Thinking 'Bout Elliptical for Cardio when Burning/Freezing Out - Thoughts?

[astroguy]

I'm allergic to sweat that comes from exercise. I inherited it from my mother.

Okay, but in all seriousness, it's been above 80° almost non-stop here for the past few weeks and I find it incredibly uncomfortable to go outside and do any form of "strenuous" cardio - be that simply walking at a fast clip or biking. So I'm thinking about getting an elliptical.

I ended up buying my weight equipment from Craigslist last year and was fairly happy. Weight bench, 400 lbs of weights, etc., for maybe $150 total. The Boulder area craigslist is listing several ellipticals from anywhere from free to >$1000. I've taken a look at the ones that are <$50 and they seem to be a very simple type and compact. Which is good as I have negative room in my apartment.

Anyway, what do folks recommend with this? Are ellipticals worth it for when it's sweltering or the ground is covered with a foot of snow? If so, is there anything in particular I need to make sure I DON'T get, and anything I need to make sure I DO?

[HevyMetal]

Elipticals are very "convenient".

No worrying about what it's doing outside......just get on and go.

The temperature of the room you are using it in will determine a lot in terms of sweat output.

I use mine year round....(the weather can be "iffy" here a lot and it's easier for me to just go downstairs and get on the elipt than it is to figure out what I'm going to wear outdoors etc.)

Elipts are like anything else......the quality ones cost more than the cheapies.

'Stride length' and ergonomic handle setup is a consideration.

I'm 6ft tall and mine is built good for me. My wife will not use the eliptical because she is 5ft 2ins tall and everything on it is out if whack for her. And it can't be "adjusted" on mine.

I bought mine because it will handle 250lbs of weight......and I wanted a comfortable margin.

Some elipts handle far less weight max.

Cheapie elipts use bushings instead of bearings.

I'm mechanically oriented, so I often take mine apart and lube all the bushings etc. with wheel-bearing grease.

Mine is a mid-range price Weslo. I've had it 10 years now and it hasn't let me down. But that's because I grease it on a regular basis.
Greasing is a time-consuming pain in the arse.......but if I hadn't done it my Weslo would probably be on the scrap-heap by now.

Many elipts out there are sold for the brandname value...not the machine itself. So you can often pay a lot of money for an eliptical that isn't all that good in reality.

Buy one that you can get parts for........if you blow a bearing etc...you want to be able to replace it.

I have a complete extra kit for the Weslo.........when it breaks I'll just rebuild it.
Parts were readily available online.

[astroguy]

Thanks for the detailed response. My dad and some others I've talked with are in general agreement -- this is a case where going cheap probably is not worth it. Too bad. He strongly suggested that I try out anything before I buy it in this case. I'm thinking that what I'll probably do -- after I finish 2 weeks of travel that starts next week -- is to head to some fitness stores and just try a bunch out, taking notes. One of the two hotels I'm staying at on these back-to-back trips has a free fitness center, so I'll look in there, too (the other one costs $$ ... it's a hotel/casino in Vegas, after all).