Many people see benefit in owning an elliptical trainer, but don't know what they need to know to make an informed decision when buying. By looking at 4 main points, you can rest assured that you are getting what you need for the right price. Also, in a fifth point, we'll compare the use of an elliptical machine to that of a treadmill.
Price
The price of elliptical trainers varies very widely, costing between $50 (used) to $4000 (top-of-the-line). Since I think most runners are not going to want to buy a $4000 elliptical trainer to supplement their running, this guide will focus on new machines in the $90-$900 range. Examples in this range are the Confidence USA Elleptic Exerciser, the American Body 170SC Elliptical Trainer, the Tunturi C3 Elliptical Trainer, the Nordic Track CXT 980, and the Smooth ME Elliptical Trainer.
Must-Haves
There are 3 things you must consider when buying. It won't work well if you do not get the right product for the space you have, your height, and your weight.
- The Space: Be sure to measure the space in which you plan to put the elliptical. Measure height as well as length/width of this space. Take this information with you when you go to look at machines.
- User Height and Weight: Make sure that any limitations on the machine don't apply to you. Don't forget to think of others who might use it too!
Nearly Must-Haves
Some other important aspects are:
- Frame: A heavier frame is sturdier; a lighter frame is more portable. Just something to keep in mind.
- Resistance: Having electronic adjustable resistance is going to make your workouts better. This allows you to change the difficulty on the control panel.
- Adjustable Pedals: This feature is especially important to households with users of differing heights.
- Stride: The longer the stride (range of motion) the better. Remember, up/down movement is not preferable.
Extras
Some extra things to think about are a display, preprogrammed workous, ramp settings/incline, and noise level. A nice display and control panel makes any workout more pleasant because you know how far you've gone, calories burned, maybe even your heartrate. Preprogrammed workouts are also a pleasant accessory, giving you workout choices of hills, weight loss, and more. Incline is great to add hills or to make for a harder workout. Noise/quiteness is important to some, so be sure to test first.
Elliptical vs. Treadmill
Some quick points from the study done by researchers at the University of Wisconsin:
- There was no significant difference in oxygen consumption, heart rate, and calorie expenditure between treadmill running and using an elliptical trainer.
- The elliptical's impact ratings were similar to those of walking, while the treadmill's ratings were among the greatest impact of any activity (including running outside).
- Both privided excellent workouts of a medium to high intensity.