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An Elliptical Consumer Report to Guide Exercise Machine Buyers

The popularity of ellipticals has created a huge market for these products that offers a variety of brands. The numerous names and styles offered commercially can confuse consumers who are planning to purchase one of these gadgets. To guide buyers on how they should go about buying one of these machines, here is an elliptical consumer report.

Elliptical exercisers or elliptical trainers are exercise machines that are part stair climber and part cross-country ski device. They have become popular among physical fitness enthusiasts for being easy to use and for being better at protecting the joints of users as compared with other exercise equipment. They also burn calories as effectively as treadmill machines with less effort and time input required. Elliptical trainers are ideal for people who are into exercise in a moderate level. For beginners, the device can be a little difficult to maneuver; while for higher level exercisers, they might not provide enough workout challenge.

The market for elliptical exercisers has expanded since the latter part of the 1990s. Brands like Precor, ProForm, Schwinn and Horizon are just a few that can be found in the market. The prices of these products range from $299.99 to over $1,000. Those that sell for less than $1,000 are sold at mass retailers like Sears and the Sports Authority, while those that range from over $1,000 to $2,000 are distributed by specialty sports stores and online sellers. The high-end machines (those priced above $1,000) have a more solid feel and a smoother operation. Most of them use magnetic resistance, have more features and are known for being made out of high-quality parts. On the other hand, ellipticals sold below the $1,000 range are the ones often marketed to home users. Instead of magnetic resistance, the lower-level types use bands around the flywheel to provide users with workout value.

Consumers can experience the best that these machines have to offer if they go to gyms and health clubs where the best models are used. Reviewers of the products have warned against quality problems in most machines sold to home users. Some of the more common quality problems are clunking sounds and occasional broken parts. For consumers buying the products for home use, a longer warranty is recommended. The buyers are also cautioned against models that have narrow pedals and arms that have unsteady movements.

An elliptical consumer report is meant to guide buyers in their purchases and increase their knowledge about the products that they are planning to buy, but it would still be better if the buyer tests the machine first and get the feel of how to use it before paying for the product.