How
to Choose an Elliptical Trainer
 If
you're thinking about purchasing an elliptical trainer, there are a few things
you should keep in mind before making the investment.
After all, at the very least, you're looking at spending a few hundred dollars
on an elliptical machine. And, if you want a high-quality trainer, you can expect
to spend well over $1,000!
So,
let's take a look at some of the things you need to consider when shopping for
an elliptical trainer: - How
much can you afford to spend on an elliptical trainer?
- Do
you have plenty of space for an elliptical machine in your home of office? Most
elliptical trainers take up considerable space…about as much space as your
average size couch! And, they don't fold and are rather difficult to move!
- What
features will you actually use? Why pay extra for features that you are not going
to use?
- Check
with the store about its return policies. You'll want to be able to return the
elliptical trainer without any problems, if you decide it just isn't going to
work out for you!
Consider
what Consumer Reports has to say about elliptical trainers. According to Consumer
Reports, less expensive models were most often found to have some sort of problem,
"from annoying clunking sounds to mechanical failures that seriously affected
performance." Consumer
Reports found that the higher priced models…those that cost $2,000 and up…felt
more like commercial models. These were built well, and they seemed quite sturdy
during use. Even those that range between $1,000 and $2,000 were found to be of
much better quality than those ellipticals that cost under $1,000. Just remember:
You get what you pay for! If
you plan on putting your elliptical machine through lots of regular, hard workouts,
you might want to hold out on buying one until you can afford a higher end model.
If you don't plan on using the machine very often, a lower priced elliptical trainer
could last awhile. However, you can always do other kinds of workouts or use an
elliptical trainer at your local gym, until you can afford a really decent elliptical
of your own. Why spend the money on something that isn't going to last very long?
If you are trying
to figure out which elliptical trainer is the best, check out the warranties.
The warranties say alot about the quality of the machine. Ellipticals that
come with a 90 day warranty are probably not going to last long with regular use.
Those with a service warranty of 1 year or more suggests the machine is built
for consistant use. You
may want to check out Sole
Elliptical Trainers!.
They have three models in the $1,000 - $2,000 range. Each comes with a 2 year
service warranty, which is by far the best in that price range. Their treadmills
are used by the Hilton chain for in-room fitness. By
Cyndi Schoenhals
"I HATE DIETS!" Weight Loss Program
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