Basic Elliptical Trainers

Best ellipticals under $1,000

In general, fitness-equipment reviewers say that the best elliptical trainers cost at least $1,000; that is because they have plenty of features and the durability to stand up to heavy use. But if that's beyond your budget, you still have some options. The key to being satisfied, according to experts, is keeping your expectations in check. Lower-end machines will not offer the same flexibility and durability as more expensive elliptical trainers; that's most evident in the manufacturer warranty. One-year labor warranties are standard on elliptical machines of higher quality, but less expensive models are often covered for only 90 days.

Even so, there are plenty of good deals to be had for $1,000 and less, including the NordicTrack AudioStrider 990 Pro (*Est. $1,000) . The AudioStrider 990 Pro elliptical trainer is updated for 2012, with a power-adjustable stride that ranges from 20 to 23 inches; the old stride range was 18 to 20 inches and an adjustable incline that goes up to 40 degrees. The AudioStrider elliptical has features to match pricier elliptical trainers, and it has a more generous warranty than most in this price range -- lifetime on the frame, three years for parts and one year for labor.

The NordicTrack AudioStrider 990 Pro earns a Best Buy recommendation from a leading testing organization in 2011, and it receives a positive review from an industry expert at Fitness-Equipment-Source.com. Fred Waters, the site's owner and primary reviewer, describes the AudioStrider 990 Pro as "an exceptional deal for several reasons," including its ergonomic features and impressive service record, considering the price. TreadmillDoctor.com ranks the AudioStrider 990 Pro as first runner-up, a notch higher than its closest competitor, the Sole E25 (*Est. $1,000) . Users at Sears.com say they love the 990 Pro's automated incline feature for the varied workout options it offers. "I especially love the automatic incline during the workouts, not to mention I can play my iTouch through the sound system and not have to have the buds in my ears," one owner writes. This elliptical trainer is solidly built and heavy, according to user reviews, and most say it operates quietly.

However, reviewers at Sears.com have a number of durability complaints about the NordicTrack AudioStrider 990 Pro, which isn't unusual for elliptical trainers under $1,000. One owner complains of deteriorating rollers, while another received an elliptical trainer with a faulty electronics module.

The Sole E25 (*Est. $1,000) is in the same boat as the NordicTrack AudioStrider 990 Pro. Users report that the E25 is generally smooth, sturdy and quiet, but it suffers from the typical durability and quality concerns common in this price range. "The speakers are not very good," one Amazon.com reviewer reports. A few Amazon.com and Buzzillions.com users also complain about squeaking sounds that develop during use, although many report that applying the lubricant that's included with the elliptical is a good solution. TreadmillDoctor.com awards the E25 second runner-up position behind the NordicTrack AudioStrider 990 Pro, describing it as "a high quality machine with a long history of success." Fred Waters of Fitness-Equipment-Source.com also says he appreciates the E25's value, but he cautions that "it doesn't quite have the same fluid elliptical motion that you find on the other higher priced Sole ellipticals," because the E25's frame is shorter. Waters recommends that buyers spend an extra $300 to purchase the Sole E35 and, ultimately, awards his "Best Buy" ranking in the $1,000 and under price rage to the NordicTrack AudioStrider 990 Pro.

If your budget is tight, the Schwinn 420 ( *Est. $600) is worth a look. Like the NordicTrack AudioStrider 990 Pro, the Schwinn 420 elliptical trainer earns a 2011 Best Buy award from a consumer testing organization. It has an 18-inch stride and can accommodate users up to 300 pounds. The Schwinn 420 lacks some popular features, including an adjustable incline and wireless heart-rate monitor, and it has a shorter warranty than the NordicTrack elliptical. However, the latest model has been updated with a workout fan and built-in speakers.

The Schwinn 420 enjoys mostly positive user reviews. More than 200 users review the 2009 model of the Schwinn 420 on Amazon.com, giving it an overall 4-star rating. They say that it's well-constructed, and it doesn't squeak or rattle like other budget elliptical trainers. The Schwinn 420 is quiet, and assembly is relatively straightforward; reviewers also like that this elliptical trainer is easy to move from room to room. The 2012 model of the Schwinn 420 elliptical trainer has only a handful of user reviews; so far its overall rating is 3.5 stars. Although owners continue to praise the 420's value and quiet performance, one is uncomfortable with how much the frame flexes, and a few owners point out that the console is hard to read.

Like the 420, the Schwinn 431 (*Est. $700) enjoys good user feedback. The two elliptical trainers are similar, although the Schwinn 431 has a backlit display and a longer warranty. More than 200 reviews at Amazon.com combine to the give the Schwinn 431 an overall 4.5-star rating. Reviewers say it's a great buy for the money, and they love how sturdy and stable it is while exercising. However, we found reports that the Schwinn 431 elliptical trainer's handlebars aren't long enough for tall users, along with one troubling complaint that the foot pedals can snap easily. "A stain on Schwinn's reputation would be the kindest thing you can say," the TreadmillDoctor.com editors write.

The Schwinn 460's variable stride feature, which allows you to go from a two-inch stair-stepper-style stride to running with a 28-inch stride, is uncommon even on higher-priced elliptical trainers. However, it appears that the implementation isn't quite perfect. We found a significant number of complaints on Amazon.com about components breaking or arriving already broken, along with user complaints that the longer the stride you use, the noisier this elliptical trainer gets. A few users also complain that the pedals jerk or jolt from time to time, making for a bumpy, and potentially hazardous, ride.

In December 2011, about 10,000 units of the Schwinn 460 Variable Stride (*Est. $1,200) were recalled for a similar problem. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) explains in a prepared statement that the Schwinn 460's foot plates can detach from the unit during use. Owners are instructed to contact Nautilus for a free repair kit and extended warranty.

The Nautilus E514 (*Est. $700) is another budget elliptical trainer. It performs very well in an independent test from 2011, and it includes popular features such as a wireless heart-rate monitor. However, expert reviews are mixed. TreadmillDoctor.com gives the Nautilus E514 very low marks in nearly every category . Fred Waters, of Fitness-Equipment-Source.com, is more positive; however, he points out that the Nautilus E514 is a near-duplicate of the Schwinn 420, with its wireless heart monitor and heart rate control programs being the biggest differences. Waters is on the fence about whether these extra features justify the difference in cost between the models. We also saw a few warranty complaints at Amazon.com from users who said they were frustrated when they tried to get parts or schedule a technician; we think that the Schwinn 420 is a better value at this price point.

The Stamina InMotion E1000 elliptical trainer (*Est. $100) takes the idea of a compact, inexpensive elliptical trainer to a miniature extreme. The E1000 consists of nothing but two pedals and a diminutive console positioned between them -- between your ankles, when you're using the machine. A review on AllEllipticals.com points out that the E1000's stride is so short that it's more like a stair stepper, and the lack of any upper-body support or balance point is an obvious downside. However, many users say they are quite happy with this little machine, perhaps because they've purchased it as a deliberate nod to limited space and money. Being able to place your "elliptical trainer" in the closet or under the bed is convenient, and users report that you can, in fact, get a challenging workout with the Stamina InMotion E1000's dial-adjust resistance. Taller people say they are frustrated by the E1000's super-short stride, but shorter people seem more comfortable with it. For larger elliptical models, setup can take hours and sometimes require an extra pair of hands; putting together the E1000 is, by comparison, a breeze. If you're looking for a workout at the bare minimum cost possible, this could be a practical solution; however, several reviewers warn that this mini elliptical can rock back and forth while in use, and that if you struggle to balance without anything to hold onto, you might want to place it near a wall or chair for extra support.