When it comes to at-home cardio machines, your main choices are treadmills, bikes, and ellipticals. However, the elliptical machine is the standout of this group, because it works your entire body — picture pushing the pedals with your legs and pulling the handles with your arms. It also mimics the mechanics of running in a way that a stationary bike can’t, and it’s comparable with a treadmill in terms of calorie burn, but the elliptical actually feels easier.
This is because an elliptical workout is gentler on your body than running. “The elliptical is non-weight-bearing,” says Todd Buckingham, Ph.D., an exercise physiologist at Mary Free Bed Sports Rehabilitation Performance Lab. “That means your muscles, bones, and joints don’t get the pounding that running produces.” So for anyone suffering from knee or joint issues, ellipticals are a low-impact way to still get some cardio into your routine.
“Adding more stress to the heart and lungs while reducing stress placed on the bones, tendons, ligaments, joints, and muscles of the legs is a good way to build the aerobic energy system without causing more stress to the rest of the body,” Buckingham explains.
Here are the best elliptical machines for your low-impact cardio workouts. Each one is equipped with its own set of special features, from multiple resistance levels to auto-adjustments to virtual training classes.
While budget is often the main consideration when shopping for at-home fitness equipment, ellipticals have certain features that can drastically affect the experience of the person using them.
One of the most important is the stride length. 18 to 20 inches is pretty standard in ellipticals and will accommodate people of most heights; users up to 5 feet, 3 inches tall will want a machine that has a stride length between 11 and 16 inches, while taller users will be best served with a stride length of 20 inches or more. The best options are those with adjustable stride lengths for multiple users.
There are three different drive systems that power ellipticals (not counting manual treadmills): center drive (built like a treadmill but with pedals), front drive (the most common type, with a large wheel housing at the front), and rear drive (with a smaller wheel housing behind the pedals). Rear-drive machines tend to be the largest but quietest, while those with smaller spaces should probably veer towards center-drive machines. No matter what system you get, your stride on the elliptical should feel smooth and fluid, not jerky.
Other key features include resistance and incline. Some budget machines don't have either, which means you're responsible for manually powering the elliptical — the faster you go, the more challenging the workout is. But that only works up to a point: If you're looking for diverse workout options, you'll want as many resistance and incline levels as possible. (Some high-end machines even adjust those features for you.) Moving handlebars also up the intensity, as they recruit your upper body and turn an elliptical into a total-body machine.
Ellipticals don't yet have the same caliber of smart features as indoor bikes or treadmills, but you can find some with built-in programming, Bluetooth connectivity to sync to apps, and decent-sized screens on which to view your stats and workouts. If you like streaming on-demand classes or want to watch Netflix while sweating, make sure you opt for a machine with an integrated media tray to hold your phone or tablet. Other amenities can include water bottle holders, USB ports, and fans.
iFIT trainers adjust the resistance and incline for you
Adjustable stride length
Expensive and best with iFIT, a membership program that costs an additional $39/month
Requires a large amount of space when in use
While the price may seem steep, you're actually getting three cardio machines for the price of one. The FS10i smoothly transitions between an elliptical, treadmill, and stepper. Whether you want more of a walking or running workout, the machine can also automatically adjust to your stride — between 0 and 32 inches — to switch things up.
With a subscription to iFIT, you not only get access to a library of over 17,000 workouts, but the trainers can also digitally adjust your resistance (there are 24 levels) and incline (up to 10 degrees) so that you can just focus on putting in the work.
Custom workouts automatically adjust time and intensity as your fitness improves
Small footprint (47.9x30.8x65.2 inches)
Expensive and best with JRNY, a membership program that costs an additional $39/month
No built-in fan
This compact elliptical comes with Bowflex’s personalized coaching technology, JRNY (a subscription is required to use it, though). After an initial assessment, the app's A.I. will create workouts tailored to your fitness level and adapt them as you get stronger.
Otherwise, choose from 20 resistance levels, seven built-in exercise programs, and 40-plus destinations that you can explore virtually (via the Explore the World app) as you work out.
Takes up a large amount of space (82x31x71-inch footprint)
Part of the appeal of any elliptical is the low-impact workout. This one has foot pedals specifically designed by physical therapists with a 2-degree inward slope to eliminate all strain on the knee, hip, and ankle joints.
The pedals are also articulating and adjustable, allowing them to work with your foot mechanics to reduce numb toes and sore Achilles tendons. The machine also comes programmed with six standard workouts and two heart-rate-specific workouts.
No adjustable incline or heart rate monitor included
Small LCD console (5.5 inches)
Another space-saving option, the Schwinn 411 offers an 18-inch stride and 16 levels of resistance. There are 13 built-in workout programs, but the machine also syncs with the Explore the World app to provide dozens of routes — through places like the Japanese countryside, the Scottish Highlands, and the streets of Prague — to keep you from zoning out.
Shorter 15-inch stride and lighter flywheel for resistance (13 pounds)
Best with iFIT, a membership program that costs an additional $39/month
Get two for the price of one with this convertible elliptical machine. To switch from an elliptical to a recumbent bike, all you have to do is adjust the pedals and console (and when you're sitting, you can relax in the adjustable, oversized, and cushioned seat).
Either way, iFIT automatically records each training session and uses your stats and preferences to influence future fitness plans so you can get more out of every workout and hit your goals faster.
Placing a tablet on the media tray covers the console
Small built-in fan
Not sure what to do on the elliptical? This one comes with 29 different programs, including fitness and recovery tests, heart rate-based programs, and personalized workouts.
The 20-inch stride rails allow for added stability and smoothness as you work your way through 25 levels of resistance. If that’s not enough to keep you engaged, the machine syncs with the Explore the World app’s 19 locations and 27 routes.
7
Most Gym-Like
Life Fitness Club Series + Elliptical Cross-Trainer
Ankle motion limited to less than 15 degrees to enhance comfort.
Very expensive
Takes up a large amount of space (83x28x61-inch footprint) and is heavy (235 pounds) and difficult to move
This machine is definitely on the pricier end of the spectrum — it's the at-home version of what you’d find in fitness centers across the country. But, when paired with the SE3 HD console (and its 21.5-inch touch screen), you'll get access to classes from Life Fitness on Demand, and it'll almost feel like you’re back in the gym. Its 25 resistance levels, 20-inch ergonomic stride, and oversized Flexform pedals round out the premium experience.
No room for a whole machine in your house? No worries! This foot-pedal-only design was made to be hidden under a desk or in a closet. Use it surreptitiously while sitting through Zoom calls, or stand and stride without worrying about slipping thanks to textured pedals that keep your feet in place.
Adjust your resistance with the dial, and flip through your stats — strides per minute, total strides, time, and calories burned — on the mini display screen.
You don’t need a lot of bells and whistles to get in an effective workout. The nonslip, oversized pedals on this elliptical machine make it easy for you to start at a slow walk and work your way up to a full run (there's no adjustable resistance or incline; upping the intensity is all on you).
It accommodates up to a 30-inch stride length while tracking your essential stats on the attached LCD screen. And when you’re done, just fold this minimalist elliptical to half of its size and stash it in a closet.
Takes up a large amount of space (76x24x65.5-inch footprint) and is heavy (194 pounds) and difficult to move
Want to up the intensity of your elliptical training? Start climbing. Choose from 20 resistance levels and 20 incline levels, and no matter how hard you’re working, the 23-pound flywheel inside the machine keeps things smooth and quiet.
While you're working, sync your device to the integrated speakers to stream music, Netflix, or exercise classes (the USB port will keep your battery from draining mid-workout).
There's no need to plug in this machine — it uses dual-action split suspension and your own effort to power it. The only way to increase the intensity of your workout? Move faster. Not only will you get the aerobic benefits of huffing and puffing through a session, pushing and pulling the handlebars will help strengthen your upper body as well.
Because the machine is so bare-bones, it's easy to pack up and stow away as soon as you're done breaking a sweat. Just fold it flat to stow it in a closet or under a couch or bed.
12
Best Budget
Elliptical Machine Cross Trainer 2-in-1 Exercise Bike
Extra-large, textured foot platforms for stability
Quiet ride
Shorter 11-inch stride
220-pound load capacity
Not as durable as more expensive options
You can score this two-in-one trainer (it transforms from an elliptical to a bike) at a fraction of what you'll pay for even some of the more basic ellipticals.
Of course, what you get is pretty basic — but more than enough for a solid workout. The resistance can be changed via an adjustable tension knob on the frame; the LCD display screen shows elapsed speed, time, distance, calories burned, and heart rate; and the wide pedals ensure stability.
Long foot platforms for easy adjustments as you ride
Expensive
250-pound load capacity
Can't handle larger hills
Yes, you can take your elliptical workouts outside! This bike-meets-elliptical was designed to mimic the motion of running out in the real world without adding the stress of all that repetitive impact to your body.
The stride length adjusts from 16 to 25 inches to accommodate short and tall users, and you can switch between three gears (read: levels of resistance) depending on whether you're navigating flat roads or gentle hills (up to a 5% grade).
Ashley MateoAshley Mateo is a writer, editor, and UESCA- and RRCA-certified running coach who has contributed to Runner’s World, Bicycling, Women's Health, Health, Shape, Self, and more.
Amy SchlingerAmy Schlinger is a health and fitness writer and editor based in New York City whose work has appeared in Men’s Health, Women’s Health, The New York Post, Self, Shape, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, and more; The National Academy for Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer (NASM-CPT) is extremely passionate about healthy living and can often be found strength training at the gym when she isn’t interviewing trainers, doctors, medical professionals, nutritionists, or pro athletes for stories.
This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io
