What am I looking for in a good elliptical machine?

November 21, 2005 4:53 PM

I want to buy an elliptical machine. What types of things should I be looking for when buying?

We need more exercise and would like to do it at home. I'm confident we'll use it heavily so I'm comfortable spending for quality. I also have plenty of space, so the size of the machine isn't a big issue. The problem is, I can't tell why some machines are more expensive - or better - than others, even when they're twice the price. I think I'm missing something. Any advice?

posted by b_thinky to health (6 comments total)

I recently got one from Academy Fitness. It was a Pro Form 770 that was marked down from $895 down to $495. And because I asked to buy the store model, I only paid $150 for it.

Before, I had a Gazelle because I thought it was roughly the same thing. Eh eh. The Gazelle makes your legs move at an awkward angle (no matter what they tell you). When I got on my Pro Form, nearly every muscle in my legs hurt - it was fabulous. It's very fluid - no jerky motions at all. It also has a small fan that you can use if your head gets too hot, and you're able to hook up personal training CDs to it via your home audio system (much too complicated for me, so I just don't use that).

From what I could tell when I shopped, all you're paying for are the extras. I personally like the wider paddles and the positioning of the handles. Don't skimp on price and get something you're not comfortable with just to save a buck. I got on all the machines in the store and tested them all out. And I felt just as comfortable with the $200 one as I did with the $900 one. It's all about preference.
posted by damnjezebel at 5:27 PM on November 21, 2005

This thread started out about treadmills but has a lot of advice about ellipticals.
posted by matildaben at 6:35 PM on November 21, 2005

I stand by my comments in the thread metaildaben linked. Definitely try out the elliptical before you buy it if you are set on purchasing. If the elliptical floor model is broken, I'd say there's a good chance that yours will break too.

My gym recently sold a bunch of their pro treadmills for an entirely reasonable price ($350 for a star trac). The BIG downside is that you needed to get 220V run for that particular treadmill, but maybe you're in a position to do this. Possibly call around to gyms in your area and see if they are getting rid of equipment.

The difference between price in exercise equipment usually speaks to the quality of the machine and not the function. You can buy a screwdriver made in China at the dollar store, or you can buy a Craftsman contractor grade screwdriver for six bucks, and they'll both work, but chances are the cheap one is gonna strip sooner and generally make your life miserable.
posted by fishfucker at 7:16 PM on November 21, 2005

Because certain parts of eliptical trainers are patented, the leg mechanisms work differently, particularly the rotation path. So it definitely behooves you to try out each machine to determine the comfort level. Wear clothes such that you can try out a machine for five minutes or so; don't be shy. The places with the good (expensive) machines will be happy to let you try them out, and to tell you why (in their view) their feature set makes them worth the money.

One way to save money (other than buying a floor model) is to buy when there is a sale. And if there isn't one, ask when the next sale is likely to occur (salesfolk often know, and want to close the deal, sooner or later).

Tip: it's a good idea, if money isn't critical, to pay for delivery and installation (perhaps a $100, combined). Good elipticals are HEAVY. [posted by someone whose wife is very happy with her Precor eliptical, which she uses at least five days a week.]
posted by WestCoaster at 7:44 PM on November 21, 2005

How much money are you looking to spend? A good (gym quality) elliptical can cost upwards of $8k new. If you don't use much resistance you can get a lot lower in cost. They have elliptical at wal-mart for $150.

That's almost two orders of magnitude difference in price.
posted by Paris Hilton at 9:15 PM on November 21, 2005

I paid roughly $2,500 for a really good Precor; anything over $4,000 is (I believe) intended for gyms, not the home market. A $3,000 machine will last forever if used only an hour or two a day, I'd imagine.

The top of line Precor ellipital has a suggested price of $4,199, which means you'd certainly pay less for it at a retail store.
posted by WestCoaster at 9:33 PM on November 21, 2005