Running is natural and doesn’t require much technical skill. Most people starting their home-gym journey begin with a treadmill. But there’s a cost to this familiarity.
With each footstrike, your knee absorb a beating; and your lower back take on the brunt of the impact. That buildup of stress transforms an everyday habit into a medical concern over time. There’s another way: the elliptical machine.
With it you get the cardiovascular benefits of running while avoiding the pounding on your joints. The catch: A bad machine become a chore; a good one makes the workout dissapears beneath you. That is the challenge.
To be clear, you don’t need a commercial club quality unit to get results. It needs to fit into the floor space you have available. It must match the level of intensity in which you’re fishing.
It also can’t be too loud, or your family will revolt. So what are some of the key features that set apart the quick-burn plastic trap from the more durable workhorse? The one number to pay closest attention to is stride length.
How to Choose the Right Elliptical
Understanding Stride Length Importance
Strides on most of the budget machines is between eighteen to twenty inches long. If you’re taller than five feet ten, it’s going to be cramped. You’ll feel like you’re dancing in place instead of taking long steps and your strides will be too short.
For starters, look for something with at least twenty-two inches of stride. The Sole E35 and the NordicTrack Commercial 14.9 both achieve this length. This allows longer legs to extend fully without an awkward half-step that can ruin your form.
It’s also far more effective at engaging the glutes. In other words, a leg press become a full body drive when the stride is long.
Choosing the Right Resistance Type
There are two primary types of resistance.
Magnetic resistance, which just about every mid-range unit in the home have, is smooth, quiet, and linear. It doesn’t jerk as you move between a light glide to a heavier grind; this is key when trying to hit your heart rate zone. This is the thinking behind Echelon Connect Fit.
It has a very accurate magnetic braking system that let you dial in exactly the right amount of resistance in a few clicks and maintain that output level. This is how you build endurance. Avoid the cheaper models with friction belts, they’re gritty, loud and will wear out after awhile.
Evaluating Flywheel Weight
Casual buyers discount the weight of the flywheel in an elliptical but it’s something you should pay attention to. Heavier flywheels also carry momentum which smooths out the pedal stroke. You don’t need to force the motion at each revolution; the machine carries you through the bottom of the stroke.
It has a heavy forty-pound flywheel that rotates smoothly on the ProForm Pro 20. Immediately you know there’s a big difference. Cheap flywheels is light and the wheel will feel choppy.
Your muscles won’t work with the machine; they’ll be fighting it. Heavy isn’t always good… But too light is certainly bad.
Comparing Console Ecosystems
The variety among console ecosystems are amazing. While some require costly subscription plans to unlock basic information, others offer rock-solid stats at no cost. The Sole E35 falls in that second category: It’s got a backlit screen with heart-rate monitoring, calorie tracking, distance and more; all without any recurring monthly payments.
Finally, NordicTrack really hammers home the importance of the iFit integration. It’s cool, and while I like the idea of the auto-adjusting resistance, it comes at a price. Don’t get a treadmill because of a two-month free trial you can’t even afford to extend; figure out whether you want the guidance or just the metrics early.
Planning Delivery and Assembly
Consider the footprint and assembly. This matters more than you might think. These thing are HEAVY, WIDE and awkward to get into your house.
Measure your hallways and doorways before buying one. The Schwinn 470 isn’t the smallest elliptical out there, but it’s fairly compact and provides a solid ride even if space is limited. The box is delivered by delivery teams who typically leave it on your curb and then you figure out how to put it together.
Assume its a weekend job. It’s a doable project with 2 people; a slog with only 1. Read the instructions first, and they are clear as day.
Assessing Build Quality and Durability
Frame construction is the most important part of durability. If it’s built well it will last, so look for welds and solid steel vs. Cheap sheet metal. Sole has a reputation for lasting and parts is available with responsive customer support.
NordicTrack goes up and down, and generally have decent hardware, but spotty support. Don’t get caught up in marketing. This is a tool that you will buy.
If possible, go to a store. Stand on it and walk on it. See how it feels and try it out.
Nothing like a solid base of confidence, a wobbly base doesn’t work. Instead, you have the right elliptical to use, which is now part of your lifestyle and stays at your house. It’s not collecting dust in your garage.
It isn’t listed for resale. Make the proper choice, and before long, you will be more consistent and your knees will feel better too.
