10 Best Elliptical Trainers

An elliptical trainer is an ideal partner for your fitness needs. Elliptical trainers are excellent for non-impact cardiovascular workouts ranging from low to high-intensity training. These trainers are nothing new and are in the market for a little over 20 years. Over their lifetime, there have been quite a lot of technological advancements in this space, which brought in much-required improvements to the efficiency and the productivity.

However, with a multitude of options available in the market today, finding the right one could turn to become a daunting task. To make your hunt for the perfect elliptical trainer easier, here is a list of 10 best elliptical trainers available in the market.

Life Fitness E3 Elliptical Cross-Trainer

The elliptical trainer from Life Fitness takes the tenth spot on our list. The American company is known for its invention of the world’s first stationary cycle. However, Life Fitness’s foray into elliptical cross-trainers has been fruitful and the E3 is no exception.

Specifications:

Dimensions: 82’’ X 34’’ X 61’’
Stride Length: 20’’
Flywheel: N/A
Incline: No
Heart Rate Monitor: Yes
Preloaded Workouts: 16
Maximum Weight: 400lbs

This rear drive elliptical trainer is ideal for home use. The model comes in two flavours, one with a simple Go console while the other one comes with a Track+ console. The simpler Go console offers basic functionality such as a wireless heartbeat sensor along with 16 preloaded workouts to cater to your demands. The pricier version offers the same and has better multimedia integration.

The stride length of 20’’ is quite comfortable and should be ideal for most individuals. However, the non-adjustable stride length would be a letdown for people looking for much better flexibility and customizability.

Overall, the E3 is a wonderful mid-level trainer from Life Fitness. Yet, the product offers very little compared to its competition in the same price bracket.

Life Fitness E3 Elliptical Cross-Trainer starts at US$2,999.

Buy here (US)

Buy here (IN)

Proform Hybrid Trainer Elliptical

Proform’s offering is ideal for low intensity home workouts. Moreover, the Hybrid Trainer is light on the pocket making it a perfect choice for casual workouts.

Specifications:

Dimensions: 60.5’’ X 24.5’’ X 70.5’’
Stride Length: 15’’
Incline: No
Flywheel: 15 pounds
Heart Rate Monitor: No
Preloaded Workouts: 16
Maximum Weight: 350lbs

The compact dimensions of the machine make it pretty easy to maintain during long hours of inactivity. The 2 -in-1 design allows the machine to transform from an elliptical to a recumbent bike with no fuzz. The integration with iFit technology covers all your infotainment needs.

However, the elliptical offers no adjustable incline and has a 15’’ stride length. This falls on the shorter side and could cause problems to a lot of people during workouts.

The company has downsized many features to fit the model in the price bracket. There is no heart rate monitor to track your heartbeat and the flywheel is only 15 pounds.

Overall, this is ideal for people who are looking to get an economic elliptical and are willing to forgo other advanced features. Proform Hybrid Elliptical retails at US$349.

Buy here (US)

NordicTrack C9.5 Elliptical

NordicTrack C9.5 is a mid-range elliptical that is designed to cater to meet the demands of both the occasional and the regular workouts.

Specifications:

Dimensions: 67.1’’ X 25’’ X 69.1’’
Stride Length: 18’’ - 20’’
Incline: 18 - 20 degrees
Flywheel: 25 pounds
Heart Rate Monitor: Yes
Preloaded Workouts: 32
Maximum Weight: 350lbs

The C 9.5 offers a slew of features for the price. The front drive elliptical with its tight integration to the iFit technology makes it your ideal partner for all your workout needs. The 32 preloaded workout programs should cover all your fundamental needs.

A flexible stride length offers much more customizability and the adjustable incline allows you to tweak the workout intensity. Moreover, the machine offers 24 SMR levels, which further bolsters the customizability.

However, there is no wireless heart rate monitor and the user has to make do with the sensors present on the handlebars.

The frame comes with a lifetime warranty while the warranty of the parts lasts three years. NordicTrack C 9.5 Elliptical trainer retails at US$849.

Buy here (US)

Buy here (IN)

ProForm Cardio HIIT Trainer Pro

Proform Cardio HIIT Trainer Pro is drasitically different from any other regular elliptical. This hybrid trainer has a larger vertical footprint and is well suited for rigorous full-body workouts.

Specifications:

Dimensions: 39" X 29.25” X 66.7"
Stride Length: N/A
Incline: no
Flywheel: 30 pounds
Heart Rate Monitor: Yes
Preloaded Workouts: 34
Maximum Weight: 350lbs

The model comes in with tight integration with iFit technology, which allows you to transform the workouts into a more adventurous experience. The 10’’ touchscreen should cater to all your infotainment needs.

The 20-pound flywheel only with 26 levels of silent magnetic resistance offers a club like an experience at the comfort of your home.

It supports a heart rate sensor on the handlebars and a wireless monitor is absent, which is a letdown. Moreover, there is no adjustable incline nor is there an adjustable stride length.

Overall, the compact design makes it ideal for home use while the radically differently footprint offers a low impact full-body workout. Proform Cardio HIIT Trainer Pro retails at around US$1,499.

Buy here (US)

Sole Fitness E35 Elliptical

Sole Fitness has a record of offering premium quality fitness equipment and the E35 is no different. The model is a step up from its basic model and offers a huge range of features for its price tag.

Specifications:

Dimensions: 82" X 31" X 67"
Stride Length: 20”
Incline: 20 levels
Flywheel: 25 pounds
Heart Rate Monitor: Yes
Preloaded Workouts: 10
Maximum Weight: 375lbs

The 25-pound flywheel is a notch smaller than the industry standard but it should offer a decent experience for beginners and novice users. The adjustable incline is a plus as it allows the user to tweak the intensity of the workout.

Moreover, the integration with the Sole Fitness app coupled with 10 preloaded programs should offer the user plenty of choices right from out of the box. The 20” inch stride is perfect for most but for people looking for customizability, there is no option to manually adjust the stride length.

A lifetime warranty on the parts and a five-year warranty on the parts and the motor is just an added bonus.

Overall, the E35 is a great match for both amateur and intermediate trainers. With its tighter integration with the technology and a reasonable price tag make this a must-have. Sole Fitness E35 retails at US$1,800.

Buy here (US)

NordicTrack SpaceSaver SE9i Elliptical

As the name suggests, the SE9i is a foldable elliptical, which makes it easy to maintain during long periods of inactivity. The Utah based company’s offering has a slew of features that certainly push the machine to the top stop in its price range.

Specifications:

Dimensions: 60.5’’ X 24.5’’ X 70.5’’
Stride Length: 18’’
Incline: 0 - 10 degrees
Flywheel: 18 pounds
Heart Rate Monitor: 80" X 32" X 77"
Preloaded Workouts: 30
Maximum Weight: 325lbs

This model offers a 7” touchscreen along with a smooth iFit integration for an improved infotainment system. Moreover, 30 preloaded workouts offer a huge range of customizability right out of the box.

The adjustable incline of up to 10 degrees combined with 24 levels of SMR should meet all the needs of a casual trainer. However, the 18 pounds flywheel is a letdown. The smaller weight does not offer the required stability and thus, results in an inconsistent ride.

In this price range, the SpaceSaver SE9i is easily the best elliptical available on the market. The machine retails at US$1,200.

Buy here (US)

Horizon Fitness Evolve 5 Elliptical

The Evolve 5 is the arguably Horizon’s best elliptical trainer. The foldable design combined with a host of features put this machine just outside the top-3.

Specifications:

Dimensions: 69” X 28” X 69”
Stride Length: 20’’
Incline: No
Flywheel: 23 pounds
Heart Rate Monitor: Yes
Preloaded Workouts: 37
Maximum Weight: 300lbs

A 6.25” touchscreen along with a huge array of preloaded workouts offer an immersive experience. Also, the machine is Passport ready. However, the Passport player is sold separately.

The 23-pound flywheel offers great stability and a smooth ride while the 20” non-adjustable stride length should cater to most demands of a home user.

The Evolve 5 offers a simple handlebar sensor to monitor the heartbeat compared to the wireless sensor found on other models from competing brands. Moreover, this model does not offer adjustable incline.

Horizon offers a lifetime warranty on frame and a three-year warranty on all the parts. The Evolve 5 retails at US$1,299.

Buy here (US)

Precor AMT 835

The AMT 835 from the inventor of elliptical trainers is a gem. The Adaptive Motion Trainer is part of Precor’s mid-level offering and offers best-in-class customizable, thanks to the adaptive Open Stride feature.

Specifications:

Dimensions: 80’’ X 35’’ X 69’’
Stride Length: 36’’ (Max.)
Incline: No
Flywheel: N/A
Heart Rate Monitor: Yes
Preloaded Workouts: 6
Maximum Weight: 350lbs

Although there is no separate setting to control the incline, the Open Stride feature ensures that one could manually adjust the stride length and the stride height to simulate various training conditions. This technology from Precor is quite revolutionary.

A wireless heart rate monitor records the heartbeat while the 7” screen offers an in-depth statistics of the current session including distance, calories, and the time elapsed.

However, only 6 preloaded workout programs is a letdown and a certain level of variety right out of the box would offer a much more immersive experience.

The Elliptical does not come cheap though, it retails at around US$8,895.

Buy here (US)

Sole E95

The E95 from Sole is a very capable elliptical and will virtually meet the needs of every individual ranging from a beginner to a seasoned trainer.

Specifications:

Dimensions: 83" X 27" X 62"
Stride Length: 20’’
Incline: 0 - 20%
Flywheel: 27 pounds
Heart Rate Monitor: Yes
Preloaded Workouts: 10
Maximum Weight: 400lbs

The 27-pound flywheel in the machine guarantees a smooth and a consistent training experience. 20 levels of magnetic resistance should meet the needs of trainers of all skill levels.

Sole has opted to use a standard 20” stride length and offers no customizability in this department. However, the E95 offers variable incline to simulate various training conditions.

The 10 preloaded workout programs extend good choice right out of the box. The 10.1” screen is ideal to represent the workout statistics. Seamless integration with the Sole Fitness app offers a more personalized experience.

The only downside, a large footprint. Go for this machine if space is not a constraint.

Sole offers a lifetime warranty on the frame and a five-year warranty on the motor and the parts. Sole E95 Elliptical retails at US$1,799.

Buy here (US)

NordicTrack FreeStride Trainer FS7i

The FreeStride Trainer FS7i is much more than a regular elliptical trainer. This machine offers the benefits of three machines in a single workout session. The model can act as a regular elliptical along with stepper and a treadmill.

Specifications:

Dimensions: 68.4" X 28.5" X 62"
Stride Length: 38’’ (Max.)
Incline: 0 to 10 degrees
Flywheel: 20 pounds
Heart Rate Monitor: Yes
Preloaded Workouts: 35
Maximum Weight: 375lbs

The 7” inch touch console with tight iFit integration coupled with 35 preloaded workout programs offers great user customizability. Rather than the traditional rails, we see a belt-system in this machine. This ensures a much smoother ride quality.

The central drive system is state-of-the-art and is far superior to the traditional front drive and the rear drive mechanisms. The adjustable stride is quite similar to what is seen in the Precor AMT 835. The adjustable mechanism can vary the stride length to a maximum of 38 inches.

Along with it, an adjustable incline allows one to simulate ascent and descent situations. Moreover, the 24 levels of resistance should meet the demands of most of the users.

Like other models, this machine too has a lifetime warranty on the frame. NordicTrack FreeStride Trainer FS7i retails at US$1,499.

Buy here (IN)

Edited by Pritam Sharma