When it comes to setting up your personal gym at home, finding the right elliptical machine to buy is a great investment. Not only are elliptical machines a staple, but they’re also a convenient way to get those low-impact cardio exercises.
With the pandemic still ongoing, a home gym is quite ideal. Especially when most fitness clubs are either closed or working in a limited capacity. We wouldn’t want you risking your health. So staying inside is still your best option.
With that in mind, I could probably list down a hundred reasons why an elliptical machine is a great addition to your home gym. They’re beginner and user-friendly for starters. Second, they don’t take up a lot of space. Thirdly, they give great variety to your workout routines.
With the right usage, an elliptical trainer can combine different exercises into a low-impact and versatile workout session. It’s a high-intensity cross-training practice that can be done by anybody, from beginners to professional athletes.
The list goes on and on. So to make things easier for you, I came up with a quick guide on what to look for when you buy an elliptical machine.
See Our List Of The Best Elliptical Machines For The Home 2021 Here.
Before You Buy
1. Do your research.
Before you go out or purchase any product online, you always need to do your research first. A wise consumer does this. Impulsive buying can sometimes turn into regrets once we realize the items we bought aren’t as fulfilling or necessary to us.
The same applies when buying an elliptical machine. There are a wide variety of elliptical machines in the market and you might find that looking for the right one for you a little overwhelming.
So to avoid such events, you have to do your research. Find out the different types of elliptical machines, their manufacturers, what type fits you and your home, their warranty coverage, and other important features to look out for. I’ll also be discussing these features further in this guide.
2. Fitness goals.
When buying an elliptical machine, make sure that the unit you’ll get will help you achieve your fitness goals. If you’re looking to lose weight effectively and efficiently, there are ellipticals in the market that lets you do a full-body workout.
There are also ellipticals that have zero or low impact mechanisms. Making it easier on the joints. In turn, this allows you to focus more on increasing your workout intensities without the risk of accidents or harming yourself.
3. Test it out.
This might not be an option for a lot of us given the global circumstances we’re in. But in case it’s safe in your place to physically shop, make sure you test out the elliptical. This is important so you can see for yourself if the unit is comfortable and sturdy enough for you.
In addition to testing the unit, make sure you do so by putting it through different paces of your regular workout sessions. That way, you can really tell if an elliptical machine is right for you. An elliptical trainer can feel or seem okay if you only use it for a few minutes.
If you’re shopping online, look out for “money back guarantees” on the elliptical trainer you’re purchasing. Just in case you’re not satisfied with the product.
What To Look For In An Elliptical Machine
1. A trustworthy brand or manufacturer.
Before picking the model of an elliptical machine, first you have to check the manufacturer. Do they specialize in fitness equipment? Are they a trusted and well known brand? These are the questions you need answered when finding out an elliptical’s manufacturer.
Usually, when a brand or manufacturer specializes in producing gym equipment, their products will be of high quality. You can also easily check out the reviews of their products in retail sites like Amazon.
Cheaper and discounted elliptical units may seem tempting and a great deal at first but they also tend to be made from lower-quality materials. This means your elliptical won’t last as you expect it to. It won’t be sturdy or stable causing accidents to occur.
You’ll feel its depreciation after a few workouts and will most likely break sooner than you think. Remember that buying from trusted brands will save your money and save you from a lot of problems later on.
2. Front Drive, Rear Drive, Center Drive, and Hybrids.
As you may already know, there are several kinds of ellipticals in the market right now. Each caters to different types of people depending on their preference and what they’re comfortable with. To narrow it down for you, let’s divide each type of elliptical into four categories.
Front Drive Ellipticals
Front drive ellipticals are when the flywheel is located on the front of the machine. This type of elliptical is usually cheaper compared to its counterparts. They’re budget-friendly and easy to use.
Users will find themselves leaning forward more when working out on a front-drive elliptical. This almost gives the same effect when you’re using a stair climber.
Rear Drive Ellipticals
Rear-drive elliptical machines are when the flywheel is located in the back of the unit. It’s also typically found in pricier models and brands. I personally prefer this style as I find them a lot sturdier and stable compared to the other types. Little to no wobbles and trembles on this one for sure.
Aside from that, it also gives me a smoother experience during my workout sessions which is great because it means less strains and stress on my joints. It makes it easier for me to focus my energy on actually working out than worrying about the risk of impact.
Center Drive Ellipticals
Elliptical machines with a center drive are a relatively new design to ellipticals. The flywheel or drive system is located in the middle on each side of the user.
This type of elliptical trainers allows for more compact designs, making it ideal for fitness enthusiasts who can’t afford a lot of space for their personal gym equipment.
A lot of you might also prefer the feeling of walking or jogging that some center drive ellipticals stimulate. So keep this in mind if you’re looking for a center drive machine.
Hybrids
As the name suggests, hybrids are multifunctional elliptical machines.
They can sometimes incorporate a stationary bike, recumbent bike, or an upright bike. All you have to do is adjust the elliptical machine depending on what you’re using it for. And voila! You get a versatile elliptical trainer that not only gives you multiple purposes but also saves space for your home gym as you’re going to need less equipment.
If you’re ready to look for elliptical machines for your home, click on the link below.
See Our List Of The Best Elliptical Machines For The Home 2021 Here.
3. Stride length.
The right stride length of an elliptical machine solely depends on your height and comfort level. Shorter stride lengths are preferred by shorter people while longer stride lengths are better for taller fitness enthusiasts.
Stride lengths of 11-14 inches can be perfect for people who are shorter than the average size. Then there are stride lengths of 18-24 inches which are more suitable for average-taller sizes. Some models offer adjustable stride lengths too. This can be ideal when multiple people are expected to use the elliptical trainer.
4. Type of resistance and levels.
The more resistance levels you have in an elliptical trainer, the better. Some models offer magnetic resistance, while some offer air-based resistance.
Most fitness enthusiasts prefer magnetic resistance as it is easier to work with and a lot quieter. High-end elliptical trainers sometimes use an eddy current resistance which has an electromagnet positioned near a flywheel, to provide resistance. You can easily direct more current to the magnet for more resistance, or reduce the current for less resistance.
Meanwhile, air-based resistance tend to produce more noise. While you workout, your pedaling activates a fan and the air produced provides resistance against your pedaling as it resists the fan blades.
5. Preset or built-in programs.
Preset or built-in programs that are equipped with an elliptical machine are nice features to have. The more programs you have, the more exciting your workout routines can be. Some high-tech units “save” or memorize your go-to routines, while some even have customizable programs.
If you want to buy an elliptical machine including these amazing features, try looking for one with an iFit subscription. Those models usually give a more immersive and interactive experience while you reach your fitness goals. You’ll surely feel like you’re in a fitness club again!
6. Size.
Size is something to consider when you have a set space for your personal gym at home.
Fortunately for us, there are tons of available compact and foldable elliptical machines we can buy in the market. Just make sure that the one you buy is durable and sturdy. A lot of the problems people have with compact ellipticals is how wobbly and unstable the experience is during workout sessions.
7. Other features to consider.
Some other features to consider are the difficulty level of assembling an elliptical machine, inclusion of a water bottle holder, quiet operation, incline, a monitor, etc. To some of you, these things can either be a deal-breaker or not a huge deal at all. It all depends on your convenience and preference.
Getting an elliptical machine that’s equipped with an adjustable incline is a great feature to have. This gives a huge boost and variety to your workout sessions. It can make it more challenging so you get more cardio and have effective results.
The same can be said with an elliptical machine that has a built-in LCD monitor. Most standard elliptical trainers would have these, but some still sport a basic backlit monitor that just tracks your stats such as calories burned, speed, distance, heart rate, etc. Prices can either be higher or lower depending on the monitor used.
Personally, I would also prefer an elliptical unit that has a whisper-quiet operation when in use. This helps me avoid disturbing other people in the household while I burn those calories. On top of that, I’m not the greatest at setting up machines so a unit that provides a fairly easy assembly is a big bonus as well.
If you’re like me who prefers a quick and easy assembly of their elliptical machine, click on the link below to find a unit that might suit you perfectly.
Check Out My Review Of The NordicTrack Spacesaver SE7i.
8. Price.
Your budget is an important consideration when you buy an elliptical machine. You have to make sure that you are getting your money’s worth.
While there are cheaper and inexpensive options, you also need to guarantee that it’s going to last you for a long time. Cheaper and low-quality ellipticals are sure to break down after a few uses and this results in you paying more for fixes, replacements, or worse, you’ll have to get a whole new unit.
So to avoid such situations, don’t be afraid of investing in a really good product if it’s sure to stand the test of time. If you’re on a tight budget, check the link below for a great product recommendation.
Click Here For My Review Of The Sunny Health & Fitness SF E905 Elliptical Machine.
9. Warranty and maintenance.
Warranty and maintenance is something that shouldn’t be overlooked when buying an elliptical trainer.
If a unit is well-designed and well-built, maintenance of the model would pose no problem at all to you. While when it comes to warranty, make sure that the manufacturer provides you with a generous amount of coverage with your elliptical. So in the event you need replacements, the experience won’t be too much of a hassle.
Conclusion
To sum it all up, buying an elliptical machine is never an easy decision to make. For some, it might be easy but for most of us, it’s an investment. Not only for our personal use but also for our health.
While we try to make it through the ongoing pandemic, it’s important that we always keep our health in top shape. But with most fitness establishments closed, getting our own fitness equipment like an elliptical machine for our home can be a useful asset to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Just make sure that you pick one that best suits you.
Do you already own an elliptical? Or was I able to help you out with your decisions of getting an elliptical machine? Let me know on the comments section below.
Recommended reading for you:
The Best Elliptical Machines For The Home 2021.
NordicTrack Spacesaver SE79 Review: The Best Compact Elliptical Trainer?
Sunny Health & Fitness SF E905 Review: Is It The Best Affordable Elliptical?
