Elliptical Trainer

senator91 · Sat, May 22nd, 2004, 06:47 PM

I'm looking for any recommendations concerning type(features) and brand name. I've been an avid runner for years, but I'm starting to develop lower back\knee pain(getting old) and have to start lowering the impact. I've also considered a stationary bike, but most people seem to prefer the Elliptical Trainer. Thanks for any suggestions.

MikeE · Mon, May 24th, 2004, 12:19 PM

I just got a really nice Nordictrack elliptical. It's the CX990. I got lucky and got it used for a good price from a couple who bought it to supplement there New Year's Resolution to get in shape. Obviously they didn't stick to it

It's around $800 new. Very expensive but I've used some cheaper ($200ish) machines and I think the extra money is worth it. How much are you willing to spend? I've done considerable research lately and might be able to help you out.
The Nordictrack is a very nice, well built machine. Long stride, super smooth and quiet and some nifty features like a fan built into the console.

Tommyboy · Mon, May 24th, 2004, 03:59 PM

I did some looking around locally and reading on various forums. IMHO, you get what you pay for when it comes to an elliptical trainer. They are excellent for cardio, with low to no impact. But, due to their mechanical complexity, you really shouldn't consider buying one (that you REALLY intend on using) unless you're willing to spend $800+.

Mine is a Vision Fitness, bottom of their line, no bellse and whistles but a mechanically solid unit, for ~$900. I'm very pleased with it. It is somewhat a manner of personal taste, as they all have a slightly different feel to them. Some make me feel like I'm reaching with the arm motion, not allowing me to stand up straight when I use them, which I don't think is good.

So, I'd recommend trying different ones out and not going cheap. You are likely to have problems with a unit that isn't solid with a good warranty.

Then, buy it and use it. You won't regret it!

senator91 · Mon, May 24th, 2004, 05:21 PM

Thanks for the replies. I went looking at some Elliptical trainers this weekend. I was shocked at the range in price. They ran upwards of $7000.00 Can. for the high end units. They did have a few Schwinn and Precor units at around $1500.00 that seemed well built. I was wondering what lenght of stride I should be considering. Most seem to be between 14" and 18". I would guess the more the merrier.
There wasn't any NordicTrack or Vision Fitness machines where I was looking, but that could be because I'm in Canada or this Fitness Depot just didn't carry them.

MikeE · Mon, May 24th, 2004, 05:54 PM

Definitely the longer the stride the better. That's another problem with cheapos, very short stride. You probably want atleast 18", the most I've seen I think is 21". Stride length can be varied simply by where you position your feet on the "pedals". Longer stride is a more challenging workout but moving your feet forward makes it shorter and easier if you're getting conditioned to the elliptical or a smaller person uses it too.

MGB · Wed, May 26th, 2004, 09:00 PM

Hasn't John used a cheap (<$200) elliptical from WalMart for the past couple of years?

efk · Wed, May 26th, 2004, 10:03 PM

I think he has, maybe he can post on this - I asked on another thread, but it was dying out at that point.
I wonder if its worked for him

hah.

LiveWire · Wed, May 26th, 2004, 11:48 PM

My wife and I purchased the Schwinn 428P Elliptical and we love it. My wife still uses the recumbant bike more, but I definately prefer the elliptical. I feel like I am getting a better workout. I also find it easier to keep my heartrate up on an elliptical. I am a pretty big guy (smaller than I used to be) and it feels rock solid under me. The 428P also comes with a wireless chest strap for heart rate monitoring which was a plus.

citrixmeta · Thu, May 27th, 2004, 08:15 AM

i got mine from walmart, it was approx. 200$cdn

been working well since jan 2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by MGB

Hasn't John used a cheap (<$200) elliptical from WalMart for the past couple of years?

neckowi · Thu, May 27th, 2004, 10:55 AM

Do most of the expensive Ellipticals mentioned here (Schwinn, NordicTrack, etc) have reverse motion? I know a lot of the cheap ones don't, and I definitely want that option.

citrixmeta · Thu, May 27th, 2004, 11:01 AM

reverse motion you mean the option to "backpedal"?

if so, my "cheap" one does that.

neckowi · Thu, May 27th, 2004, 11:49 AM

Yup... I like to do 'X-Train Reverse' on the ones at my gym, which is 5 min normal then 2 minutes backwards.

***John Stone*** · Thu, May 27th, 2004, 02:51 PM

Yeah, I'm still using that < $200.00 elliptical from Wal-Mart.

It's a little creaky, but it's smooth and, surprisingly, is holding up very well. I beat the hell out of it with my HIIT workouts and it has never had a problem. I've put a little over 500 miles on it so far. One day I'm going to invest in a really nice one, but for now this cheap one is doing the trick.

cannibustacap · Thu, May 27th, 2004, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Stone

Yeah, I'm still using that < $200.00 elliptical from Wal-Mart.

It's a little creaky, but it's smooth and, surprisingly, is holding up very well. I beat the hell out of it with my HIIT workouts and it has never had a problem. I've put a little over 500 miles on it so far. One day I'm going to invest in a really nice one, but for now this cheap one is doing the trick.

Could you link us to a web page that has that >$200 Elliptical? I want to see this. I searched through Walmart.com but I am still unsure of the one you are talking about.l

efk · Fri, May 28th, 2004, 12:02 AM

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...3A4134%3A77630
from this page:
http://www.johnstonefitness.com/html/homegym.html

cannibustacap · Fri, May 28th, 2004, 01:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by efk

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...3A4134%3A77630
from this page:
http://www.johnstonefitness.com/html/homegym.html

ahhh I notice the weight limit is 250.... I am like EXACTLY 250 right now. Is that too close. Any ideas what would happen?

I am also 6'4" (long stride ahoi!) is that too tall for this machine?

EDIT: and what do you think of htis elliptical:
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...3A4134%3A77630

MikeE · Wed, June 2nd, 2004, 02:02 PM

Manufacturers tend to err on the side of caution when establishing these weight limits. They likely set them intentionally low for liability reasons so you're probably fine right at the specified limit.

citrixmeta · Wed, June 2nd, 2004, 02:12 PM

hell i was 305 when i started using it :>

it still works

Pekx · Fri, June 4th, 2004, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by citrixmeta

hell i was 305 when i started using it :>

it still works

Im going to use the one john is using...in case i crap out and stop doing the fitness thing.

jesse1 · Sun, June 6th, 2004, 10:32 AM

Life Fitness, Schwinn, Horizon Fitness, Diamondback, Nordic Track. Of all the ones that I have tried (well over a dozen), these were the ones I found most comfortable. Don't buy one until you try it out. they all feel different and some you may not like. All the ones above are $600 and above. Godd luck.