Elliptical Trainers Reviews

Updated April 2008

Introduction to Elliptical Trainers

Consumer Reports magazine and TreadmillDoctor.com have the best, most credible elliptical trainer reviews. Consumer Reports tests and compares models based on ease of use, safety and value, using
both trained fitness professionals and regular people to identify the best elliptical trainers. TreadmillDoctor.com sells replacement parts and supplies for fitness equipment, so editors are in a unique position to judge long-term reliability and value. Websites like Elliptical-Trainers-Review.com and Elliptical-Trainers.com do include some critical comments, but we didn't see any testing methodology discussed, and it's not clear the extent to which models have been tested. As a result, these sites rank lower in credibility in our All Reviews chart.

Consumer Reports notes that elliptical trainers in the lower price range often have problems right from the start; the bottom line, the magazine's editors say, is that you get what you pay for. Models costing over $2,000 performed best in testing. One of the magazine's best buys costs $1,000, although the editors point out that this elliptical trainer lacks the sturdy health-club feel of more expensive models.

You might recognize the Orbitrek Elliptical Glider (*est. $160) from TV infomercials. Consumers posting to Epinions say that the Orbitrek can tip at high speeds, causes painful, choppy movements and all too often breaks within a year. Further, some consumers say they had a hard time getting the manufacturer to honor the one-year warranty when the machine broke within that time frame. Owners posting comments to FitnessInfomercialReview.com echo those comments. Better choices include the entry-level Fitness Quest Eclipse 1100 HR/A (*est. $350) or Merit 710E (*est. $400).

Elliptical trainers are a mix between a stair stepper and a ski machine. You stand on pedals which move on an elliptical track, usually via rollers. Some models have only stationary or preprogrammed incline options, while others allow the user to adjust the incline throughout the workout. Reviews say that elliptical trainers have caught up to treadmills in popularity because they provide a variety of aerobic workouts, while the ski-type leg movement limits the impact on joints. (Please also see our separate report on treadmills.)

Some elliptical trainers provide an upper-body workout as well as lower body, and most offer multiple exercise options with varying levels of difficulty. Fitness reviews say that while elliptical trainers give you a good workout, they do tend to overestimate the number of calories you're burning, usually by 20 to 30 percent. Elliptical machines that ask you to enter your body weight can be more accurate. In general, reviews say that you'll burn 500 to 650 calories (depending on effort) after one hour of exercise on any cardio machine, whether it's a treadmill or an elliptical trainer.

... Continued (Best Ellipticals Overall)

Elliptical Trainers Prices