The models under $800, such as the Horizon EX-68 elliptical at $799, offer larger 17.6-pound flywheels (for smoother and quieter workouts), plus reliability, and lots of features. The EX68 has a couple of important features to point out: such as the easy to read orange LED windows (these are MUCH easier to read than LCD screens!), a fan, music port, and 11 challenging workout programs to choose from.

The details on the Horizon EX68 elliptical are -

* 20″ stride length
* 17.6-lb Flywheel
* 300-lb. User Capacity
* Unit Weight – 152 lbs
* Pivoting Foot Plates
* Heart Rate Grips on Handlebars
* MP3 plug-in
* Sonic Surround speakers
* SixStar Certified™ frame
* CoolFit workout fan

The SixStar Certified Difference

The Horizon EX-68 elliptical has some key features that give it a special “Six Star” certification. Those include: s a low 10″ step-on height, pivoting pedals for optimum foot comfort, an upright body position to alleviate stress on the back, an overlapping pedal stance so you don’t “waddle” from side to side when you pedal, the workout handlebars are closer to the body so you don’t have to reach too far forward when pushing them, and best of all is the flatter elliptical motion when striding. Since many front-drive ellipticals have step up motions to the ellipse pattern, the flatter motion is smoother and more comfortable – more like walking and running and less like walking up the stairs.

About Horizon Fitness

Horizon is part of Johnson Health Tech, one of the largest manufacturers of fitness equipment in the world. They are committed to designing, engineering, and manufacturing superior products for health clubs and homes. Horizon’s manufacturing facilities rank among the most sophisticated in the industry, with an intricate mix of robotics and skilled workers that maintain the highest standards of accuracy and quality. Every stage of manufacturing has a testing phase and 10 percent of Horizon’s products go through a rigorous quality inspection that includes completely taking them apart and reassembling them.

Why Horizon?

For just $799, the horizon EX-68 elliptical trainer is one of the top 3 models at this price range. Check out the reviews and see why owners are delighted with this quality elliptical, which is recommended by most elliptical review sites as well as consumers.

See more horizon elliptical trainers

by Gene B. Pineda

An elliptical cardio machine is an exercise machine that offers an intense upper body and lower body workout as well as a cardiovascular workout. The combination of upper body and lower body routine exercises is said to increase the reduction of fats and calories in a person. The cardiovascular workout from the elliptical cardio machine is intensive enough to suit most doctors and low impact enough to reduce bone fractures and damage to the tendons, ligaments and joints.

What to Consider when Buying an Elliptical Cardio Machine

In most elliptical cardio machine purchases, the individuals usually buy them for home use. One thing that you should keep in mind when in the market for an elliptical cardio machine is the size of the machine. This will come in handy when contemplating where to put the trainer machine and also if it fits you or not.

Although, most trainer machines are designed to fit the average person, not all buyers of the elliptical cardio machines are average sized persons. Try the machine on for size before buying it to be sure if you are the right size for it. Your knees and elbows should not hit any of the parts of the elliptical cardio machine.

The pedals should also be comfortable for your shoe size and have non-slip textures to avoid your slipping on them as you work out. A person’s weight should also be considered when choosing an elliptical machine. Some machines are too lightweight to have a person over 200 pounds.

Another thing to consider when buying an elliptical cardio machine is the noise that the machine makes as you use it. Some of the elliptical cardio machine models are relatively quiet but some may have an annoying humming sound.

It is best to try out the machine in a quiet room similar to the quietness in your home to see if it is quiet enough for you. You can always wear earphones and listen to music while working out but you should also consider the other people in your home especially if the elliptical cardio machine you have in mind is more noisy than expected.

The features of the elliptical cardio machine are some of the biggest attractions it can have. Figure out what features are important to you and which can fit your budget. Some features are needed especially for those who are working out on the machine for health reasons. The elliptical cardio machine can help you trim down and stay fit in a relatively safe way. This is why many doctors recommend a good cardiovascular workout in this low impact machine for their patients.

About the Author

If you love this article, you will also love another article written by this article’s author on ellipticals for sale and discount elliptical.

by Jeremy S. Abrahamson

With hundreds of models and dozens upon dozens of brands, it can be a difficult task to choose the right elliptical trainer for you and your family. The first thing to consider is your budget and with this you can narrow down which elliptical trainer is right for you.

It is not recommended to look for an elliptical trainer for under $800, as anything in a price range lower than that is of such inferior quality that it will not me your, and anyone’s, exercise needs. This article will take a look at what to look for in each of the different price ranges.

Elliptical Trainers for $800-$1500

Finding a trainer in this range that can be a quality piece of workout equipment can be very difficult. Most of the higher quality elliptical trainers will cost in excess of $1500, but there are some really good models in this price range if you know what to look for.

The first feature to consider is step distance. Many trainers in this price range offer a very small step distance. This means a much poorer workout for you. Look to see if you can find a machine with the step distance you require to complete a solid workout.

Most of the elliptical trainers in this price range offer some advanced features like pulse trackers, varied programs, and self programmable routines. Do not expect much, as was stated earlier when shopping in this price range the most important thing is that you get a machine that can stand up to your workout.

Shopping in the $1500-$3000 Price Range

Here is where some of the machines start to get much more advanced features. Workout machines in this price range are starting to push towards the very expensive, so the first thing to consider when looking in this range is what kind of warranty, service, and support comes with your elliptical trainer.

Make sure that the trainer has at least a two year warranty. Also, you should be able to find most if not all of the features that you are looking for, so be sure to double check that the trainer comes with everything you need before you buy.

Shopping in the $3000+ Range

Here is where you get the truly gym class elliptical trainers. For most people, spending this much money on a trainer is not a good idea because these are designed for everyday 7-20 hour a day use. For a normal home user that is just not practical.

In addition, most, if not all, of the features available on units in this price range are available on trainers in the lower cost bracket. You would probably do better to simply find a trainer in that price range that has all the features you need.

About the Author

If you love this article, you will also love another article written by this article’s author on exercise bike parts and elliptical exercise bike.

The 431 is an updated model, comparable to the value, reliability, and solid performance that has been shown in the Schwinn 430 Elliptical and the Schwinn 460 as well.

The 431 model features:

• 16 Resistance Levels
• Quiet ECB (Eddy Current Brake) Resistance
• 18″ Stride length
• Fixed and Moving Handlebars
• Articulating Foot pedals
• a 25 lb. (11.3 kg) steel flywheel and computer controlled drive system that provide high inertia for smooth strides
• 19 workout programs provide variety to your fitness activities
• Schwinn® BioGlide™ Elliptical path offers biomechanically designed linkages to provide a comfortable movement of the foot throughout the elliptical motion
• An integrated MP3/portable media compartment
• Schwinn® BioConnect™ computer allows users to input data, measure a variety of workout results, and track progress
• Warranty – Frame: 15 years, Parts: 2 years, Electronics: 1 year, Wear Parts: 6 months

What to Watch For

The articulating foot pedals adjust to the position of your feet while you pedal, mimicing the natural motion of walking. This dramatically lessens foot discomfort that some users experience on cheap ellipticals.

The 25-lb flywheel is large and quiet. You don’t find this type of a quality component on competitor’s machines. For example, Horizon ellipticals under $1000 have just a 14-lb flywheel.

The user weight capacity is 300 pounds!  The Schwinn 431 Elliptical is a solid, stable machine that can hold up to heavy use, yet costs 1/3 of the price of a commercial elliptical.

It is on many BEST BUY lists at consumer review sites.

Do your research on the Schwinn 430 Elliptical Trainer and you’ll find it has scored over 400 positive reviews from users on Amazon.com. It also sell at bigfitness.net for $999.

These commercial grade trainers have been selling for $6500 to $8000 but you can get a <Precor Elliptical Trainer for less than $3000 as a reconditioned model!

If you’ve been working out on Precors at your health club like I have, you know these are rock-solid machines. Precors have been our favorite elliptical machine at our gym for years because of their quality and reliability.

Cardio Training at Home

The gorgeous Precor 576i features 14 workout programs including Manual, 2 Intervals, Cross Country, Glutes, Heart Rate Control, Weight Loss, and Performance runs (Hill Climb, Fitness Test and 3 Cross Training) and more.

Working out on an EFX elliptical yields significantly more glute and quad activity than using a stairclimber, cycle, or treadmill. And you don’t need a trainer to tell you what to do: Designed for heavy commercial use, the EFX546i features commercial grade construction and components, but it has an easy-to-use console that allows you to get on and start peddling and selecting a program workout without messing around with settings.

KEY FEATURES

→Standard CSAFE interface makes the EFX®546i compatible with other electronic fitness and entertainment systems, such as Fitlinxx ® and CardioTheater®.

→The pedals work  in both forward and reverse so users can simply change pedaling direction to target different muscle groups.

→With its CrossRamp® technology, users can select a ramp angle between 13 and 40 degrees throughout the workout to isolate and crosstrain quadriceps, gluteals, hamstrings, and calves. Stride lengths vary along the incline of the CrossRamp from 21.2 in to 24.7 in, to give the user a great workout.

→It has 9 programs and 20 resistance levels: Variety of workout plans lets users work all of their lower body muscles and keep routines fresh and motivating. SmartRate® is a heart rate display that shows actual heart rate in relation to user’s target zone for weight loss and cardio training.

→Easy-to-use handgrip sensors monitor heart rate. Heart rate telemetry to help keep the user in an aerobic workout, optimizing fat burn.

Club Quality for Less than $3,000

It’s a great machine at the best price you will find. The Precor EFX576i Remanufactured Crosstrainer is offered by BigFitness and has been remanufactured to be “good as new.” That includes replacement parts installed, a new powder coat finish applied, and a thorough testing done before it leaves the factory. If you want to save several hundred to several thousand dollars on a club machine for your home, buying a reconditioned commercial model is the way to go. Health Club administrators feel that the 576i is one of the best Precors ever made with the added advantage that it has had very few service calls over the years.

Warranty & Specifications

•Dimensions: 80”L x 32”W x 68”H

•CrossRamp: 13 – 40 degrees (adjustable)

•Stride Length: 21.2″ at 13 degrees To 24.7″ at 40 degrees

•Frames: Powder-Coated Steel.

•Weight: 338 lbs.

•Heart Rate: Yes

•Programs: 14

•Power: Self Powered