Elliptical Machines: 5 Essential Features

Are you buying an elliptical trainer?

Elliptical machines give you a low impact, safe workout that burns a maximum amount of calories in the least amount of time. But with all of the different elliptical brands out there, how do you choose the best one?

Here are 5 key features to look for when shopping for one to help you find the very best elliptical machine.

1) Forward and Reverse motions

Make sure the elliptical machine has the ability to move in a forward or reverse motion because this adds variety and challenge to your exercise workout.  This feature works different sets of muscles and of course results in more calories burned overall.

This feature also reduces your risk of repetitive use injuries common with some treadmill and stair climber users.

2) Adjustable resistance

Quality elliptical machines will have a range of resistance levels. Increasing the resistance increases the calories burned.  It also helps you continue to challenge your body as you improve your fitness level.

An elliptical machine that has a “one-touch” resistance adjustment makes resistance changes simple so that interval training sessions can be easily incorporated into your workout.

3) Upper body workout arms

While upper body workout arms are not really needed for an effective workout, many people prefer them.  They do help to provide resistance training for your upper body – and again, of course, result in more calories burned.

It is important to note that the ones you’re considering buying does not have to make you lean over while using them because this can diminish the effectiveness of your workout, as this can happen on many of the cheaper elliptical models.

4) Quiet operation

One of the most important qualities that we always look for in exercise fitness machines is that the equipment is specifically designed to stay quiet. A truly well-designed elliptical machine should be fairly quiet at all intensity levels. Cheaper elliptical trainers can develop a squeak after a few months of heavy use so be careful to buy a quality brand of elliptical machine and steer clear of the cheap department store models.

5) Adjustable Incline

It used to be that only high end, commercial elliptical trainers like Precor offered this option however lately more affordable home gym models like Nordic Track and Proform are offering incline on several of their machines.

Please note that incline is not the same as resistance.  The incline feature changes the slope of the elliptical motion and helps to work different sets of muscles for increased fat burning and toning.

Those are 5 key features that make up a quality elliptical machine.  By looking for most of these essential qualities or  features, you can be assured of finding the very best elliptical machine  for your exercise workout needs.

The above photo shows the very popular Schwinn 460 Variable Stride Elliptical Trainer