Best Elliptical Machines for Cardio
Best Elliptical Machines for Cardio – Elliptical machines have come a long way with major developments in both specs and technology.
They have an ergonomic design that maximizes both the quality and intensity of your workout, which incorporates both upper and lower body muscles, providing you with a full-body workout that enhances your cardio fitness while maintaining the structural integrity of your joints.
Best Elliptical Machines for Cardio – Whether you’re looking for an alternative to running, a way to rehab an injury with the guidance of a physical therapist, an awesome joint-friendly cardio exercise machine to add to your home gym, elliptical trainers are a great choice.
They can be found at many different price points with a wide range of conveniences.
The sheer volume of models available today can be overwhelming for even the most experienced cardio enthusiast, though.
Best Elliptical Machines for Cardio – If you are on the hunt for the best elliptical but aren’t sure where to start, you’ve come to the right place.
Best Elliptical Machines for Cardio – NordicTrack FS10i
The NordicTrack FS10i isn’t your average elliptical––it combines a treadmill, elliptical and stair stepper all into one machine designed to give you the flexibility to switch up your cardio.
The 32-inch adjustable stride is constructed to adjust based on your leg movements.
In other words, if you are using the FS10i as a stair stepper and moving up and down, change your stride to go back and forth to transition into elliptical mode.
You can pull up an iFIT class via the 10-inch HD touchscreen, which will track key stats such as time elapsed, speed, distance and calories burned.
Trainers can digitally adjust your incline up to 10 percent plus 24 resistance levels based on the workout.
If you’re working out manually, you can make these adjustments yourself via one-touch buttons next to the touchscreen.
NordicTrack FS10i Pros:
Stride can be changed to elliptical, treadmill or stair stepper
Elliptical can support users up to 375 pounds
Luxe features include oversized, cushioned pedals, HD touchscreen and Bluetooth connectivity
NordicTrack FS10i Cons:
Elliptical weighs 284 pounds
iFIT subscription costs extra after the 30-day trial has elapsed
Transitioning between “modes” requires some extra exertion and time
NordicTrack FS10i Specs:
Elliptical weighs 284 pounds
iFIT subscription costs extra after the 30-day trial has elapsed
Transitioning between “modes” requires some extra exertion and time
Stride length: 32 inches
Flywheel: 20 pounds
Weight capacity: 375 pounds
Resistance levels: 24 levels
Incline: Up to 10 percent
Monitor: 10-inch Smart HD touchscreen
Machine dimensions: 58.5 inches (L) x 29.5 inches (W) x 74 inches (H)
Stats offered: Incline level, calories burned, heart rate, time, speed, distance, cadence RPM, resistance and pace
Warranty: Ten-year frame, two years parts, one year labor
Price: $1,999
The Sole E95 lets you reach up to 20 resistance levels as you challenge yourself, and can be easily switched via buttons on the handles.
Sole’s drive system is engineered to stay quiet, but if you want to listen to your class or music on its built-in speakers, simply plug in your smart device and prop it up in the inserted tablet holder.
Sole Fitness E95 Pros:
Comes with a chest strap for accurate heart rate measurement
Ergonomic, adjustable foot pedals
Supports up to 400 pounds
Engineered for quiet performance, even during tough workouts
Sole Fitness E95 Cons:
STUDIO fitness class membership costs an extra fee
May take up too much space if limited on square footage
Sole Fitness E95 Specs:
Stride length: 20 inches
Flywheel: 27 pounds
Weight capacity: 400 pounds
Resistance levels: 20 levels
Incline: Up to 20 percent
Monitor: 10.1-inch TFT LCD
Machine dimensions: 82 inches (L) x 31 inches (W) x 71 inches (H)
Stats offered: Pulse rate, workout duration, speed, RPM, distance, watts, calories burned and heart rate percentage
Warranty: Lifetime frame, five years parts, five years electronics and two years labor
Price: $1,699.99
Best Elliptical Machines for Cardio – NordicTrack Commercial Elliptical 14.9
The perfect elliptical for someone who wants a lot of options, like interactive programming and multiple resistance levels. It’s a high-quality, well constructed cardio machine well-suited for beginners and experienced athletes alike.
This machine uses an impressive 32-pound flywheel, providing plenty of stability and momentum for your workout. It features 26 levels of resistance, power incline ranges from 0–20 percent, a 14-inch HD touchscreen, front-mounted transport wheels, two digitally amplified speakers, Bluetooth connectivity and an adjustable stride length for the oversized cushioned pedals.
This powerhouse comes with a 30-day iFIT membership, an online training platform that will keep you motivated day after day.
iFIT membership provides exclusive access to thousands of on-demand workouts that vary in type, length and intensity.
Led by world-class trainers, you’re able to choose from a variety of programming for your next sweat session.
What’s more, the NordicTrack 14.9 is equipped with auto-adjusting trainer-led resistance and incline for a hands-free elliptical workout experience.
iFit does require a membership after the 30-day free trial. Upon completion of the trial, the card on file is automatically charged $39 a month for a family membership.
The construction of this elliptical trainer is top-of-the-line. Made with an all-steel frame, the 14.9 is sturdy, durable and allows for multiple users.
With an adjustable stride length and soft touch upper body grips, you can customize your elliptical workout to target specific muscle groups or to add variety to your training.
With the NordicTrack Commercial Elliptical 14.9, users of all fitness levels have plenty of options for working towards their fitness goals and can make lots of adjustments.
It’s not the lowest cost elliptical on the market, but for those who want their money’s worth, it’s worth the price.
NordicTrack Commercial Elliptical 14.9 Pros:
iFIT integration offers 14-inch HD touchscreen
26 levels of resistance and 20 percent incline
NordicTrack Commercial Elliptical 14.9Cons:
One of the most expensive on the market
Assembly can be challenging
NordicTrack Commercial Elliptical 14.9 Specs:
Stride length: 17.5 inches—18.7 inches
Flywheel: 32 pounds
Weight capacity: 350 pounds
Resistance levels: 26 levels of SMR
Incline: 0–20 percent
Monitor: 14-inch HD touchscreen
Machine dimensions: 67 inches (L) x 29 inches (W) x 69 inches (H)
Stats offered: Recorded via iFIT and includes calories, incline, time, heart rate, distance, pace, and speed
Warranty: 10 years frame, two years parts, one year labor
Price: $1,799
Best Elliptical Machines for Cardio – NordicTrack FS14i
As an experienced elliptical user, you’ve probably seen every kind of trainer there is.
Meet the new kid on the block––NordicTrack’s FS14i from its FreeStride trainer series.
This machine lets you adjust mid-stride to select between a stepper, elliptical or treadmill.
This three-machines-in-one approach opens up the opportunity to try all sorts of workouts you may not have done otherwise on an elliptical alone.
You’ll need a bit of muscle power to change your movement, but the FS14i is programmed to pick up on what you’re putting down with its auto-adjust technology.
The 32-inch stride length also lets you go between 10 decline or incline levels for an added layer of exertion as you work out.
The FS14i comes with a 30-day iFIT workout, with access to top trainers and various classes you can stream via its 14-inch HD touchscreen.
Trainers can remotely switch your resistance, incline and decline levels according to the workout
NordicTrack FS1 Pros:
Aims to provide the experience of three machines for the price of one
Top-notch programming via iFIT and Google Maps Tech
Uses Silent Magnetic Resistance (SMR) and inertia-enhanced flywheel
Built-in transport wheels for easy moving
NordicTrack FS1 Cons:
Auto adjusting isn’t instantaneous
iFIT membership costs extra after the trial has elapsed
NordicTrack FS1 Specs:
Stride length: 32 inches
Flywheel: 20 pounds
Weight capacity: 375 pounds
Resistance levels: 26 levels
Incline: 10 percent
Monitor: 14-inch Smart HD Touchscreen
Machine dimensions: 58.5 inches (L) x 29.5 inches (W) x 74 inches (H)
Stats offered: Incline, calories burned, heart rate (BPM), time elapsed, distance, pace and speed (MPH)
Warranty: 10-year frame, two-year parts and one-year labor
Price: $2,299.99
If you’re short on space but looking to up your cardio workout with an elliptical, take a look at the Bowflex Max Trainer M6.
Bowflex reports that this compact option is one of the best-selling models for Bowflex and for good reason.
Bringing together form and function, the M6 stamps out a footprint measuring just 46 inches long, 26 inches wide, and 64.2 inches high—quite a bit smaller than your average treadmill or other cardio machine.
It has a stride length of just 15 inches, so it may not be a great fit for taller individuals, but it still supports a user weight up to 300 pounds.
The M6 offers a great workout by featuring 16 levels of resistance, a USB charging port, a water bottle holder, Bluetooth heart rate compatibility and multi-grip moving handles with pulse contact grips to measure heart rate.
In addition, it’s equipped with a unique burn rate display that shows how many calories you burn per minute and allows you to set activity level targets throughout the workout.
If interactive programming is your jam, you’re in luck.
The JRNY digital fitness platform for Bowflex products houses tailored workouts, on-demand classes, real-time coaching and personalized programming.
In purchasing the M6, you get a full year free membership to JRNY.
Simply download the app, use the conveniently located magnetic media rack to secure your smart device and get pedaling.
Bowflex Max Trainer M6 Pros:
Full body style cardio workouts
16 resistance levels and on-demand workouts through the JRNY app
In-home assembly for an additional fee
Bowflex Max Trainer M6 Cons:
Assembly can be time-consuming if done yourself
Shorter warranty compared to other brands
Bowflex Max Trainer M6 Specs:
Stride length: 16 inches
Flywheel: N/A
Weight capacity: 300 pounds
Resistance levels: 16
Incline: N/A
Machine dimensions: 46 inches (L) x 26 inches (W) x 64.2 inches (H)
Stats offered: Unique burn rate display showing calories burned, targeted training goals, time and heart rate
Warranty: Two years frame and parts, 90 days labor
Price: $1,399
Airstream’s New Compact Trailer >>
Ultra Short Throw 4K Laser Projector >>
