The elliptical is a long-standing fitness machine in commercial gyms and has become very popular as a home fitness machine as well.
You may have thought about buying a home exercise machine and considered the option of a treadmill or stationary bike, but you fear that your knees will suffer from running or pedaling. Or maybe you are looking for a device that allows you to exercise your upper body as well as your legs.
Ellipticals are an excellent option in these cases because they allow a very complete cardio exercise with low impact on the joints, both for the legs and for the arms and torso. Elliptical Bikes or Elliptical Cross Trainer in India are therefore a very good option for people of any fitness level.
You may have some doubts when deciding to buy one:
- How much they cost?
- How much space does an elliptical take up?
- What muscles does it work?
- How is it different from other fitness machines?
Top Elliptical Cross Trainers available in India
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Sole SE25E Steel Elliptical Cross Trainer |
Resistance : 1-20 Levels Stride Length : 20 Inch Fly Wheel weight: 7.66Kgs |
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COSCO FitLux 5200 Elliptical Cross Trainer |
Stride Length : 483mm Max. User Weight : 140 Kgs Flywheel : 270 mm Dia. |
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XTERRA FS 4.0e Elliptical Cross Trainer |
18-Inch ELLIPSE MOTION Blue Backlit LCD Display Dual-action Handlebars |
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COSCO FITNESS 850E Cross Trainer |
Flywheel : 8 Kgs. 2 Way ELECTRONICS Displays Max. User Weight : 130 Kgs |
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Co-Maxx Plastic and Iron Elliptical Cross Trainer |
With 10 Level Resistance Magnetic Brake System Ultra-long Stride Length 17 inch |
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Welcare Elliptical Cross Trainer WC6010 |
8 Level Magnetic Resistance 16 Inch Stride 9Kgs Fly Wheel |
Features to Consider when Buying an Elliptical Cross Trainer
Best Elliptical Trainer for Home Use in IndiaStride Length
Stride length varies from machine to machine. If you are tall, this may be a key factor for you, do not buy an elliptical with too short a stride in this case.
Resistance System and Flywheel
Two Options : Friction or Magnetic
Magnetic : Silent and with a more natural pedaling but it is more expensive. Due to friction it is cheaper but less durable and less silent, due to wear and tear.
The Flywheel : The heavier the more resistance, so choose a light one (= 7 Kg) if you are a beginner and a heavier one (> 7 Kg) if you are more experienced.
Console and Connectivity
Do you have pre-installed training programs? What information does it give you about sessions? Does it connect to your tablet or mobile?
The market is full of options of all kinds and it is difficult to know where to start in order to choose the elliptical that best suits your profile. To help you with that, we have been doing research for you to create an analysis with the best ellipticals that you can find on the market in value for money.
Make No Mistake When Choosing the Best Elliptical For you.
An elliptical bike (Elliptical Cross Trainer) is an excellent investment, but before buying one you want to make sure of all the features that make up a good machine.
Although they are generally similar in design (two platforms for your feet and a pair of cranks to hold you), ellipticals differ greatly from each other in terms of features, build quality, and resistance level, among others.
Here we are going to expose all the keys so that you make the best purchase possible.
Common Questions about Elliptical Bikes:
- What Elliptical to Buy?
This is the million dollar question and that is why you are here. And the answer, as you might suppose, is: it depends. In our ranking we have tried to select various options because each user has different needs. Think about how much money you want to spend, how much space you have at home, what is your stride length ... all this will close the fence and make it easier for you to choose which elliptical bike to buy.
- What is the Price of an Elliptical?
A domestic elliptical bike can cost from 16,000 to around 1 Lakh Rupees, although of course you will find even more expensive models. They differ of course in performance, stability and build quality. So you have to be very clear about your budget to know which models to look at.
- How Often and Intensity are you going to use your Elliptical?
This point also includes what your fitness level is and what intensity you want to achieve in your workouts.
If you want to use the elliptical only a few times a week, at low or medium intensity, as a way to maintain some activity and help you lose weight, you may want to consider cheap elliptical models with a less heavy flywheel.
If you are otherwise looking for a high intensity, more challenging and hard form of training you should consider options with a heavier flywheel and a more stable and stronger frame. These models tend to have a higher price but the most demanding users will notice the difference.
Elements That You Should Analyze When Buying your Elliptical Cross Trainer
Wheel or FlyWheel of Inrtia
Basically it is an iron disc with a defined weight that ensures a lower number of revolutions at the output than the input, so it will always be rotating at a higher speed than the pedaling itself. You can see this reflected in the specifications of many bicycles since it is shown as "1/7", "1/8", meaning that for each turn of the pedals, the disk will turn 7 or 8 times, indicating this relationship that how much The higher it is, the smoother the pedaling will be.
But you should not only look at this data, since there are other factors such as the weight of the wheel that is a fundamental element and that must be taken into account, since it will give us quality and resistance in pedaling. Another factor that we should also look at is the quality of the bearings.
Regarding resistance, there is a lot of difference between a low weight flywheel to one of considerable weight, the greater weight ratio being greater resistance, which will also be reflected in the quality of the pedaling that in turn will be transmitted to the joints, for so we must also analyze this factor.
The location of the inertia wheel can be located in the front or in the back of the elliptical bike, providing this (rear traction) a more comfortable pedaling, with more smoothness and achieving an increase in inertia than, on the contrary, a front-wheel drive elliptical bike, which will have a more linear movement with a wider stride that can offer more demanding workouts.
In summary, if you are a person who has some type of problem in any joint, it is more appropriate to focus the purchase on the elliptical bicycle whose inertia wheel is higher than the standard measurement that is usually 6 kg, in addition to a high quality in the bearings that are directly influenced by the price, since in cheap bikes it will be difficult to find an acceptable quality in these.
Resistance System
We are going to see the main resistance systems that we can currently find:
This is the system that was initially used on elliptical bikes.
They work through a knob that you must use to regulate the resistance, which will be generated by friction. A shoe will exert more or less pressure on the flywheel and its resistance will increase or decrease.
It is the simplest type of resistance, less reliable and also requires more maintenance than other systems. However, although today the vast majority of models use a magnetic resistance, there are still models with this type of resistance and also, of very high quality, so they should not be discarded just for the mere fact of using this system.
MAGNETIC
As we have indicated in the introduction to the section, the magnetic resistance system works through magnets that will be responsible for generating the resistance. These magnets are very powerful and will generate more or less resistance depending on how far you are from the steering wheel, so as you get closer to the steering wheel, the amount of energy generated will increase, creating more resistance.
Within this type of resistance, we can also include the Electromagnetic Resistance, whose operation is carried out through an electromagnet, responsible for generating a resistance force as the current passes through it. One of the main benefits of this resistance system is that it can be adjusted and controlled in a simple and very efficient way.
SMR (Silent Magnetic Resistance)
The vast majority of elliptical bikes for the home, already of a certain quality, have this type of resistance.
This type of resistance works by means of a magnetic field that generates eddy currents and is capable of producing friction when pushing against the steering wheel. Said magnetic field becomes more powerful with the increase in the level of resistance, requiring more energy to perform the pedal stroke.
One of the main advantages of this system is that it is very quiet, since it is frictionless and maintenance-free.
The quality of the magnets must also be taken into account, since even if there is no friction, they must be able to withstand the temperature reached during use so that they do not stop working.
Electromagnetic Introduction
This type of resistance is the most sophisticated and best available today. The magnets are fixed in place, unlike the Magnetic, whose magnets are in motion, so in this case they have no moving parts
When the user raises the resistance, a greater electrical current is generated to the magnets, making it difficult to turn the steering wheel.
Another point in favor of this system is that by not having moving parts, it has a greater future guarantee against possible breakdowns.
It also has another difference to highlight, and that is that the changes made by the user action to the resistance, will be applied instantly unlike the magnetic ones, in which you will have to wait up to 25 seconds for the resistance modification to be applied , time that is due to the movement of the magnet to the wheel.
Transmitter Belt
It is in charge of putting the movement produced by the pedals into contact with the flywheel, in which the quality of this will play a fundamental role since if it is of poor quality, over time it can slip.
Due to the mode of operation, and especially the overheating that can occur, we must take into account the time that we can use the machine so that it does not break. If the overall quality of the bike is low, one of the cheap ones will be recommended for a maximum use of about 30 minutes a day, which we can translate into the training of a single person.
If you plan to give it more use or there are several people who will exercise with the elliptical bike, you must make sure of minimum levels of quality, with the price of these bikes or Elliptical Cross Trainer from 15,000 Rupees onwards.
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Stride Length
Stride length is another important factor that you must take into account when buying your elliptical bike, and it is that it plays a fundamental role in the comfort of the user who is going to use it. A user who is too tall with a stride that is too short will not feel good on the elliptical, and will not be able to get the most out of it.
Keep in mind that the user height / stride length ratio is important, but there is no exact measurement for it, since two users of the same height may not have the same length from hip to foot.
Each elliptical machine is designed in a different way, so two ellipticals with the same stride length can provide totally different sensations due to its biomechanical design, the articulation of the pedals, the flywheel and axes that it carries. the type and location of the resistance system, or the range of motion, among other factors.
Structure
The structure of the Elliptical Cross Trainer is a point to take into account since depending on how the elliptical is designed, the frame of the bicycle will have a direct impact on the sensations that it provides you while you are doing a workout. When you are training at a high intensity, you will be emitting high levels of energy that the frame must absorb in the best way so that you feel safe on the bike.
You can analyze small details to see the emphasis that the manufacturer has placed on the construction of the elliptical. When you see a union of two of the pieces, a union by bolts is not the same as a union made by welding. A weld will be much better, stronger and will not loosen with use as it will with bolts.
Another point to take into account is the construction material, since not all steels are the same. There are some manufacturers that use carbon steel structures without carrying out an adequate heat treatment to strengthen it, obtaining a Rockwell hardness that is too low, and carbon steel is also very susceptible to oxidation, so you should be careful with the electrolytes from sweat. and perform preventive maintenance.
The higher quality ellipticals will use high speed steels (HSS) strengthened by various treatments and will also prevent oxidation.
One last point to consider is the weight of the machine. The weight will go directly in proportion to the quality of the machine. The higher it is, the better stability and more robust it will have.
The cheapest machines, which are very light and compact, are designed to minimize costs, so their quality in many cases leaves much to be desired.
Console on Elliptical Machines
With the rise of technology, we find some models that are fully compatible with many of the widgets that we have today, in addition to providing us, thanks to their software, a great variety of programmed workouts.
Also, we will have a good manual control of a large number of statistics in which you can establish various levels of difficulty and resistance, imitating everyday situations to maintain a heart rate similar to that of climbing a slope, a sprint on a flat surface, or less everyday like a cross-country skiing session, which is the sport to which movement most closely resembles.
The software is also capable of keeping track of the distance traveled, resistance levels and the time that the session has lasted, so it is also a factor to take into account and that you can modify the price of the elliptical bike depending on the benefits that you can provide us.
Elliptical Trainer vs Stationary Bike vs Treadmill
On the elliptical cross trainer, the body's own weight makes the feet remain fixed on the pedals following a natural movement that mimics cross-country skiing, without the need to put an excessive load on the joints. This avoids pain and exhaustion and enables longer training sessions and more frequent use of the machine.
In addition, the movement of the elliptical involves both the lower and upper body, so it manages to work the whole body very efficiently and at any intensity. Its movement puts very little pressure on the joints, allowing it to be used more often without problems. All these characteristics make it especially effective as a weight loss tool.
An exercise bike is mainly used to do cardio at medium or low intensity at home, so they do not require a very complex structure and can be small in size and even be foldable. On a stationary bike you only work your legs.
Ellipticals are larger than stationary bikes and in many cases that can be a determining factor. Its wingspan and mechanics make it difficult to find a folding elliptical machine.
Cardio is worked on a treadmill at any intensity, although at high intensities it can affect the joints of less experienced users. It is a more unstable exercise because you have to stay within the width available on the treadmill and it works mainly the lower body (legs).
How to use an Elliptical
Ellipticals are great cardio tools, if you know how to use them. This is a small guide to use, but remember that each machine is different and each person too, these instructions are intended to show only a general idea.
Step 1 - Position
Stand on the pedals. Line up your feet, as most machines will have large pedals to accommodate feet of any size. Straighten your back and hold on tightly to the grab bars.
Step 2 - Movement
Now that you have prepared yourself on the machine, it is time to move:
Pedal forward. To start pedaling, slightly bend your knees and keep them bent throughout the movement, since keeping your legs straight would make movement difficult. This flex also causes you to maintain constant tension on your quads, maximizing the efficiency of your workouts .
Step 3 - Adjust Resistance and Incline
As you move, you can adjust the resistance of your elliptical until you feel the intensity level you want.
Some ellipticals also have the option to adjust the incline to make the exercise more difficult and effective. If yours has this option, try varying the incline in small increments, gradually.
Step 4 - Explore your Dashboard
Check which exercise programs are pre-installed on the elliptical and try to finish one that suits your level. Observe the data provided by the machine to better control your sessions: speed, time, heart rate.
Step 5 - Continue until your Session is Complete
Adjust the duration of your session to your level of experience. The more you use the machine, the longer your sessions can last because your body will adapt little by little. Be consistent but don't overexert yourself unnecessarily.
Extra Tip - Pedal Backwards Too
Most machines give you the option of pedaling backwards as well. In this way you will work different muscle groups, which will be a great complement to your sessions. It feels a little weird at first but if you are consistent you will get up to speed quickly.
Remember that to see results the most important thing is to be consistent with your workouts. Then you just have to enjoy yourself, get in shape and lose weight, if you need it, while having fun.
