Looking to buy an elliptical

kimber607
kimber607 Posts: 7,128 Member
edited September 20 in Fitness and Exercise
Hi

I was thinking about buying an elliptical machine at Sports Authority....any suggestions?
Do u think I need to lay out a ton of money to get a decent one..I wanted to spend about $400-$500ish

Thanks, kim

Replies

  • jljohnson
    jljohnson Posts: 719 Member
    I just bought a cheap one (Gold's Gym brand) at Walmart on clearance. It was only $225, but it does the job. I think it will depend on what kind of features you want. Mine started out at $425, so it has some neat stuff like a built in fan and mp3 player speakers. I'd probably look for one that has the gears in the front, or indiviually driven pedals. For some reason, I remember hearing that these are better that the rear-gear-driven ones.

    This is mine: golds-gym-510-elliptical.jpg

    rear-driven: 14934899.jpg

    EDIT: Forgot to say, I love mine, and it totally gets the job done.
  • CasperO
    CasperO Posts: 2,913 Member
    The reputation is bad, but I bought the Walmart machine and I'm happy with it.

    I bought the cheapie $305 special 7 months ago. I pound on it 1/2 hour a day - wife uses it occasionally. For the first month or 2 I was still in the 250's-240's,,, which is pretty heavy for that machine.

    I assembled it carefully and substituted real bearing grease in place of the crap they provided - and I also greased/lubed/adjusted/tweaked a couple other pieces to make it work better.

    It did break an angle-bracket on the pedal support - (within the warranty period, I could have gotten it replaced). I took the thing apart and welded it back together - regreased/re-aligned/reassembled. Took about an hour, no biggie.

    Otherwise, no problems. It's comfortable, quiet, works well. I think the break was my fault - I was really heavy and hard on it. I'm now happy with the machine.


    Mine's the rear wheel like in that pic BTW. Luv it. :smile:
  • laura11248
    laura11248 Posts: 49 Member
    My only recommendation would be to try out the floor model. Ellipticals have different stride lengths so what might be comfortable for someone might not for others.
  • koriebrownie
    koriebrownie Posts: 23 Member
    I would try it out for sure. The stride length was a big deal for me. If it has a larger stride length then it is a smother movement not so up and down.

    I have a Horizon Fitness Elite Elliptical it was about 800 but worth every penny. I would even check craigslist for something like that. Good luck.

    Just a tip... I would still walk or jog too. I was doing the elliptical a lot last winter and when I went walking I was so sore. It works such different leg muscles.
  • kimber607
    kimber607 Posts: 7,128 Member
    Thanks everyone for the advice/tips
    DH is NOTTTT handy, so I don't think he will be tweaking it or adding grease where/when necessary

    Thanks again all :flowerforyou:
    Kim
  • arewethereyet
    arewethereyet Posts: 18,702 Member
    Kim do you have a Play It Again Sports in your area?

    Consignment for sports equip. I bought a high end 1200 dollar elip for 400 bucks and I love it. I have been on cheaper ones and they wobble and I dont feel like I am getting a good workout.

    This way I got a good one, for cheaper and they delivered!

    (if you were close I'd let cha borry mine!!)
  • Alligatorshirts
    Alligatorshirts Posts: 18
    No need to buy a brand new one. I would try Craiglists first. There is a ton of equipment posted there that people buy and then never use. Almost like gym memberships.
  • kimber607
    kimber607 Posts: 7,128 Member
    Thanks all
    Checked craig and nothing in my area

    Never heard of the store mentioned...will look into it

    Kim
  • arewethereyet
    arewethereyet Posts: 18,702 Member
    Thanks all
    Checked craig and nothing in my area

    Never heard of the store mentioned...will look into it

    Kim

    http://www.playitagainsports.com/locations.aspx?s=NJ
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