Choosing an Elliptical Trainer

There are quite a few things to consider when purchasing an elliptical trainer. If you’ve decided to purchase one, you might find this guide helpful in making your choice. The basic things to consider are price, forward/reverse motion, resistance, weight capacity, and warranty.

Elliptical trainers can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars in price. If you have a lower price limit, it might benefit you to try to buy directly from the manufacturer, as you won’t have to pay any “middleman” fees. For the most part, you don’t really have to sacrifice quality for a lower-cost machine—you just have to shop around and be aware that it might not include every single feature you desire.

Another thing to consider is the forward and reverse motions. While it isn’t a necessity to be able to use both forward and reverse motions, it would definitely add variety to your workout. Most elliptical trainers allow forward and reverse motion, but you might double-check with the manufacturer if you definitely require this feature. When making a commitment to an exercise routine and spending at least a few hundred dollars on a machine, you should decide if this is a feature you might use in the future—especially when you will probably be using this machine for a few years.

Resistance is quite an important factor to think about when purchasing an elliptical trainer. Your machine’s ability to provide different levels of resistance will enable you to gradually build up your muscles. You should decide if you require a machine that offers a high level of resistance, then minimize your search according to that. Also, make sure that the resistance chance is simple, enabling you to quickly move from one resistance to the other with minimal interruption to your workout.

Weight capacity differs from machine to machine. It is important that you understand the weight restrictions of the machine you’re going to purchase. If you’re looking to make your purchase online, refer to the specifications of the machine; however if it doesn’t give the weight restrictions, you can contact the manufacturer to find out.

You will want to inquire as to whether your machine is covered by a warranty. You need to understand exactly what will be covered under the warranty. The length of the coverage is a good indicator as to the quality of the parts and build of the machine. It is a good idea to make sure your warranty offers at least one year parts coverage.

There are other minor qualities that you may choose to look for in an elliptical trainer. Handlebars are a great feature to have so that your upper body can benefit from your workout without any extra effort. Also, a display screen makes a good partner in your workout as it can show your speed, time, and distance achieved; some even show the calories burned, your heart rate, and the degree of incline.

The best thing you can do when deciding which machine to buy is to try them out. When you try the machine yourself, your body gets a feel for the smoothness of the glide, the feel of the pedals, and the sturdiness of the machine’s build.

Be sure to do plenty of research and good luck with your purchase!