Selecting an Elliptical Fitness Machine

An elliptical fitness machine is a wonderful piece of fitness equipment!

Ellipticals provide a great overall workout without the high impact of running. Since they also involve arm movement and resistance, they truly give all major muscle groups an intense workout. If you are planning to buy only one piece, this is the best type of machine to own for both cardio and resistance.

An elliptical machine can be an expensive item, so before making any purchase decisions, there are a few things you will need to take into consideration when choosing a model:

• Stride Length - Make sure the stride length is at least 16". This is important as it feels unnatural if the stride is too short. As a rule of thumb, the taller you are, the longer the stride length you will need. A 6' tall person will be best served with a stride length of 18 - 20 inches. If there are different household members planning to use the elliptical machine, you may need to compromise on stride length.
• Stride Shape - Make sure the elliptical you choose provides a smooth, elliptical motion. Lower end models sometimes have more of a humped, rounded motion. It should also move in forward and reverse and have non-slip foot pedals that are set close together.
• Resistance - The machine you choose should have many different resistance levels. You will need this feature as you build muscle and cardio strength and want to increase your workout level. Some machines feature electronically adjustable resistance, to customize your workouts to your particular fitness level. This allows you to vary your workouts which can help to keep you motivated.
• Smooth Operation - The elliptical should operate smoothly and with very little noise. When you step on the elliptical it should feel balanced and the foot pedals should operate in a continuous smooth pattern. The elliptical should have non-slip foot pedals.

• Cost - A good elliptical does not come cheap. They range in price from about $150 all the way up to over $2,000 for gym-quality equipment. It is expensive, but remember, as with any fitness equipment, you get what you pay for. If you plan to use the equipment every day or every other day, it's best not to cut corners on quality. Having a good machine that performs well can only help to boost your motivation.
• Console - Select an elliptical with a good quality console with lots of features. The console is like your dashboard and you want as much detailed information as you can get about your target heart rate and fitness program. Some machines feature interactive heart rate monitors, adjusting the resistance so you stay within your target heart rate. The higher end ellipticals are programmable so you can enter in your own fitness routine and save it.
• Space - A good elliptical fitness machine can be very large. Before you go out to shop, make sure you measure the area that you plan to put the machine. Ensure that there's enough room around it for movement of the parts.

A feature that is important for one person may not be important to another. There isn't one model that fits everyone best.

Before you shop, take some time to research and compare the various models available. If you do, you should have no trouble finding the best elliptical fitness machine for you.

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