When is a cheap elliptical trainer a good deal or just throwing your money away? There are definitely some cheap elliptical trainers on the market. However, there are a few in the inexpensive AKA cheap price range ($100-$300) and also in the budget price range ($1000 or less) that could be a good machine with good features.
$100-$300 Cheap Price Range
Of special mention in this price, the best cheap elliptical trainer range is the Gazelle by Tony Little. More of a glider than an elliptical, you exercise by swinging your arms and legs back and forth. Owners love this machine because of the great workouts they get and the terrific price point at $199 for the Freestyle model. Also available in the Tony Little line are the slightly more expensive Power Plus at $299, and the less expensive Edge model at $100.
Another good, cheap elliptical trainer is the Stamina. This is the same manufacturer that makes the Tony Little line of equipment. The Stamina model, called the Fitness Silent Magnetic Resistance Cross Trainer Elliptical, sells for $240.
That is an attractive price to consumers, and the quality isn’t bad. Features include; 6 programs, 8 resistance levels, and heart rate monitoring on handgrip sensors. A drawback is the 14” stride length, but otherwise, this is a good machine that is easy on your pocketbook. Check out the reviews for the best deals of the best elliptical under 500.
Weslo is also in this cheap elliptical trainer market with two models, the 610 and the 620. Both are less than $180 which falls right into the inexpensive machine price range. However, the stride length is short on both machines (12” and 13”), so you need to be a petite adult to use this machine comfortably.
Less than $1000 Budget Elliptical Machines
Moving into the budget price range of elliptical machines, the Eclipse made by Fitness Quest out of Ohio, offers 2 models, 1100 at $395 and 2100 at $495. The Eclipse 4100 HRA is another good machine in their line and sells at $550.
If you are looking for an inexpensive machine and need it to have a Space-Saving design, check out Proform’s line of elliptical trainers which sell for $550-$800 (shipping included!)
Another great manufacturer of budget elliptical models is the Horizon line. Featuring a front flywheel and ranging in price from $600 to $1000, the top of the line machines are commercial quality. While the Horizon EX76 is your best buy for an incline elliptical machine for under $1000.
Featuring an 18″-19″ variable stride, 16 resistance levels, 16 programs, and a heavy-duty 14.3 lb flywheel, a power incline up to 16%, and the same incline motor Horizon uses on their treadmills! This machine is sturdy, rugged and dependable!
Low Price vs. Comfort?
A very important concern when determining to purchase a machine or not has to be how comfortable you are when exercising on it.
All the features and benefits don’t matter if the stride length is too short to be comfortable, or if you are too large and the machine too small so it wobbles. When shopping for inexpensive elliptical trainers, make price and comfort your first requirement never features.