Elliptical Trainers Buying Guide

Ellipticals are a superb low-impact home exercise choice for virtually anyone. But, as with any investment in fitness equipment, our very best advice is “Don’t buy it until you’ve tested it the way you’ll use it.”

Shop at a specialty fitness retailer
Visit a local authorized retailer who specializes in fitness equipment — not hockey, soccer and golf gear. Specialized fitness dealers will have a more educated staff, higher quality equipment, and the ability to assemble and service your product more effectively. Sometimes these dealers have relationships with personal trainers to help you start your program. 

Go to the store prepared to get seriously educated
It's only when you put an elliptical trainer through its paces — adjusting the ramp, trying different programs, or exercising in forward and reverse motions — that you’ll start to notice and feel major differences in quality and comfort between models. So, get into your exercise clothes, put on your walkers or joggers, come on in and spend some time test driving.

Warranties: Perform due diligence
Most quality units carry a lifetime warranty on their frames. For other components, look for warranty coverage for at least 1 year on labor and a minimum of 1-3 years coverage on the parts. (The most popular cross-trainer on the market carries a 10-year parts warranty.) Make sure your warranty includes the electronics and other key components.

Ask your salesperson what components are covered. Ask if extended warranties are available. And be sure to ask whether the vendor you’re buying from has their own service staff, trained and authorized by the manufacturer to service your equipment.  Because, just like your car, your elliptical will need maintenance and service at some point in its life.

How do elliptical trainers create work-out resistance?
If you’ve been checking out elliptical trainers, you’ve probably seen some hype about magnetic resistance. In fact, virtually all cross-trainers create resistance with some form of magnetic brake. Your choice comes down to the types of magnetic resistance (standard or electro-magnetic) and the quality and features of the equipment.

Standard magnetic resistance is created by moving a powerful magnet towards or away from the moving flywheel. As the magnet moves towards the flywheel, the current generated between them increases—creating resistance. (If you recall your high school Physics, this is known as an Eddy Current.) On some standard magnetic ellipticals, you turn a dial to move the magnet towards the flywheel and create resistance. On others, a small electric motor moves the magnet.

Electro-magnetic resistance is typically used in higher-end cross-trainers. This system doesn’t have a moving magnet. Instead, an electro-magnet is positioned close to the flywheel, and current is passed through it to create a resistant force. The more current, the higher the resistance. Electromagnets are very controllable, offering a finer range of resistance adjustments than other magnetic systems.

Don’t overlook the cross-trainer’s frame
The strength of the frame is very important. A low-price machine will invariably have a cheaper build. This leads to weak joints in the frame and early failure. A well-built machine’s frame is constructed to tolerate the stresses of use for years.

Climb a mountain, ski across country, or walk in the park
Cross-trainers simulate the elliptical or roughly oval path that your foot takes between one step and the next. As you work out, your feet move with an action that can be described as somewhere between the circular motion of a bike and the flat motion of a treadmill. Most better quality elliptical trainers are equipped with a range of pre-set programs, essentially a series of varying resistances designed to simulate differing uphill gradients (sorry, no downhills). Programs let you choose the level of intensity for your workout—and also vary your workouts so your exercise program is never a dull routine.

Dual direction… dual action… what’s that about?
A dual-direction cross-trainer let’s you choose backwards or forwards motion. A dual-action elliptical trainer has movable handlebars to work your upper body and get a total body work-out.

Come in and chat—and let’s talk elliptical cross-trainers
Make your local Leisure Fitness Equipment Store your personal fitness information center.  Bring your questions on elliptical trainers — or any aspect of fitness and exercise. Our certified fitness specialists are walking encyclopedias of information, and you’ll have all of their attention. They’ll be glad to share their knowledge and help you make informed decisions that will get you the results you want.