Schwinn A40 High Speed Elliptical Machine

You already know about the mental and physical benefits of exercise, but it’s tougher for some people to break a sweat. If you’re recovering from an injury, exercising with chronic pain or just new to working out, you’ll want a routine that’s simple to learn and easy on your joints. Elliptical machines are an accessible alternative to treadmills, stair climbers and stationary bikes.

Elliptical machines are standalone exercise machines that mimic the movements of running, stair climbing or skiing. They are very low-impact, so they won’t aggravate existing injuries to your joints, and you don’t need any special training to use one. 

“An elliptical machine is a fantastic piece of cardio equipment that is simple to use and great for burning calories,” says Stephanie Mansour, personal trainer and host of “Step It Up With Steph” on public broadcasting. “It’s great for people with knee issues, joint pain, hip issues, or anything preventing them from walking or running.”

Most ellipticals offer a full-body workout. You can push your legs, glutes and calves to the limit with the machine’s gliding pedals, then you tone your biceps, triceps and upper back with the elliptical’s ski pole-inspired handles. 

“Look for the arm handles,” says Mansour. “Do they move or are they stationary? If you’re looking for an arm workout, look for the arm handles that move.”

There are three major categories of elliptical machines. “Rear drive” ellipticals have a large flywheel behind the foot pedals. The pedals are usually in a track-and-roller configuration or they’re suspended on long arms between the drive wheel and handgrips. Some users say that rear-drive ellipticals feel more like natural walking or running than other types of ellipticals. They tend to have the longest “strides” of all ellipticals, with more lateral movement and less vertical motion. Many rear-wheel-drive models also offer an incline feature to add another layer of difficulty to your workout.

“Center drive” ellipticals have drive wheels in the middle of the machine. The pedals ride on cylindrical rollers and a crankshaft. Center-drive ellipticals have a rounder, bouncier and shorter stride than rear-drive ellipticals. 

The flywheel on “front-drive” ellipticals is stationed in front of the pedals. The pedals glide forward and backward on tracks. Front-drive ellipticals have much shorter stride lengths than rear or center-drive ellipticals. This makes them very compact, and the motion feels more like a stair climber. Front-drive ellipticals are more affordable than most rear or center-drive machines. 

There are a few other types of ellipticals that fall outside of these three categories. Some ellipticals don’t have a flywheel at all. These machines rely on the momentum from your feet, hands and arms to get moving. Sometimes they’ll have a support pad for your abdominals to help you keep your spine straight and maintain your balance as you exercise. These ellipticals are very lightweight and convenient, but they don’t have any digital settings to play with.

Under-desk ellipticals are portable machines with two pedal footpads on tracks. You can use them standing in place or sneak them under your desk for a workout at the office. They have very short strides, creating a round, energetic gait. They’re incredibly popular due to their convenience and easy setup.

Now that you know your elliptical basics, stride over to the Tips & Advice section for more detailed notes.

• Elliptical machines can be your best friend if you’ve just started exercising or if you have problems with your knees, hips and back. However, you should always ask your doctor before you start or change a workout program, especially if you have joint problems or nagging injuries.
• Ellipticals are for everyone! “The elliptical machine is so beneficial for people looking for a good form of cardio that anyone at any age could benefit from using it to exercise,” says Mansour. “Elderly people and teenagers alike can work this easy-to-understand machine to speed up their metabolism, burn fat, build muscle, and get their heart rate up.”
• Your elliptical machine’s stride length is one of its most important features. A too-short stride length creates tight, awkward movement. A too-long stride length can pull muscles in your legs or hyperextend your knees. Your height determines the stride length you should look for. If you’re 5’3” or shorter, shoot for an elliptical with a stride length of 18 inches or less. If you’re 5’7” or taller, look for an elliptical with a minimum stride length of 20 inches. 
• Many elliptical machines have a screen with digital controls. You can modify the resistance and incline, time your laps, track your distance, choose from custom workout programs and more. Go for an elliptical with many different settings options if you want to track your progress and change up your routines. 
• Measure the length, width and height of your available space before you buy. Make sure to include estimates for any extra room you’ll need to accommodate moving pedals and handles. “Keep in mind that this is not a small piece of equipment; you’ll need to find a space for it in your home, office, basement, or wherever,” Mansour says. “You cannot fold it to make it smaller. However, this does mean that it’s very sturdy and durable and will last a very long time.”
  Fear not; you can almost certainly find one for a smaller space if you opt for a front-wheel-drive model or a portable under-desk version. 
• Many elliptical trainers have heart rate monitors built into the handgrips. This isn’t as helpful as it sounds: handgrip heart rate monitors are notoriously unreliable. If you want to track your heart rate throughout your workout, use your smartwatch (or better yet, a chest-strap monitor). 
• You should feel challenged at the mid-range settings on your elliptical trainer. That way you have room to increase the difficulty as you get stronger, and you can drop down to lower settings when you need a break. 
• Check out your elliptical’s weight before you order it. Full-size elliptical trainers can be well over 100 pounds. Make sure that you have another person at home to help you if you need to lift it or assemble heavy parts.
• All ellipticals should have a weight limit listed in their specifications. Make sure that your current weight falls under that limit before you buy. If you use a machine that you’re too heavy for, you could wind up damaging the elliptical or hurting yourself.
• Mansour recommends testing ellipticals out in person by going very fast to make sure you feel sturdy on the machine. “If the machine feels or sounds wobbly, look for a sturdier machine,” she says.
• Try to check out the assembly instructions before you buy your elliptical. You can find many instruction manuals with a quick internet search. Do you have all of the tools you need? Will you need a second person to “spot” you? Is it too complicated to put together without professional help? Answering these questions before you buy will save you time and stress later. 
• Wipe down your elliptical regularly with disinfectant wipes or spray cleaners. Follow any included instructions for cleaning the pedal tracks and flywheel, too. 
• Carefully examine the warranty and return policy before you click “Complete Purchase.” Ellipticals can be heavy and expensive, and you want to make sure you understand all of the fine print before you pay.