The Best Elliptical Machines

Sunny Health & Fitness Elliptical Bike

The Ultimate Home Workout

This is a solid elliptical machine with all the functions you expect and a value that's tough to beat.

Best Overall

Find on Amazon

Sunny Health & Fitness’s elliptical machine offers the classic experience of low-impact cardio with upper- and lower-body strengthening, all while saving you space and money. The 11″ stride and eight levels of magnetic resistance provide enough options to create a thorough, customized workout. It’s a great all-around machine for users of all levels — especially for its value.

Pros:

• Great elliptical workout with eight resistance levels
• Exercise safely with features such as the stabilized design and pulse monitors
• Great value for a solid machine that’s easy and fun to use

Cons:

• The compact design is made possible by the 11″ stride, which may provide a shorter range of motion than some are used to

Cubii Seated Elliptical Machine

Work Out While You Work

Make the most of your time by multi-tasking with this miniature model.

Best for Work

Find on Amazon

This seated elliptical from Cubii is for those of us who just aren’t content with doing one thing at a time. If the idea of working out while sitting at your office desk or watching TV appeals to you, this clever contraption has your name written all over it. It operates quietly and fits neatly under a desk, so no one at the office will even have to know it’s there. This machine makes it easy to incorporate more movement into an already busy schedule.

Pros:

• Designed to fit under a desk
• Compact and portable
• Enables you to exercise instead of sitting immobile all day long

Cons:

• The monitor screen can be hard to see while working out, especially if the machine is under a desk

Sunny Health & Fitness Air Walk Trainer Elliptical

Low-Impact Cardio, Low-Impact Price

Lightweight, foldable, and easy on the wallet, this model offers a full-body workout with a simple design.

Best on a Budget

Find on Amazon

This unique design from Sunny Health & Fitness offers you total control of your workout without annihilating your bank account. With a long 30″ stride and no resistance mechanism, your whole body gets a deep workout while you go as fast or slow as you like. It offers limitless aerobic exercise, which you can track through the LCD monitor. Despite being a simple and lightweight machine, it can withstand weights of up to 220 lbs. When you scoop this elliptical at this more-than-modest price, don’t be surprised if you feel like you’re walking on air.

Pros:

• 30″ stride offers a deep muscle workout
• Runs almost silently
• Lightweight and foldable for easy storage
• Great price point

Cons:

• No resistance mechanism means that intensifying the workout is up to you
• Does not have a pulse monitor

Body Power Trio Trainer

Bring the Gym to You

This elliptical easily transitions between three different modes, making it the go-to pick for those looking to cross-train.

Best for Cross-Training

Find on Amazon

This three-in-one design from Body Power gives you the option to switch between elliptical, upright bike, and recumbent bike workouts without fussing with hardware configuration. The classic magnetic resistance system is easily adjustable, and the electronic console helps you keep track of your workout metrics. We love that it comes with many different handlebars so you can make the most of the three different training modes. It’s a must-have if you want a sturdy machine that will allow you to target different muscle groups while getting your low-impact cardio exercise done at home.

Pros:

• Easily transitions between three different exercise modes
• Wide range of resistance settings

Cons:

• Initial assembly may take some time and effort

Frequently Asked Questions

What part of the body does an elliptical machine train?
One of the great things about the elliptical machine is that you can adapt it to your fitness needs. As a striding machine, it will always encourage a lower-body workout, but it’s possible to choose settings that help you target different aspects of your body. You can focus on different leg muscle groups by adjusting your stride, strengthen your core and arm muscles by using the handlebars differently, or train your cardiovascular system with a running-style pace with low impact to your joints. It’s important to pick a machine that offers the features that will help you reach your home fitness goals.

Am I too big/tall/small/short for an elliptical machine?
There’s an elliptical that will work for just about everyone. It’s a good idea to check the specifications of the machine before choosing it to make sure it’ll be safe and easy for you to use. Stride length, pedal height, knee room, monitor height, and maximum weight capacity are some factors you might want to consider.