Recommend an Elliptical

cubbies77
cubbies77 Posts: 607 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I love using the elliptical at the gym, and I've been able to stay on longer and longer the more I use it. :) I would really like to have one at home.

The ones at my gym are Life Fitness brand, and their base model is around $2200. Um, no.

Does anyone own an elliptical that cost $1000 or less? Do you like it/recommend it? What brand is it? Does it have a weight limit?

Replies

  • EmilyOfTheSun
    EmilyOfTheSun Posts: 1,548 Member
    I bought one at Walmart for like $150. It doesn't have all the bells and whistles but it gets the job done. Get that and a heart rate monitor (Polar FT7), so you can figure out an accurate calorie burn.
  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
    I have a Proform ZE Elliptical - it isn't sold anymore I think. I got it on amazon for about $700. It's been a pretty good investment :)
  • MommaRou56
    MommaRou56 Posts: 68 Member
    The ones at the gym are all commercial grade. They have to be because there are so many different users of varying weights, body types, etc. But this is the reason they are so expensive. You can get ellipticals for home use online through various vendors. I would shy away from Wal-Mart, however. The products they carry are lower quality -- made with lower grade steel and other components -- than the ones you would buy at a good sporting goods store or online directly from the manufacturer. You will pay more, of course, but you will get a better made product, too. I speak from experience; I work for an exercise equipment manufacturer/distributor. And no, I'm not trying to sell you on one of our products -- not even going to mention my company by name -- but I do know that you will get a better product buying directly from the manufacturer, no matter who the manufacturer is. (The same holds true for anything you buy from Wal-Mart -- electronics, home appliances, etc. -- cheaper quality to sell to the masses because the manufacturers have to cut corners somewhere to be able to meet Wal-Mart's price demands; otherwise, they would lose money.)
  • Jeneba
    Jeneba Posts: 699 Member
    Ohhhhhh! Meeeee tooooo! For those who responded - how large is the "footprint" of the machine? I have limited space but have to get rid of my recumbent - orders from my physical therapist.... I hate not being able to work out in my home.
  • shamah84
    shamah84 Posts: 110 Member
    I ordered mine from Amazon and I've had it a year. It works great and it's ProForm. It cost about $390. I'd recommend it. I did put mines together but if you pay an extra I think $80 they do that for you. :)
  • vickilm1976
    vickilm1976 Posts: 141 Member
    I got mine at Sears for around $650, was regular about $1,400. Costco has some decent ones too.
  • PaulW2MD
    PaulW2MD Posts: 44 Member
    AudioStrider 990 Pro by Nordic Track. $899 and has some cool options. Gives me a hell of a workout.
  • LusciousLady
    LusciousLady Posts: 43 Member
    I own one and absolutely love, love, love it... I also purchased it from Walmart but it was about $250 and its the gold's gym model..It has been a few years though.
  • pudadough
    pudadough Posts: 1,271 Member
    I've had my Schwinn 430 for about 4 years now. I love it. It's as solid as a rock and has no issues whatsoever. It cost me about $600 at Sears and came with a lifetime warranty. Check out the Schwinn models on Amazon. A lot of them have really great reviews. I've been more than pleased with mine!

    Updated to add that my model's user weight limit is 300lbs.
  • sphira
    sphira Posts: 132 Member
    I have Sole E35 and had it for 3 years now. I really like it. My husband is 6'3 and 215 pounds and he uses it quite a bit and really likes it as well. I think the weight limit is 250 and runs about $1300
  • gdrmuzak
    gdrmuzak Posts: 103 Member
    Check out Sears (find out when things are out of season and they want to get rid of their floor models on the cheap).

    Also, check out 2nd hand places or "brand name" place for floor model clearances. Personally, I have LIFECYCLE commercial-grade, recumbent bike at home (as you see at the gym). We got it from a friend in the fitness club industry for cheap when he closed a club. A couple months ago I saw the same bike at PLAY IT AGAIN SPORTS store for $125!!! Years ago those bikes were over $2500 brand new. I've had the bike for more 13-14 years and it's a couple years older than that. It works great and is nice to burn a few cals in front of the TV when I've gone over the limit. :-)
  • cubbies77
    cubbies77 Posts: 607 Member
    Thanks, everyone! I do have a HRM (Polar FT4), and I love it. It syncs with the elliptical at the gym, which I think is pretty cool.

    I'm definitely not shopping for the gym model. That one is $4400. ;) I looked at the "home" version of it (without the super-sturdy parts and all the bells and whistles), and it was still $2200. It's a really nice elliptical, though, so I can understand why they charge that much. I kind of wish I could afford it because it's the best one I've used so far.

    I'll check Sears and the other places. I'm avoiding Wal-Mart because I don't want to have to assemble it and they look pretty cheap.
  • cubbies77
    cubbies77 Posts: 607 Member
    Oh, hey! Sears is having a sale + free delivery on most of their fitness equipment right now. :) Good timing.

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