Elliptical machines are excellent tools for those of you who are looking to shed excess body fat and improve your fitness. These machines offer a great opportunity for you to get fit in the comfort of your own home without having to invest in tons of heavy weights or waste your money on gimmicky exercise devices.
In this article, we are going to look at the 10 best elliptical machines on the market, which we have narrowed down by scouring countless user reviews and testing out all manner of elliptical trainers to determine which ones are the cream of the crop.
If you are unfamiliar with the benefits of elliptical machines, or are unsure of the fantastic benefits that they offer, then check out the following section. Not only will it help you to become a more informed shopper, but it will also help you to choose the best elliptical machine for your needs, budget, and goals.
Elliptical Machine FAQ – Which Elliptical Machine is Right for You?
Elliptical Machines vs. Treadmills
Elliptical machines and treadmills are probably the two most popular forms of cardiovascular exercise equipment. But, do you know how they compare to each other and why you should choose an elliptical over a treadmill?
Many people prefer to use elliptical machines over treadmills because they are non-impactful on your joints due to the circular motion they perform. Treadmills are similar to walking and running, so each footfall results in an impact that may be detrimental to those of you with joint health concerns.
It’s also worth considering treadmills typically require a main electricity supply while elliptical machines – particularly smaller models – operate using a dynamo that powers the display and other features with the energy generated by your movements.
Furthermore, if you live in a flat or apartment with neighbours close by then an elliptical machine is probably a wise choice as they tend to operate far more quietly than a treadmill, again, due to the fact that they have you exercising in a non-impactful fashion.
Should I Consult a Doctor Before Using an Elliptical Machine?
If you suffer from acute or chronic joint issues in your knees, hips, or ankles then you will certainly want to use your own discretion or that of your doctor’s before using an elliptical machine on a regular basis. Also, make sure that if you have any pre-existing heart conditions or any other medical condition that can be affected by cardio exercising, that you consult your physician first.
Other than that, elliptical machines are very safe to use for the majority of people. If you are an otherwise healthy adult initially then there’s no reason why you would need to speak to your doctor before using this awesome piece of fitness equipment.
What are Rear, Center, and Front Drive Elliptical Machines?
Elliptical machines come in a few different styles, with the flywheel mechanism that powers the machine either at the rear, center, or front of the apparatus.
Most of the elliptical machines you will see in your local gym are larger models with a rear drive mechanism, but the majority of home elliptical machines feature a front drive mechanism so this is predominantly what we will be focusing on in our top 10 list.
We believe that front drive elliptical machines are typically the best option for home use due to their more compact size, affordability, and quieter operation.
There are a couple of novel designs featuring in this list which falls outside of these categories, so be sure to keep your eyes open for these as we think they are very interesting additions and well worth considering.
Now that we have answered a few of the most pressing questions about elliptical machines, it’s time to jump into our list of the 10 best elliptical machines so that you can kick start your fitness and begin shedding body fat like never before.
10 Best Elliptical Machines for You to Lose Fat and Enhance Your Fitness
1. Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Upright Bike with Pulse
With a generous capacity and a large seat cushion, Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Upright Bike with Pulse has been designed to provide a safe, comfortable, and effective workout to people of all shapes and sizes.
This is a very compact elliptical machine that can be folded away in a matter of moments for easy storage. Furthermore, the wheels attached to the bottom make it incredibly easy for you to move this machine around even if it is too heavy to lift.
Having said that, this small exercise machine comes with the added benefit of making it lightweight, as it weighs in at just 42.8 lbs.
In addition to being compact, this elliptical machine features varied magnetic resistance to help keep things challenging, while also incorporating a heart pulse monitoring system, so that you can ensure your heart rate is where it needs to be to improve your fitness level and boost your fat loss results.
All of these great benefits come at a surprisingly low price, so this is the ideal elliptical machine for you if you’re looking for an effective piece of kit on a limited budget.
Check Price on Amazon2. Schwinn 430 Elliptical Machine
The Schwinn 430 Elliptical Machine is a slightly more expensive elliptical machine, but is undeniably worth every penny as it comes jam packed with a variety of great features.
You can adjust this elliptical machine to a whopping 20 different levels of resistance that are set up with a high-speed, high inertia weighted flywheel that guarantees every movement is consistently smooth and quiet. This is a great elliptical machine for ensuring you do not upset your neighbors!
If you prefer to use preset exercise programs then you will be pleased to know that this machine also includes 22 separate programs that will enable you to work your body in a variety of different ways. Everything from slow and steady to high-intensity interval workouts are included.
What’s more, the integrated USB port enables you to charge your mobile devices and exchange data with the Schwinn Connect app so that you can track your goals and monitor your performance on an ongoing basis.
3. Cubii Under Desk Elliptical
If you are severely lacking in space or you want a piece of exercise equipment that you can easily move around and use discreetly then you will definitely want to consider checking out the Cubii Under Desk Elliptical.
This neat, little elliptical was named in TIME’s Favourite Gifts for 2017, as well as being featured in other press publications such as NPR, CNBC, Mashable, and InStyle. It’s hardly surprising when you see just how cool this machine really is.
The Cubii Under Desk Elliptical is easily assembled in just a few minutes, and once you have it assembled you will be able to use it just about anywhere. This elliptical machine enables you to exercise at home or in the office – basically, you can workout anywhere that you have a few square inches of space on the floor.
This machine is available in chrome and black colors, and it even synchronizes with your FitBit and HealthKit to provide feedback on things like distance covered, number of strides, calories burned, and more.
Check Price on Amazon4. ProGear 100S Exercise Bike
This elliptical machine features a heart rate sensor that measures your pulse and enables you to make sure you are keeping your heart rate within the target zone required for optimal fat loss. Feedback on this machine is provided by way of a high-quality LCD display.
The LCD display also provides feedback on other metrics such as the number of calories you are burning during your workout, distance covered, speed, and much more. With this information, you can easily be sure that you are on track and performing on a consistent basis.
There is an emergency brake that you can hit if you need to stop suddenly, and a simple dial enables you to adjust the amount of tension resistance so that you can progressively increase the difficulty of your workouts as your fitness increases and your legs get stronger.
Check Price on Amazon5. Marcy Foldable Exercise Bike
This elliptical machine has been constructed with durable materials that are surprisingly lightweight in nature. This makes the Marcy Foldable Exercise Bike very easy to move around, and the fact that it is foldable means that you can easily stash it away in a jiffy if you need to.
The great thing about this is that even if you want to work out on a daily basis, you won’t need to keep this elliptical machine out in the open all the time. You can easily unfold it within seconds to use it and when you are finished you can do exactly the same to store it away.
As for the workouts themselves, this elliptical machine comes with eight preset levels of magnetic resistance control already integrated, and you can incrementally adjust the resistance yourself to ensure you are progressing in your fitness efforts over a period of time.
Given how inexpensive this elliptical machine is, we have been very impressed by the level of quality and overall functionality on offer, making this a highly recommended product.
Check Price on Amazon6. Inspire Cardio Strider 2 (Cs2)
The Inspire Cardio Strider 2 (Cs2) is one of the more expensive elliptical machines in this top 10 list, but it really is an absolutely amazing piece of fitness equipment and one that has been a true privilege to test out.
The defining characteristic of this elliptical machine is that it features a reclining seat design that can be adjusted in three different positions via the back pad to provide a comfortable workout that will not inflict as much wear and tear on your joints over time.
This elliptical machine incorporates eight preset workout programs, including six total body sessions and two different interval programs to give you a well rounded selection of workouts for your entire body.
In addition to this, the Inspire Cardio Strider 2 (Cs2) features a completely frictionless electromagnetic resistance system, which is designed to be long-lasting as there are no mechanical parts rubbing against each other during usage.
Larger individuals will also be pleased to know that this product supports a weight limit of up to 300 lbs.
Check Price on Amazon7. Xspec Foldable Stationary Upright Exercise Bike Cardio Workout Indoor Cycling
Available in two different colors and providing a weight capacity of up to 220 lbs, the Xspec Foldable Stationary Upright Exercise Bike Cardio Workout Indoor Cycling is a fantastically cost-effective elliptical machine for those of you on a limited budget.
This elliptical machine has been designed with a greater emphasis on being compact and lightweight. Weighing in at just 32 lbs, this piece of equipment can be folded up and easily stored away in just a few seconds, and the integrated transportation wheels make it very easy to move around.
The seat on this machine is made of a very comfortable foam material, which is also integrated into the handles to provide further comfort during intense sessions. Furthermore, the height of the seat can be adjusted which is perfect for the taller individuals amongst you.
Check Price on Amazon8. Brenda DyGraf Fit Rider X Elliptical
If you are looking for a little additional guidance to help you get started then you might want to consider checking out this elliptical machine as it includes a complimentary personal training DVD brought to you by Brenda DyGraf.
This elliptical machine supports individuals weighing up to 250 lbs, and features large pedals that incorporate an anti-slip design so that you can work your butt off safely and comfortably. There is also a simple LCD display that provides feedback on metrics such as time and calories burned.
Another great feature of this elliptical machine, is that it has been designed with a great deal of emphasis placed on providing a smooth and silent workout. This makes it ideal for those of you who are surrounded by neighbors in an apartment block.
Check Price on Amazon9. AFG Sport 5.5AE Elliptical
The AFG Sport 5.5AE Elliptical is a highly impressive elliptical machine that is ideal for families as it enables the creation of multiple user accounts so that everyone in the household can keep track of their own fitness journey and compare progress with one another.
This elliptical machine includes an integrated heart rate monitor in addition to 3 LED displays enabling you to monitor all of the usual metrics such as calories burned, time, distance, and so on.
The AFG Sport 5.5AE Elliptical supports individuals weighing up to 275 lbs, and also incorporates a fan to keep you cool. There are speakers so that you can use mobile device and play all of your favorite tracks while working out.
Check Price on Amazon10. Universal E40 Elliptical
To finish up this list of the 10 best elliptical machines on the market, we have this awesome exercise product, which features seven individual workout programs to give you a variety of challenging sessions that will keep the results coming week after week.
These comfortable rubber grip handles feature heart rate monitors so that you can ensure your heart rate remains in the optimal zone for maximal fat loss. You can also manually adjust the level of magnetic resistance if you prefer to take a more hands on approach.
As with many of the models we have looked at in this list, there is a large LCD display which enables you to track metrics in real time including calories burned, distance, average speed, and more.
Check Price on AmazonConclusion
Elliptical machines come in a variety of different shapes and sizes, but there are some very common themes between models, with most of them offering preset programs and manually adjustable levels of magnetic resistance.
Aside from the obvious features such as USB connectivity, heart rate monitors, and so on, we recommend paying close attention to how much emphasis the manufacturer has placed on overall comfort and smooth operation.
Adherence to an exercise program is going to be far easier and more realistic if you are using an elliptical machine that is a pleasure workout on rather than one that causes you achy joints or a sore posterior.
