Read our reviews on mid-range elliptical trainers and much more!
Note: Our elliptical trainer ratings are based on a number of factors, all of which combined contribute to the overall value of an elliptical trainer. They include:
Here are our expert reviews on Budget Elliptical Trainers that fall in the $399 – $999 price range. These ellipticals are a good fit if you’re just starting out. However, they are NOT for you if you’re looking for a top quality piece of equipment that is designed to last the test of time. For something like that you’ll need to find a little more room in your budget for a Mid Range Elliptical or higher.
Note: Our elliptical trainer ratings are based on a number of factors, all of which combined contribute to the overall value of an elliptical trainer. They include:
* All of the elliptical reviews below are organized by highest rated first.
An Overall Sweet Machine
The Octane Q47 elliptical trainer is overall a sweet machine. Two former Life Fitness executives started Octane – so the founders knew something about quality elliptical machines. They decided to start a company that only builds ellipticals, and though there were some quality control issues at the start, these days they are cranking out some impressive equipment.
The Q47 is their top of the line elliptical, and not only is it a quality product, but it has some of the most innovative features found in the industry.
Adjustable Stride Length – There are several companies that offer adjustable elliptical strides, however, Octane offers the widest range. You can adjust the stride from 18″-26″. Why would you want to adjust the stride? First, you want to adjust the stride according to your height. Obviously, shorter people are more comfortable with and shorter stride, and the opposite is true for taller individuals.
Second, regardless of your height, by adjusting the stride you can focus your exercise on different parts of your lower body. For example, at the 18″ stride you can concentrate on your thighs and calves. At a 26″ stride, you emphasize the hamstrings and glutes.
Note: You can adjust the stride and the resistance from buttons in the moveable handlebars – a smart feature.
SmartStride – In conjunction with the adjustable stride, you have the SmartStride program. You can have the Q47 calculate the stride length according to your height and the speed. Moving at slower speeds would be like walking, and when you walk you have a small stride. If you speed up, like running your stride length would increase. The machine sets the stride lengths accordingly.
ArmBlaster – Often people who exercise on an elliptical do not adequately exercise their upper body. Most of the workout is concentrated on the lower body. Consequently, they are defeating the purpose of the combination upper and lower body workout of an elliptical. With the ArmBlaster program, more resistance is placed on the upper body, thereby forcing you to build your upper body muscles.
X-Mode – This program is like having a personal trainer. The machine prompts you to do different exercises like squats, lean back, pedal fast or slow and more.
1.8″ Foot Pedal Distance – This is particularly important to woman. As it was explained to me, men hips go straight down, while women’s hips go out and in. This closer foot pedal design can reduce strain to you knees.
280 lbs. Machine Weight – The combination of the weight and the base design give this machine a very solid and stable feel.
Double Rail Design – The problem with some front drive ellipticals is that the pedals run on a rail and consequently you experience a slight shifting from left to right. The Q47 has two rails per pedals. There are two concave wheels, each riding a separate rail, giving it a very stable feel.
You can tell there was considerable thought put into the design, ergonomics and biomechanics of this machine. Furthermore, the variety of innovative programs really takes cross training exercise to a new level. In talking to the manager of an equipment store that sells Octane, he told me they are very durable with few service issues.
There is a reason Octane has become one of the most popular elliptical machines. If you can afford a high-end elliptical, this one is definitely worth considering. MSRP $3600-$4200, depending on the model.
Also check out the Octane Q37 Elliptical Review.
Need a Sitting Machine?
The Yowza Naples, Naples Plus and Naples Elite are basically elliptical trainers that you can sit down on. The price may give you sticker shock, but quality is unsurpassed and the innovative features will provide you with a very low impact workout that targets both your upper and lower body.
Yowza is built by GreenMaster, one of the leading fitness equipment companies in the industry. This series of machines is certainly unique, but we are sad to say the company has had a bit of a downslide these last several months. We no longer feel confident in their service and product availability. You’d be much better off checking out the Proform Hybrid Trainers which offer similar “sitting down” benefits. The price tags on the hybrid trainer series are also MUCH more friendly.
Yowza Fitness is OUT OF BUSINESS.
We are still waiting to hear more information about this company but it seems they are no longer producing machines.
Want a sitting machine? We actually recommend you check out the ProForm Hybrid Trainers instead of the Yowza machines instead.Note: There are three versions of the Yowza Naples – Regular, Plus and Elite. The Elite comes with Intelligent Weight Management and MyLiveLight, which are described below.
One of the impressions we got from meeting the staff was their commitment to building some of the most innovative fitness equipment in the industry, and the Yowza Naples Plus is a perfect example. The Naples Plus and Elite incorporate the unique and innovative features found on Yowza elliptical trainers. These features like the Cardio Core and pivoting pedals have made their crosstrainers very popular. The Yowza Naples Plus and Elite are designed for those who want the benefit of an elliptical trainer, but without having to support 100% of their body. Thus you are able to sit as you workout rather than having to stand, but you can also electronically adjust the amount of support and effort you put on the lower body throughout your workout.
Ergonomic Seating — The thought behind the seating is rather impressive. First, the seat is powered and has memory for positioning. When you get on the Yowza Naples Plus and Elite the seating is at its lowest level, for ease of getting on and off (8” inch step-up height). With the press of a button the seat automatically adjusts to your favorite position. You can adjust the seat higher and lower and this will allow you to redistribute the resistance between your lower and upper body. So often with an elliptical trainer people will concentrate most of the resistance with their legs and go through the motions with their upper body. By raising or lowering the seat you can go from a 50 – 50 split to a 30% to 80% distribution of upper and lower body resistance.
Sound System with MP3 Port – Yowza equips their machines with some of the best sounds systems found on any fitness equipment. There is also a USB charging station.
Tablet Holder — Tablets and smartphones are becoming a popular distraction as people workout.
3-Speed Fan— It won’t blow you away, but it offers some relief.
400 lbs. User Weight — I usually feel companies overrate their user weight limit, but the 400 lbs. is in the ball park. The user weight also says something about the quality and stability of this machine.
Commercial Grade Brake System (referred to as “Eddy Current”) — The electromagnetic brake system is top of the line found in commercial grade machines and will result in a very smooth elliptical motion, in addition to being whisper quiet.
Sealed Bearings — All joints feature sealed bearings rather than bushings. Although sealed bearings cost more, they last longer and are very quiet.
Warranty — The warranty is a reflection on the quality of the components, which is Lifetime Frame and Braking system, 7 years parts and 2 years labor.
IWM (Intelligent Weight Management) System — So many individuals stride to lose weight and get into shape, but lack direction. The IWM system works with a blue tooth scale. You weigh yourself and based on your targeted weight, the system creates a workout designed to achieve your goals and downloads it onto the Yowza Naples Elite.
MyLiveLight — MyLiveLight is a free fitness app that works in conjunction with the Yowza Boca Treadmill. It also works in tandem with IWM to create custom programs, manage your personal profile, and it allows you to store and track your progress. Studies show that individuals who monitor their exercise progress are more likely to achive their goals. The Naples Elite comes with a tablet holder and with MyLiveLight where you can track your progress in real time. In addition, the app allows you to share your progress through social media with others who may be part of your support group.
Obviously the Yowza Naples is not for everyone. It targets individuals that may have physical limitations that make it difficult to exercise in an upright position. But the Naples Plus & Elite does not limit the benefits of your workout, which include…
In addition to the health benefits the Yowza Naples Plus & Elite are very durable machines, engineered with quality components. We would suspect that the Naples would hold up in a light commercial environment.
Since the Yowza company has been experiencing some instability these last few months, you would be better off going with another option like the ProForm Hybrid Trainers. The Hybrid Trainer and Hybrid Trainer Pro offer another “sitting” option. Plus, the price tag is very reasonable.
When I went out to the Yowza Fitness headquarters, the feature that really stood out was the Cardio Core arm motion. It is found on all of their Cardio Core elliptical trainers. At the lower price spectrum are the Yowza Sanibel i35 and the Yowza Captiva. The difference between the two is the amount of adjustment to their stride and incline motion.
The Yowza Captiva has a variable stride that goes from 18″ to 32″. While the Yowza Sanibel has a variable stride that goes from 18″ to 26″ and a 0-35% incline adjustment which gives you a more strenuous workout when desired.
Yowza Fitness is OUT OF BUSINESS.
We are still waiting to hear more information about this company but it seems they are no longer producing machines.
NOTE: You may want to check out other really strong rear drive machines like the NordicTrack SpaceSaver SE9i
The Cardio Core arm motion is a breakthrough design that targets and tones upper body muscles. Of course, that is what all elliptical trainers are suppose to do. The reality is people tend to go through the motions when using the upper body handlebars. The majority of the resistance is applied to the legs. Most people apply little or no pressure to the handlebars.
The Yowza Sanibel takes a different approach to toning the upper body. Rather than two handlebars that move back and forth, there is one t-bar that moves left to right with the elliptical motion. Your upper body slightly twists with the stride, and in the process you target you abs and obliques. It is like doing stomach crunches or holding a weight and moving the upper body left to right.
The abs are an area most of us would like to improve, and to do so you have to both burn calories and apply resistance to that area. Your typical elliptical trainer does not concentrate meaningful resistance to the abs, in fact it does little to tone the upper body.
When working out on the Yowza Sanibel, I notice the tension in my abs. In addition, my cardio shot up in a short period of time. In fact, I chose to switch back and forth between holding the t-bar and the stationary handlebars. It gave me a chance to catch my breath, which means using the Cardio Core arm motion will give you a serious cardio workout.
Electronic Adjust 18″-26″ Elliptical Stride — Gone are the days when elliptical trainers had short choppy elliptical strides. The longer strides tend to give a more natural motion that is like running in the air. The Sanibel has a very comfortable 18″ baseline stride length and the motion tends to be much more elliptical than circular. Consequently, there is less bouncing. For a more aggresive workout, the Sanibel i35 can be electonically adjusted to a 26″ srtide length and 35% incline on the fly. It has the smallest stride length and incline adjustment than any CardioCore machine so it may better accommodate a shorter person.
Also the Stride is set at what the company calls a “ramp less” incline. It is slightly inclined to give you a more strenuous workout. In comparison their Pompano model tends to have a more level stride.
Rear Drive — There is some controversy on which is better, a front or rear drive design. However, the one advantage of the rear drive over the front is the absence of rollers and rails. They tend to wear, require regular lubrication and can often be noisy.
Flywheel — The weight of the flywheel is very important in contributing to a smooth and natural elliptical stride. The Sanibel has a heavier than normal weighted flywheel.
228 Lb. Unit Weight — I once had an elliptical buyer complain about the model they purchased because it was too heavy. For me the heavier the better, because it contributes to the stability of the machine. At 230 lbs. the Sanibel will give you a very solid feel and has a 400 lb maximum user weight rating.
Bearing System — All the joints feature a sealed bearing which is quieter and more durable than a bushing.
Sound System — Most ellipticals come with a MP3 plug-in. I was told that the company opted for a iPod docking station instead because it results in better audio quality. The sound is above average for a cardio machine. There is also a three speed fan that points towards your core.
Warranty — The Yowza Sanibel has an above average warranty, which includes lifetime on the braking system and frame, 5-year parts and 2-year labor.
The Cardio Core arm motion may be the next evolution in crosstraining and it is that feature that distinguishes the Yowza Sanibel from the pack. Even without it, the Sanibel would be a quality crosstrainer.
Yowza Fitness is a fairly new company and, unfortunately, we’ve noticed some issues with their operation during this last year. We’re a bit hesitant to give them our highest rating while they sort things out.
“Excellent” Rating for Construction
The AFG 3.1AE elliptical trainer has been getting some hype after receiving a “Best Buy” recommendation from a leading consumer magazine. It came in fifth in the overall ratings with the next highest elliptical costing $600 more. In the review they gave the AFG 3.1AE an “Excellent” for construction and a “Good” for ease of use, ergonomics and exercise range.
Although the AFG 3.1AE is relatively new it has existed under another brand and model – the LiveStrong LS10.0E Elliptical Trainer. Both are built by Johnson Fitness. The LiveStrong Fitness brand was built in cooperation to the LiveStrong Foundation, a charity started by Lance Armstrong to combat cancer. Unfortunately with the Armstrong scandal the LiveStrong Fitness brand took a hit, and now Johnson Fitness is discontinuing the brand and basically reintroducing the LiveStrong ellipticals as AFG elliptical trainers.
The one design aspect I did like about the LiveStrong ellipticals, that is now incorporate in several of the AFG models, is the SixStar Certification. SixStar Certification was developed based on feedback from elliptical users. The following list of features were preferable based on the feedback. These four features are designed to make the crosstrainer more ergonomic and in the process provide a more rewarding workout.
NOTE: The AFG 3.1 AE is available for sale on www.Amazon.com.
ZeroGap Pedal Distance — Pedals are positioned very close to each other in order to minimize the stress to you joints and back. Pedals that are far apart can be particularly stressful to woman because of their unique physique.
Easy Access — The pedals are placed low to the ground and are easier to step on and off. Older individuals can find mounting and dismounting a rear drive elliptical to be a challenge.
StraightUP Body Posture — The positioning and posturing of the pedals and the handlebars keeps your body upright for maximum comfort. You’ll find on many elliptical trainers your body tends to lean forward.
A More Natural Foot Path — The AFG elliptical stride mimics a natural running or walking motion while minimizing fatigue. It is more flat than oval.
Adjustable Incline — Fairly standard on most ellipticals these days. By inclining the elliptical stride you not only increase your cardio workout, but also target different lower body muscles.
Speakers and MP3 Input — Another feature found on most new elliptical trainers. Music is an excellent motivator as you workout.
Warranty — Lifetime frame, 3 year parts and 1 year labor coverage. Again, typical.
Heart Rate Monitoring — Also found on most ellipticals at this price range.
The “Best Buy” review from a leading consumer magazine, whose name I cannot mention, is a strong endorsement of the AFG 3.1AE, and that alone is a reason to consider this machine. I have one comment. When I tested the 3.1AE I found that I could make it sway when I rocked it back and forth. With normal usage that should not be an issue, but I would not recommend this elliptical for someone particularly heavy. However, it does weigh 195 lbs., which contributes to the stability. Other than that, I feel the AFG 3.1AE elliptical trainer is a smart buy for moderate users looking for a effective cardio workout.
Shop now at www.Amazon.com.
We researched this equipment prior to purchase and found this device was rated as one of the best by XXXXXX (That consumer magazine I can’t mention). It’s about what we expected to spend, and holiday pricing and free shipping sealed the deal. We are very happy with the purchase.
We found the equipment to be well made and rock solid. It was delivered directly to our living room without a problem. We put the machine together ourselves, watching the online (You Tube) video and reading the manual. It went together exactly as described with not one problem. The tools were supplied and held up well (many supplied tools fail quickly), all parts were already lubricated, and the equipment is very well built. Its as quiet as they come.
A Small Machine with Big Attitude
Long before the invention of treadmills and elliptical trainers, people were effectively exercising on rowing machines. They offer an excellent cardio and resistance workout.
The LifeCore rowing machines are not your cheap models that you find in mass retailers outlets. They are built to be durable and to provide a smooth rowing motion. In addition to their rowers, LifeCore is known for the elliptical trainers. In fact, they have received several best buys from publications like Consumer Digest and a popular consumer rating service.
Simplicity of Design — Unlike treadmills and elliptical trainers, the mechanics of rowing machines are rather basic. There are no motor or complicated electronics, and unlike treadmills, rowing machines do not have to take the abuse of continual impact. The bottom-line, you are less likely to have mechanical problems and services issues as you are with other cardio equipment.
Low Impact Exercise — As mentioned, with treadmills you are performing an impact form of exercise. If you are a runner, that impact can be significant. For example, when you run you can impact as much as 2.5X your body weight with every stride. With rowing machines you’re not subjecting your joints to excessive strain and stress.
Upper and Lower Body Workout — Like an elliptical trainer, a rower exercises both your upper and lower body. However, with elliptical trainers most of the resistance tends to be directed to the lower body. People often go through the motions with the upper body exercise on an elliptical. Very little resistance is applied. With a rowing machines the workout tends to divide the resistance more evenly between both your arms/chest/abs and your legs.
Light Weight & Compact — Treadmills and elliptical trainers can weigh hundreds of pounds and can be a struggle to move. You’ll find that rowing machines typically weigh less than 100 lbs., making it easy to move about and store. Furthermore, rowing machine generally have a smaller footprint than treadmills and ellipticals. For example, when folded the LifeCore R88 takes up 16″x24″ floor space.
LifeCore is what I consider a boutique fitness equipment company. They have cut out a successful niche selling quality products through fitness equipment stores, and recently online. Their products are known for quality construction, and the LifeCore rowers are no exception. They have three models that are prices from $699 – $1,299.
— $699The LifeCore R88 is their intro model. Like all LifeCore machines it is solidly constructed, but has a basic LCD display with a moderate selection of programs. Features include:
Adjustable Cooling Air Vent— $899The LifeCore R90 is their most popular model. It is built on the same frame as the R88, and has the features listed above. In addition you get the following upgrades:
Large LCD Blue Backlit Computer Display — $1,299The LifeCore R100 is their commercial grade rower for the home. It weighs an additional 29 lbs. It has a larger fan/flywheel, giving you a smoother rowing motion. Features include
Large LCD Blue/Green Backlit Computer Display
LifeCore rowers are not cheap, but they are some of the best value for a rowing machine in their price range. And the question is do you want to buy a toy that has a limited life expectancy or do you want a durable machine that will provide a superior workout experience? As mentioned, LifeCore has a reputation for excellence. That is why you find them in fitness specialty stores and not mass retail merchants.
If you are considering exercise equipment to reduce your weight and to tone up, rowing machines should be a serious consideration. They have the advantage of being low maintenance, while providing a low impact upper and lower body workout. And if you decide that a rowing machine is right for your fitness goals, then LifeCore rowers are some of the best value out there.
A “No-Impact” Machine That is Easy on the Joints
Recumbent bikes are stationary bikes that provide really nice means to safe, efficient workouts. They’re pretty much no-impact machines, so they are easy on the back, knees, and ankles. One such stationary bike is the Reebok RB310 recumbent bike.
The Reebok RB310 recumbent bike goes for as low as $400 to as much as $600. This bike is made by Icon Fitness, and similar models can be found under the ProForm and HealthRider brand.
Although this bike has some State-of-the-art technology that set it apart from cheaper recumbent bikes. There has been some negative feedback from a number of customers that suggest you proceed with caution.
NOTE: The Reebok RB310 is no longer for sale. Instead, check out the Naples recumbent elliptical from Yowza fitness.
Backlit Display Console – This easy to read display makes monitoring your workouts simple. The display shows time, speed, resistance, distance, calories burned, and pulse rate.The features are the strengths of this bike, however, there appears to be issues with the quality control and the design of the seat.
The frame of the Reebok RB310 recumbent bike is covered by a lifetime warranty. However, the parts and labor warranty are only so-so…just one year. That’s definitely better than a 90-day warranty! However, you have to wonder if the parts used in the construction of the RB310 are only mediocre parts. Will the technical components start to give out after a year or so of constant use?
The reviews were mixed. Some thought for the money the RB310 was an exceptional deal. Others complained about the seat comfort and the overall quality. Remember, you are buying a $400 exercise bike, which puts this in the budget category. People did like the games that were provided.
My suggestion is to also consider the Schwinn 230 and the Schwinn 240 as alternatives. Althought slightly more money, the customer reviews are generally very positive.
A Center Drive Elliptical with the Highest Quality
I was making the rounds to some of the fitness equipment stores in the area, and stopped by ProSource in Raleigh. I inquired about what was a hot seller, and the salesperson pointed out the True M30 elliptical trainers. Actually, these are not new machines, they’ve been available in a commercial version. Recently True released two residential models.
True is best known for their treadmills. They are some of the best in the industry, and are found in health clubs and other commercial environments. Getting into the growing elliptical market was probably a necessity, since the treadmill market is not growing. However, they are competing with the likes of Precor and Life Fitness, both who have been selling quality ellipticals for years.
The overall design of the True M30 is quite different from your typical elliptical trainer. It is neither rear nor front drive – it is a center drive machine. Several manufacturers have center drive models. The logic is it provides superior balance and stability, in addition to a more natural motion. Center drive machines also more compact and typically are easier to mount and dismount.
What makes the True M30 unique is that you are able to get three different types of workouts…
Upper Body — With the upper body workout, you stand on the side steps and just exercise with the handlebars. This targets your arms, chest, back and many core muscles. Often people do not get much of an upper body workout from your typical elliptical.
Lower Body — With this exercise, you hold on to the stationary handlebars and focus your exercise on your legs and glutes. During the workout you are prompted to lift your heals, bend your knees or go in reverse to further focus on specific leg muscles.
Entire Body — With the entire body exercise, you work both the upper and lower simultaneously for a calorie burning session.
You divide your workout into three focused exercises, and in the process, you will efficiently workout all the major muscles groups. In fact, an image of the human body is on the console and it shows which area you are exercising at a given time.
Most elliptical manufacturers claim their machines give you a total body workout, but that is mostly hype. The True M30 “truly” provides a cross training exercise.
21″ Stride Length — A comfortable stride length that will accommodate most users. You will find that the center drive design improves the ergonomics of the machines and better centers your body.
Small Footprint — The machine is only 42″ in length. Ideal for those that are space challenged.
278 Lbs. Unit Weight — The combination of the heavy weight and the center drive design makes this a rock solid machine when it comes to the stability.
TRUE’s Cardio 360 Program — This is True’s version of a personal trainer. With it, users can work all major muscle groups through a series of total body and isolating exercises.
Warranty — The coverage includes 5 year parts and 1 year labor coverage. No overly generous, but True machines have a reputation for durability.
Overall, I am very impressed with this machine. The quality is superb. The machine is very quiet and stable. Considering this is a design based on commercial models, I would assume the M30 is very durable. And the salesperson, mentioned they were low-maintenance machines.
What makes the M30 elliptical trainers stand out are the innovative exercise modes. True has taken crosstraining to a new level.
Listed for $2,199 on their web site (www.TrueFitness.com)
This Machine Pushes the Envelope!
The Octane Q37 elliptical trainer is a sweet machine. With the fitness industry in an apparent rut, Octane pushes the envelope with ellipticals that add a new dimension to losing weight and getting in shape.
In the case of the Q37, you get quality products with some very innovative features. That is why it is one of the most popular selling ellipticals. As I mentioned in my other Octane reviews, all the company builds is ellipticals. It reminds me of Landice treadmills. All they manufacture are treadmills, however they are some of the best on the market.
The Octane Q37 is solid as a rock. It weighs a hefty 260 lbs., which means even a very overweight individual will have a hard time getting this machine to rock.
Each pedal rolls on two separate rails. One of the problems with front drive ellipticals is there can be shifting from rolling on a single rail. The two-rail design prevents that. In addition, this design should reduce wear that is typical with front drive machines.
When I tested the Q37 at a local fitness equipment store, I asked about the service issues. I had heard from Octane’s competitors there were some problems. According to Brandyn Strother, of US Fitness, overall the Octane ellipticals have a very impressive service record. And he wasn’t saying that simply because he sold them. He was forthright about some of the service issues with other brands in the store.
Converging Path Handlebars – According to Octane, “The unparalleled Converging Path handlebars are designed according to biomechanical research. They replicate the natural path of the upper body when striding by moving inward as you press forward, identical to how you swing your arms toward the center of the body. On the backswing, they comfortably open up by the same amount, like you do naturally.”
These are not your straight back and forth handlebars. They are designed to improve your upper body workout.
ArmBlaster – With the ArmBlaster, you can kick up the resistance only in the handlebars, thereby, focusing more of the exercise to your upper body.
1.8″ Foot Pedal Distance – For some individuals too much distance between the foot pedals can have an adverse affect on your elliptical exercise. This is particularly true with women, whose hips go out and in. This closer foot pedal design can reduce strain to you knees.
X-Mode – With the X-Mode program you go through numerous cross training movements that get your entire body working. The idea is to focus your exercise of different parts of your body while giving a strenuous cardio workout.
When you combine quality with innovation, you end up with a hot selling product. The Q37 is like having a commercial grade elliptical for the home. The different programs add a variety of challenges that can motivate you to achieve you fitness goals.
However, this quality and innovation come with a price. Depending on how many programs you want to include, the MRSP is between $2,400 – $3,000.
I have contacted the vendor about the inaccuracy of the calorie counter on the Octane elliptical, and they merely told me that all calorie counters are inaccurate. During warmup after 3 minutes, the console will show that I’ve burned 50 calories. I weigh 135 lbs, and I’m breathing normally during the warmup period. The customer service from the vendor has been terribly poor.
lilianne
Also check out the Octane Q47 Elliptical Review.
