Elliptical Trainer: How to Choose the Best Elliptical Trainer for Fat Blasting Cardio Workouts!
One of the greatest benefits of choosing an elliptical trainer (also called a cross-trainer) is its ability to give you a great cardiovascular workout with much less impact than normal running. The effects of better cushioning as you move translate to less stress and risk of injury to all of your joints; especially the knees and ankles. If burning calories while protecting your bones and joints sounds like a great way to work out, then read on to discover how to choose the best elliptical trainer for your space and your needs.
Our Top Recommendations
1. Sole E35 Elliptical Trainer
2. Schwinn 420 Elliptical Trainer
3. Horizon Fitness EX-57 Elliptical Trainer
Elliptical Trainer Basics
An Elliptical Trainer Will Give You a Great Workout With Low Impact on Your Joints
An Elliptical Trainer Will Give You a Great Workout With Low Impact on Your Joints
Resistance
The basic design of an elliptical machine is two pedals running on an elliptical track (yep, that’s where the name comes from), with some sort of adjustable resistance. Different machines will offer different types of resistance: like magnets, air, or pistons. Most elliptical trainers are fairly quiet, but it’s worth reading a retailer’s description to find out just what you can expect from any given resistance method.
Some forms of resistance require manual adjustment, while others let you change the resistance with the simple push of a button. Digital resistance controls make it much easier to adjust your workout as you move. Many higher end elliptical trainers will even adjust the resistance automatically as you exercise, to help keep you in a target heart rate zone.
Arms and Arm Rests
Some machines have moving arms, and can work your upper and lower body simultaneously. (You’d be hard pressed to find an exercise bike or treadmill that can do that!) Others have non-moving arm rests: perfect for helping you maintain balance during a lower body resistance training or intense cardio workout. Some even have both! Whether you are buying an elliptical trainer for running or walking workouts, all of these options will factor in to your final decision.
Foot Pads
Though most elliptical trainers advertise foot pads that will fit anyone, it’s a good idea to check the numbers to make sure. You’ll want something that has enough width and length to comfortably fit your workout shoes; and thick enough to give your feet the support they need.
Sturdiness
Even if you buy your elliptical trainer with the intention of doing mostly lower intensity, walking-style workouts, you will want the option to move faster and work with increased resistance as your fitness level increases. Make sure you are comfortably within the height and weight recommendations for any given machine before buying. This will ensure that you are able to use it for a long time to come.
The Digital Display
It’s nice to be able to glance down and see how much time has elapsed since you began your workout, or how much resistance you’re working against at any given moment. Calorie and mileage tracker estimates can provide an excellent way to motivate yourself and monitor workout progress. A heart rate monitor is also a good way to track your progress: over the course of a single workout or a much longer span of time.
Training Programs & Other Helpful Features
Built in training programs can take some of the mental effort out of your workouts, while keeping your body challenged. Simply press a button for a hill climbing workout; another for speed interval training or a high intensity resistance workout. Following preset programs can be a great way to mix up your workouts and kick the intensity up a notch.
Magazine stands, water bottle holders, a ledge for your MP3 player, and even television screens are among the myriad options available on many elliptical trainers. The more these bonus features will entice you to work out, the more you’ll benefit from purchasing a fully loaded elliptical machine.
Make Sure it Fits
If you are extremely tall, stride length, the range of motion of movable arms, and overall height and weight specifications are all factors to consider when buying an elliptical trainer that will fit you personally. Retailers list all of this information on their websites; so it should take only a quick glance to decide whether or not a machine will fit you.
You will also want to check out the suggested weight range of any elliptical trainer—and make sure you are comfortably inside it— before buying. The goal is to find a machine and will provide a smooth, quiet workout regardless of how fast your legs are moving.
Adjustability
If you’re going to be sharing the elliptical with a family member or roommate who’s significantly taller or shorter, a machine with an adjustable stride will be a much better investment than one that doesn’t quite fit either one of you.
Find Your Elliptical Trainer a Home
Choose a place for your elliptical trainer where you’ll be sure to use it every day
Choose a place for your elliptical trainer where you’ll be sure to use it every day
Space and Ambience
If you’re buying this as part of your home gym setup you’ll probably already know where you’ll site your elliptical. But if not, then a room with windows and good ventilation makes a much better workout space than a basement. If you like to watch television while working out, set yourself up for success by giving your elliptical a space with a view. The more willing you are to spend time in your exercise room, the more likely it is that you’ll work out regularly. Choose a place for your elliptical trainer where you’ll be sure to see it every day (so you can’t just forget about it) and where it won’t inconvenience the rest of your life.
Buy it, Use it, Love it!
Once you’ve decided on the type of machine you want, and sorted through the available features, you’re ready to buy your elliptical trainer! Remember that you’re making a double investment here: in a piece of equipment and in your personal health. Price will certainly be a consideration, but so should value and we’ve taken that into consideration in our recommendations.
If you buy exactly the elliptical trainer you want, you’ll be excited to hop on and use it every day. If you settle for a cheap clunker that isn’t fun or easy to use, chances are good that you won’t touch it after the first few days; weeks, at the most.
Set yourself up for fitness success by investing the time and dollars necessary into a piece of equipment that you really want. When you think about it, you’ve got nothing to lose but fat and excuses!
Our Recommendations
1. Sole E35 Elliptical Trainer
Sole E35 Elliptical Trainer
Sole E35 Elliptical Trainer
Now when it comes to treadmills which shout ‘quality’, the Sole E35 Elliptical Trainer
It boasts a solidly heavy 30-pound flywheel for that unbelievably smooth feel along with a high gear ratio to give even the fittest a great level of top-end resistance.
With an amazing maximum weight capacity of up to 350 pounds, this high-quality machine comes with the following warranties: lifetime on the brakes and frame, five years on all parts and electronics, plus two years on the labor!
In use, you’ll be well covered by the choice of 10 programs: six standard programs, two user-defined programs and two heart-rate programs!
Sole has even added articulating foot pedals that feature an inward slope to help reduce ankle and knee stress. These are also ‘oversized’ so none of that scrambling around trying to place your foot in the right place for your workout.
With its sleek black looks, this elliptical trainer would grace a gym in a top health spa – and now you can get one at home!
Click here to find out more about the E35 and get FREE DELIVERY!
2. Schwinn 420 Elliptical Trainer
Schwinn 420 Elliptical Trainer
Schwinn 420 Elliptical Trainer
The Schwinn 420 Elliptical Trainer
It has quick start functions which enable you to easily change things like your resistance level in the middle of exercising so that you can push yourself to the next level.
The Schwinn 420
Its sturdy construction is reflected in its weight but you don’t want your elliptical trainer to be moving around the room when you use it now do you!
Over at Amazon this machine gets a 4.5 star rating and a lot of positive comments from happy customers.
Click here to get even more info and a great deal at Amazon!
3. Horizon Fitness EX-57 Elliptical Trainer
Horizon Fitness EX-57 Elliptical Trainer
Horizon Fitness EX-57 Elliptical Trainer
The EX-57 Elliptical Trainer
It comes with 9 goal-focused programs with options that let you choose between time, distance, and calories along with a choice of ‘terrains’ (manual, reverse train, and hills). The sharp, clear LCD screen, gives you key workout feedback, all of which helps you develop an effective training program.
Horizon machines are always a popular choice as they offer ‘gym-like’ quality at an affordable price.
One feature we particularly like on the Horizon Fitness EX-57 Elliptical Trainer
Click here for more on the Horizon Fitness EX-57 Elliptical Trainer and details of FREE shipping!
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