Why pay more for an elliptical trainer than you need to?! Many people get blinded by manufacturer’s jargon and so-called wealth of features that not everybody wants or will even use.
Obviously you
want an elliptical machine that is up to the task of keeping you fit and your
choice could be dependent on a number of options that are important to you such
as program range and amount of resistance levels to keep you challenged.
You also need to
make sure that you are well within the stated user weight capacity of an
elliptical machine to ensure it operates smoothly and efficiently without
struggling, otherwise it could result in jerky jolty movements and ultimately
break down. Going hand-in-hand with that
is the weight of the flywheel – generally speaking, the heavier the flywheel
weight is, the smoother the momentum will be.
Having taken the
above considerations into account, one of the most important things to look at
is your intended time/usage of the elliptical trainer as this will dictate the overall
quality of the machine and this is what we are going to look at with regards to
our Price Range Guide.
It makes sense
that if you’re looking to perform regular intensive workouts on an elliptical
trainer, then it’s highly likely that a lower priced machine will not stand up
to the pounding you’ll give it! On the
other hand, if you only intend to use an elliptical machine for occasional
light workouts then you don’t need to pay out the extra money on a machine in
the higher-end categories.
So based on
intended time/usage, let’s take a look at the table below to see which
elliptical trainers typically fall into which price range to help you decide on
which category you should be looking at for you own workout needs:
INTENDED
TIME/USAGE
|
PRICE
CATEGORY
|
Entry-level,
for light use
|
$0 - $399
|
Light to
moderate use
|
$400 - $699
|
Moderate -
average use
|
$700 - $999
|
Average use
|
$1000 - $1499
|
Average - higher
use
|
$1500 - $1999
|
Higher use
|
$2000 - $2499
|
Intensive use
|
$2500 - $2999
|
Commercial use
|
$3000 +
|
When looking at the above price range categories, don’t forget to
include any usage of anybody else in your household who is likely to use the
elliptical trainer on a regular basis!
You may also want
to read my article on “Elliptical Trainer Buying Tips, What to Look for in an Elliptical Machine” for a more in-depth look at features, build quality and
other considerations to take into account for specific individual needs before
buying an elliptical machine.
Elliptical Trainer Warranties
It’s also worth
mentioning here to remember to look at a manufacturer’s warranty on its
elliptical machine before buying.
Warranties offered can differ widely between machines and manufacturers
so you want to make sure you get a good warranty especially if you’re buying an
expensive machine.
To be fair, most of
the elliptical trainers in the more expensive categories do come with a better
warranty which reflects the manufacturer’s confidence in the long term
durability of their machines. A typical
warranty offered on the mid-range to higher-end elliptical machines may be
anything from 1 to 2 to 3 years on the parts and electronics of a machine and
maybe 5 or 10 years warranty of the frame (some may even offer a lifetime
warranty on the frame).
As you would
expect, an entry-level elliptical trainer will typically have a much lower
time-frame on their warranty which could be as little as just 90 days. However, some companies do offer the option
of purchasing an extended warranty if this is something you’re concerned about.
Following the
manufacturer’s instructions for safe use and correct maintenance of your
elliptical trainer will help to keep the machine in tip-top condition and extend its life.
N.B. It's
always advisable to consult your doctor or health care professional before
undertaking any new exercise regime.
*Prices/discounts/shipping
indicated correct at time of writing/publishing and may be subject to change
anytime.
Related articles:
- Elliptical Trainer Buying Tips, What to Look for in an Elliptical Machine
- A-Z Glossary of Elliptical Trainer Machines Jargon, Features & Terminology Explained, Part 1 (A-F)
- A-Z Glossary of Elliptical Trainer Machines Jargon, Features & Terminology Explained, Part 2 (G-R)
- A-Z Glossary of Elliptical Trainer Machines Jargon, Features & Terminology Explained, Part 3 (S-Z)
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