Gym Gear

Top 7 Elliptical trainers under $1000

What is the best elliptical trainer if you want to spend less than $1000? Here are our top 7 recommendations.

Woman training on a sub-$1000 elliptical machine
Travis

By: Travis

Hi, I am Travis. My main focus in life is to understand training better and help others get better results too. I used to be about the least fit kid in school and would always be last to get picked for a team. It wasn't for a lack of trying, but all my efforts just lead to injuries

For years, I had completely given up on ever getting in shape. Then I began to use my brain before using my muscles. I read every popular book on exercise, and began to structure my training.

With the right training methods, and the right machines, I was able to rebuild my body from the ground up.

According to science, I would never be able to walk pain-free again. And I would never be able to do 20 pull-ups with the injuries to my rotator cuff. But they were al wrong.

This site is where you can find all my tips and recommendations.

An elliptical is a popular piece of exercise equipment. They provide both a cardio workout and high-intensity exercise. With an elliptical, you can burn as many as 400 calories in a 30-minute workout, which can help you lose weight.

Another reason so many people love ellipticals is that they can help you get in an upper body and lower body workout at the same time. Ellipticals also allow for a low-impact workout, making them an excellent choice for people with joint problems or those looking to avoid them in the future.

If you've been thinking about getting an elliptical but don't want to spend a lot, you've come to the right place! We've reviewed seven of the best ellipticals that are all reasonably priced at less than $1,000. Read through our reviews to determine which model will help you meet your workout goals!

Woman training on the Horizon Fitness 7.0 AE Control module of the Horizon 7 AE Elliptical trainer Horizon Fitness 7.0 AE elliptical machine

The Horizon Fitness 7.0 AE features smart fitness technology to help make your workout more enjoyable. This intelligent technology includes the elliptical's Bluetooth speakers and the ability to connect with the apps you use to track your health and fitness goals.

This product offers 20 different levels of resistance for you to choose from. You can adjust both the resistance level and incline with the controls on handlebars and dashboard.

Another feature of this item that you'll enjoy is the 23-pound flywheel that will help ensure the elliptical operates smoothly to provide an enjoyable workout experience. This product also features a Certified Six-Star Frame to keep you comfortable and ensure your body remains in an ideal position throughout your workout.

Your purchase of this elliptical is backed with a lifetime warranty that covers the brakes and the frame. Horizon Fitness also offers customers a 30-day guarantee. If you decide this product isn't for you, you can return it for a refund within your first 30 days.


Pros:

  • Heavy, 23-pound flywheel
  • Bluetooth speakers
  • Can connect with the fitness tracking apps you use
  • 20 different resistance levels
  • Included a heart rate monitor
  • Included a heart rate monitor
  • 30-day satisfaction guarantee

Const

  • A bit pricier than other models

Product Features:

  • Number of Resistance Levels: 20
  • Incline: Motorized
  • Stride Length: 20 inches
  • Foldable: No
  • Key Features: integrated Bluetooth speakers, connectivity with fitness apps, 23-pound flywheel, Certified Six-Star Frame, 30-day satisfaction guarantee

Woman working out on Nautilus Elliptical Trainer E616 Control module for the Nautilus E616 elliptical Nautilus E616 elliptical machine

Another excellent option you'll want to consider is the Nautilus E616. This model comes programmed with 29 different workout programs and 25 different resistance levels to help you get the workout you both want and need. It features a perimeter weighted flywheel to ensure each workout meets your needs and that the elliptical operates smoothly.

The console is Bluetooth-enables and designed to connect with the Explore the World App. This app will let you keep track of the distance you traveled, the number of calories you burned, and how long each workout lasted. You can also sync your workout data from the Nautilus with a variety of fitness apps to help you track your progress towards reaching your goals.

This elliptical machine also comes with some very convenient features like in-console speakers, an mp3 connection port, USB charging, a media shelf, and an adjustable fan.


Pros:

  • 29 different workout programs
  • Perimeter weighted flywheel
  • 25 resistance levels
  • Bluetooth-enable console
  • In-console speakers
  • MP3 and USB ports
  • Adjustable fan

Const

  • The appearance of the screen doesn't match the other technological advancements incorporated into this product.

Product Features:

  • Number of Resistance Levels: 25
  • Incline: Motorized
  • Stride Length: 20 inches
  • Foldable: No
  • Key Features: Bluetooth connectivity with Explore the World and other fitness apps for tracking progress and goals, perimeter weighted flywheel, integrated speakers and MP3 port, adjustable shelf, USB port

Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Elliptical Trainer SF-E3865 Side view of the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E3865

The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E3865 is a more basic, yet effective elliptical. This model comes with 12 pre-loaded workout programs.

There are also seven different workout modes to choose form. You can choose to train for a target heart rate or specific watt output, for example. You may also want to put the machine in the manual mode to adjust any of the workout variables to customize your experience.

This product features an increased stride length over previous versions. The increased stride length can help improve your range of motion and stimulate the large muscles in your body. A tablet holder and water bottle holder are included on the console of this product.


Pros:

  • Comes with 12 pre-loaded workout programs
  • There are seven different workout modes
  • Increased stride length to improve your range of motion and stimulate large muscles
  • Tablet holder
  • Water bottle holder

Const

  • No smart connectivity with music players or fitness tracking apps

Product Features:

  • Number of Resistance Levels: 16
  • Incline: N/A
  • Stride Length: 20 inches
  • Foldable: No
  • Key Features: 7 workout modes, 12 different workout programs, stride length helps stimulate muscle groups, table holder, water bottle holder

Teeter FreeStep Recumbent Cross Trainer and Elliptical

The Teeter FreeStep LT1 is a recumbent elliptical trainer. This model is designed to allow you to get in a full-body, cardio workout from a seated position. Working out from a seated position is especially beneficial to individuals with joint issues or pain.

This product features a special sliding motion designed to keep your hips and back stable while preventing your knees from going past your toes. This design helps ensure you remain comfortable and don't put unneeded stress on your knees.

The machine features a dial that allows you to adjust the resistance levels easily. It has an adjustable seat to make sure users of different heights, and body types are able to find a comfortable position to work out. This product is also battery-powered, so you won't need to worry about loose cords getting in the way or trying to place it near an outlet.


Pros:

  • The recumbent design allows you to work out from a seated position
  • Reduced impact on your joints
  • Can achieve a full-body workout
  • Adjustable seat
  • Battery-powered

Const

  • Not as many resistance levels as some other models

Product Features:

  • Number of Resistance Levels: Adjustable using a dial
  • Incline: N/A
  • Stride Length: 10 inches
  • Foldable: No
  • Key Features: Seated trainer to further reduce the impact on joints, sliding motion to keep your hips and back stable, dial to easily adjust resistance, adjustable seat, battery-powered

Schwinn 470 Compact Elliptical Machine Control interface of the elliptical trainer by Schwinn Schwinn 470 trainer

The Schwinn 470 offers a lot of great features to help you enjoy a dynamic workout. It has 25 different resistance levels and offers 29 pre-programmed workout programs for you to choose from. You can connect the elliptical to the Schwinn Trainer app and your other favorite fitness tracking apps via Bluetooth.

With this model, you'll also be able to sync with the Run Social App. With this app, you'll be able to run through 27 different routes in 19 different locations virtually. You will be 'running' with other people from all around the globe.

You'll also enjoy the built-in speakers with MP3 port, USB charging port, media shelf, and adjustable fan that come with this model.


Pros:

  • 29 workout programs
  • 25 resistance levels
  • Connects to fitness tracking apps over Bluetooth
  • Can connect with Run Social App
  • Built-in speakers with MP3 port
  • Adjustable fan

Const

  • The screen is not backlit

Product Features:

  • Number of Resistance Levels: 25
  • Incline: Motorized
  • Stride Length: 20 inches
  • Foldable: No
  • Key Features: 29 workout programs, Bluetooth connectivity with the Schwinn Trainer app, Run Social App, and other fitness tracking apps, speakers with MP3 port, USB charging port, media shelf

Woman working out on Schwinn 411 elliptical machine Control module for the Schwinn 411 Schwinn 411 elliptical trainer

If you're looking for a compact, yet quality, elliptical to help you train and tone your body, consider the Schwinn 411. The compact design will make it easier to fit in tighter spaces than many other products you'll find. It offers 16 easily adjustable resistance levels to help you customize your workout to your needs.

There are heart rate sensors on the handlebars to keep track of your heart rate and make sure it is in the correct range to maximize your workout results. The elliptical has a dashboard that displays the distance you've traveled, the number of calories you've burned, your current speed, your heart rate, and how long you've been working out.

This machine has a 300-pound capacity.


Pros:

  • Heart rate sensors on handlebars
  • Dashboard displays distance, time, calories, heart rate, and speed
  • Compact design
  • 300-pound capacity

Const

  • Fewer resistance levels than other models

Product Features:

  • Number of Resistance Levels: 16
  • Incline: Motorized
  • Stride Length: 18 inches
  • Foldable: No
  • Key Features: Heart rate sensors on handlebars, a dashboard to display your distance, speed, calories burned, heart rate, and workout time as you exercise, compact design, 300-pound capacity.

Woman training on Proform Elliptical machine Control module of the Proform 520E ProForm PFEL55916 Endurance 520 E Elliptical,black

You'll enjoy a vigorous and refreshing workout with the ProForm Endurance 520 E elliptical. This model features a 15-pound Effective Inertia Enhanced flywheel to deliver an optimal workout experience. It has 18 different resistance levels and a motorized power ramp that can be adjusted between 0 and 20 degrees.

The 7-inch color touchscreen display will help you keep track of your progress and modify the settings. To make your workouts more interesting, you can connect any mp3 player to the integrated sound system. The machine comes with a tablet holder and a heart rate monitor.

The frame is made from solid steel and has a 300-pound capacity. There are front-mounted transport wheels to help if you need to move the elliptical around in your room.


Pros:

  • 24 resistance levels
  • Power ramp is adjustable between 0 and 20 degrees
  • 7-inch color touchscreen
  • Integrated sound system
  • Heart rate monitor
  • 300-pound capacity

Const

  • You may also need to invest in an iFit subscription to get the most out of this option.

Product Features:

  • Number of Resistance Levels: 18
  • Incline: Motorized
  • Stride Length: 19 inches
  • Foldable: No
  • Key Features: Effective Inertia Enhanced flywheel, 0- to 20-degree adjustable power ramp, built-in speakers, heart rate monitor, 300-pound capacity, lifetime warranty for the frame, 3-year warranty for the parts, 1-year labor warranty.

Is an elliptical good for the knees?

Yes, ellipticals are much easier on your knees than other forms of exercise. When you use an elliptical, you are engaging in a low-impact exercise. On the other hand, running on a treadmill (or outside) can stress your knees and joints. Regularly using an elliptical may actually help you strengthen the muscles that are around your knees. This is because the cardio workout you get when you use an elliptical helps increase blood flow to your knees' cartilage.

What muscles does an elliptical machine work?

You may be surprised to hear it, but an elliptical can work numerous muscle groups in your whole body. Your glutes and hamstrings get a workout when your legs move back, and your quadriceps get a workout as your leg moves forward. You also need to engage your core muscles to help maintain your balance and alignment. Additionally, your arm muscles receive a nice workout as you push and pull the handles on the elliptical.

Will an elliptical help lose belly fat?

Yes, you can lose belly fat when you work out using an elliptical. Fat is burned when your body engages in cardio exercises that increase your heart rate and make your blood pump more quickly. When you exercise on an elliptical, this is exactly what happens. As you are boosting your heart rate and sweating, you are burning calories. The longer your workout lasts, the more calories you can burn, and the more belly fat you'll be able to get rid of.

How effective is elliptical for weight loss?

Since you can burn so many calories when you exercise on an elliptical, they can be very helpful if you're trying to lose weight. In order to achieve more noticeable results, you will want to work out for at least 30 to 60 minutes five days a week (you may need to slowly increase the frequency or duration of your exercises to help you reach this goal). A person weighing around 125 pounds can burn around 270 calories on an elliptical in 30 minutes, and a person weighing around 185 pounds can burn 400 calories in 30 minutes.

Does an elliptical help tone buttocks?

Ellipticals can be used to help you tone your buttocks. If your goal in using your elliptical is to tone your glutes, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, you will want to set the elliptical to a higher resistance level, since it will help you build more muscle. As you are working out on the elliptical, make sure your whole foot stays flat against the footpad. You should also press your foot down at your heels during your workout to improve the results you get.

Final Verdict

An elliptical is an excellent purchase to make if you're looking to burn fat, tone muscle, and enjoy a low-impact, whole-body workout. While all seven of the ellipticals we reviewed are great options, we selected the Horizon Fitness 7.0 AE as our top pick. This is a quality item that is packed with features you're sure to love.

It has 20 different resistance levels to choose from and an easy to adjust incline that will help you target different muscle groups and increase your workouts' intensity. The elliptical's 23-pound flywheel will help ensure that the machine moves smoothly and evenly for you. We also love that this product features integrated Bluetooth speakers so you can listen to your favorite music as you work out.

The Horizon Fitness 7.0 AE is a great option for you to consider when you're looking for a reasonably priced, yet high-performing elliptical. Why not place your order today so you can get started with your new workout routine?