Elliptical Trainer Online Buyers Guide
How Much To Spend on an Elliptical Trainer?
There are many different Elliptical Trainer manufactures
These are some of the most popular manufactures and prices range from under $500 to over $2000
Our advice here is:
- Under $500 – Be careful could be flimsy and poorly made
- Between $500 and $1000 – Be aware of the limitations of the Elliptical trainer. Take special notice of the key features and decide if they will meet your needs and give you value for money.
- Between $1000 and $2000 – Your now getting near the top end Elliptical Trainers, however still show due diligence by checking out all the key features and again make sure they meet your needs.
When buying online we recommend reading some customer reviews at sites like Amazon. You will find all the information on price and key features within these customer reviews.
What’s The Difference Between Front And Rear Drive?
At the heart of a Elliptical trainer is the drive mechanism, as you research your purchase you will find some Elliptical trainers have a front drive mechanism and some have a rear drive mechanism.
There is not much difference between the two, however on a personal note I prefer the rear drive mechanism as I found this one to have a higher degree of both smoothness and reliability.
As I say there is little difference between them but the front drive mechanism can be more complex therefore more prone to malfunction.
When buying online again use Amazon or similar site to read the customer reviews, if any models are prone to malfunction or people have problems with either front or rear drive they will show up in the reviews.
Which Resistance Mechanism?
The resistance mechanism comes in two basic types
- Belt Resistance
- Magnetic Resistance
You will find belt resistance in the cheaper elliptical trainers. It works by using a rubber belt to create resistance against the flywheel. This is not very smooth and the belts will eventually wear down and snap.
I would not recommend this type of elliptical trainer.
In the magnetic resistance you will find two different methods of applying the resistance.
Method one involves moving a permanent magnet either closer or further away from the flywheel to vary the resistance. Varying the resistance is done manually by twisting a resistance knob or electrically via an electric motor.
Method two involves the use of an electro magnet also known as an ECB (Eddy Current Brake). These are usually found in the more expensive models.
It works by varying the electricity to the electro magnet, the more electricity the higher the resistance.
When buying online be careful to check the list of product features so you know exactly which type of resistance mechanism the elliptical trainer your looking at has.
Stride Length
This is often over looked by potential buyers when they are researching elliptical trainers. Stride length is the total distance that your feet travel, front to back. If you don’t get the correct stride length it can affect the feel of the elliptical trainer.
The best stride length is between 16 – 19 inches. Anything shorter than 16 inches will tend to make the movement feel more like a stepper.
The more expensive elliptical trainers can be self-adjusted to your stride
When buying online be careful to check the list of product features so you know the exact stride length and make sure it suits you.
Upper Body Handle Bars Option
Elliptical trainers can give you a good upper and lower body workout if they have the upper body handle bar option. The upper body workout comes from pushing and pulling a set of handle bars.
Not all elliptical trainers have this option some have fixed handle bars to hold on to.
When buying online be careful to check the list of product features if you require this option.
Reverse Direction
This is the ability to rotate the foot pedals forward or reverse. It is used to exercise different muscles depending on the direction. Forward is good for the thighs and calves and reverse is good for hamstring and glutes.
When buying online be careful to check the list of product features if you require this option.
Adjustable Incline
This is the ability to raise the incline of the elliptical trainer.
This makes for a more intense workout but also increases the stress on the hamstrings and glutes.
This is usually a personal preference.
When buying online be careful to check the list of product features if you require this option.
Weight Capacity
This is the weight of the person using the elliptical trainer.
Our advice here is pay close attention to the manufactures claimed weight capacity, and don’t always believe what they tell you.
Basically it comes down to price as stated above the cheaper the trainer the lighter and less sturdy it will be, so if you are looking to buy a $500 elliptical trainer and you weigh 250 lbs you could find it sways from side to side as you use it, this is not ideal and will drastically reduce the life of the trainer.
When buying online be careful to check the weight capacity and make sure anyone intending to use the elliptical trainer is well inside the manufactures claimed weight capacity.
Dimensions
Always be aware of the space an elliptical trainer takes up. Think ahead, about the place you plan to install your new elliptical trainer.
Another dimension overlooked by many is the vertical clearance, if you are taller and your looking at elliptical trainers that have a higher profile watch this dimension.
When buying online be careful to check the list of product features so you know the exact dimensions and make sure it fits its new home.
Durability
Another factor to consider is the quality of the elliptical trainer.
When buying online we recommend reading some customer reviews at sites like Amazon. You will find all the information on durability and quality within these customer reviews.
Warranties
Last thing to look out for is a warranty
Ideally you want a parts and labour warranty for at least one year.
However again it goes back to price the cheaper the elliptical trainer the shorter the warranty.
It is always advisably to look at warranty extensions or service contracts.
If you look out for all the above points when researching your purchase of an elliptical trainer you should be able to make an informed decision and end up with the right elliptical trainer for you, that will last you many years
On Elliptical Trainers Review we selected the most popular makes and models and give an honest review of each one. To read these reviews look on the left hand side of this article under categories and click any manufacturer you want to find out more about.
