Elliptical trainers can be costly, but they can provide significant benefits to your health. The American Council on Exercise investigated a wide range of ellipticals and concluded that you get what you pay for with these machines. Many websites that sell ellipticals rate the machines and break them down by price, so you can easily find the best elliptical on the market for the money you want to spend.
How Ellipticals Work
Ellipticals engage the legs in an oval-shaped movement, combining the motion of a stair-climber and cross-country skiing. The elliptical is considered a low-impact workout since it reduces the strain on your joints by its combined motion between biking and running on a treadmill. You can move forward or backward on most ellipticals, although some only offer forward motion. Some ellipticals include movable arm poles like those found on a cross-country skiing machine to increase the number of muscles used during the workout.
Types
A variety of elliptical machines are available, including independent- and dependent-action machines, dual action and ramped models. Independent-action machines make you work more efficiently by forcing your legs to move forward in a sloping motion with the pedal. Dependent-action machines allow for less impact on the joints because the movement of one leg drives the other. Dual-action models are the ellipticals that also have the hand bars to work both the upper and lower body at the same time. Ramp ellipticals offer an adjustable ramp to change the incline of the oval motion. Ramp ellipticals allow you to concentrate your workout on different leg muscle groups.
Safety
The elliptical should be correctly sized to your body. Your feet should fit comfortably in the plastic foot pedal and you should be able to easily reach the handgrips. Make sure your knees do not hit the hand rails or display screen when you use the elliptical as this may result in injury. You should also test the elliptical to make sure the stride length is not too short for your legs. Some ellipticals have an adjustable stride length. Make sure the elliptical you purchase has an emergency off button for added safety. Select an elliptical that is sturdy and does not move, shift or tip when you shake it or push on it. The side rails and handgrips should be sturdy and provide a place for you to grab to assist in keeping your balance.
Considerations
Research the warranty that comes with the elliptical and if the machine can be serviced locally for any necessary maintenance. Find out what kind of maintenance and assembly the elliptical requires and make sure you are able to do this yourself, or ask if the store will send someone to your home to build it. Make sure you have a spot in your home that is suited for the elliptical. There should be enough room surrounding the elliptical so you can get on and off the machine easily and the ceiling should be high enough that you will not hit your head on it while on the elliptical.
References
- Mayo Clinic: Are Elliptical Machines Better Than Treadmills for Basic Aerobic Workouts?
- American Council on Exercise: Are All Elliptical Trainers Created Equal?
- American College of Sports Medicine: Selecting and Effectively Using an Elliptical Machine
- Dick's Sporting Goods: How to Buy an Elliptical Cross-Trainer
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