Advice on Elliptical Features

[ToddSb]

After using an elliptical a few times on vacation recently, I really liked it and I am shopping for an elliptical for use at home. My wife and I will both use this perhaps 2-3 times a week each and I am looking at the sub-$1000 price range. I know that there will be a big difference between these models and what I used at the gym but I am considering some Schwinn and Horizon models between $600-$1000 that have been well reviewed. I am planning on going to stores and trying out some models but also wanted any input from people who may have used at-home ellipticals over a longer time period on importance of various features...

--More resistance levels and workout programs: I can see this being important over the long term, but wondering if 8 to 10 is enough as opposed to the 14-16 on the more expensive models.

--Stride length: The models I am looking at generally have 18" which I think should be fine for my wife who is 5'6". The Horizon $999 model I am looking at has two lengths, 18" and 19" and as I am 5'10" I'm thinking the 19" might be better for me.

--Incline ramp: The Horizon $999 model has an incline ramp, which from what I've read allows you to work a variety of muscle groups. Any opinions on whether this is worth it?

--Music: The $799 and $999 models have holders for an MP3 player or even speakers. This seems nice as I'm thinking it may be a bit cumbersome to have an MP3 player attached to your body given the type of motion involved in an elliptical.

Thanks for any input anyone may have.

 

[theGOOCH]

I have the Schwinn 418. I think it's excellent especially for the money....if you look around you can get it for about $800 I'm 6'1 and the stride is fine for me.

Don't trust the heart rate monitor though. I've never seen one on any machine that is accurate. I just check mine manually. I will also say that I put more focus on cardio than many and do an hour 3-4 times per week and I have recently moved up to level 16, but that's getting my heart rate over 140

As far as music, I just use an ipod shuffle, the little one that clips on to your clothes and weights practically nothing. It works great

Regarding your question about resistance: level 16 on one machine may be less resistance than level 10 on another machine, just try them out

 

[Krodad]

The elliptical is my cardio machine of choice, when I can't (or don't feel like) road running, and in the winter this is often.

As for levels/routines, I'd say that most I've been on will give you upper levels that you probably won't grow out of. I never, ever use the different workout programs...just crank it up to a pretty high resistance, warm up, then do HIIT for the duration of my time at a faster pace.

I have been on a number of machines that also have variable incline...I have found that higher incline does not really mean tougher workout, just hits the legs in a different way. However, my philosophy is that the cardio machine is for cardio...I don't care what muscles it tends to hit over others...that's what the resistance workouts with WEIGHTS are for. So, I probably would not pay more for the option of variable incline, all other things being equal. Matter of fact, if I could get a quality machine without paying for any electronics except a timer and resistance meter, that would suit me just fine. A chest strap and watch are fine for the heart monitor, and more accurate than the grip monitors.

As for MP3 players, I just put mine in the cupholder right in front of me and go to town. No need to even strap it to the arm.

I've also found that the ellipticals that include the moving grips as opposed to stationary supports help in really getting the heart rate ramped up quickly for HIIT routines. Otherwise, just put a light pair of dumbells in your hands and pound away.

Have fun with it. I think they are one of the better ways to improve your cardio performance and workout without killing the knees. Spend as much time on them as you can before you buy. Sometimes little variables in the geometry can make a big difference in how they feel after 30 minutes...for example, there is a particular elliptical in my gym that makes my feet go numb after about 25 minutes, but I don't really know why.

I think many people also consider a good stationary bike one of the better ways to implement HIIT or Tabata style workouts as well, but I have no experience with these. Some of the more serious "spinners" I've seen at the gym really hammer away and seem to get a great workout as they follow along to a video on a screen right in front of them.

I'd rather watch the cheerleaders on the treadmills that just happen to be positioned right in front of the ellipticals.