Elliptical Trainer Review

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Elliptical Trainer Review
Updated January 2009
ConsumerSearch

Evaluating reviewers of elliptical trainers
Consumer Reports magazine and TreadmillDoctor.com have the most credible elliptical trainer reviews. Consumer Reports tests and compares models based on ease of use, safety and value, using both trained fitness professionals and regular people to identify the best elliptical trainers. TreadmillDoctor.com sells replacement parts and supplies for fitness equipment, so editors are in a unique position to judge long-term reliability and value. Websites like Elliptical-Trainers-Review.com and Elliptical-Trainers.com include some critical comments, but we didn't see any testing methodology discussed, and it's not clear the extent to which models have been tested. As a result, these sites rank lower in credibility.

Consumer Reports notes that elliptical trainers in the lower price range often have problems right from the start; the bottom line, the magazine's editors say, is that you get what you pay for. Models costing more than $2,000 performed best in testing. One of the magazine's best buys costs $1,000, although the editors point out that this elliptical trainer lacks the sturdy health-club feel of more expensive models.

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Elliptical Trainer Machine
Mattress ReviewsYou might recognize the Orbitrek Elliptical Glider (*Est. $160) from TV infomercials. Consumers posting to Epinions.com say the Orbitrek can tip at high speeds, causes painful, choppy movements and all too often breaks within a year. Furthermore, some users report having a hard time getting the manufacturer to honor the one-year warranty.

Elliptical trainers combine the features of a stair stepper and a ski machine. You stand on pedals that move on an elliptical track, usually via rollers. Some models have only stationary or preprogrammed incline options, while others allow the user to adjust the incline throughout the workout. Reviews say that elliptical trainers have caught up to treadmills in popularity because they provide a variety of aerobic workouts, while the ski-type leg movement limits the impact on joints. (Please also see our separate report on treadmills.)

Some elliptical trainers provide an upper-body workout as well as lower body, and most offer multiple exercise options with varying levels of difficulty. Fitness reviews say that while elliptical trainers give you a good workout, they tend to overestimate the number of calories you're burning, usually by 20 to 30 percent. Elliptical machines that ask you to enter your body weight can be more accurate. In general, reviews say you'll burn 500 to 650 calories (depending on effort) after one hour of exercise on any cardio machine, whether it's a treadmill or an elliptical trainer.

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