- 1). Research before you buy. There are basically three designs available: front drive, rear drive and center drive. Front-drive ellipticals have recently surged in popularity because of their ease to manufacture and lower costs. Rear-drive units tend to be more expensive and according to ellipticaltrainer.com, they are smoother and provide a better workout. Center-drive trainers provide the best workout for older people and people prone to injury because they move more naturally with the body, resulting in less stress on your joints and fewer injuries.
- 2). Know what options are most important to you. Many features are available: electronic programming, heart rate monitor, incline adjust and even a small LCD monitor are just a few.
- 3). Visit a local gym or fitness center and test-drive their machines. This is also a great opportunity to speak to a personal trainer about different designs and the benefit of each. If there is not a gym or fitness center in your hometown, go to a larger city and visit a fitness specialty shop. These often have a great selection of elliptical trainers ranging in price and quality.
- 4). Ask about any warranties. Higher-end machines tend to have longer warranties. Usually, warranties run anywhere from 90 days for parts and labor to a couple years.
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