Why an elliptical?
If you are looking for a total body workout an elliptical cross trainer is the best choice. Dual action arms provide a more complete workout, stimulating the upper body as well as lower extremes. Ellipticals don’t wear on your joints. This is great for people with knee problems. Ellipticals also provide a weight bearing exercise, which helps protect bones against osteoporosis.

Ellipticals have the advantage of providing a training heart rate that quickly reaches the 160-175 bpm range (optimum for burning calories), without the need to feel like you need to over exert yourself. Another advantage of total body training is that the heart rate climbs very quickly and the total exercise time needed is shorter (20-30 minutes.

Why upper body handles?
Because of the fact that the user’s feet never leave the ground, ellipticals result in a reduced intensity caloric burn and lower heart rate than a treadmill workout. A new innovation was added that resulted in a total body workout. Handles were connected to the pedals allowing the user to push and pull with all four limbs.

Which ellipitical is best for me?
There a few factors to consider when deciding which one to choose, Do you want an inexpensive basic machine or a high-end durable model the clubs use? Club models usually offer a higher weigh capacity, heart rate control, more natural stride patterns that prevent you from bobbing up and down, and longer warranties which include service inside your home or office. See the guide below for our suggestions on what brands to review.

Resistance Control
There are two types of resistance control. Controlling the resistance makes your heart rate increase by making the stride movement harder. There is manual (turning a knob) and electronic (change via the toiuch of a button). The less expensive machines typically have manual, but there are a few that at a great price which come fully loaded! Check out the Eclipse brand. Great value. The advantage of manual is price. That’s it. Electronic usually means it also works with the heart rate control program to automatically keep you in your target zone. If you don’t want to worry about adjusting resistance to keep your heart rate where it needs to be, get a machine with electronic resistance control and heart rate control (explained below)

Heart Rate Control
Heart rate control means your heart rate is monitored by either a pulse-grip (handles you place your grip on) or wireless chest strap. Wireless chest straps are more accurate and preferred. Many of the ellipitical programs will include "heart rate control" which will adjust the resistance to increase your heart for the desired target heart rate. This is a great feature if you are trying to lose weight and don’t want to worry about your BPM (beats per minute) which needs to be in a specific target zone for weight loss. This all depends on your gender, age, and body type which can be entered into the computer program of some models. Heart rate control on ellipiticals is usually a bit more expensive, but worth it. It eliminates the guess work and need to increase speed while your working out. If you don’t require it, you can save a good deal of money. If you choose an elliptical without heart rate display and heart rate control, it’s wise to invest in a Heart Rate Monitor. They come in the form or a chest strap and a wrist watch which will display your heart rate wirelessly. Our best heart rate monitor is the Hudson Sport. Click here for details.

Programs
Most ellipiticals have an array of programs. Programs are predefined settings that help keep you motivated by varying the resistance each minute to provide a specific type of workout. More than 3 programs is usually enough.

Ergonomics
Oversized foot pedals glide easily and silently on sealed bearing, polyurethane wheels. If the pedals incline and decline through the stride path, you many experience a bobbing motion which can make you uncomfortable. Look for pedals which look flat or parallel to the ground while in use. This will mimic the geometry of cross country skiing. The ellipticals which have the best stride are Matrix, Star Trac, SOLE, Lifefitness, and Horizon. You also want to have ergonomically designed handlebars for proper technique and a smooth stride. Upper body handlebars function in unison with the adjustable resistance of the stride, this encourages good posture and proper technique.

Ellipiticals are user friendly and typically have fewer settings. Some however; do have preset programs and incline adjustments, but it is easy to master and doesn’t require much balance or practice.

Warranties
In the ellipitical world, the first thing to go is the magnetic resistance. It’s normal and part of wear & tear just like tires on your car. They won’t last forever. However, it’s best to find warranties that cover parts and labor for at least the first year. This way, any parts and the labor cost for a technician to install them are covered. Always try to extend the warranty on your ellipitical to at least 1 more year on everything. Some of our ellipiticals carry a 3 year warranty and we suggest a 1 year extended warranty.

Guides:
Home Ellipticals
Generally low weight capacity and durability is good for 1-2 people.

High-end Home Ellipticals
Much higher quality and durability with high weight capacity.

Light Commercial/Commercial
Designed for use in a small gym or studio.