At just under $2,000, this elliptical trainer is one of the biggest investments for a home gym (though it’s on par with some of the best treadmills out there). If you don’t see yourself using this elliptical as your primary source of cardio a few times a week, a budget option like the Merach E19 might be a better fit for your speed.
The ProForm Carbon E7 Elliptical is another full-featured cardio machine with iFit fitness app compatibility, generous incline and resistance, and a small but powerful touch screen.
What our testers think
The Carbon E7 is over 6 feet long and weighs just over 200 pounds. We wouldn’t say it’s the most compact, but it’s still wheelable and has customizable features. As a noteworthy bonus, ProForm offers three years of access to the iFit fitness app with purchase (normally $39 per month), so you can still follow interactive programming and instructor-led workouts. Synced with iFit, the virtual coach can automatically adjust incline and resistance throughout your workout for more dynamic training. Not good for a seven-inch screen That Large, but you still have the option to view your workouts in vibrant colors.
If you prefer to switch workouts manually, you can switch between 24 resistance levels and up to 20 degrees of incline in 5-degree increments. The 19-inch stride length is also adjustable, making it as short or long as you need, allowing both tall and short users to glide with ease. To incorporate some upper-body movement, grab the moving armrests, or grab the fixed armrests for a more isolated lower-body movement.
Checking out price, user-friendliness and features, the Horizon EX-59 is perfect for beginners. When you’re new to elliptical training, it has everything you need: an LCD display, multiple resistance levels, and Bluetooth for playing music.
What our testers think
For those new to elliptical universes, the Horizon EX-59 is our choice. It’s designed to be simpler (you don’t need to install an app for this) and mimic a natural stride with an 18-inch track. Two sets of handlebars (a moving set that involves your upper body and a fixed set that isolates your lower body) also allow you to customize your workout.
You can’t get instructor-led classes from the EX-59, but you can place your phone on the device’s cradle and connect it to a Bluetooth speaker to stream workouts through your phone. If you don’t want to think too much about choosing the right exercise for the day, you can choose from five preset programs. The only downside we see: It’s a bulky machine and doesn’t fold, but the front wheels do make it transportable from room to room. The upside is that it’s not as expensive as others on our list, and we think the feature is perfect for beginners.
The Sole E25 is a heavy-duty elliptical trainer that is very user-friendly, as the Sole is designed to require the help of a physical therapist. The footrests are ergonomically designed and angled inwards to accommodate your knees and ankles.
What our testers think
If you’re going to spend a few hours a week on the elliptical, it needs to be comfortable. Thanks to the help of a physical therapist, the Sole E25’s footrests feature a two-degree inward tilt to take the load off the ankles and knees. Two sets of handles track your heart rate and provide varying muscle engagement, whether you’re using the removable handles to work your upper body or the fixed handles to isolate your lower body. Best of all, the built-in fan provides a much-needed breeze after heart-pounding intervals.
The Sole E25 goes back to basics with a simple console that includes two Bluetooth speakers and a USB charging port. You can choose from 20 incline and resistance levels, or choose from five built-in programs. Our testers praised this large charger for its ultra-quiet motor (perfect for early morning workouts) and its durability. Overall, we were impressed with the comfort and customization options on this elliptical, especially considering it’s one of the cheapest ellipticals we’ve tested, but if you like touch screens and Keen on instructor-led workouts, then the Sole E25 might be a bit pricey. also To provide you with simple service.
Bowflex’s Max Trainer M9 is a high-intensity elliptical stepper that’s perfect for your apartment or home gym where there’s plenty of space. You can connect to instructor-led interval training or watch shows on Netflix on the built-in screen.
What our testers think
Back in the 90s, you couldn’t switch channels without seeing a Bowflex TV commercial, and the brand’s credibility endured. Technically, the Max Trainer M9 is a cross between an elliptical and a stair stepper (kind of like the NordicTrack Airglide 14i), but it’s about half the size of a traditional elliptical.
