Cheap Elliptical Trainers - What You Dont Know Can Cost You Big Time

Should you ever consider purchasing a cheap elliptical trainer? It's my position that you should purchase the best elliptical trainer that your budget allows. The elliptical trainers that I recommend all retail above $1000. Some of these are above $2000. No question, this is a substantial sum for most people, but you should keep in mind that this is an investment in your long term health and fitness. You want a machine that not only is enjoyable to use, but lasts for many years to come.

The very nature of elliptical trainers and treadmills for that matter, makes them prone to wear. As a result, they will need to be serviced at some point during their lifetime. Maybe even more than once. This is not meant to frighten you, quite the contrary, but to impress upon you that skimping on quality to save money is usually not good economics when it comes to elliptical trainers.

The other thing to keep in mind about cheap ellipticals is that they will probably wobble side-to-side during use and may even produce annoying squeaks due to cheap design. All of these problems are greatly magnified if you are heavy. The end result could very likely be a snapped bolt or damaged frame component. Toppling off an elliptical trainer while in full stride is a scary thought!

So what should you do if coming up with $2000 is just not possible for now? Well, you can either wait until you save up the money, which isn't a bad idea. However, if you just can't wait because your health requires you to get started on a fitness program ASAP, then you have some decisions to make. You could join a gym that has a wide selection of cardio equipment and probably has helpful staff to get you started on a fitness program or you can begin shopping for an elliptical trainer within your price range.

How to minimize your risk

Right off the bat I don't recommend that you consider any elliptical trainer that retails for under $500. You'd just be throwing your money away. We have all seen the cheap elliptical strider that is advertised on infomercials featuring a popular fitness celebrity. Sorry, but you're on your own if you want one of these.

The fundamental problem with elliptical trainers that retail between $500 - $1000 is their sturdiness and durability. This stems from the quality of their components and construction. Below are requirements that may help increase the chances that you have a satisfying experience owning one of these ellipticals:

--Weigh less than 195 lb. Under 155 lb. is even better. Women may do better here than men.

--Moderate to light use. Elliptical trainers in this price range hold up better if they are not heavily used.

--Purchase an extended warranty if the manufacturer offers one. Most low-end ellipticals come with only a 90-day warranty. That should tell you something right away! Don't settle for anything less than a 1-year warranty on the wear components of an elliptical trainer.

Finally, one way to approach purchasing a cheap elliptical is to view it as a transitional machine. If you get only 2 years from a $600 elliptical trainer, but during this period you've lost weight and greatly improved your cardiovascular conditioning, then it was definitely money well-spent.

When you're ready to replace it, you probably will have come to appreciate what it takes to produce a quality elliptical trainer. After you've experienced the great benefits that these machines have to offer, it may be easier to make the investment in a higher quality machine.

Rich Rojas
Elliptical Trainer Reviews and Fitness Ideas
http://www.ellipticalhome.com/best-buys.html

In The News:


The Insider: Exercise equipment that won't bore you to tears
Independent, UK - 2 hours ago
You can buy some fitness equipment direct from manufacturers, for example York Fitness at www.yorkfitness.com; York also offer second-hand or refurbished ...

Redford firm fuels the burn with new exercise equipment
Mirror, MI - Jan 8, 2009
"Just a fantastic piece of equipment," said personal trainer Dan Prevost, who joined the company in September after auditioning for one of its fitness ...

Exercise equipment put to the test
abc7.com, CA - Jan 6, 2009
Quite a few of them are for exercise equipment that promises to get you looking great in no time. But do they? Fitness machines in TV infomercials promise ...
Consumer Reports: Big Promises of Some Infomercial Exercise ... PR Newswire (press release)
all 11 news articles

Subway contest to award local school with exercise equipment
KVIA, TX - Jan 7, 2009
The Subway Restaurants' Fitness Challenge will provide local elementary schools (K-5) with the opportunity to win $1000 in new exercise equipment. ...

Burn More Calories in Less Time? Exercise at Higher Levels of ...
PR Leap (press release), CA - 18 hours ago
Cybex International, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of premium exercise equipment for commercial and consumer use. The CYBEX product line includes a full ...

New York Times

Moving From Team Sport to Lifelong Fitness
New York Times, United States - 39 minutes ago
... donations and fund-raisers to bring in $1.3 million to open the fitness center in the high school and help pay for equipment and staff training. ...

Business Wire (press release)

NeuroActive Bike: America’s First and Only Mind-Body Fitness ...
Business Wire (press release), CA - Jan 6, 2009
To keep both the mind and the body in top shape, Dr. Bergeron recommends three to four 20-minute sessions per week on this unique fitness equipment, ...

Want to Get Fit? Don't Buy Exercise Equipment...
Male Pattern Fitness - Jan 6, 2009
So if you spring for a piece of home exercise equipment, you're actually less likely to stick with a new exercise program than if you joined a gym, say, ...

If you could have just one piece of exercise equipment in your ...
IdahoStatesman.com, ID - Jan 5, 2009
... muscle can be overlooked in the emphasis on cardio workouts, says Lance Henning, manager of Gym Outfitters, a Boise-based fitness equipment dealership. ...

The Flint Journal - MLive.com

Snap Fitness in Holly makes staying fit easy for residents
The Flint Journal - MLive.com, MI - 9 hours ago
Snap Fitness equipment includes treadmills, elliptical trainers, bikes, strength-training machines and free weights. "Holly has never had a gym before," ...
fitness equipment - Google News


PARLOT.COM: Turnkey Money Making websites

Who Says You Can?t Use Commercial Treadmills At Home?

Commercial treadmills are the machines that you see in gyms... Read More

Proform - The Highly Recognized Name in Treadmills

Proform is a highly recognized name in treadmills. Proform has... Read More

Can I Lose Weight with an Elliptical Trainer?

Many people begin a fitness program to lose weight. Sure,... Read More

Star Trac TR4500HR Treadmill - A Review

When you're searching for a treadmill for your home or... Read More

Tanita Body Fat Monitors

An ordinary scale can tell you your weight, but what... Read More

6 Advantages of Free Weights Over Exercise Machines

Meet Sarah.About a year ago, Sarah saw an infomercial about... Read More

Features of Keys Treadmills

Keys treadmills have managed to build an impressive product range... Read More

Electronic Treadmills

Electronic treadmills could just as easily be called treadmills with... Read More

Best Elliptical Trainer - Elliptical Secrets of Success

Thinking about purchasing an elliptical trainer? Wondering how an elliptical... Read More

Have a Ball With Stability Ball Exercise

Whether you call them a stability ball, swiss ball, or... Read More

Who Else Knows These Facts About Trampolines

"El trampolino" was the Mexican word for "diving board", and... Read More

Treadmills ? Ideal For Home Exercise

Treadmills are ideal for exercising from home. They can be... Read More

7 Essential Reasons You Should Have a Home Gym

The home gym is an amazing resource that you should... Read More

Epic t60 treadmill

The Epic T60 Treadmill - Putting New Limits On EconomyThe... Read More

Save Money on Treadmills by Avoiding These 5 Marketing Traps

There are lots of great marketing people in the treadmill... Read More

Have Fun With The Nordic Track Elliptical Trainer

The Nordic Track elliptical is a lower end priced machine.... Read More

How to Choose an Elliptical Trainer that Suits Your Needs

When choosing an elliptical trainer, you'll want to consider a... Read More

How to Choose the Best Treadmill for Your Lifestyle

When choosing a treadmill (or any piece of exercise equipment... Read More

Ironman Treadmills

Ironman Treadmills - For The Guy Who Does The IroningIronman... Read More

Elliptical Workout vs. Treadmill Workout

An elliptical workout differs from a treadmill workout in a... Read More

Ironman Triad Treadmill

The Ironman Triad treadmill is a made-in-Taiwan exercise demon that... Read More

Types of Exercise Equipment

Depending on the kind of exercise you want to do,... Read More

Fitness Goals For Dummies

Health-buffs that have been using exercise equipments are surely no... Read More

Best Home Gyms Tips

Best home gymsIt isn't always easy to find the best... Read More

Is A Heart Rate Monitor Right For You?

Exercise equipment, like Bowflex, Body by Jake etc., has advanced... Read More