Table of Contents
Elliptical machines will be a great addition to your home gym. Elliptical machines, also known as cross-trainers, provide users with excellent aerobic exercises. They are quite popular in fitness centers due to their unique, stride-like motion in which the exercise engages the body. In this article, we look at the 7 best ellipticals for home use, selected for their incredible performance and value for money.
Elliptical trainers are some of the most effective, low-impact workout equipment you can purchase. They provide you with a safe, fantastic way to tone your muscles, burn fat, lose weight, and have a complete body workout. In gyms, these machines are often fully booked. Besides, with most people busy at work, sticking to a scheduled workout session is difficult. Therefore, getting an elliptical for your home is a wise investment that will allow you to exercise at your convenience.
Summary Of The Best Ellipticals For Homes
The best ellipticals for home use include the Precor Smart Elliptical, Sole E95, XTERRA Fitness Elliptical, Schwinn 430 Elliptical, and the ProForm Smart Elliptical.
Why you Need the Best Elliptical for Home Use
Elliptical trainers provide the least stress on your knees and joints as you work out. The stride-like motion of the elliptical mimics your natural walking motion, so you don’t have to strain any joints and muscles during your workout. This way, you can also strengthen your bones, and delay the onset of osteoporosis and arthritis.
An elliptical combines both upper and lower body workouts. This means that, with the cross-trainer, you get to tone your entire body at once. These machines also give you a wide range of aerobic exercises, which are essential for a balanced fitness regimen.
Elliptical trainers offer a variety of training programs with variable resistance levels. By alternating resistance, you could mimic biking up a hill or perform high-intensity training. Some elliptical machines have wireless heart rate controls, which vary the intensity of the workout based on your heart rate. Apart from being versatile, these machines are low maintenance as the low-impact workouts barely affect the moving parts.
Buyers’ Guide for the Best Ellipticals for Home Use
Here are the key features that you should look out for when purchasing an Elliptical:
1. Incline and Resistance
When you adjust your machine’s incline and resistance, you vary the intensity of your workout. Elliptical machines that allow you to switch the incline and resistance levels are more desirable. An adjustable incline, in particular, is important for targeted muscle exercises.
2. Handles
Handles provide elliptical riders with an upper-body workout. The best elliptical machines have dual handles: stationary and moving handles. You can use the movable handles when looking for a full-body workout. Stationary handles are for when you perform lower body workouts.
3. Secondary features
You will need to keep track of your key performance indicators as you work out. The best elliptical trainers are equipped with LCD screens that display your heart rate, distance, speed, and riding time to keep you motivated. Advanced elliptical machines feature touch screen LED monitors that allow you to access a wide range of training programs, apps, and media libraries.
4. Natural and Smooth Motion
The ideal Best Elliptical for Home Use should provide you with a low-impact exercise. A smoothly running elliptical mimics your body’s natural walking movement, so the workout doesn’t make you uncomfortable. For low impact, find elliptical machines whose pedals are large, textured, or strap, so your feet don’t jerk suddenly while you pedal.
Best Elliptical for Home, Top 6 Best on Amazon
1. XTERRA Fitness Elliptical
If you’re looking for a quality elliptical that won’t break the bank, the XTERRA Fitness Elliptical is a great option. This machine is ergonomically designed with a 17″ stride length, which provides a comfortable elliptical motion. The aluminum wheel tracks also allow the pedals to slide smoothly with minimal friction. You’ll love the blue & yellow backlit LCD window, which is easy to read and displays program profile, time, speed, distance, calories, pulse and resistance level.
Plus, there are 24 pre-set programs to choose from, 2 heart rate control programs and a manual mode. The built-in audio jack with speaker also allows you to listen to your favorite music while you work out. Tone up your body and have some fun at the same time with the XTERRA Fitness Elliptical.
Pros
- Sturdy, stable construction
- Easy to use and assemble
- You can easily monitor your fitness progress
- Comes with a reliable warranty
- Large, comfortable pedals
Cons
- Some users found the handlebars to be too narrow
Buy On Amazon
2. SOLE E95 Elliptical – Best value for money
The Sole Elliptical is popular with fitness enthusiasts because it offers comfortable training for all users. This machine gives you a natural, fluid motion that makes your workout easier, even at high intensities. This machine comes with a heavy, 27-pound flywheel with high gear rotation that makes your workout smooth and comfortable.
You can adjust the resistance over 20 levels, allowing you to find the perfect setting for anyone in your household. The machine comes with both movable and fixed handles. Thus, you can choose between a lower body workout, and dual, full-body exercise. The fixed handles are equipped with pulse-grip heart rate monitors.
This machine was designed for effective, low-impact workouts. The cushioned pedals come with a 2° inward tilt that helps minimize the impact on your ankles and knees. The bike features a Blue Backlit LCD monitor that lets you keep track of your workout statistics. This console is loaded with six workout programs to get you started.
Pros
- Smooth, natural exercise
- 20 levels of resistance allow for customization
- Includes Bluetooth Speakers, audio, and USB ports for entertainment.
Cons
- The installation manual should be a lot simpler than it currently is
Buy On Amazon
3. ProForm Carbon E7 Elliptical
This is one of the best ellipticals for home use, especially for High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT). HIIT is a great workout technique because exercising at high intensity is highly effective in shorter time frames. HIIT lets you work your body at high intensity for brief intervals and have a smaller recovery window between those sets.
This elliptical trainer comes with features that make it one of the best choices for your home gym. When you purchase the trainer, you get a free 1-month subscription to iFit, a premium workout library. iFit allows you to access an extensive workout library on-demand. You also get customized training, live controls, and draw a workout route on Google maps for an immersive experience.
The trainer has 24 levels of resistance and six preset workout programs to get you started on your fitness goals. The unique elliptical and stepper path lets you optimize your movements for effective workouts. You also get a 7″, blue backlit monitor presenting your workout statistics as you make progress.
Pros
- Reasonably priced
- Silent Magnetic Resistance offers a smooth workout
- Compact enough to fit most home gyms
- iFit subscription included
Cons
- Can be challenging to move around
Buy On Amazon
4. WLXP Elliptical
If you’re searching for a lightweight and convenient elliptical machine, the WLXP Elliptical is perfect for you! Manufactured from durable materials, it can handle up to 100kg – making it an ideal choice if you want a sturdy workout.
Furthermore, with its multi-function computer allowing users track their progress during each session and the extra large pedals meeting even those of larger feet’s comfort needs – this elliptical will help tone your body & improve fitness in no time. Get yours today.
Pros
- Lightweight and compact
- Large foot pedals for comfort
- Affordable
Cons
- Few resistance levels
Buy On Amazon
5. Precor EFX Elliptical
The Precor EFX® 5.23 Elliptical Machine is a top-of-the-line elliptical that provides a comfortable and ergonomic elliptical motion. It has aluminum wheel tracks that allow the pedals to slide smoothly with minimal friction, and its blue & yellow backlit LCD window is easy to read.
The machine offers motivating programs including 24 pre-set, 2 heart rate control and manual. It also has a built-in audio jack with speaker for MP3 player, so you can keep your tunes going while you work up a sweat.
Pros
- Great for weight loss
- Solid, durable construction
- Compact hence easy to store
- Workout history tracking for four users
Cons
- Costly
Buy On Amazon
6. Schwinn 430 Compact Elliptical Machine
The Schwinn 430 compact elliptical has great features that let users get the most out of their workout. This trainer offers the best value for money. With a total weight capacity of 300 pounds and the ability to save four profiles, this elliptical will get you going in your fitness journey.
The elliptical features quick keys that let you adjust the incline and resistance. It has both stationary and moving arms that let you select a full or lower body workout. The trainer’s footplates are large and cushioned to keep your feet comfortable as you pedal. The elliptical provides a very stable ride owing to its heavyweight and low center of gravity.
The Schwinn 430 comes with Bluetooth connectivity for you to connect with your devices and explore several apps for fitness tracking. It comes with a dual backlit LCD screen, which lets you keep track of your exercise metrics as you work out. The machine is equipped with a 3-speed fan and a water bottle holder so you can keep cool as you work out. The trainer also features built-in speakers so you can enjoy music, workout videos, or even a movie as you exercise.
Pros
- Reasonable price point
- Saves up to 4 user profiles
- Large LCD Screen
- Cushioned footplates enhance comfort
- Stationary and moving handles for a varied workout
Cons
- Makes some noise as you pedal if the assembly wasn’t done properly
Buy On Amazon
Frequently-asked Questions
-
Is an elliptical right for me?
An elliptical gives you the benefits of running, while the handles enable you to exercise your arms and upper body. You can also pedal forwards and backward. The adjustable inclines also facilitate targeted muscle training. All these benefits are delivered to you without putting stress on your joints. It is for these reasons that an elliptical is the best choice of fitness equipment you can ever have.
-
Which is better; an elliptical or a treadmill?
Ellipticals and treadmills all have several benefits. Choosing between an elliptical and a treadmill goes down to your own preferences and fitness goals. However, an elliptical has the advantage of being able to exercise your upper and lower body at low impact. This is why ellipticals can be used by people recovering from injuries.
-
What is the best elliptical for home use?
The Precor Smart Elliptical is a great choice of elliptical for home use. Other great models to consider are the ProForm Elliptical, and Sole E95.
Wrap Up
Those are our picks of the best ellipticals for your home gym. The product reviews written here are meant to serve as a guide while you shop for the elliptical that will suit your home’s needs. The elliptical machines mentioned here are of high quality, have great construction, and are budget-friendly options. Before you purchase an elliptical, consider the features we have mentioned in the buyers’ guide and explore your fitness needs.
ALSO READ: The Best Ellipticals for low ceilings
#Best Elliptical for Home Use
# the best Elliptical for Home
# the best Elliptical for Home
# the best Elliptical for Home
Last update on 2023-05-10 at 11:18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API