The Best Ellipticals for Weight Loss: Machines and Workouts for You

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Cardiovascular workouts are essential for maintaining a healthy heart, and they are also an effective way to lose weight. Though the word ‘cardio’ may make you think of running, there are plenty of ways to get your heart rate up without hitting the pavement. One of the most effective ways is through cross training on an exercise machine like an elliptical.

Elliptical machines are a sort of hybrid between a bicycle and a treadmill. While you’re upright in a running motion, you stand on foot pedals that circulate both backward and forward, making this a lower impact workout than running on a treadmill. Additionally, you can adjust incline and resistance to change the intensity of the workout. They also typically have a set of moving handles which help to engage the entire body.

The best part of an elliptical workout is that it is low impact so you don’t have to worry about pounding on your knees, back or hips. This makes a high-intensity workout accessible to those that may find running painful and allows you to train harder for longer without worrying about a stress-based injury.

While all ellipticals will have similar elements, they are not all made the same. We rounded up nine of our favorites to help you find the best elliptical for weight loss for your budget, workout needs and space requirements.

Our Picks for the Best Elliptical for Weight Loss:

• Best Overall Elliptical for Weight Loss: Sole Fitness E95
• Best Interactive Training Elliptical for Weight Loss: NordicTrack FS10i
• Highest Weight Capacity Elliptical for Weight Loss: Sole Fitness E55
• Best Elliptical for Weight Loss Workouts: ProForm HIIT H14
• Best High-End Elliptical for Weight Loss: NordicTrack Commercial 14.9
• Best Budget Friendly Elliptical for Weight Loss: ProForm Carbon EL
• Best Compact Elliptical for Weight Loss: Bowflex Max Trainer M6
• Best Under Desk Elliptical for Weight Loss: Cubii Go Portable

Best Overall Elliptical for Weight Loss: Sole Fitness E95

Key Features:

• Flywheel weight: 27-pound flywheel
• Maximum user weight capacity: 400 pounds
• Dimensions: 71 inches high X 82 inches long X 31 inches wide
• Display: 10-inch LCD screen
• Price: $1,699
• Subscription required?: No, but a Sole Studio membership provides an interactive, trainer-led workout experience

Ellipticals can easily range into the multi-thousands of dollars, but this one tops out at only $1,699 which is a great price for the many high-quality features it offers. The commercial-level design is something like you would find at your local gym, which also makes it adept at providing everything you need for a high intensity workout. It has a 27-pound flywheel that is located at the front of the elliptical. While this does cause the elliptical to have a larger footprint, which in turn requires more space, it also increases stability and allows the pedals to be lower to the ground, making it easier to get on and off.

The machine offers a highly customizable workout, with a power-adjustable stride that ranges from 20 to 26 inches, offers 20 levels of incline and provides 10 built-in workout programs. The 10-inch LCD screen is bright and easy to read and it has two sets of multi-grip handlebars—one stationary, one mobile—which allow you to activate different muscle groups while in use, and it has wireless pulse sensors that act as a heart rate monitor. The machine also comes with a lifetime warranty on the frame, and five-year warranty on electronics and parts.

Pros:

• Quiet when in use
• Very stable
• 20 incline levels
• Adjustable stride length

Cons:

• Large footprint
• Cannot stream classes or apps on screen

Best Interactive Training Elliptical for Weight Loss: NordicTrack FS10i

Key Features:

• Flywheel weight: 20-pound flywheel
• Maximum user weight capacity: 375 pounds
• Dimensions: 74 inches high X 58.5 inches long X 29.5 inches wide
• Display: 10-inch HD touchscreen
• Price: $1,799
• Subscription required?: iFit membership required to stream classes

It can be tough to train consistently on an elliptical if you are doing the same thing every single day, but the NordicTrack FS10i is equipped with a 10-inch touchscreen that is fully capable of streaming your favorite virtual rides, workout classes and trainer-led workouts to help you beat boredom.

This particular elliptical is capable of moving in three different ways—a step, glide and elliptical motion—which is ideal for getting the most out of your workout as it allows you to access and work different muscle groups. If you are following along with a virtual class, the elliptical is also capable of automatically adjusting to the settings in the class, so you can focus on the workout without fiddling with buttons. The machine is also Bluetooth-compatible which can be used to connect to a wearable heart rate monitor or to connect a device to the built-in speakers.

It has up to a 32-inch adjustable stride which is great for those with long legs and a 10 percent power incline. The 20-pound flywheel is a great weight for beginners, as it isn’t too heavy for those who are just starting their fitness journey.

Pros:

• Great value for price
• Bluetooth compatible
• Adjustable stride

Cons:

• Large footprint
• 20-pound flywheel may not be heavy enough for some users

Highest Weight Capacity Elliptical for Weight Loss: Sole Fitness E55

Key Features:

• Flywheel weight: 20-pound flywheel
• Maximum user weight capacity: 375 pounds
• Dimensions: 71 inches high X 71 inches long X 21 inches wide
• Display: Nine-inch LCD screen
• Price: $1,399
• Subscription required?: No, but a Sole Studio membership provides an interactive, trainer-led workout experience

The Sole Fitness E55 elliptical excels in the sturdy department and, as a bonus, it’s quite compact for its power at only 21 by 71 inches. It features both a 20-inch stride and a 20-pound flywheel weight which are ideal for everything from a light bout of movement or interval training. There are 20 levels of incline, and not only can you follow along to a preset workout, but you can actually design and save your own workouts that are tailored to your fitness goals.

This model has a nine-inch LCD screen which displays stats, and it is bluetooth compatible so you can connect it to a weight loss app—like iHealth and MyFitnessPal—to keep long-term tabs on your workouts. Though you cannot watch classes through the attached screen, you can connect a phone or tablet via Bluetooth, and use the Sole fitness app to follow along with trainer-led classes.

Pros:

• Large, easy to read screen
• 20 incline levels
• Can design and save your own workouts

Cons:

• Short stride
• Small screen

Best Elliptical for Weight Loss Workouts: ProForm HIIT H14

Key Features:

• Flywheel weight: 30 pounds
• Maximum user weight capacity: 325 pounds
• Dimensions: 66 inches high X 52 inches long X 29 inches wide
• Display: 14-inch HD touchscreen
• Price: $1,799
• Subscription required?: iFit membership

One of the keys to losing weight and keeping it off is consistency, but it is often a challenge to find enough time to get in a proper workout that gets your heart rate up.

The ProForm HIIT H14 elliptical was specifically designed for high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and it gets you sweating without wasting your time. It features pedals with much more vertical movement than horizontal which mimics the feeling of a stair stepper or boxing—with much less impact. This makes the activity more difficult than a typical elliptical, and helps you burn more calories faster and better work lower body muscles like the glutes and hamstrings. It also has a 14-inch HD touchscreen which allows you to stream virtual hikes, interactive training sessions and live and on-demand classes through iFit—which you get a 30 day free trial of with purchase.

Pros:

• Great for HIIT workouts
• Small footprint
• Auto-adjusts settings with virtual classes

Cons:

• Very intense workout
• High price point
• Requires subscription if you want access to all features

Best High-End Elliptical for Weight Loss: NordicTrack Commercial 14.9

Key Features:

• Flywheel weight: 32 pounds
• Maximum user weight capacity: 350 pounds
• Dimensions: 69 inches high X 67 inches long X 29 inches wide
• Display: 14-inch HD touchscreen
• Price: $1,799
• Subscription required?: iFit membership

NordicTrack makes some of the highest quality workout equipment, and chances are, if you’ve set foot in a gym, you have probably worked out on a NordicTrack machine. This high-end NordicTrack Commercial elliptical is similar to one you might find in a gym.

This commercial elliptical has a 14-inch touch screen which allows you to stream immersive on-demand classes which will auto-adjust your settings to coincide with the workout, and tons of smart features like heart rate tracking, Bluetooth connectivity and data saving for multiple users. While there is no phone or tablet holder—which you don’t need here thanks to the built-in screen—it does have a water bottle holder which keeps your beverage within reach.

It also has an adjustable stride length, incline up to 20 percent, 26 resistance levels and a 32-pound flywheel—the heaviest on our list—which is great for users that need high resistance or are on the heavier side to get the most out of their workout. Since it is a magnetic resistance flywheel it is also incredibly smooth and quiet, making it a great choice for apartments if you have the space to spare.

Pros:

• High resistance
• Smooth ride thanks to magnetic flywheel
• Quiet
• Water bottle holder

Cons:

• No phone or tablet holder
• Heavier flywheel may be difficult for beginners
• Requires a large footprint

Best Budget Friendly Elliptical for Weight Loss: ProForm Carbon EL

Key Features:

• Flywheel weight: 15 pounds
• Maximum user weight capacity: 275 pounds
• Dimensions: 67.75 inches high X 68.5 inches long X 25 inches wide
• Display: Five-inch display
• Price: $799
• Subscription required?: No

Like any full size cardio equipment, ellipticals can be incredibly expensive—many of them costing easily over $1,000. But just because you don’t have that range of budget doesn’t mean you can’t get a great elliptical for a much more affordable price. This ProForm elliptical comes in under $1,000, and has all the features you need to get an effective workout.

It has a 19-inch adjustable stride, 18 resistance levels and built-in heart rate monitors. The shortened stride length makes it a compact elliptical measuring in at only 68 by 25 inches. And while it does not have a touchscreen, it does have a large, bright LCD screen that displays your stats, and it is compatible with the iFit app which can be connected via Bluetooth and will auto adjust settings for each class. The flywheel is only 15 pounds, meaning won’t be able to get quite as much resistance as larger machines. That makes it a great option for beginners or those that are looking for a lighter workout. It also has 20 percent power incline which can help add to the intensity of your workout.

Related Post: Best Budget Elliptical

Pros:

• Smaller footprint than most ellipticals
• Affordable price
• 18 resistance levels

Cons:

• 15-pound flywheel may not offer enough resistance for some
• 19-inch stride may be too short for those with long legs

Best Compact Elliptical for Weight Loss: Bowflex Max Trainer M6

Key Features:

• Flywheel weight: 15 pounds
• Maximum user weight capacity: 300 pounds
• Dimensions: 64.2 inches high X 46 inches long X 26 inches wide
• Display: LCD display
• Price: $1,499
• Subscription required?: JRNY app (free for one year with purchase)

Just because you don’t have a ton of space does not mean you can’t get a fully functioning elliptical. The Bowflex Max Trainer M6 takes up about half the space of an average treadmill, and is designed for “max muscle activation” which means it is a true full body workout. And not only is it great at working out your entire body, but it also does so efficiently. It has a unique burn rate display which shows you exactly how many calories you are burning in real time, and helps you set targets to reach your goals. It has only 16 levels of resistance, but because of the higher vertical steps it is more challenging than your typical elliptical which also in turn helps burn more calories.

This trainer is compatible with the JRNY app which is free for a year ($149 value) with purchase of the machine. Once synced with your elliptical, it will track your stats, determine your fitness level and send you workouts that will help you reach your goals. It can also track up to two fitness profiles, so it’s a great option if you are sharing with another person.

Pros:

• Burn rate display helps accurately count calories
• Get full cardio workout in short amount of time
• Free JRNY app for one year

Cons:

• Only 16 resistance levels
• May be too challenging for beginners looking for a light workout

Best Under Desk Elliptical for Weight Loss: Cubii Go Portable

Key Features:

• Flywheel weight: n/a
• Maximum user weight capacity: 300 pounds
• Dimensions: 8.8 inches high X 24.4 inches long X 17.8 inches wide
• Display: Basic LCD display
• Price: $299
• Subscription required?: No

If you are just looking to get in a bit more movement during the day you probably don’t need to invest in a full sized elliptical. This elliptical easily fits under any desk, as it’s compact. It is designed to be used while sitting so it doesn’t have quite as much resistance as a standard elliptical, but it does have eight levels of resistance to choose from. It weighs only 20 pounds and has wheels and a retractable handle so it is easy to move around and store away when not in use, and it has a large, bright screen which allows you to keep track of your progress. It is also at an undeniably appealing price point coming in at under $300.

There is also a Cubii app which allows you access to guided workout classes and helps you keep track of your workout and fitness progress over time. Though it may not seem like much, using the Cubii can burn up to 150 extra calories per hour which really adds up over an eight-hour work day. It can also help reduce joint stiffness and improve range of motion—both of which are negatively impacted by a sedentary lifestyle.

Pros:

• Can burn up to 150 calories per hour
• Retractable handle and wheels for easy storage
• Compatible Cubii app with classes and activity tracking

Cons:

• Can only be used while sitting

Elliptical for Weight Loss FAQs

How many calories can I burn on an elliptical?

Though calories will differ based on weight, fitness level, and time and intensity of workout, an elliptical burns an average of 324 calories in 30 minutes for a 155 pound person according to a study done by Harvard Health Publishing. They also measured the average from a 125 pound person up to 185 pounds, and found a range of 270 to 378 calories per 30 minutes. Since it does vary per person, the best way to calculate calories burned for yourself is by tracking via a smart watch, or wearable fitness device.

Does an elliptical burn belly fat?

If you are burning more calories than you are taking in, you will get an end result of burning fat which in turn results in losing weight. It can be difficult to target fat loss in a specific area however, especially with a cardio exercise. But while an elliptical may not directly result in fat loss in the stomach area, it is a great way to improve overall fitness, and increase cardiovascular health, and it’s a low-impact activity that is easy on the knees, hips, and back.

How soon do you see results from an elliptical?

How soon you see results is greatly dependent on how consistent you are with your elliptical workouts, and how long your exercise sessions are. If you use the elliptical for 30 minutes, five days a week, it will probably take a few months to see a physical change. If you use it consistently for an hour instead, you will see results quicker. If you are more interested in improvement to your fitness level than physical appearance, you will be pleased to find that you should be able to notice some improvements to how you feel in less than a month.

Are elliptical workouts a good alternative to treadmills?

Ellipticals are a great alternative to treadmills specifically if you are looking to improve cardiovascular fitness and lose weight. Unlike treadmills, they are a low-impact workout which means that they are easy on the joints and don’t have the pounding, jarring feeling of running. They also can have higher calorie burn ratios than treadmills—specifically when compared to walking.

The only time they are not an alternative is if you are a competitive runner. While an elliptical can be an ideal cross trainer, it is not equivalent to running miles as it uses a slightly different form and engages different muscles, so a running workout on a treadmill will not directly translate to the same results on an elliptical.

Final Thoughts

Ellipticals are a great option for any at home gym, and a fantastic way to improve cardio and full-body fitness. While they can be expensive and take up a good deal of space, they are truly an investment in your physical health and fitness and can definitely be worth the price with consistent use.

Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.