Last updated on July 26th, 2022 at 01:09 pm
Primarily, elliptical machines were introduced as an alternative to treadmill machines. Treadmill machines are of very high impact and cause your joints and knees to be ruined and that’s why a low-impact elliptical machine is what you will need if you want to get that workout in without endangering your physical health. However, this shouldn’t be your only reason to buy an elliptical machine as it does more than just save your joints.
It is a great source of workout that targets different muscle groups in your body including arms, legs, chest, back, etc. Some ellipticals come with curated and subscribed workouts, while others monitor your health through a Bluetooth connection and then some modest ellipticals give you an easy and quick workout without much hassle. It can not be ignored that many of these workout machines are extremely expensive and may even be beyond your reach and budget and that is why you can choose one elliptical machine under $500 from the following list.
Things to consider when buying an elliptical device
Elliptical Trainers are one of the most famous machines used for fitness purposes as it provides a rich workout targeting different varieties of muscles and fat areas. It is a kind of cross-training activity that is very effective but only if you manage to choose an elliptical that suits you. There should be many factors that you should weigh in before making the final decision of spending $500 on an elliptical machine. Hence, here is a list of factors you should consider before making this big purchase.
What is your goal?
First, you need to realize the reason you want to buy an elliptical machine. Review your goal and consider the goals of other people in your family who would want to use it as well (if you are buying it for the home). For running you would need an elliptical with non-impact movement while the old age users will need to benefit from the fluidity and ease of motion.
Budget
The price of a product is a big determinant of whether or not you should purchase it. For fitness machines, it is difficult to get a good quality machine within your budget. So you need to make sure that you research well and buy one that is fulfilling your requirements, is within our budget, and has high quality. Lucky for you, we have done all the research you would want and you just have to make a decision now.
Design
There are different models of an elliptical trainer like some are compact while others aren’t. The compact ones have wheels and can be folded and easily stored in a small space but the non-compact ones need a separate space for storage. It is hence essential that you choose a design keeping in mind the area of the space you plan to keep your elliptical in.
Console
This factor depends on your personal preference. If you want to workout with a whole entertainment unit so you will buy an elite elliptical machine with cell phone compatibility and internet. Most of the elliptical consoles have LCD screens of varying sizes and other features like cup holders, reading racks, accessory tray, or a built-in fan. Another thing to consider in the console is the number of workout programs and heart rate monitoring system. Elite elliptical machines have offline heart monitors and most of these machines also give you programs ranging from 8 to 29 programs depending on their price.
Warranty
Most of the companies that manufacture elliptical machines provide a lifetime warranty for their products. Hence you must check for the longest warranty life on the Amazon pages of each elliptical machine.
Brake, Resistance System & Flywheel
These three are the most important factors to look for when buying an elliptical machine. These systems control what the machine feels like, how loud it is, and how durable it is. The best elliptical machine would consist of eddy current brake systems, a system that uses magnets to create resistance and is one the most common and smoothest brake systems. This system will enable you to control resistance through a button on the handlebars or the consoles. The weight of the flywheel is also a significant factor since the higher the weight the better and smoother each stride will be.
Top 6 best elliptical machines under $500
1. Schwinn 411 Compact Elliptical Machine – best for small spaces
The Schwinn 411 is a great option for those who are short on space and yet require an elliptical machine. The overall size of the machine is compact and it can fit into any space even though it has an 18” stride. It might be smaller than the other machines on this list but you can still get an all-body workout from this one machine. Moreover, it only weighs 120lb meaning that it’s easier to move around than bigger and bulkier machines on this list.
The display is something to look forward to since there is a screen as well as a button panel to read from hence making this machine easy to use. Even though the interface is quite basic (which can be expected from a small-sized machine), the Schwinn 411 has a mixed-reality training app. which covers all bad things about it which is why it’s the best feature in this machine.
It doesn’t have a built-in screen but has a feature that enables the machine to be synced with the RunSocial app, allowing you access to 19 different locations and 27 routes through which you can connect with your friends and go on a ‘run’ together- from the safety of your home.
You get two sets of padded and fitted handlebars along with a heart rate monitoring system grip so that you can check the level of exertion. It also has 16 resistance levels enabling you to work hard and move from beginner to advanced level.
Even though the Schwinn 411 has only 13 programs, it is still pretty good all in one machine as you can choose whatever program you want depending on your type of workout. It is a modest machine with not many add-on features like a speaker but still runs smoothly and quietly which is great for an elliptical in this budget.
Pros
- Small and easy to store
- Efficient running systems
- Mixed training app
Cons
- No add-on benefits
- Not many programs
2. Magnetic Elliptical Trainer by Sunny Health & Fitness – the one with the best price
This elliptical machine by Sunny Health and Fitness is not only a great startup elliptical machine but also one of the cheapest on this list. It comes with a compact LCD monitor display that shows all sorts of information regarding the workout, for example, scan, speed, time, distance, calories, total distance, and even the pulse. Because the display works on batteries, it doesn’t need electricity saving you the hassle and difficulty.
There are only 8 levels of resistance, which by the way is more than enough for a machine of this size, and it even doesn’t have a wide range of programs to explore. However, it is still one of the best start-up machines for beginners who wants a low-impact cardiovascular workout that doesn’t put pressure on the joints.
The stride is about 11” which might seem small but is perfect for short users, for example, it would be a great choice for a medium-height woman, particularly someone of advanced years who just buys it for a gentle exercise machine rather than a fully tiring daily workout.
You get anti-slip textured foot platforms which are responsible for making the workout safe and comfortable. There are handlebar grips that count your pulse with its heart rate monitor so that you are aware of how the workout is going. The feet of the machine also have wheels and stabilizers to make the experience safer.
The machine weighs 68lb it has a weight capacity of 220lb, making it an easy to put together elliptical- ideal for those you have a shortage of time.
Pros
- Compact and small
- Easy to store
- Doesn’t work on electricity so promotes ease
Cons
- Not ideal for tall and bulky people
3. Schwinn A40 Elliptical Machine – best for beginners
Yet another great elliptical machine from Schwinn, with a small price but a lot to offer so if you’re in search of a good machine with basic elliptical features, compact trainers, and high performance at an affordable price, then this is the perfect one for you.
Even though this machine costs a lot more than the others, it has Schwinn’s great quality, 7 programs, 8 levels of resistance, and efficiency that is worth the money spent.
The LCD screen display is of recognizable size and provides all kinds of information on speed, time, RPM, distance, calories, results, and heart rate. It has a generous stride length of 17.5”, which is the best for anyone taller than 5”2 and wants to use the machine regularly.
The two sets of handlebars are ergonomically placed to provide versatility to your workouts. You also get a media rack plus speakers so that you can listen to music and podcasts when working out. It even has a higher weight capacity i.e. 275lb meaning that people with heavy muscles get a win!
The only downside is that the assembling of this machine will take a few hours which means time lost but since it’s a quality machine, installation time is understandable.
Pros
- High weight capacity
- Good for tall or middle-sized people
- High quality
Cons
- A bit expensive
- Takes time to assemble it
4. Stamina In-Motion Elliptical Trainer – compact and efficient
This elliptical machine is the best for you if you have a tight budget but need to add a workout routine into your life. It doesn’t have many differentiating features but it’s still a very great option if you’re just getting started with elliptical machines. It’s small in size with no handlebars or compartments, just the pedals which means you can easily store it in a small space in your office or house. You can use it while sitting on a chair in your office or on a sofa in your house while watching TV.
It’s just 23.6 x 19.7 x 10.6 inches and weighs only 25lb meaning that you can store it in a small cabinet which is best if you live in a small apartment. The In-Motion has large anti-slip pedals, making it safe to use whether you’re seated or standing. The set up is also very easy as you just need to take it out of the box and start using it.
It might prove to be difficult to read the display in a standing position considering that the LCD screen is very small. However, it does have all the basic functions and doesn’t even make much noise. The resistance levels can be adjusted manually. Plus, even though it’s a small machine it has a weight capacity of 240lb.
It is best utilized in a sitting position but can also be used while standing. However, it’s best to hold onto a handle or something if working out on it while standing for balance and safety. It is a great device for some but may not be the best for someone else who loves heavy workouts.
Pros
- A quite machine
- Very easy to store
- Good for light workout
Cons
- Not suitable for heavy workout
- Doesn’t have any add-ons
5. Body Power 2-in-1 Elliptical Stepper Trainer – A multi packaged machine
The StepTrac BST800 from Body Power is the kind of two in one device that challenges the conventional ways of at-home cross-training, with it’s a compact and affordable machine, combing both elliptical and stepper actions.
This results in an effective machine that has an elliptical’s low-impact movement and the intensity of the stepping feature. This machine delivers a real workout program that many of the ellipticals on this list may not be able to deliver. It has fixed handlebars with heart rate and pulse monitors on it so that you can see all your health data on the LCD. It’s Curve-Crank Technology feature makes the experience smooth and problem-free.
Pros
- Combination of two workout actions
- Smooth and quiet workout experience is available
- Has an LCD and a heart rate monitor
Cons
- time-consuming to install
- Can be difficult while using
6. Marcy Magnetic Elliptical Trainer – best workout station
This is the most suitable and perfect elliptical machine as it lets you train and workout your upper and lower body together at the same time. Marcy Magnetic elliptical trainer is the perfect elliptical as it targets and increases the strength of different muscle groups and allows you to work out at home, with harmony.
This workout machine is extremely innovative and productive with its 8 resistance levels that enable an exercise equal to walking, running, and climbing stairs. It comes with a tension knob that allows you to customize resistance levels during the workout.
Furthermore, it has a battery-powered computer LCD screen that shows you the time, distance, calories, and other important information. Equipped with vinyl-covered handles, this is a kind of home gym machine that lets you work out with ease and safety.
It has to transport wheels that ease the level of difficulty associated with setting up and also comes with a 2-year guarantee from the manufacturer.
Pros
- Good warranty period
- Suitable for heavy workout
Cons
- big and bulky
Conclusion
Here you have the list of the 6 best and most affordable elliptical machines in the market with amazing features and varying weight capacities. Some are for intense workout sessions while others suit those who need a light exercise system in their life. No matter what kind of person you are, what is your age, gender, or lifestyle, you will be able to find an elliptical machine that suits you with the help of this list we have gathered.
It might be hard to spend a big amount of money on something so it’s important to be sure that what you’re buying is worth it. Our list of 6 best elliptical machines under $500 will help you decide quicker and more efficiently. So stop worrying and make the decision best for your health, and don’t forget to comment about which one you chose.
FAQs
- Q1: Do ellipticals help lose belly fat?
A: yes it causes your body fat to burn and helps you lose weight and tone your muscles in a small period. - Q2: Which is the best exercise bike or elliptical?
A: While the bike burns more calories when used to do a high-intensity workout, the elliptical strengthens the muscle with the upper and lower body workout.
