Any decent eliptical trainers under $300?

ZLARZ

Hi, what's a good eliptical trainer for under my budget of $300? I have been looking through reviews for weeks now and just can't decide... I need it to be as quiet as can be, being compact doesn't really matter too much, I'm 165 lbs and 5'7 and looking for a good sweat. I'm afraid anything not gym quality won't do the job and stride will be too short..

peleroja

I'd suggest going secondhand and getting a higher-end model within your budget that way.

In my area, you can easily acquire a treadmill, elliptical, bike, etc that retailed for a couple thousand bucks for a couple hundred on any classified website (we use Kijiji here but I'm sure Craigslist or whatever would be the same.) People buy them all the time and never use them then want to get rid of them and there's generally a glut in the market so they get sold very, very inexpensively.

ZLARZ

I have been checking craigslist too for weeks now and there is never any good ones. So is a ch eap one just a waste of money and time spent assembling?

peleroja

IMO, yes. I don't know much about ellipticals but I've never seen a cheap treadmill that was remotely worth the cost for me. I think you definitely get what you pay for with fitness equipment like that, especially if you want quiet and sturdy. I'm less than 120 pounds and I still wouldn't feel safe on any of those foldable models, personally.

ZLARZ

Well crap...

missyfitz1

I agree with the recommendation to get a second-hand model. We've had a couple of ellipticals that cost $200-300 and they feel rickety and break down very easily. We invested in one that was on sale for around $1,000 and it lasted for years.

NeonStrikeVi

Looking around, it seems that elliptical trainers tend to be on the more expensive side of cardio equipment. For $300, I think you'd get a much better deal on a stationary bike if you're willing to compromise.

brb_2013

peleroja wrote: »

IMO, yes. I don't know much about ellipticals but I've never seen a cheap treadmill that was remotely worth the cost for me. I think you definitely get what you pay for with fitness equipment like that, especially if you want quiet and sturdy. I'm less than 120 pounds and I still wouldn't feel safe on any of those foldable models, personally.

I'd agree about the cheap stuff. Can't tell you how many treadmills my mother has bought over the years, only to replace it quickly or hate it the whole time and feel stuck with it. Invest in quality if you're really serious.

After truly and honestly writing down all my barriers to exercise (aka all the excuses I use to get out of it), I decided to write down possible work arounds and solutions. The biggest one by far was to workout at home where I feel safe, comfortable, and confident. So I decided rather than a gym membership again, that I'd buy a machine for my apartment. Key for me was fun and size so I decided on the M5 from bowflex. I got it in two days (despite poor reviews RE delivery time....) and it's so early I don't have time yet to assemble it! Im very excited to get it open, and the financing option made it affordable.

Long story way too long: make the investment if you plan on making a home gym.

ZLARZ

I don't plan to use it every day. Right now I go jogging, I do zumba and also shred dvds with jillian. I just need something g that when my day went by so fa st (2 babies) and I didn't have time to workout, I can jump on and burn some calories once everyone is asleep.
I think the most my husband woukd allow would be 500. Definitely not 1000