Listmania!
Best "Real World" Elliptical Trainers
By an Amazon.com customer
Schwinn 438 Elliptical Trainer [Discontinued]Schwinn 438 Elliptical Trainer [Discontinued]
Schwinn makes tough gear. This unit is a little smaller and less robust - but still a great elliptical that gets the fundamentals right.
Smooth Fitness CE 7.4 Elliptical TrainerSmooth Fitness CE 7.4 Elliptical Trainer
Buy new: $1,999.99
Smooth make a well regarded elliptical with the flywheel in back - a good geometry. There's no wheels or deck - but there are weight bearing hinges - a cause for concern.
Smooth Fitness CE3.2 Elliptical TrainerSmooth Fitness CE3.2 Elliptical Trainer
Buy new: $1,499.00
This is a very popular elliptical. Same issue with weight bearing hinges.
Schwinn 418 Elliptical Trainer [Discontinued]Schwinn 418 Elliptical Trainer [Discontinued]
Schwinn's popular 418. A good pick for lighter weight individuals.
Schwinn 430 Elliptical TrainerSchwinn 430 Elliptical Trainer
Buy new: $599.00 / Used from: $568.99
Schwinn's low-end is smaller and less robust - but still has a decent stride shape.
Quantum Fitness 210C Stride Total Body Elliptical TrainerQuantum Fitness 210C Stride Total Body Elliptical Trainer
Buy new: $3,195.00
Phenomenal advance - amazing geometry puts two smaller flywheels at the side, allowing for a much more compact unit - also lower to the ground - for spaces with lower ceilings. This is the beefier commercial unit.
Quantum Fitness 210H Stride Total Body Elliptical TrainerQuantum Fitness 210H Stride Total Body Elliptical Trainer
Buy new: $2,699.00
Phenomenal advance - amazing geometry puts two smaller flywheels at the side, allowing for a much more compact unit - also lower to the ground - for spaces with lower ceilings. This is the "residential" unit.
IronMan CDT Elliptical TrainerIronMan CDT Elliptical Trainer
Another example of the awesome side-flywheel geometry. 21" stride and 300' weight capacity. Very space efficient and low height tolerant.
Ironman Achiever Elliptical TrainerIronman Achiever Elliptical Trainer
How is this different from the CDT? Looks like the same specs - 21" stride and 300' weight capacity. Very space efficient and low height tolerant.
Tunturi C20 Elliptical TrainerTunturi C20 Elliptical Trainer
Same issues as the C35 with more stripped down electronics and even flimsier build.
Tunturi C35 Elliptical TrainerTunturi C35 Elliptical Trainer
Tunturi's popular C35. Same hinge issue as the Smooth ellipticals. Short stride.
Tunturi C80 Elliptical TrainerTunturi C80 Elliptical Trainer
Tunturi sweats all the details with the C80. The better construction really makes this design work. Cost is very high, however.
Gazelle Power PlusGazelle Power Plus
Ok - the Gazelle isn't an elliptical trainer but the motion is smooth and reminiscent. If you have little green, these are better than a low-grade elliptical.
Gazelle FreestyleGazelle Freestyle
Buy new: $164.00 / Used from: $154.99
This is the main gazelle. Very popular. See comments above about it not being an elliptical trainer.
Gazelle EdgeGazelle Edge
Buy new: $79.00
This one will not take my weight - but it's probably the best value dollar for dollar in a cardio machine.
Horizon EX75 Dual Action Elliptical TrainerHorizon EX75 Dual Action Elliptical Trainer
Horizon's ellipticals are well regarded. They have a compact space saving design. They are a bit less stable.
Lifecore LC-990 Elliptical CrosstrainerLifecore LC-990 Elliptical Crosstrainer
Lifecore's LC-990 has a stronger build than most of their offerings. 350lb limit and compact size are plusses. 17 inch stride is a negative.
Ironman 530E Elliptical TrainerIronman 530E Elliptical Trainer
Ironman is widely distributed (you can get it at Walmart). This one has great geometry and stride. Some complaints about durability of traveler wheels - but great price. Single traveler wheel/rail
LifeSpan Fitness EX3 EllipticalLifeSpan Fitness EX3 Elliptical
Interesting geometry - like Horizon.
HealthTrainer 840EL Elliptical TrainerHealthTrainer 840EL Elliptical Trainer
Another flywheel first design like Sole - but with lighter build and lower price. 17.5" stride, 8 levels of resistance. Single traveler wheel/rail.
Kettler CTR2 Elliptical Cross TrainerKettler CTR2 Elliptical Cross Trainer
Buy new: $1,549.00
Fancy German implementation of the flawed geometry.
Ironman EVO-1 Elliptical TrainerIronman EVO-1 Elliptical Trainer
Buy new: $1,000.00
Nautilus EV7.16 Pro Series Elliptical TrainerNautilus EV7.16 Pro Series Elliptical Trainer
Buy new: $3,299.00
Huge and arcane - but brilliant geometry and exciting styling.
Sole E95 Elliptical Trainer (2008 Model)Sole E95 Elliptical Trainer (2008 Model)
Upgraded electronics and footpad adjustment.
Sole E55 Elliptical Trainer (2008 Model)Sole E55 Elliptical Trainer (2008 Model)
Adds footpad adjustment?
Sole E35 Elliptical Trainer (2008 Model)Sole E35 Elliptical Trainer (2008 Model)
ditto
Sole E25 Elliptical Trainer (2008 Model)Sole E25 Elliptical Trainer (2008 Model)
Sole upgrades their line for 2008.
Esprit by Spirit EL-5 Elliptical TrainerEsprit by Spirit EL-5 Elliptical Trainer
Buy new: $944.00
Spirit Fitness' EL line has a similar beefy build to Sole but at a lower price.
Esprit by Spirit EL-3 Elliptical TrainerEsprit by Spirit EL-3 Elliptical Trainer
Buy new: $899.00
Spirit's EL line is a great value