Elliptical machines are a very popular way to get a good workout and for good reason. There are many benefits to using an elliptical machine. But which one is good for home use?
Recommended elliptical machine: The Schwinn 430 elliptical machine is for people that are looking for good features and quality. This model comes with many features like programs, screens, heart rate monitor, audio input, speakers and more. It has a 20” stride which is great for the majority of the population. The user weight limit is 300 lbs. It’s available for a great price at the moment on Amazon (affiliate link)
Why I Chose the Schwinn 430
This model provides a lot of features and quality for your money. Schwinn is a part of the same company that produces the acclaimed Nautilus elliptical machines. It has a 20” stride length which is the same you’ll find in many commercial gyms since it fits the largest portion of the population.
The user weight limit is 300 lbs. which isn’t the highest load limit but certainly not the lowest either. This load limit indicates that this machine is constructed in a sturdy way that will last for a long time. It weighs 183 lbs. which is about average.
While it’s certainly not the cheapest elliptical machine, you’re getting a lot of value for money with the Schwinn 430. There are tons of features;
- 20 resistance levels
- 22 programs
- Bottle holder
- Cushioned footplates for low impact workouts
- Heart rate monitoring
- Aux input to play music
- Speakers
- Manually adjustable incline
- Moving and fixed handlebars
- USB charging port
- Rubber feet.
As you can see you’re getting a ton of features with this machine. On top of that, it provides a smooth movement.
Some people complain that it can be a bit noisy. This is a problem that many elliptical machines have unless you’re willing to pay a really big amount of money for a commercial quality machine.
It doesn’t come assembled so you’ll have to do some assembling yourself. It isn’t too difficult but for people with two left hands it might be a bit too much. If that’s you, you’re in luck, you can order professional assembly so someone will come to your house and put it together for you.
You can get it here on Amazon for a great deal now.
The Schwinn 430 is the best value for money I’ve found. That doesn’t mean there aren’t any other options. There are plenty of them. Some are cheaper but they don’t have as many features or they’re more expensive but don’t have many more features. Of course the more expensive ones come with bigger screens, connectivity and more. But the features I would personally like are all available in the Schwinn 430 for a great price.
Alternative
Of course the Schwinn 430 isn’t the only option. There are a few alternatives you can check out.
If you’re very serious about your elliptical and you want something that is the best of the best? You want the same experience as you get in a commercial gym? Life Fitness is what you need. Life Fitness is a brand that supplies a lot of equipment for large gyms and is really high quality and offers great service.
They’ve got a line that’s suitable for home use. Those machines are still not cheap or small but will offer you the perfect elliptical machine experience at home.
What to look for in an elliptical machine
What are some things to look out for while selecting an elliptical machine for home use? Here’s a quick list of things that are necessary or nice to have.
Necessities;
- Correct stride length (Click for more info). 20” is good if you’re of average height (5’5-6’).
- Can support your weight. (Click for more information) Make sure to check the user weight limit.
- Adjustable resistance
- Small enough to fit your home gym
- Low enough to use it under your ceiling. Some home gym ceilings can be quite low. You should have a ceiling that’s your height plus the pedal height tall to be able to use your machine properly.
- Quality. This is hard to quantify but you want something that lasts for a long time and doesn’t break in 3 months. A part of that is also the customer service and warranty. A company that is a pleasure to deal with when something goes wrong is worth a lot.
Nice to have;
- Built in programs
- Timer
- Heart rate monitor
- Bottle holder
- Adjustable stride length
- Tablet/phone holder or dock
- Speakers
Of course the ‘nice to have’ section are not things you absolutely need to get a workout done. Some of you might really want one or more of these features however. Many people like built in programs and a heart rate monitor for example. These are things that can really improve your workout if used right. Of course all of these features are things you have to pay for.
