More comfort equals more use

If you buy an elliptical trainer and don’t try it out until you get home - where you realize it’s not comfortable - you’ll never get your money’s worth, no matter how good of a deal it was. Spending a bit of time to ensure an elliptical has all the right features will save you a lot of regret and help you on your path to fitness.

Important equipment considerations

•    Moving arms - Some elliptical trainers come with moveable arms so you get a full-body workout and burn more calories. Others have only stationary arms and some have both. Figure out which you prefer.
•    Space/size - Measure out the length and width of the space where you plan to place the elliptical.
You’ll need to add some room at the sides for getting on and off the equipment comfortably and at the front if it has moving handlebars. Make sure you have room for a machine before getting it shipped to your home.
•    Machine mobility - Some elliptical have wheels for easier movement, which is great if you plan to transport it between a living room and bedroom. Find out how much it weighs and if it has any easy move features. Some have to be taken apart, which can be a hassle.
•    Weight limit - If the elliptical you’re eyeing up has a weight limit of 200 lbs and you weigh 190, look for a model that accommodates more weight. Many people prefer to assume cardio machines will handle less weight than stated to be on the safe side.
•    Power source - Some ellipticals plug in to an outlet, while other machines power their console, incline and resistance changes with user-generated power or a battery.

Comfort and performance considerations

•    Incline - Variable incline uduslly isn’t found on ellipticals under $1000, but there are a few that offer it. Nordic Track is one company that has a mid-priced elliptical with variable incline. Incline is beneficial because it adds variety and challenge and lets you work your muscles in different ways.
•    Pedal distance - Stride length isn’t the only thing that can affect the comfort of an elliptical. The further pedals are spaced apart, the less comfortable your ride will be, especially if you’re short. Sole is one company that is actively trying to improve its foot pedals. They added a 2 degree inward slope and offer a wide variety of foot pedal angle adjustments that they claim can reduce toe numbness and other discomfort elliptical users experience.
•    Handle distance - One problem small users may have is elliptical handles that are uncomfortably far away, meaning they have to bend or lean forward. This can make the experience less than ideal.

So now you know how to tell if it’ll be a comfortable ride, but what about all the neat gadgets and programming options the new generation of elliptical machines boast? There are some essential programs and console features that are sure to make your ride more entertaining.