Best elliptical for 350+ pounds?

ungeneric
ungeneric Posts: 60 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Straight to the point: I'm 6'1" and closer to 400 than 300. I am able to work out on an elliptical (and do so several times a week), but I find that the trip to the gym and back is a bigger barrier to exercise than the actual effort of exercising is. Walking is still hard, at my current weight and fitness level.

I know that at my weight an elliptical will not be cheap, but I think it could be a good investment for my health. I make enough that I could spare $1,000-$2,000 if necessary.

I don't really need most fancy features: mostly I just want something that is reliable at my weight and has a long enough stride for someone of my height. I do HIIT so programmable would be nice, but the ones at my gym aren't programmable and having to turn the resistance up and down is not *that* inconvenient.

Any recommendations, or any trustworthy websites I could read reviews?

Replies

  • Amestris
    Amestris Posts: 152 Member
    Maybe start with the brand offered at your gym if you like it. I don't own any large fitness equipment so I can't be of much help. Good luck.
  • TR0berts
    TR0berts Posts: 7,739 Member
    I'd think the best thing to do would be to go to stores where you can try them out and see how they hold up. Also, not all ellipticals have the same exact path/range of motion, so you'll want to make sure the one you get fits your body.
  • ungeneric
    ungeneric Posts: 60 Member
    Maybe start with the brand offered at your gym if you like it. I don't own any large fitness equipment so I can't be of much help. Good luck.
    Honestly I don't really like the ones at my gym :) They are sturdy as heck but the stride length is not adjustable.
  • alienrite
    alienrite Posts: 314 Member
    I have an Octane which is commercial quality. It is better to get a great quality used elliptical than a low quality new one. It is also essential that it fit your body properly because it is a repetitive motion which can lead to injury if it doesn't fit your body right. I use one with an adjustable stride length which is great...first because I can adapt it to my body and I can change it for longer use. Having it at home is the only reason I used it daily...that being said, it took me about 3 years of having it before I used it consistently along with starting MFP
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    not sure how walking is less of an option than an elliptical to be honest.

    I would save the money and just watch your diet- you could easily shed 100 lbs without every working out but simple creating a deficit.

    I'd also consider swimming as it's significantly easier on the joints- but I realize the catch 22 of being a larger person and the potential self conscious issues associated with swimming.

    Hell I know a guy who lost a crap ton of weight just walking back and forth- doing the walking laps.
  • _Danno_
    _Danno_ Posts: 165
    As far as new equipment goes I'm sorry to say that you will be too heavy for store brought equipment (I'm in the UK so I may be wrong for USA) so you need to go to a gym supplier or specialist equipment maker. Your best bet is look on google I'm afraid, good luck though ????
  • charlottemilton
    charlottemilton Posts: 144 Member
    Thank you guys for a heads up on the stride length. I have never been able to use an elliptical without pain if I am on it any length of time. I didn't know they had ones the stride could be adjusted on. I just bought an incline treadmill for that reason. Good luck on your search for the right machine.
  • Quieau
    Quieau Posts: 428 Member
    Nordictrack Audiostrider 990 Pro ... from Nordictrack, free delivery and DRASTIC discount ($899???) AND free financing ..

    I've had mine about two months and I'm totally addicted. Went from being able to 5 minutes at 1 resistance, 15 incline to now doing 50 minutes at 10 resistance, 25 incline ... I LOOOOOVE this silent, perfect, smooth machine and I HIGHLY recommend it ...

    Very well reviewed and it is of the quality and performance of a gym version of the elliptical. Honestly, go for it. Message me if you have questions, I don't follow up on threads.

    http://www.nordictrack.com/fitness/en/NordicTrack/Ellipticals/nordictrack-audiostrider-990-pro
  • ungeneric
    ungeneric Posts: 60 Member
    not sure how walking is less of an option than an elliptical to be honest.
    Literally the whole point of the elliptical trainer is that it is lower-impact on the joints than walking is. I mean, this is the first line from the Wikipedia article on ellipticals:

    "An elliptical trainer or cross-trainer (also called an X-trainer) is a stationary exercise machine used to simulate stair climbing, walking, or running without causing excessive pressure to the joints, hence decreasing the risk of impact injuries"
    I would save the money and just watch your diet- you could easily shed 100 lbs without every working out but simple creating a deficit.
    I'm not working out to lose weight, I'm working out to improve my health and fitness. I'm losing weight by counting calories, hence me being a member of MyFitnessPal :)
    I'd also consider swimming as it's significantly easier on the joints
    I don't know how to swim. And I don't even know where I would find an open pool around here, even if I did.

    Seriously, I want an elliptical, not a list of alternatives. I like using the elliptical.
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    than go talk to elliptical professionals not the internet smart *kitten*.

    Besides- I said it in my post- WALKING LAPS IN THE POOL IS A GREAT OPTION. no actual swimming necessary.



    As far as the elliptical- that's on you- you want one- go get one- but walking is about as low impact as they get- it bothers me a hell of a lot less than an elliptical does. It's not a wonder machine.
  • JTick
    JTick Posts: 2,131 Member
    OP: Your best bet would probably be to go to a store and try out their models. I'm a little short, and sometimes I have problems finding ones for my stride as well...I have to reach further than I like on some, and on others they seem to bounce me up and down. I hate the elliptical at our house...I feel like I'm trying to run through sand on it. It really is a personal preference as to what machine you'll like.
  • kah68
    kah68 Posts: 1,515 Member
    Straight to the point: I'm 6'1" and closer to 400 than 300. I am able to work out on an elliptical (and do so several times a week), but I find that the trip to the gym and back is a bigger barrier to exercise than the actual effort of exercising is. Walking is still hard, at my current weight and fitness level.

    I know that at my weight an elliptical will not be cheap, but I think it could be a good investment for my health. I make enough that I could spare $1,000-$2,000 if necessary.

    I don't really need most fancy features: mostly I just want something that is reliable at my weight and has a long enough stride for someone of my height. I do HIIT so programmable would be nice, but the ones at my gym aren't programmable and having to turn the resistance up and down is not *that* inconvenient.

    Any recommendations, or any trustworthy websites I could read reviews?

    Sole Fitness makes a great elliptical and they usually go on sale in January - their website also offers free shipping occasionally. They have several different models with different strides and all have built in programs and user defined programs so you can develop your own HIIT or intervals.
  • Jennvandemark
    Jennvandemark Posts: 179 Member
    I have an Octane which is commercial quality. It is better to get a great quality used elliptical than a low quality new one. It is also essential that it fit your body properly because it is a repetitive motion which can lead to injury if it doesn't fit your body right. I use one with an adjustable stride length which is great...first because I can adapt it to my body and I can change it for longer use. Having it at home is the only reason I used it daily...that being said, it took me about 3 years of having it before I used it consistently along with starting MFP

    I don't own a Octane but have used the one in my gym and love it. My husband who is a little taller then you loves this one because he can max out the stride for comfort also. Have no clue how much they cost but I am sure a pretty penny. By the way this is the only one I have ever seen that lets you adjust your stride. Good luck on your search for the right elliptical.
    By the way I lost most of weight in the beginning using a elliptical and that is still my go to machine in the gym.:smile:
  • healthismygame2
    healthismygame2 Posts: 57
    Straight to the point: I'm 6'1" and closer to 400 than 300. I am able to work out on an elliptical (and do so several times a week), but I find that the trip to the gym and back is a bigger barrier to exercise than the actual effort of exercising is. Walking is still hard, at my current weight and fitness level.

    I know that at my weight an elliptical will not be cheap, but I think it could be a good investment for my health. I make enough that I could spare $1,000-$2,000 if necessary.

    I don't really need most fancy features: mostly I just want something that is reliable at my weight and has a long enough stride for someone of my height. I do HIIT so programmable would be nice, but the ones at my gym aren't programmable and having to turn the resistance up and down is not *that* inconvenient.

    Any recommendations, or any trustworthy websites I could read reviews?

    I have a livestrong elliptical - LIVESTRONG® LS13.0E Elliptical. I've had it since August 2011 and I love it. You can read more about iit at: http://www.livestrongfitness.com/product/ls130e-elliptical?a_aid=4d38b094045e9&a_bid=2fadf34e#specs


    Best of luck finding an elliptical that will work for you.

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