The 7 Best Ellipticals of 2020

How amazing would you feel if you actually owned an elliptical that you love to use? Pretty Amazing, right?! After nearly two decades of experience in the fitness industry selling exercise equipment, designing beautiful home gyms, and being multiply certified as a personal trainer and equipment repair technician I believe it's fair to say that I have a unique breadth and depth of knowledge and insights when it comes to exercise equipment and how to use it. And I’m going to lean into that experience and share a little secret to answer your primary question…

Precor has always been a favorite of mine. If you aren’t aware Precor stands for Precision Corporation which I believe perfectly exemplifies their approach to fitness. Precor takes everything into account down to where your sweat falls. I’ve yet to find a manufacturer that puts that degree of thought and effort into their equipment, and it shows. So why the EFX447 in particular? Here’s the highlights,

1. It’s built to last. With a 10 year parts and 1 year labor warranty you know that the company stands behind their product. And truth be told, as our family business has been selling them for 30 years, they generally well outlive their warranty.
2. It is as close to humanly perfect as possible to being designed to move the way that you move. It is fluid. It is quiet. It is smooth. It truly offers and unparalleled user experience. 
3. It has up to forty degrees of electronically adjustable elevation which is important because it is a true elliptical cross-trainer. More variety equals less adaption which trends towards better results. 
4. It has convertible arms which serves two benefits. One, oftentimes in a household one user may like a unit with moving arms while the other user prefers a unit without - this feature serves both parties. From an exercise-science standpoint I like to leverage the feature such that when I’m performing HIIT workouts (high intensity interval training) I engage the arms so I can consciously push and pull and really amplify the intensity. Or if I’m going for a slower, longer duration I’ll disengage the moving arms and swing my own arms independently which can have advantages for your balance. So… win/win/win/win? Whatever, it's a win.

Again, I love the Precor products. They are not right for everyone, but they are the best for most people. So if you want a product that you can confidently rely upon to deliver kick-a** workouts every day for you and you’re entire family the Precor EFX447 is an outstanding choice. Click here to order your Precor EFX447 Today!

I’ve fallen in love with Spirit Fitness products as a whole, and the CE850 elliptical doesn’t disappoint. With a simple mission to provide customers with the highest quality equipment at the best value they continually accomplish everything that they set out to achieve. The Spirit CE850 sets the standard for reliability with it's robust commercial quality frame and advanced features like an electronically adjustable stride, it is built to last and designed to meet the unique needs of most home exercisers. Some of my favorite features include:

1. 
   It offers a smooth ride and extensive data feedback.
2. It has an electronically adjustable stride length from 18 to 24 inches in ½ increments allowing it to accommodate a wide range of user heights while simultaneously allowing you to cross-train and get more variety in your workouts.
3. While multi-position hand grips may not seem important for anyone that has used an elliptical before and found the hand positions not quite right you are sure to find a place that is comfortable and befitting of your unique body. 
4. The CE850 boasts a robust commercial frame offering an outstanding home warranty with lifetime frame, 10 years parts and 1 year labor warranty - coupled with the right supplier to support your needs if you have any issues you can expect the unit (and your investment) to last a long, long time. 

Spirit has never disappointed me when it comes to reliability, functionality or customer service. If you want an outstanding elliptical that’s a little easier on your budget make the Spirt CE850 elliptical your first choice. Click here to order yours.

Best for Total Body Workout: Octane Q47 Elliptical - $4,599

Octane is another outstanding manufacturer and innovator in the fitness industry. What I love specifically about Octane’s approach to product development is that they take otherwise single-dimensional products and make them more adaptive by integrating options for cross-training like step off platforms, independent band kits and supporting apps so you can get much more than just a traditional cardiovascular workout. Some features that make the Octane Q47 elliptical the best for total body workouts are:

1. The Octane Fitness Q47 elliptical smart stride feature automatically adjusts the stride length to replicate walking, jogging and running. It mimics what you do naturally outside. Not only does this feel comfortable, but it adds variety and challenge to workouts.
2. Console Technology - Your workout command center is simple to navigate, whether you’re choosing Quick Start or an advanced workout - or whether you are using Bluetooth connectivity or SmartLink. And with built in Workout Booster or CROSS CIRCUIT you get simple, smarter training.
3. The Q47 has unique step-off platforms allowing you to straddle the moving pedals so that you can work your upper body completely independent of the lower body. So whether you are looking to truly cross-train or want to effectively isolate the upper body to enhance muscle tone it sets the stage for a truly unique and adaptive workout.
4. In addition to the step-off platforms Octane included resistance band kits and the Octane app (paired with your favorite phone or tablet) to provide a dynamic and exciting workout experience. In other words, you’ll never be bored.

In certain instances the smallest changes can create monumental improvements to your workout experience, and this is where Octane outperforms the competition. They’ve manufactured most of their equipment to move beyond the single-dimensional nature of the elliptical to become a true total body cross-trainer. If you want to be able to effectively work your entire body with one machine the Octane Q47 should be your first choice. Click here to order yours today.

Best for Stride Length Adjustment: SportsArt E840 Elliptical - $4,595

SportsArt may be a company that you have never heard but that should not sway you from investing in their incredible products. Our family owned retail store was one of the first suppliers in the United States to acquire the SportsArt products over 30 years ago and we’ve been consistently impressed with their products ever since. One of my favorite aspects of SportsArt fitness products is that every component is made by SportsArt for SportsArt, a unique and uncommon approach in the industry that leads to some of the best equipment produced. Some of my favorite features are:

1. 
   Adjustable Stride Length (would you have guessed?) from 17 - 26” in 1” increments. The massive range of adjustability is sure to accommodate a wide variety of users while maximizing workout variability to ensure that you always get the most from your exercise. 
2. MyFlex pedal cushioning - most of us are aware (and drawn to) the low impact nature of ellipticals and SportsArt did an outstanding job taking it one step further with their MyFlex pedal cushioning system that provides just enough extra give for a near flawless exercise experience.
3. Warranty - Another product that is built to last (are you noticing a theme here?). With a light commercial frame construction and 10 year home warranty SportsArt puts their money where their mouth is. Your investment is sure to stand the test of time and provide years, or better yet decades, of home exercise for you and your family.
4. Cardio Advisor - when you pair wireless heart rate monitoring with SportsArt’s Cardio Advisor feature you can take the guesswork out of exercise and let the machine do the thinking for you. Cardio Advisor will automatically adjust the resistance to keep you in the ideal heart rate zone to meet your goals. Think of it like having your own built-in personal trainer.

If you are looking for an elliptical with a dynamic and comfortable adjustable stride look no further. The SportsArt E840 provides a quiet and comfortable workout experience that is sure to impress even the most fickle exercisers. Want to get one for your home? Click here to order yours today!

Best Recumbent Elliptical: Octane Xr6 Classic Recumbent Elliptical - $3,499

While a recumbent elliptical might be new news to you, it has become one our personal favorites (and believe me, I never thought I’d say a seated piece of equipment would become one of my favorites as a personal trainer) and best selling units at our family retail store Fitness Gear + Training. One of the things we and our customer have loved about it so much is that you have the ability to work the upper body completely independent of the lower body. And because of the seated positioning it can also be a very effective form of core exercise as well. Some of the standout features of the Octane Xr6 Classic are:

1. 
   PowerStroke Technology - The defining feature that sets the xRide recumbent elliptical apart from recumbent bikes is Octane’s 16" PowerStroke technology. PowerStroke allows for optimal leg extension and power drive, delivering more muscle engagement.Due to its innovative design, xRide users demonstrate more activity in their glutes and have the potential for increased calorie burn during workouts.
2. Classic Console with Workout Boosters - With it's simple console design, the xR6 Classic displays all essential workout data without the extra bells-and-whistles.

Use the Workout Boosters on the xR6 Classic console to turn it into your own personal trainer. Whether you want to work your upper-body, lower-body or your whole body, the Chest Press, Leg Press and Muscle Endurance programs are specifically designed to provide variety, motivation and results.

1. Functional Comfort - The xR6 Classic is designed to provide maximum comfort while also yielding an unmatched workout. To accomplish this, the cushioned seat is set at a 45-degree angle to help open the hip flexors and torso for more comfort and less stress on the lower back.For optimum fit for any size user, the xR6 Classic has 20 seat height positions and 5 seat tilt settings. These multiple height and tilt options also enable exercisers to utilize different leverage points for targeted muscular endurance conditioning.
2. Unbeatable Design - Loaded with features exclusive to Octane Fitness products, the workout experience on the xR6 Classic is unmatched; from the one-of-the-kind upper-body features to the lower-body comfort.Oversized pedals with soft grip texture provide a variety of comfortable foot placements to target muscle groups as you pedal forward or backward, and stationary foot pegs provide added versatility and facilitate upper-body only exercises.Patented Converging Path and MultiGrip handlebars better engage the upper body, for focused muscle engagement, and assist with custom-fitting every exerciser by allowing the upper body to move in the most natural, comfortable path.

While the thought of a recumbent elliptical may have never crossed your mind (or awareness for that matter), it should. This compact, dynamic and highly efficient machine is certain to provide you with the quality you deserve and the results you desire. Click here to order your Octane Xr6 today!

Best Elliptical Cross-Trainer: Precor AMT835 Adaptive Motion Trainer - $9,395

The Precor AMT835 Adaptive Motion Trainer was a CLOSE second as best in class for ellipticals. Candidly, the only thing that kept it from retaining the title of number one is the investment as does carry a bigger price tag, but it is an investment that pays for itself over and over. When you consider that the AMT is like combining a commercial grade elliptical, treadmill, stepper and bike all-in-one the price becomes a lot more reasonable. And if you’ve ever had the pleasure of using a Precor AMT you know why. Here are some of our favorite features:

1. 
   Adaptive Stride Length & Adjustable Stride Height (Open Stride™) - Open stride allows you to adjust the stride height from 6.8 to 10 inches and change your stride length at will from 0 - 36 inches, to virtually fit everyone regardless of size. With a combination of climbing, walking and running movements, moving hand bars and dual action movements between the legs and arms, the AMT will allow you to focus on different muscle groups for a total body, low-impact workout day in and day out.
2. Infinite Variability - The AMT835 with Open Stride provides you with an infinite range of stride paths to create a uniquely effective and personalized experience every time - all in one piece of equipment. 
3. Durability - With a warranty boasting Lifetime Frame & Welds, 10 years parts AND wear items, 3 years on the console and 1 year labor you can know for certain that your investment is one that is built to last and enjoy for many, many years to come. 

Ever since Precor re-engineered the original AMT to the model that we all know and love today (Precor made over 800 engineering changes, or more appropriately improvements, to the design) it has remained one of our personal favorites. So if you want the best in class and don’t mind investing a little bit more, make the Precor AMT835 your first choice. Click here to order your Precor AMT835 today!

Best Value: Spirit XE795 Elliptical - $2,399

The Spirit Fitness XE795 elliptical features a self-generating, space-saving design so you have no cords to worry about and you can place the product just about anywhere. With a natural stride and a stable frame it is sure to provide outstanding workouts on a machine that is engineered to last. Here’s a quick breakdown of some of the key features:

1. 
   Natural Stride - The XE795 features a 20” natural stride length and narrow pedal spacing to ensure and ideal stride motion.
2. Oversized/Cushioned Pedals & Cushioned Ergonomic Hand Grips - Both integrated to ensure comfort at the key touch points.
3. Self-Powered - Meaning no cords to worry about, so you can place the unit just about anywhere.
4. Sealed Roller Bearings & Dual Roller Wheels - To ensure a smooth and reliable workout.
5. Frame - The frame has been constructed as one solid welded piece from front to back for added stability and durability, while minimizing noise.

With a favorable price tag and solid, well built design this compact elliptical doesn’t compromise quality or ergonomics for size (which is RARE). If you want an elliptical for your home that is budget friendly, compact and built to last, make the Spirit XE795 your first choice. Click here to order your Spirit XE795 Elliptical today!

So, what’s the best elliptical? I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again… It’s the one that you will use. And the best way to know is visit your local specialty fitness dealer so you can test drive each of their pieces of cardiovascular equipment and make sure that you invest in the right product for your needs and get the long-time support that you deserve. 

Located in Washington? Stop by Fitness Gear + Training in Bellingham, WA to find the best elliptical for your needs today!