? Low impact exercise, which is gentle on backs, knees, hips and joints. ? Weight bearing exercise that helps build bone density and burns calories efficiently. ? Suitable for a large range of training needs. ? Low maintenance, keeping costs down. ? Smaller in size than a treadmill.
We have outlined a few essential tips to bear in mind when purchasing an Elliptical / Crosstrainer.
What is your budget?
Elliptical Trainers vary in price enormously depending on the features and design. A high end elliptical trainer can cost upwards of ?2500, although not everyone can or wants to spend ?2500 on a crosstrainer! As with most exercise equipment you get what you pay for, basic crosstrainers start from ?250. Many of the elliptical trainer sold nowadays have features found on commercial models and will last you years. Generally the more expensive the elliptical trainer the heavier the flywheel and the more features it has. A heavier fly wheel will generally provide a smoother operation.
How much space do you have?
When purchasing a elliptical trainer it is always best to measure the space in which you intend the crosstrainer to live, you do not want to find that it does not fit in your desired space once it has been delivered. Mot websites display all the dimensions of the equipment they sell on the product details page. Most elliptical trainers are motorised and will require a power socket nearby.
Always check what warranty comes with the crosstrainer?
Most elliptical trainer sold on nowadays come with a minimum 1 year parts and labour warranty. When looking for a crosstrainer I would recommend looking for a branded model which has an on-site warranty. You do not want to have a elliptical trainer which you are liable to send back to the supplier if it has a fault. Manufacturers such as Tunturi provide a 15 year frame warranty and two year warranties on the other components.
What are programmes and how do they benefit me?
It is often difficult to motivate yourself when you're often using the same routine! Purchasing a elliptical trainer with programmes maybe the answer. Having pre-set or even customisable workout programmes is a great way to provide some extra variety and motivation. Some of the more expensive crosstrainers now offer heart rate controlled programmes which using your heart rate, increase or decrease the resistance of the crosstrainer keeping your heart rate as close as possible to the pre-set rate. This is a safe way to exercise and can help with weight loss.
How is the resistance level adjustable?
Cheaper elliptical trainer resistance is adjusted manually. With most of the elliptical trainer sold nowadays the resistance is changed by an electromagnet. Magnetic resistance elliptical trainers are generally smoother in operation and have fewer moving parts and so are less likely to break down.
I hope this elliptical trainer purchase guide has been helpful and if you're looking for an elliptical trainer then please visit http://www.ExerciseEquipment.co.uk
This will help you decide exactly what you need to spend (and it may just save you some money!) So here's the lowdown on elliptical trainer prices:
Economy:
Economy elliptical trainers usually range from $300 to $1000. These kind of trainers are not usually suited for heavier persons or frequent use. They also may not be too stable if you decide to pick up your pace while working out.
The quality of economy ellipticals does vary across the board. Some economy machines offer higher quality construction. Others well, break down or emit an annoyingly high pitched squeak after a week of use - don't laugh, it happened to me.
Economy ellipticals usually offer very short warranties (i.e. 90 days) if they offer a warranty at all. The warranty tells you something about the quality of parts.
Economy trainers tend to last from 6 months to 5 years depending on frequency of use, quality of parts and how the machine is cared for.
Mid-Priced:
Mid-priced crosstrainers usually range from $1000 - $2000 and are in a much higher quality class than economy units. Mid-priced elliptical trainers could also be viewed as 'high quality home machines' and are more than adequate for most home users.
Many mid-priced models also offer higher user weight capacities and a highly stable base so they would suit a heavier user or more frequent use. Most of them will also not let you down if you really want to push your workout and pick up the pace.
Mid-priced machines are also usually covered by much more extensive warranties which again, tells you about the quality of parts. Their consoles are more advanced compared to economy units and they tend to offer more built-in exercise programs and workout monitoring information.
Mid-priced ellipticals tend to last from 2 to 12 years depending on a number of factors including frequency of use, quality of parts and how the machine is cared for.
High-End Home or Commercial:
The last price category is commercial or high-end home elliptical trainers. High-end models range from $2000 up to $6000. These are the best of the best in elliptical exercise equipment - often the kind of machines you find in a gym or health club.
They usually offer high user weight capacities, extremely stable bases and other premium features like incline and personal trainer programs. They're also larger and heavier than other ellipticals (which contributes to the stability).
High-end models are built to last 10 years or more and can easily withstand frequent use or heavier users. They are especially suited for the advanced athlete who wants to push their training farther or for the commercial gym.
So those are the 3 main elliptical price classes. Each one suits a different type of user and fitness level. Once you know what price range you need, you're well on your way to choosing the best elliptical machine for you.
Both Mde & Kathryn Oneill are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Mde has sinced written about articles on various topics from Fitness, elliptical and Fitness. I hope this elliptical trainer purchase guide has been helpful and if you're looking for an elliptical trainer then please visit