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Elliptical machines have been staples in gyms for years, set up in rows alongside the best treadmills and spin bikes for gym-goers to hop on for a low-impact cardio workout. Indeed, the low-impact nature of an elliptical workout makes it one of the most accessible and most versatile cardio machines for people of all ages and fitness levels, which is why the recent explosion in the home exercise equipment market has extended to ellipticals, as well.
We’ve rounded up the best ellipticals to add to your arsenal of home workout equipment. Read on to find the one that’s best for you.
The Sunny Health & Fitness Elliptical is under $500 and boasts thousands of five-star reviews on Amazon. It has a relatively small profile for an elliptical, floor stabilizers, plenty of metrics to track and Bluetooth connectivity. There’s also a device holder that you can use to access the SunnyFit App. For an additional $140, you can buy the higher model of this machine, which includes a subscription to the app.
A simple elliptical that does the job for a very reasonable price.
This sleek machine looks basic, especially considering the reasonable price, but is filled with surprising extras. Wheels on the machine’s front foot allow you to easily move it around, which is handy if you don’t have a designated home gym, while the foot pedals are adjustable for maximum comfort. Plus, the 10-inch HD touchscreen features access to the iFit platform (the price includes a 3-year membership that becomes subscription-based after that time), that offers hundreds of instructor-led workout classes for both on and off the elliptical. I’ve used the iFit platform and I promise you’ll never get bored.
This is a quality machine with workout classes included, so you get a lot of bang for your buck.
NordicTrack is a leader in the home exercise equipment space, with not only ellipticals but treadmills, bikes, rowers, and strength equipment, as well. The FS14i is their top-of-the-line elliptical, and the features don’t disappoint. A huge stride length, adjustable incline, a whopping 26 resistance levels and a tilting 14-inch touchscreen are just a few that make this machine stand out from the rest. Plus there’s the iFit membership, the same platform you get access to with the ProForm and SmartAdjust, which allows the instructors of the classes to adjust your resistance for you so you can just focus on working hard.
If you’re looking for bells and whistles, this elliptical delivers.
If you’re looking for a bare-bones machine to log some strides while you zone out to music or your favorite podcast, this Niceday elliptical will do the job. It tracks basic metrics (time, speed, and distance), features a knob for adjusting your resistance level, and has powerful stabilizers that allow for a very high weight limit. In addition to those perks, it’s inexpensive.
A perfect machine for simply logging some minutes and working up a sweat.
Read, Also: Treadmill vs Elliptical: How to Choose the Right Machine For Your Fitness Needs
The trouble with many elliptical machines is that to achieve a long stride length, the legs and foot pedals need to swing out past the front of the elliptical which might not work in your home. This Bowflex pick has a short stride length (closer to a stairmaster), while still having elliptical-style handles to offer an intense total-body workout in a compact package. While there’s no attached screen, Bowflex has a partnership with JRNY Digital Fitness and purchasing the machine comes with a 2-month free trial to their platform, which you can access from a smartphone or tablet. Unlike the best folding treadmills, which you have to completely fold, you can just tuck this machine into the corner when you’re done.
If you have limited space and want to kick your heart rate up fast, this is your machine.
Sole Fitness created their ellipticals in partnership with physical therapists, so that everything from the stride length to the shape to the foot pedals were designed to mimic the running motion as much as possible. This makes working out on this machine feel almost effortless. Of all their ellipticals, the E35 gets you the most bang for your buck, including a 10” touchscreen and built-in apps to access workout classes, Bluetooth-compatible speakers, a wireless charger, and adjustable foot pads. If you’ve ever been curious about the best treadmills for runners, this is likely the elliptical for you.
If ergonomics are a concern, this is the elliptical for you.
If you work long hours at a desk job or have a health condition that requires more frequent movement than you’re able to fit into your schedule, an under-desk elliptical is a great solution and Cubii is the best in the game. I like the Cubii Go, which has an extendable handle that allows you to wheel it around to different locations and an illuminated screen. You can easily peek down and see your stats, even if the lights are off or you’re watching a movie. Your purchase also comes with access to the Cubii App, which provides hundreds of workout classes and a place to track your progress.
The top-of-the-line under-desk elliptical for anyone looking to squeeze more movement into their day.
This elliptical is currently available for presale and will begin shipping on November 10th, but I would be remiss not to mention it. I love the brand! I have had an Echelon Rower for almost two years and can confidently say that their home fitness equipment is high quality and all the instructor-led classes are fun and challenging. Echelon is releasing two ellipticals. The one linked here includes basic metric tracking and a tablet holder, while the more expensive model has a massive 22 inchHD touchscreen. Preordering either one comes with a free 1-year Premier Membership (it will become subscription-based after), with elliptical-specific workouts and floor exercises.
Read the full review: Echelon Ellipse EL-5 Review: An Elliptical for a Low-Impact Yet Challenging Workout
It’s not available quite yet, but with Echelon’s track record I’m sure this elliptical is going to be great.
To round up the best home ellipticals, I relied on my own expertise in the space. I have extensively tested home fitness equipment both professionally and in building out my own home gym. I also extensively researched machines and tapped into my previous knowledge of the best brands in the space to compile this list.
Before you invest in a home elliptical machine, consider the following factors:
Large exercise equipment is an investment—an investment in your health and wellbeing, but an investment nonetheless. Fortunately, there are quality ellipticals available at a variety of price points. Determine how much you’re willing to spend before you begin shopping. If you’re looking at connected ellipticals, be sure to take the monthly subscription fee into account.
Not everyone has space for a full home gym large enough for multiple machines. Whether you’re planning to keep your elliptical in a designated workout area or in an office, living room or bedroom, measure out the space beforehand to see how big you can go. Also, if you want to have room for floor exercises alongside the elliptical, make sure you measure that space out, as well.
There are lots of high end exercise machines with fancy features available like high definition screens, pre-programmed workouts, Bluetooth connectivity and more. Consider how many of these features you want—every elliptical machine will come with some basic metric tracking—and how many you reasonably expect to use before you make your selection.
You can use a home elliptical however you like—that’s the beauty of working out at home! Considering the versatility and low-impact nature of the elliptical, it’s a great tool to use as a way to warm up and cool down before and after an intense strength training workout or as a way to get in some endurance cardio and interval training.
I feel good about recommending all the brands on this list. If you prefer a brand that’s time-tested, you can’t go wrong with Bowflex. If you want one that’s at the top of the connected home fitness boom, go with NordicTrack, ProForm or Echelon.
In my opinion, the best form of exercise and exercise machine is the one you enjoy using. If you enjoy the machine, you are much more likely to use it on a regular basis, which is the only way to get results. In this sense, an elliptical is no better than a bike or a treadmill (check out our treadmill buying guide if interested in finding out more about that). That said, from a physiological standpoint, you are using more muscles at the same time on an elliptical than you are during cycling.
This is another tricky one, as there is no one exercise that is going to exclusively burn belly fat. Instead, you’ll see all over results when you focus on a well-rounded exercise regimen that includes a mix of cardio and strength training, plus changes in what you’re eating to favor protein, fiber and healthy fats, while limiting sugar, convenience foods, and fast foods. Can working out on an elliptical be part of this regimen? Absolutely.
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