An elliptical trainer is a considerable investment, but it also comes with worthwhile benefits. If you're considering one, there are a variety of factors that can help you decide, including how much you're willing to spend, what your other workout options might be and whether an elliptical would suit your personal exercise style.
Benefits
Mayo Clinic rehabilitation specialist Edward R. Laskowski, M.D., says elliptical trainers exert less stress on the knees than treadmills and other exercise machines, making them an efficient choice for low-impact workouts. Ellipticals also have the benefit of being reversible, meaning you can pedal them forward or backward to work different muscles. An elliptical machine also is an effective calorie burner. Health Status says 60 minutes on an elliptical will burn more than 700 calories for a 150-pound person, about the same as working out on a treadmill or jogging for an hour.
Drawbacks
Ellipticals also have disadvantages. If you want to work your arms at the same time as your legs, you have few options with an elliptical. Some do have moving handlebars that you can hold while you work out on the machine, but the handlebars are unlikely to provide as much of an arm challenge as other cardio-intense activities, such as punching. It's also important to note that elliptical trainers don't provide any elements of strength training, which the American Council on Exercise, or ACE, says is necessary for a complete fitness routine.
Options
Your budget is one important consideration when buying an elliptical machine. The trainers are expensive, and for many models, it's likely that quality is directly proportional to cost. According to a study by ACE, participants assessed how much they liked four different models of elliptical machines, and the rankings corresponded directly with how much each machine cost. The most expensive was perceived to have the best quality, and the least expensive was the least popular. If you're not ready to spend a lot of money for a machine, one alternative is to join a gym, where top-quality elliptical machines usually are available. A higher-impact but less expensive option is to jog on an indoor track or around your neighborhood for your cardio workout.
Considerations
It's helpful to think about your personal fitness style before you buy an elliptical. If doing the same exercise often bores you and you seek variety in a routine, an elliptical likely isn't right for you. However, if you have trouble finding motivation for exercise and feel that having a machine in your home would help you stay fit, the purchase might be worth it.
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