ProForm Hybrid Trainer Pro – Read our full review here.
We all know that cardiovascular exercise is super important. The American Heart Association tells us to get a minimum of 30 minutes per day to keep feeling young. And doctors tell us that cardio saves lives!
But what if there’s more to the story? What if getting that cardio in each day has more benefits that you ever realized?
Are you breathing in air pollution during your run?
Since air quality can vary from day to day and between regions, here are some FAQs to make sure your outside time is helping and not hurting your fitness.
So, why do so many people just surrender at a certain point?
It all comes down to some long standing myths that people believe about exercise and aging. And, we’re here to debunk those mis-beliefs!
We’ve put together a list of common mistakes that people make on an elliptical that will not only lower the effectiveness of your workout, but can also lead to injury.
Avoiding these common blunders will ensure that you get the most out of every minute of your elliptical session.
You hit the snooze button once…twice…three times and suddenly your morning time has been used up. Now it’s too late for a workout and you’re rushing out the door just to make it to work on time!
We have all been there…
But you don’t have to continue in that same vicious cycle.
Here are 7 energizing, clarifying, and healthy reasons to avoid the snooze button and jump onto the elliptical bright and early!
Don’t Belief the ‘Fake News’ About Elliptical Trainers
Here at Fitness-Equipment-Source, we are passionate about educating people on the benefits of modern elliptical trainers.
So, let us help you out by debunking these 5 classic myths about elliptical trainers!
ProForm Endurance 520 E – This is the lowest priced machine you’ll find on our recommended list.
Many people assume that a workout on an elliptical is not as effective as one on a treadmill, but this simply isn’t the case.
This study from the University of Nebraska shows that “when subjects exercise at the same RPE (rate of perceived exertion) on TM or EL, oxygen consumption and energy expenditure are similar in spite of a higher heart rate on the EL.”
The study shows us that “during cross training or noncompetition-specific exercise, an elliptical device is an acceptable alternative to a treadmill.”
This data also gives us another way to look at an elliptical workout. If you are maintaining the same heart rate on both the treadmill and the elliptical, the RPE on an elliptical will actually be lower.
In other words, you’re getting the same benefits, but it “feels” easier!
Disclosure: Elliptical Reviews is reader-supported. When you buy through links on this page, we may earn a commission from brands such as Sole, NordicTrack and Horizon, at no extra cost to you. This doesn’t change our ratings. How we test and make money
Updated Oct 30, 2026. Prices are the price at time of writing on each brand’s site.
Short on space? Before you buy, measure your floor area and your ceiling. Pedals raise you off the floor, so add your height plus the step-up height and leave some headroom. Where a brand publishes the footprint, we list it below. All figures were checked on brand sites on Oct 30, 2026.
| Model | Price at time of writing (Oct 30, 2026) | Key specs (from brand site) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| NordicTrack X16 Elliptical | $2,299.99 list $2,999.99 |
16″ tilting HD touchscreen; 26 resistance levels; -10% to 10% incline; 3-in-1: elliptical, stepper, treadmill motion | Check price at NordicTrack |
| NordicTrack AirGlide 16 | $1,999.99 list $2,799.99 |
16″ tilting HD touchscreen; 26 resistance levels; -5° to 15° incline; iFIT compatible | Check price at NordicTrack |
| SOLE E25 | $1,199.99 list $1,299.99 |
Front drive; 20″ stride; 20 lb flywheel; 20 resistance levels (ECB); 20-level power incline; 350 lb max user; Lifetime frame warranty | Check price at Sole |
| SOLE E20 | $899.99 list $999.99 |
Front drive; 18″ stride; 14.3 lb flywheel; 20 levels ECB magnetic resistance; 300 lb max user; Lifetime frame warranty | Check price at Sole |
| Horizon EX-59 | $799.00 list $999.00 |
14.3 lb flywheel; LED console with device holder; Bluetooth speakers; 5 built-in programs; Ergonomic Six-Star Frame | Check price at Horizon |
Price at time of writing (Oct 30, 2026): $2,299.99 (list $2,999.99)
Price at time of writing (Oct 30, 2026): $1,999.99 (list $2,799.99)
Price at time of writing (Oct 30, 2026): $1,199.99 (list $1,299.99)
Price at time of writing (Oct 30, 2026): $899.99 (list $999.99)
Price at time of writing (Oct 30, 2026): $799.00 (list $999.00)
Sole doesn’t publish a footprint for the E20, and Horizon doesn’t publish one for the EX-59. Check the product page before you buy.
Sources: official brand product pages, checked Oct 30, 2026.
While it may seem like lying down and staying comfortable until it “gets better” is the best option, that isn’t necessarily the case. Keeping yourself moving and doing cardiovascular exercise can help you feel stronger, healthier and more like yourself again.
It’s easy to only focus on the physical training and conditioning that you need, but there are a lot of other factors that you have to consider. Forcing yourself outside and just logging the miles isn’t the only way to prepare and sometimes it isn’t even the best option.
Using an elliptical for indoor marathon training can give you the variety you need to reach your goals when pesky outside variables try to slow you down!
Ellipticals can help you recover from an injury.
You’ve worked so hard to maintain your fitness and work toward a goal. Suddenly your body can’t do what you want it to do. This can be extremely frustrating and discouraging.
But making sure that you are doing everything you can during your recovery is a huge step towards getting back to normal. Ellipticals are a useful tool for runners suffering from a wide variety of injuries. They help you maintain your cardio health, work your muscles and keep you motivated without risk of further injury.
