Written by Mike Price, OT
Ellipticals provide a gentle yet effective cardio workout, making them a popular choice for those looking to minimize joint stress while staying active. Ideal for users who value a multifunctional exercise approach, these machines allow easy multitasking, like catching up on your favorite shows or scrolling through social media. When selecting the best home elliptical, consider factors like stride length, resistance levels, and built-in technology to ensure they meet your fitness needs.
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Most ellipticals are similar in size. However, there are a few exceptions. Consider the space you plan on keeping the elliptical and make sure it will fit with a few feet of extra room on the sides and back for safety. Additionally, keep in mind ceiling height. It is easy to forget, but ellipticals are typically taller than treadmills and other cardio equipment. Ensure your ceilings are tall enough for the step-up height so you don’t hit your head while working out!
Bluetooth and streaming features are becoming increasingly common. Is this important to you? Consider how you like to work out and if distractions help. If so, search for an elliptical that can access the entertainment you desire, but try to avoid paying for extras you don’t care about.
Most ellipticals will contain built-in programs that enable more challenging and variable workouts. Examples include manual, random, hill, interval, and heart rate workouts. If you desire more structure, some ellipticals will even allow you to program your custom workouts. You are more likely to exercise and get into better shape if you vary your workouts. Built-in programs are a great way to do this, so choose an elliptical with the right options for you!
Yes! Using an elliptical is an excellent way to get into shape and lose weight. When considering stomach fat in particular, it is also important to have a healthy diet. As they say, abs are made in the kitchen!
Ellipticals are better for your knees than treadmills and most other aerobic workouts. Due to the cyclical nature of elliptical machines, you are not putting as much stress on your knees and other joints compared to the impact involved while running.
Both ellipticals and treadmills are excellent tools in your fitness journey. However, while working out, people have different preferences and needs, and ellipticals offer a few key advantages. They typically are less stressful on your knees, hips, and spine, allowing you to exercise your arms in addition to your legs with movable upper body handles. They can also be pedaled in reverse to more heavily exercise your posterior muscles.
It is recommended to exercise for at least 150 minutes per week. However, depending on your fitness level, you may be able to do significantly more. Due to the low-impact nature of ellipticals, they are easier on your body than treadmills and running outdoors. Therefore, you can use them longer and more frequently without an increased chance of injury.
No. An elliptical offers a much more full-body workout than a stair stepper. An elliptical is also significantly more versatile because you can do more types of workouts including high-intensity interval training.
A cross-trainer is an elliptical that works your upper body and your legs. Standard ellipticals have stationary handlebars. Cross-trainers, however, stimulate a pushing-pulling motion in your arms while the bars move. They work your core, biceps, triceps, and chest while also increasing the calories you’re burning.
Yes, especially if it has moveable arm handles. You will work your shoulders, biceps, triceps, chest, and even core when you repetitively straighten and bend your arms.
Initially, as you begin to exercise, your thighs will become slimmer. But as you continue, you will most likely notice muscle building in your legs. However, workouts on the elliptical will not result in the “bulking up” associated with lifting weights. Ellipticals provide a cardiovascular workout, focusing on calorie burning rather than strength.
 | PhysioStep MDX Recumbent Elliptical Cross-Trainer with Swivel Seat View Product |
The PhysioStep MDX Recumbent Elliptical Cross Trainer, by Healthcare International, our number 5 pick, offers a unique blend of total body cardiovascular workout and the comfort of a low-impact, recumbent sitting position. This machine is designed to support users up to 500 lbs and features high-quality commercial components, making it robust enough for gym settings yet compact enough for home use. With its 9" LCD display, pre-set programs, and the ability to save workout summaries to USB, the PhysioStep MDX caters to a wide range of fitness levels and needs, from those seeking gentle rehabilitation exercises to individuals aiming for intensive cardiovascular workouts.
 | Spirit Fitness Self-Powered XE795 Elliptical Trainer View Product |
Phillip Medical’s rehabilitation trainer, the number 4 Spirit Fitness Self-Powered XE795 Elliptical Trainer, ensures a healthy and enjoyable workout. It helps users build muscle and endurance while limiting stress on the spine, joints, and other bones. The oversized foot pedals and cushioned handgrips create the utmost comfort and an ideal stride.
Like the previous elliptical machine, this elliptical is self-powered, meaning it provides its own energy and does not need an outside source. You can place the Spirit Fitness Self-Powered XE795 Elliptical Trainer anywhere without needing plugs and wires!
The console’s angle is adjustable, perfect for users of all heights. It displays two diagrams indicating the muscles targeted and heart rate percentage. Additionally, it has an LCD screen that shows the typical workout statistics like time, distance, and calories. Lastly, it also has a built-in cooling fan, so you have no excuse not to work hard!
 | E5i Elliptical Cross Trainer View Product |
The versatile and durable E5i Elliptical Cross Trainer by LifeSpan places 3rd on our list due to its COREBALANCE technology. As leaders in cardiovascular fitness equipment, LifeSpan developed sensors that monitor the amount of force exerted by users’ left and right legs. Detecting any unevenness can reduce muscular imbalance and discomfort. Ensure symmetry in your body and say goodbye to injury, particularly in the back and spine, while using the E5i Elliptical Cross Trainer machine. Additionally, monitor your heart with the built-in contact heart rate sensors for added safety.
This elliptical uses self-generated power and also boasts an audio center, media holder, and USB so you can watch shows or jam out to music while you exercise. Its easy-to-use console shows 21 interactive programs and accessible toggle control buttons are installed in the handles for quick adjustments to resistance and incline.
This elliptical machine requires little upkeep and can be used in commercial or residential gyms. Trust LifeSpan’s exercise physiologists to achieve your workout goals and stay motivated with added built-in entertainment features!
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The Best Fitness Elliptical Cross Trainer by Body Solid, our number 2 pick, offers an exceptional blend of functionality and compact design, making it ideal for those with limited space. This high-quality elliptical machine has synchronized arms to ensure a full-body workout, effectively engaging the upper and lower body. Its small footprint allows placement in almost any area of the home or office, while eight different resistance levels cater to beginners and advanced users alike. Additionally, the LED feedback console provides real-time analysis of time, speed, distance, calories burned, and heart rate, making tracking progress toward fitness goals easy.
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The Endurance E400 Elliptical Trainer by Body Solid, our top choice, epitomizes the evolution of cardiovascular fitness equipment. It combines comfort, compact design, durability, and stability with a user-friendly adjustable stride that accommodates individuals of all sizes. This elliptical trainer integrates patented technologies to ensure a stable platform for rigorous, low-impact, full-body workouts. With features like wireless heart rate control and advanced heart rate programs, the E400 is designed to optimize your workout efficiency, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a high-quality, effective fitness solution.
Cardio equipment such as stationary bikes, treadmills, and ellipticals are often compared. Elliptical machines stand out due to their low-impact nature and greater ability to workout your entire body.
The Body-Solid Endurance E400 Elliptical Trainer is our top pick for its superb blend of stability, durability, and user-focused features. It's adjustable stride and advanced heart rate monitoring capabilities ensure an effective and comfortable workout for users of all sizes.
For more information about cardiovascular exercise equipment, read The 5 Best Treadmills and The 5 Best Exercise Bikes, or browse Caregiver University for even more product reviews and buying guides!
Co-Founder of Rehabmart and an Occupational Therapist since 1993. Mike has spent his professional career working in multiple areas of Occupational Therapy, including pediatrics, geriatrics, hand therapy, ergonomics and inpatient / outpatient rehabilitation. Mike enjoys writing articles that help people solve complex therapeutic problems and make better product choices.
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