are cheap elliptical machines any good?

[zixxer]

trying to find a good v-day present for the girl... she was wanting an elliptical machine awhile back... thoughts?

They have them at wal mart for like $300... but I question the durability

 

[broon]

They aren't good for what they are designed for. You truely get what you pay for. They are good for hanging clothes on though.

 

[vi edit]

*GOOD* elliptical machines are pretty much the best type of exercise machine you can buy. The smoothness and low impact nature of them can't be beat.

That being said, I'm a self proclaimed Precor whore and recommend nothing other than their EFX machines.

Entry price is $1800. Exercise machines aren't something you skimp on the cheap for. If you are going to spend $300, just buy here a membership to the health club.

 

[Brassman]

Check out ellipticaltrainers.com. They have reviews that tell durability and such of quite a few ellipticals.

 

[Yreka]

I got a nice $1000 Nordic track from sears for $300 open box. Apparently they have quite a few returns on stuff like that. According to the sales person people buy them only to decide excersise is too hard heh. I have used the sht out of it for more than a year and it has held up very well.

YMMV, good luck.

 

[SP33Demon]

As a fan of human physiology, I cringe when thinking about what your knees will look like after 20 years of using an elliptical. Get a recumbent bike, your knees will thank you in 20.

 

[Turkey22]

I was in a sporting goods store over the weekend looking at ellipticals. You do get what you pay for, however as long as you feel comfortable with the machine you can get away with not buying the best, just dont buy the worst. I tested 3 ellipticals from $200-$600 and the cheapest was laughable in terms of quality, for all the impact on my knees I might as well have been on a treadmill. The other 2 felt much more comfortable and would be fine for what I want. If you are worried about durability, just look at costs and cost for replacement. If you have to spend $400-500 every 3 years on an average one thats still cheaper than $1800-2000 every 10. Most important though is testing the equipment before you buy, personal feel is everything.

Elliptical's are usually very good on your knee's, except the cheapest one I found. I've had 2 knee surgeries (not related to elliptical use) and while recovering it was great. Personally I am looking at recumbents byself, but an elliptical is a better body workout.

 

[Scarpozzi]

They always feel cheap to me....the plastics involved kind of suck. I've been on some that were made cheaply and I've seen the pedals break over time....warranty may cover them, but it's a hassle when the machine is down.

If you want a REAL EM, you'll have to pay at least $1000-2000. Industrial quality is really the way to go with that stuff, but at least it's cheaper than buying a year's membership at the ritzy gym here in town. ($100 a month) YMCA I think is even $50 a month these days....

 

[DaShen]

:thumbsdown:

 

[Hans Gruber]

The weight of the flywheel is what is most important in an elliptical. The heavier the better. Do you research and check the weight of the top rated commercial flywheels. Then compare the consumer grade elliptical.

 

[RLGL]

The weight of the flywheel is what is most important in an elliptical. The heavier the better. Do you research and check the weight of the top rated commercial flywheels. Then compare the consumer grade elliptical.

Exactly, this keep the center of balance low, thus allowing more coats etc. to be placed on it.

 

[deadlyapp]

I'm so happy we got this necro

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Join a local 24 Hour fitness or Planet Pizza or something. You don’t have to join Golds or some expensive place, any strip mall place with some cardio equipment will do.

Having cardio equipment in your house won’t make you more likely to use it. And if you DO use it, then you have to fix it, maintain it, etc. The problem with cheap home gym equipment is that the heavier you are (the more you need to exercise), the faster you destroy it. A $3k home treadmill with a 350 weight limit will shake itself apart if somebody 2/3rds that weight decides to try a couch-to-5k program, and if you forget to lubricate the belt, that funny smell is a $400 inverter board cooking off. Don’t get me started on the $2k elliptical that started popping welds.

IME a gym membership costs less over time. Plus, commercial grade equipment is just way better, way more durable, etc. and you can get unlimited access to it for like $25/month. They also tend to have smoother action and better ergonomics, which means you’re less likely to hurt yourself.

 

[Red Squirrel]

As long as the handle bars on it are nice and solid. It's main purpose is to be able to bear the weight of clothes, and possibly heavy winter coats.

 

[Hans Gruber]

I have an elliptical rider in my garage. It's been there for 10 years. I still use it. It has a flywheel. You do not need to spend thousands. I think the one in my garage was around $1,000 new. It has a flywheel and has never required repair.

Just an example of an elliptical rider with a flywheel. Sole Fitness E95 with 27lb flywheel. It's $999 on Amazon but I am sure they have been in the $700 range. The heavier the better when it comes to a flywheel.

Stay away from the cheap magnetic riders that you will see on Amazon. They do not even have a flywheel.