Elliptical machines provide individuals with exercise options when the weather is less than ideal for walking or running. Compared to pricey gym memberships, elliptical machines quickly pay for themselves in time and gas spent going back and forth to work out. These machines are versatile and provide good, solid workouts without causing added stress, muscle strain, or joint pain. Elliptical machines can help individuals to meet their weight loss, strength training, and overall fitness goals. The better elliptical machines on the market work seamlessly with trackers like Fitbit and Jawbone, as well as fitness apps like iFit and MyFitness Pal, to help keep people on track as they eat right and exercise over time. The top three elliptical machines are the AFG Sport 5.9AE, the NordicTrack C9.5, and the Nautilus E616. Read on to discover more about how to choose the best elliptical machines.
One of the great aspects of having an elliptical machine is that it is a versatile piece of equipment. Most elliptical machines can be easily adjusted for home gyms with multiple users.
The higher-quality elliptical machines connect wirelessly with fitness apps that help people reach their goals, such as MyFitnessPal and iFit. The elliptical can wirelessly share workout information with the app, keeping track of workout times, muscle strength, heart rate, and weight loss.
The best ellipticals have heart rate monitors, at least 10 workout presets, and a flywheel that is at least 20 pounds. This combination offers more workout options that help users avoid plateaus and exercise fatigue.
While not traditional weight lifting, using an elliptical machine doesn’t mean focusing solely on cardio. The presets on elliptical machines allow users to focus on building strength as well as balancing those workouts with cardio segments.
This sturdy workout machine easily accommodates heavy and high-impact use over time. This elliptical connects with popular fitness apps and has a host of other high-tech features. Up to five users can program this elliptical with their fitness goals and workouts. There are more than 40 workout presets and 12 levels of resistance. There are also several built-in accessories - like a book/tablet holder and personal fan - that make this machine one of a kind.
This elliptical was built for high-impact use, and is able to accommodate up to 350 pounds, while the standard is usually 300. There are 32 workout presets and an impressive 22 resistance levels. It’s easy for up to four users to build challenging workouts that will help them reach their fitness goals.
This is the most budget-friendly elliptical of the top three, with plenty of value for the money. There are plenty of high-tech features, including bluetooth and the ability to connect to popular fitness apps. The Nautilus online fitness tracker saves users’ programs to the cloud, and up to four individuals can create specific workout programs. This elliptical has 29 presets with the ability to create custom presets.
Elliptical machines can cost anywhere between $700 to $3,000. It’s essential for consumers to do the research on the machines they like to make sure it has all of the amenities that they are looking for before making a purchase.