For an elliptical below $1000, the Schwinn 431 isn’t bad. If you read my other review, you’ll know that my sister bought the cheaper Schwinn 430. This 431 has more features, so it’s slightly more advanced and pricier. My sister is a beginner with ellipticals and she didn’t care for bells and whistles, but sometimes I wonder if she should’ve spent the extra $200 and get this model instead.
Schwinn 431 Elliptical Trainer
Heavier, Sturdier, Quieter
The Schwinn 431 is heavier than its sister model, though the footprint is the same. The weight capacity goes up to 300lbs, which means it’s sturdier for people of a bigger build.
This model is quieter too. After going around everywhere trying all the models of ellipticals, and maybe not making the best of buddies with salespeople because I never bought from them, I find that the heavier models are always quieter than the lighter ones. I bet that if you place this elliptical on a mat or on carpet, all you’ll hear is your own heartbeat when you workout.
Some reviewers are complaining about a developing squeak on the flywheel after some time of use, so I strongly advise that all the moving parts should be lubricated with white grease during assembly.
More Comfortable Pedals
The best thing this model has over the 430 is padded pedals. I think they upgraded it because many reviewers were talking about the hard plastic pedals 430 has that wasn’t too comfortable for the feet.
The other additional features include the backlit LCD (the lack of back lighting was also something complained of by 430 users), 3-speed fan, iPod holder, more programs and a longer warranty on labor.
I’d recommend the Schwinn 431 if you are willing to pay an extra $200 for the improvement over the other model. It would still be under $1000 after all. You’ll get free shipping if you buy at Amazon now, and the price is currently the best at $699. Click here to check it out: Schwinn 431 Elliptical Trainer
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This is the slightly heavier version of the Sole E35. Both the E35 and this Sole E55 were within my consideration before I finally bought the E35 for its price. I figured that I didn’t need the extra 5 pounds on the flywheel for an extra $200.
Sole E55 Elliptical Trainer
Sturdy just like gym machines
Weighing at 265lbs with a 30-pound flywheel (some of the descriptions say 27), this has a good feel of gym machine material. I tested both models and this definitely felt sturdier than the E35. This can take up to 375lbs, so it’s suitable for people of a bigger build. It might be a bit difficult for skinny or petite people though, if you’re looking for a machine for couple use the wife should test it out first.
Great Features
The features are exactly the same as the E35, and I love those features! Incline and resistance controls are truly just a click away because they’re situated on the handle bars. Talk about convenience! If you have no idea, many other ellipticals will need you to step down and adjust the incline. I like to do interval training so this is important to me.
Oh, by the way, my E35 is super heavy already and I’m guessing Sole E55 will be even more difficult to get into the house. Do get a few strong friends to help you move it, or pay the delivery guys to do it. A good idea might be to open it right there on the curb and move bit by bit.
Assembly shouldn’t be too difficult once you have it where you want it. I’ve read many other reviews and nobody complained about assembly for this model. Someone did mention that you might have to grease the rails to avoid it making noise though.
Overall the Sole E55 Elliptical Trainer is a great model to get, if you want to cancel all those gym memberships and do quality workout at home.
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I was debating whether to get this elliptical or the Sole E35 before I finally decided on the latter for a step up in quality level (and price), but this Lifecore LC-985VG Elliptical Trainer isn’t a bad choice if you need one below $1500. In fact, if you’re lucky you can get it below $1000.
Lifecore LC-985VG Elliptical Trainer
The main reason that attracted my attention to this elliptical is the bulk of 5-star reviews it has as compared to its negative reviews. When a product has 80% 4 and 5 star reviews, it meant that the model is really good and the rest got lemons, which is really unavoidable even with the best products. Plus Consumer Reports rated it a best buy.
Lightweight but Sturdy
Let’s talk about specs first. This Lifecore LC-985VG Elliptical Trainer, despite being only 125 lbs, can take up to 300 lbs maximum user weight. I’ve tested it out in a store and it feels sturdy and comfortable (I’m 200lbs and 6′). The stride length could be a bit short for tall people, at only 17.5″, but would be good for the average.
The operation is silent. You could watch TV while working out on it, and people living with sleeping babies will be glad of this as well. The motion is smooth and there are preset programs for those who don’t like to think up their own.
I wouldn’t know about assembly, because I didn’t buy it, but from other reviewers we have these comments:
“It was easy to assemble. The only thing I had trouble with was figuring out the computer.” – mopar109 “GT”, at Amazon.
“Assembly time for me was 45 minutes from cutting the box open to being finished. The assembly instructions are clear.” - Rob, at Amazon.
Computer not User-friendly Enough
The computer or display is a bit difficult, I noticed that too when I tested it at the store. The store attendant was nice enough to give me some demonstration but I imagine it would be slightly troublesome for other users to read the manual for details.
At the discounted rate Amazon offers right now – only $899, the Lifecore LC-985VG Elliptical Trainer is definitely a best buy. I would recommend it to anyone at a budget.
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The Schwinn 430 is a good model to buy if you’re looking for one that is below $1000. Despite the affordable price, it doesn’t compromise too much with quality, and hundreds of online reviews agree that this is so.
I didn’t have this model myself; my sister bought it after my endless remarks on how an elliptical can help her achieve her target weight that she is so concerned about. The day it arrived at her doorstep, she called me because it was too heavy for her to lug inside. Weighing nearly 200lbs, I could already see that it should be sturdy enough for her.
Schwinn 430 Elliptical Trainer
Reasonably Sturdy and Quiet
After some time taken to assemble it (the manual seemed all right, but mostly my sister was hogging it, I just took a few glances), she tried it out immediately. It was sturdy indeed. The weight capacity goes up to 275lbs, and both of us didn’t experience any shaking or moving when using it.
The Schwinn 430 works quietly. I had noticed that there were a few reviews talking about a squeaking sound but someone offered a tip on how to get rid of it. If you have a squeaking sound, it means your handlebars are tightened too much. Just loosen the bolt by a quarter turn each time until the squeaking goes away.
If that didn’t work, some grease will do the trick. Sometimes it’s much easier to search reviews for solutions than call customer service. 
Good for the Price
What I didn’t like about this model is the hard plastic pedals. But what can you expect for such a bargain price. I advised my sister to wear cross training shoes to protect her feet and stay comfortable whenever she workouts, and she’s all right with that.
The display LCD is not back lit too, so if you’re going to workout in the dark or in dim light, it’ll be difficult to read. Again, a small problem for the price.
My sister likes the Schwinn 430 and it’s helping her lose the pounds she didn’t want. If you think it’s good for you too, Amazon is giving the best price at $579 with free shipping, and you can read what other people think about it here too: Schwinn 430 Elliptical Trainer
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I have quite a few friends who have put off exercise for a couple years too long and now want to pick up working out again. They usually don’t want to start off by paying a year’s gym fee, so I’d recommend that they get a cheap piece of gym equipment to workout at home. If you’re looking for a starter elliptical trainer and don’t want to splurge, this Confidence Fitness Elliptical Cross Trainer is just nice.
Confidence Fitness Elliptical Cross Trainer
Very Affordable
This elliptical is cheap. There’s nothing fancy about it; it’s just a simple elliptical that has adjustable resistance. But for less than $200 anyone can use this.
Good for Beginners
The Confidence Fitness Elliptical Cross Trainer has a small footprint, just like a stationary bike, and weighs only 60lbs. The small footprint and lightweight body is just nice for people who don’t have the space or want it put away after use.
The maximum user weight on this elliptical is 240lbs, or so it says. I’m too used to club quality ellipticals to feel secure on this one (at twenty times the price difference that is to be expected); it feels light but it doesn’t wobble, at least. I don’t think it’s sturdy enough for anyone over 200lbs though.
Not Well-Designed
The design of the flywheel is slightly lower than it was supposed to be, so the handles are difficult to grab without leaning forward. Users have noticed that they get the feeling of falling forwards, and some of them remedied this by placing a 2 x 4 under the front part or reversing the handle bars.
If you’re buying this elliptical, I strongly suggest you wear training shoes while working out to protect your toes. And because of its small footprint, it isn’t designed for tall people too. I’m 6′ and the handlebars are short for me.
Price is always the indicator of the quality of an elliptical, so for such a cheap price, you really can’t expect a lot. If price is the major factor for you, the Confidence Fitness Elliptical Cross Trainer ranks higher than any other elliptical of the same range, so you might want to take the risk of a lesser quality. But if you are willing to spend more, I would recommend you the Schwinn 430 instead.
Click here for more reviews and information: Confidence Fitness Elliptical Cross Trainer
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If you are looking for something close to a club quality elliptical yet doesn’t cost half the price of one, then the best bet would be the Sole E35. This elliptical trainer is sturdy, quiet, and suitable for a couple of different height and weight.
Sole E35 Elliptical Trainer
Performance-wise
I’ve been using the high end Precor ellipticals at the club for two years and the Sole E35 is still good enough for me. It felt sturdy enough for a 200 lbs man like me, and no wonder, because it can take 350 lbs max. It doesn’t rock or move at all when I workout. The 20″ stride length is good enough for me too, and I’m 6′ tall. There is another reviewer whose wife is 5′ 1″, and it worked for her too.
The handle bars are designed really well. I could feel my upper body getting a workout as well instead of just going for a ride.
Feature-wise
I absolutely love it that the incline can be adjusted with a press of button on the handle bar. That means I can do intervals very easily. The incline and resistance change very smoothly, and there are built-in programs to choose from.
I was pleased to find two modes of heart rate monitoring with this elliptical too; a wireless chest strap and pulse sensors on the handle bars. Now I use these instead of my old heart rate monitor.
Assembly
This thing is heavy and it’s made of solid, good quality parts, so getting it upstairs is a real tough job for strong men. I didn’t want to pay extra for the delivery company to do it, and I bet they don’t offer to do it for some places as well, so it’s best to place it somewhere downstairs. Assembly is not too hard, instructions are all right, but it takes a couple of hours especially if you’re being careful about it. Best to tighten the bolts well to avoid creaks when you use it later.
Sole E35 Elliptical Trainer is the best for me. It is really quiet too. There are a few bad reviews, but I thought to myself that if I got a lemon and if Sole can’t help, Amazon will still take a return. Don’t be daunted by the bad reviews, because the good reviews are way good.
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Have you given up on exercise to keep fit because it didn’t seem to work for you? I have done that before, until I knew what was wrong with my workout. But mainly I didn’t have a fitness program or anyone to help me before; I just worked out.
Here are some tips for you to get the best out of your workout, and stay healthy and fit!
Before
Energy and water – Drink one or two glasses or water and take some energy food an hour before your workout.
If you didn’t do this, you might get dehydrated during workout and you will feel terribly tired afterward. Worse still, you might feel very hungry and eat everything in sight. That isn’t going to help if you intend to lose weight, is it?
Energy foods are those rich with carbohydrates like whole wheat bread, grain bars, oatmeal or cereal. Fruit like apples and bananas are good as well.
Wear the right clothing and shoes – Especially the shoes. Ask the sports equipment store salesman which shoes are right for cross-training, and buy them. Protect your feet well and they will last you a longer workout.
During
Energy and water – Always keep a bottle beside you while exercising. Take a sip now and then to keep your hydration levels. If you’re working out for more than an hour, you might want to substitute that water for a sports drink.
Posture – Make sure you’re doing it right! If you’re at a fitness club that provides free instructing, ask the instructor. If you’re doing it at home, check your posture every now and then. Your back should be straight when you workout on an elliptical trainer, and you shouldn’t be leaning forward to grab the arms.
Don’t work too hard – Don’t rush yourself to achieve that goal. It’s pretty tempting to be able to wear that lovely dress to next week’s party, but you’re not going anywhere if you work yourself too hard today and can’t workout tomorrow.
If you’re feeling too out of breath to speak short sentences while working out, you’re working yourself too hard. Slow down a little. An even better way to decide is to use a heart rate monitor.
After
Energy and water – Keep yourself hydrated! You will still be losing water for a while after exercising, so drink up. If you feel tired or over-worked, it’s probably good to replenish your body with some carbohydrates and protein.
A snack like what you had before exercise will do. I like to go for cheese and whole meal toast or an egg sandwich.
Remember, don’t give in to all kinds of huge meals after workout. Choose the right snacks for energy, drink enough water, and you’ll be fairly soon reaching your fitness goal.
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Elliptical trainers are expensive, that’s why you’re here looking for tips on how to choose the best one. Not everyone wants or needs a club quality elliptical trainer, but it must be good enough to last through your long term fitness program, yes?
Price and quality level
Elliptical trainers have a wide range of price and quality, and the fact is that price does reflect quality for ellipticals. Cheap elliptical trainers start from below $100 to $1000, and higher end ellipticals can go up to $3000.
We can safely say that the quality level of elliptical trainers go up one notch at every $500, i.e. $0 to $500, $500 to $1000, and so on. So how do you decide which range of elliptical do you need?
It depends on a few things: how much you intend to workout (minutes to hours per day), how many persons will be using it, weight capacity (as below), and ultimately, how much you can afford.
Weight capacity (VERY IMPORTANT)
Higher quality elliptical trainers have a higher weight capacity, meaning that they can endure a higher weight of the user. It’s a no go if you get an elliptical that cannot endure your weight (probably due to cheaper and lighter parts), because it definitely will break down and become a waste of money spent.
There are probably some angry reviewers with broken ellipticals out there who didn’t know this, don’t you think?
Stride length
Stride length means how far apart your feet or the pedals go when you workout. Tall people will prefer longer stride length to work out their legs fully, while shorter people might find it uncomfortable. Elliptical trainers might have a stride length of 12” – 14”, 18” – 20”, or up to 22”.
Adjustable incline
The higher quality elliptical trainer will have adjustable incline that increases the slope of your workout to exercise different muscles. This is good for burning more calories but isn’t entirely compulsory to have.
Quiet
It’s best to have a quiet elliptical while you workout. Not only does it not disturb your neighbors, a well-designed elliptical shouldn’t sound like a steam engine at all.
Arms
Do you have to lean over when you hold the arms of the elliptical? If that is the case, then it’s designed badly. Your posture should be straight and the arms should allow some workout for your upper body as well instead of just being propelled about lightly by the foot pedals.
Display panel
This isn’t a main thing but if the elliptical has a well-lit display panel that is easy to read, it will probably help towards reaching your goal for your fitness program.
Lastly, no matter where you’re going to buy the elliptical trainer in the end, whether online or in stores, it is always better to test out the model in person first. In fact, test out several models to feel the difference. Only buy any model if you feel good on it, regardless what other users say, because you’re the one who will be spending hours every week on it!
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Had an extra serving of chips today? Need to shave off that milkshake this morning? Do these to burn more calories with your elliptical machine.
Interval training
Interval training means combining periods of high speed and low speed training. Go fast for half a minute, then slow for the other half. Repeat this for about ten times during your workout and it will greatly boost your calorie burn and build stamina.
Split up the time
Do two 15-minute workouts instead of one 30-minute workout in a day. This is because a workout will increase your metabolism for a short period of time, which means two workouts can increase your metabolism for the whole day. Increased metabolism means more calories burned.
Raise incline and intensity
Raise the intensity little by little until the highest you can work. Make the incline as high as you can stand it. The higher the incline, the tougher it is to work the elliptical and more calories can be burned. You can also do intervals of increased intensity or incline every few minutes to get that boost of calorie burn.
Do it forward and backward
If your elliptical can be worked in both directions, change directions at two-minute intervals. This will help work out different sets of muscles and that means more calories burned.
Wear weights
Want to take it to the extreme? Wear weights on your wrists and ankles while working out on the elliptical. Be careful not to strain your muscles and it might be good to start off at a slower speed.
Use the right muscles to workout
Sometimes we just don’t pay attention to our muscles when we workout. If you are using your calves and thighs to work the elliptical, you’re on the right track; but if you’re pushing the pedals by your toes or if your feet are not firmly flat on the pedals, you’re using the wrong muscles. You won’t get much calories burned that way.
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Hi there, I’m Mike, and this is my Best Elliptical blog. You’re right, I will talk all about elliptical trainers here, so this might be a good place for you to start collection some information before you buy an elliptical for your personal fitness program.
You might be wondering whether I’m some professional elliptical seller or fitness coach, but I’m not. I’m just the average guy who happens to be a fan of elliptical training, and I’ve bought my own elliptical trainer after a couple years of training at a fitness center. I figured out if I just use the elliptical I might save costs in the long run by having my own instead of paying fees.
An elliptical, also called an elliptical trainer or cross trainer, is a wonderful exercise machine that works just like the treadmill, but doesn’t put stress on the joints. If you want that explained in a simple way, using an elliptical is like walking or running on air. Your muscles do the work but your joints don’t suffer the impact of each step.
That way, you burn more calories while feeling as if you’ve done less work.
Isn’t that great? That’s why I love ellipticals. Although I’m not an old man and I don’t have knee problems, all that running everyday will surely get to my knees in the end.
Most elliptical trainers work the upper body too, because they have bars on each side that you push or pull with your hands in coordination with legs. That means you are working out more muscle groups at the same time and that contributes to burning more calories.
It’s important to get a quality elliptical though. Some cheaper models are badly designed and the user has to lean forward to grab the bars, making the posture wrong for workout and might result in injury or strain.
Elliptical trainers come in a wide range of price and quality, though it is quite clear that the higher the price, the better the quality. Home models and commercial models may differ greatly, but that is to be expected because commercial models are made to withstand long duration workout by many people of different build.
I will update with elliptical reviews soon, so read on to find the best elliptical for your home.
