible handles that provide support and allow you to exercise both your arms and leg muscles.
And while the treadmill is a better option if you are training for a marathon or a race, the elliptical machines are better suited to users who want an all-round aerobic workout. The elliptical trainer is safer, provides better support, is easy to control and allows for a wide range of fitness activities.
Types Of Ellipticals
1. Hybrid
Hybrid elliptical bikes are a compound of being an elliptical trainer as well as a cardio machine. You can use it as an elliptical machine as well as provide for yourself certain types of cardio workouts such as stationary biking, recline stepping or simulated climbing. This can be quite budget friendly for you as you will be able to do many workouts with a single training machine, whether at the comfort of your home or gym.
Hybrid bikes are best suited to beginners and professionals alike, the sturdy framework and ergonomic design concentrates on all your core muscles, giving you a satisfying workout session every time.
2. Cross Trainer
Cross trainer is great for those who want to work on their upper as well as lower body. The features are good for a full body workout session. These elliptical bikes also come with handlebars whose movements are in sync with the leg pedals.
Cross trainers are more flexible, adjustable and allow more movement than the other types of elliptical bikes. The pedalling action targets specific muscle groups, and is a great equipment for fitness enthusiasts who want to tone their body, strengthen their abdominal muscles and get abs. It targets the lower and upper muscles, even the glutes and gives you the freedom to make the workout as intense or relaxed you want by offering a wide range of resistance settings.
3. Magnetic Resistance
One great feature about magnetic resistance elliptical bikes is that you can digitally change the settings of the machine at your own convenience. And unlike the air resistance ones, they are not as noisy allowing you a quieter workout session. These elliptical bikes are mostly designed for commercial use which is why you will find them in all gyms.
4. Air Resistance
These elliptical bikes are operated by air. This means that the faster you will work out on it, the harder will its resistance level become. As mentioned above, they are noisier than magnetic resistance ellipticals as it is driven by air and the more is the air level that blows through the fan to move the machine, the higher will be the noise.
The elliptical bikes working on air resistance are fairly straightforward and user-friendly. These machines stress more on the intensity of your physical activity than the preset resistance settings. Also, air resistance bikes are among the cheapest elliptical bikes you can find in the market.
What To Consider When Choosing An Elliptical
1. Space
Space is the first thing that comes to ones mind when they plan to get a fitness equipment, whether it be for home or for commercial purpose. Measure the area before you go to buy the machine and be very sure about it. Depending on the size of the elliptical bike and the area of the space can you fit the machine in it. Here are three types of elliptical bikes based upon space:
- Foldable: Foldable elliptical bikes are for those who want a proper sized elliptical but also want to save up space. These ellipticals also come with wheels and have the added comfort of easy storage and portability.
- Compact: These ellipticals are best for home use and they come with pedals and without handlebars. This makes them easy to store in a cabinet or under some furniture. They can save you a lot of space and are also budget friendly.
- Full-Size: If space is not a matter of concern for you, go for a full-size elliptical bike. They are great to be used at home, office as well as in a commercial space such as a gym or community center. Unlike all the above types, these ellipticals are pretty sturdy and heavy which means they can easily take in users of higher weight.
2. Type Of Workout
Depending on your workout type, ellipticals come in three options:
- Intense Workout: If you are looking for an intense workout session, you will look for an elliptical that can provide you with high level of resistance. In this context, the air resistance ellipticals work the best despite higher noise as they offer you with a challenging training session.
- Low Intensity Workout: If burning calories is your priority or you are the kind who workout for longer hours on a low intensity session, these ellipticals are ideal for you. They are compact in size as well which means you can easily store them wherever you want. The features will be almost same as that of a full size elliptical machine and you can use them throughout the day to burn calories.
- Recovery Workout: If you have lately been recovering from a surgery, injury or pain and want an elliptical that can have minimum impact then go for the ones which come with rehabilitation workout features. In this context, the magnetic resistance ellipticals are ideal and they will also provide you with a quieter workout session.
3. Drive System
The type of drive system in your elliptical will directly influence the kind of experience you have during your workout. Here are the two types of elliptical bikes depending on the drive system and it’s stability:
- Rear Drive: Most of the higher priced ellipticals that you can find mostly in commercial spaces are rear drive ellipticals. The drive system of these ellipticals are placed behind the user seat. The pedal movement of these ellipticals are pretty smooth that is as good as walking or running.
- Front Drive: The platforms of front drive ellipticals are the most stable you can find in the market. Most of the latest elliptical bikes you will see today are front drive ones as the stride length can be adjusted to your convenience with them. This helps you to adjust the motions of your upper and lower body when you are working out.
4. Types Of Console
A lot of people like to watch something or listen to music when they are working out, which is why entertainment options become an important feature. Most gyms provide elliptical bikes with the upgraded consoles in them, this is because trainers like to occupy themselves when they are working out. If price is a serious concern for you then you might want to skip this for the basic ones.
- Traditional Console: These are mostly the basic consoles that provides details on speed, calories, times, distance and inclination.
- Entertainment Console: If you want your console to give you a little more than just providing the vital details, then you might want to upgrade to an entertainment console, which comes with many interesting features such as access to the Internet and watching TV while you are working out.
- Tablet/ Book Holders: Both the above types of consoles have the option of providing book and tablet holders. It is also a budget friendly way of adding some kind of entertainment while working out without upgrading to an entertainment console.
5. Length Of Stride
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: The ellipticals coming within this range are ideal for those whose height is 5’3’’ or less.
- Above 20 inches: If you are above 5” then you would want a lengthier stride that can also give you ample space to have a comfortable workout session.
- 26 inches: This stride length is for people above six foot and is a special kind of trainer.
6. Adjustability
If you want to have a comfortable workout session with your elliptical bike, then adjustability feature is an important one. It is a rarity to find an elliptical bike which is non adjustable – these can lead to faster burnout and can make you bored also. Non-adjustable or static ellipticals are usually suited for those who workout rarely.
- Adjustable Resistance: As the term suggest, these ellipticals allow you to push yourself considerably when you are working out. Most of the ellipticals are magnetic resistance making it easier and convenient for you to change the levels of resistance when you use them.
- Adjustable Pedals: With adjustable pedals, you can add more than one workout and can be used by trainers of different heights. Adjustable pedals help you have a comfortable time pushing the pedals while training.
- Adjustable Incline: With adjustable incline, you can change your workout depending on which muscles you want to focus on. Some of these ellipticals also come with adjustable decline which will give you the same feel when you run downhill.
Are Ellipticals Bad For Your Back?
Not at all, unlike stationary bikes, elliptical bikes are tailor-made to suit the requirements of people with chronic back pain. The very framework of the bikes is designed in such a way so as to offer maximum support on the back and other joints. Also, with elliptical bikes you can adjust the level of resistance and hence have control over the intensity and speed of the exercise routine. By changing the inclination, you can focus on certain sections and muscle groups in the body. Elliptical machines are also great for people who want a holistic low-impact cardio workout.
That being said, we would also recommend you incorporate some weight bearing exercises to your routine along with the elliptical trainer. Also, in case you feel that your back pain has aggravated, stop immediately. First-time users are usually advised to consult a professional trainer to figure out the right workout regime.
Elliptical vs. Treadmill: Which is Better?
People are still a bit confused when they want to choose between Elliptical Machines and Treadmills. Let’s have a briefer comparison here.
As we said earlier, elliptical machines have a bunch of benefits to offer. First of all, there is the lower impact on the body. You won’t have any joint-based issues, even after the continuous use of elliptical trainers. Also, you can distribute the impact of exercise into upper and lower parts of your body — thanks to the movable handles. At the same time, Reverse Stride is an awesome feature we find in most of the premium elliptical trainers. In short, an elliptical can be used as a versatile and effective method for proven-result exercises. The only disadvantage of using an elliptical is that you may lose the dynamic element while working out. This should not be a big thing for most, though.
Coming to the case of treadmills, the positive impacts are lesser than the negative ones. It’s a matter of fact that treadmill can simulate natural movements in the long run. You also get the benefits of versatility and better tracking of fitness data. However, coming to the case of disadvantages, Treadmills are really harmful. Continuous usage of treadmill equipment will cause you issue like joint stress. Also, when compared to elliptical machines, treadmills are less secure. In short, you should be an expert to get the best from a treadmill. And, we know this isn’t the case for newbies.
So, in the Elliptical Trainers Vs Treadmills comparison, you have more reasons to go with elliptical machines. By spending a lot less than treadmills, you can have better performance and exercises — right from your home. What’s your choice, by the way?
Compare Reviews Of Top Elliptical Brands
1. Sole Fitness
SOLE is a renowned brand name in the commercial fitness industry. They manufacture from the range of elliptical hybrid to high end ellipticals both for intensive training as well as for low intensity training. Two of the most popular ellipticals in the market today are Sole SC200 Stepper and Sole E98 Elliptical. While the former is a hybrid model that is great for lower body workout as it allows for less impact on the joints and hips – further coming with 20 resistance levels, the latter is a front drive elliptical that provides you with smoother ride and also comes with bluetooth connectivity.
All fitness equipments from SOLE come with a 30 days money return guarantee. If you do not like it, you will get full refund after 30 days. Most of the SOLE ellipticals of the latest models, come with Bluetooth capacity so you can easily connect it to your smartphone and listen to music or even attend calls. SOLE ellipticals are ideal for trainers who prefer intensive workout.
2. Schwinn Elliptical
When Schwinn was founded, they were mostly manufacturing outdoor biking. It was only around 1960s that they started lining up treadmills and elliptical bikes. Almost all the ellipticals from Schwinn are effectively priced below 1000$. Three of its best selling models are Schwinn 520, 430 and 470, of which the Schwinn 470 is the most popular one. The body of most Schwinn ellipticals are usually heavy and sturdy. Most of the standard models come with a stride length of 20 inches which is the basic length for all home friendly ellipticals. However, the Schwinn 520 comes with a stride length of 14 inches.
All the Schwinn ellipticals come with resistance range that can be digitally controlled. Most of the standing ellipticals from Schwinn come with a maximum of 10 percent inclines which makes it comfortable for you to workout. The other two important features in Schwinn ellipticals are more than 20 workout programs that includes both manual as well as customised programs, and the provision to create more than one profile which makes it convenient for you to save your customised workout programs. Lastly, these elliptical machines come with wheels which makes it easy for you to transport it from one space to another.
To start with, any elliptical you buy in 2019 will feature tablet holders and iPod-compatible sound system. If you go for the higher end models, they feature touch screen and Android web browsers. There are four major series in Proform Ellipticals: Endurance series, Pro series, CSE series, Hybrid series. The best part about Proform ellipticals is that they come with lifetime warranties.
Endurance series have a resistance system on the backside of the machine but that does not mean the equipment would compromise on the space and stride length. The Pro series come with a flywheel of range between 28-32 pounds and are lighter in weight in comparison to endurance series. The CSE series are mostly rear drive ellipticals and are not heavy in weight. The Hybrid series is comparatively low priced and are ideal for low-intensity workout sessions.
4. Sunny Health and Fitness Elliptical
Sunny Health and Fitness ellipticals are mostly meant for home use. They have been a popular brand for more than a decade now. If you are looking for serious and intense workout session then these ellipticals are not meant for you. But if you are looking for a solid elliptical for low-impact workout from the comfort of your home, then go ahead with the Sunny ellipticals. Some of these ellipticals such as the SF-E902 Sunny Air Walk Trainer is priced as low as 100$ without compromising on the quality of the product.
You cannot consider the Sunny ellipticals as the best known brand in fitness machines for commercial spaces such as the gym but they function decently and is sure to provide you with a comfortable workout session. They are solid in design, budget friendly and so far have been well received by customers.
5. Exerpeutic Elliptical
Exerpeutic ellipticals are a great option for those looking for entry level of ellipticals. They are sturdy in design and provide you with great features for full body workout from the comfort of your home. You can choose from a variety of programs to focus on which muscles you want to target upon. As it uses magnetic resistance, it provides you with a quiet training session for as many hours as you want.
Most of the Exerpeutic ellipticals come with easy-to-read LCD display that provides users with all the vital information ranging from time, calories burnt, distance, speed. You won’t find too many fancy features in it but it suffices for those looking for standard elliptical bikes for low impact workout, toning up and weight loss sessions. It is also priced cost effectively with a minimum stride length of 18 inches. The Exerpeutic 1000XL Heavy Duty Elliptical is one of its most popular elliptical machine with minimum impact level on your joints, ankles and knees.
Summary
Choosing the right elliptical machine could be confusing task if you are buying elliptical machine for the first time. We have reviewed 152+ models of various elliptical machines and rated all of them based upon various factors such as price, build quality, resistance level and of course warranty.
Use these unbiased reviewed of the best elliptical machines and choose the one which suits your requirements and budget.
Hayden Saunders
