Featured Elliptical:NordicTrack FS10i
This is currently one of the top selling ellipticals at NordicTrack. And with these features and this price it's no surprise why.I'm sure you are interested in more than just elliptical reviews. You might want to learn how to choose a good machine, what to look for as far as features, resistance, drive systems, strides and more.
You have questions, and we have answers. Whether your question is about elliptical machines specifically or exercise in general, please contact me and if I can help I will. I will also share your questions with our visitors if it will help them out as well.
I will also be posting announcements here as well, such as when there is a great sale going on, new machines have been released or I have updated a review. So be sure to check back often to stay up to date on all the latest!
If you’ve visited the ProForm website recently, you may have noticed there is a new SMART Series available, and wondered what it was all about. We took a closer look to find out more… Read More
We’ve had a lot of inquiries lately about Matrix ellipticals, as they recently burst onto the scene after dominating the commercial market for many years. Particularly, visitors have asked us “How does a Matrix elliptical compare to Life Fitness and Precor?” Those are the two brands that have been at the forefront of the higher end home elliptical market, so it only makes sense that people would ask how the Matrix ellipticals stack up. Read More
We decided a Bowflex TreadClimber review was in order, especially given the great feedback that we got from our Max Trainer test drive. Unlike that cardio machine, which is an elliptical and a stepper combined, the TreadClimber adds a 3rd machine to the mix, and given the name can you guess what that is? Yes, a treadmill.
The question we get asked the most is how does it compare to an elliptical or a treadmill? Does it give you a better workout? Is it just as low impact? Can you really burn more calories? We set out to answer those questions for you, as well as tell you everything you need to know about these hybrid cardio machines… Read More
You may have come across a recumbent elliptical at your local gym, as these hybrid machines are becoming quite popular these days. Combining a traditional elliptical with a recumbent exercise bike, these new cardio trainers area ideal for those who prefer to sit to minimize impact on the lower body, or just because it’s a more comfortable position. Whatever the reason, you now have more choice than ever before.
Let’s take a closer look at what these hybrid cardio machines are all about… Read More
We’ve had a lot of inquiries lately about the Gazelle Edge, a very low cost exercise machine that has become quite popular these days. So we decided to take a look to see what it was all about. At under $150, we weren’t very optimistic about this one. 🙂
Nevertheless, we ordered one on Amazon to test out. It arrived a few days later…we were able to put it together in about a half hour or so, and we were off to the races. Read More
Looking for the best elliptical under $500 for your home gym? While there are many choices out there, you’ll find that most of them miss the mark. Why? Because it’s very hard to manufacture a good piece of exercise equipment for just a few hundred dollars. But rest assured, there are some good options out there for you.
It is important to note that these are not going to be like the ones you find the health club. The home version of those elliptical machines cost several thousand dollars. Rather, these are very basic machines that are built for casual use. However, they will give you a good workout, help you burn calories and build muscle…and in the end, that’s all that really matters.
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A short while ago a reader emailed us about the Landice E7, the only residential elliptical in the company’s lineup. They asked us if we thought it was worth buying at around $3500 with one of the advanced consoles, as opposed to one of the more popular commercial-grade brands like Life Fitness, Precor and Matrix.
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The FitDesk Under Desk Elliptical is one of the most popular models on the market today, catering to those who don’t have the time to hit the gym, or those who just want to get a little workout in while they work.
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When it comes to finding the best elliptical under $1000, you want a machine that has the right combination of features and capabilities…everything you need to get a great workout and perhaps some extras to make your workout more enjoyable.
Fortunately, this price range gives you a wide selection to choose from, and there’s a number of really good elliptical machines out there. We’ve broken down the very best ellipticals in all price ranges here, but continue reading below to find out more about what you can expect to find.
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The Cubii Smart Under Desk elliptical is one of the newest “unconscious” trainers on the market, meaning something you can use while not having to actively concentrate on it. You can exercise while you work or read, burning calories without having to interrupt your work day.
It was invented by three University of Chicago graduates, who saw a need for more exercise options in the workplace. It’s advertised as the first and only digitally connected desk ellipticals, meaning you can track and share your workouts, compete with friends and family, set goals and connect with Fitbit through the Cubii app.
Although we are gym goers, and use elliptical trainers regularly at the health club, we always like to try new things. So we ordered up a Cubii to see what it was all about. Here’s our breakdown to help you decide if this is right for you.
Let’s start off with the pros…..
If you sit at a desk for hours on end, getting up only to go to the bathroom and grab lunch, then a Cubii Smart Under Desk elliptical is a nice way to add some exercise to your day without you having to leave the office. It’s very easy to put together, and you can be exercising within minutes of taking it out of the box.
It’s easy to use. Simply choose your resistance level on the dial (8 in all) and start walking. As you get used to it you can increase the resistance level.
The app works well. The Cubii App, available for Mac or Android, tracks your stride and total distance. You can set fitness goals for yourself, you can set up competitions with coworkers, you can sync your results. So for those of you who like to be on top of everything and see how you are progressing over time, it’s a nice option to have that you don’t find on other under desk trainers.
Let’s talk about some of the cons….
For starters, it’s a bit pricey for what it is. You can find it on sale at Amazon for about $279, more than double the price of under desk cycles and twice the price of its competitor, the FitDesk Under Desk elliptical (although that one does not have Bluetooth app syncing). You can get a full size ProForm 520E elliptical trainer for $579, with incline, workout apps, iFit and much more.
Also, if you are used to a regular elliptical motion, this probably won’t cut it for you. It’s a very limited range, so you might find it uncomfortable even though the impact is low. We didn’t love the motion, but we weren’t expecting to be wowed.
There have been numerous complaints about the quietness of the machine, and issues with the Bluetooth not working. There have also been customer service issues. It seems as if there has been some quality control. Our Cubii was relatively quiet, at least quiet enough not to disturb coworkers, and the App seemed to work just fine. So I think they just need to make sure the quality is consistent.
So what’s the bottom line?
Cubii does a nice job of providing a workout while you work, with the ability to track and share your results to keep you motivated. If you are looking for something to keep you active and help you burn some calories, and don’t have time for the gym, the Under Desk elliptical might be a good solution for you.
It’s definitely pricier than similar cardio “machines” but it does offer a little more. Still, we would recommend an extended warranty just in case you encounter problems down the road.