Trevor Mulholland asked:


Looking for good reviews online is a necessary precaution if you want to get the best out of your purchases. Some things that are supposed to last for the long haul, especially, like vehicles, furniture and expensive appliances are as much long-term investments as they are purchases. Think of exercise machines as belonging to the “expensive appliances” category – and think of elliptical trainers as among the must-haves in this subcategory! The same principle would then apply: if you want to be able to buy good elliptical trainers, you should look for good elliptical trainer reviews online.

Having the presence of mind to look through elliptical trainer reviews for the perfect machine will save you a lot of time and effort. You may think hey – you can always cycle through different exercise machines (pun intended) and eventually settle on the model will suit you best. But how could you choose which models to try out in the first place? Sure most stores will opt for the “try before you buy” marketing idea, but that doesn’t always work in your favor as a buyer.

For one thing, you may need to spend time and money evaluating over a dozen models for the product that you want. In the past, there may be a limited number of elliptical trainer models for your perusal, but nowadays, there are dozens of models that sell for around $300 to $5,000. Not exactly a dime a dozen, are they? Elliptical trainers, like a lot of big exercise machines, should be considered a major investment. After all, they’re supposed to help you stay in shape for a long time!

There are a couple of good websites you should visit first, if exercise machine reviews are what you are after. Admittedly, exercise machine reviews aren’t as easy to find as, say, book or CD reviews, because health buffs and exercise enthusiasts aren’t exactly all over the place. ConsumerSearch.com is among the first websites you should visit. Its professional researchers have compiled and analyzed a number of reliable feedback, and industry experts have chimed in to give their reviews and ratings, as well.

And of course, how can you go wrong with a url like Ellipticaltrainers.com? It’s a veritable one-stop shop for reviews and product rankings. This website’s consistently up-to-date list of reviews and ratings should be among the first places to look. Building-muscle101.com and Trainersecrets.com also have very good elliptical trainer reviews. The former gives you the added plus of articles that focus on specific models, so if you’re a first-timer in the art of buying elliptical trainers, you are introduced to the difference between brands like Ellipse, Precor, Diamondback, etc.

Vienna Miller asked:


One of the most popular elliptical trainers today is the Precor model. Precor introduced the very first elliptical trainer back in 1995 with their Precor EFX elliptical. They are one of the top manufacturers of elliptical trainers today.

However, starting around $2800 and up, they are not cheap. With their reputation and construction, they may appeal to the serious athlete or high-end commercial gym. Is a Precor elliptical right for you? Here’s a brief review to help you decide:

Strengths:

Cross-Ramp technology - The Cross Ramp is unique to Precor and allows you to adjust the incline of the elliptical ramp (the incline is different from the resistance). This works different muscle groups of the legs. It helps to crosstrain and prevents you from reaching an exercise plateau.

High Quality Construction - Precor ellipticals are well known for their high quality components and construction. While they are built to last, you will pay for this as prices start at around $2800+ for a Precor home elliptical.

Smooth Motion - Precor elliptical trainers move smoothly both in the forward and back directions. This helps you work and develop different sets of leg muscles. It also helps reduce stress on the joints and gives you a lower impact workout.

Great Elliptical Motion Design - Some cheaper department store ellipticals will give you a “kick” or “bounce” where your heel comes up off the platform. Precor ellipticals don’t do this because of their design which makes for an overall more efficient workout.

Solid Elliptical Warranty - Most Precor ellipticals offer lifetime warranty on the frame, 10 years on parts and 1 year on service. This helps to protect your investment in the long run.

Weaknesses:

Expensive - Although you can’t fault the design or quality, Precor ellipticals are definitely expensive. Starting around $2800 they may be more than most people can afford. They can also be very expensive to fix.

Upper Body Arms - Although some models do offer upper body arms bars, several models do not. Most buyers want to train their upper body arms while working out. And for this price, you really should expect it.

Heart Rate Monitors - Again, like the upper body arms, some models do not offer a way to monitor your heart rate. This is another feature that, considering the price, you would expect to have.

Summary:

While Precor ellipticals are high quality elliptical trainers, be prepared to pay top dollar for the name. They do offer excellent construction and design; however they may be more than many people - especially those new to exercising - need.

And while Precor used to own the elliptical market, new brands are now offering commercial-grade, luxury elliptical machines for much less. If you don’t care about the Precor name, you might want to save some money and look into one of these crosstrainers.

On the other hand, if you are a die-hard Precor fan and can afford it, you’ll probably be very happy choosing this brand. They offer an ultra-smooth ride and are built to last you a very long time.

Trevor Mulholland asked:


It’s hard to rely on hearsay nowadays. Let’s say Victor from the country club has just bought an elliptical trainer that he says is working out great for him - are you going to take it on Victor’s word that this is the right exercise machine for you too? No matter how heartily Victor endorses his newest purchases, you must remember that exercise equipment is also a long-term investment. To get the best deal for something as important (and often expensive!) as an elliptical trainer, you have to look through good elliptical trainer reviews.

However, you’ll also have to distinguish good reviews sites from, well, sites that don’t represent a grand majority of buyers. Feedback is important, but it may also be manufactured. Be an intelligent and discriminate researcher. If you find that some elliptical trainer reviews sing excessive praise of a certain product — they may have been written by someone on the manufacturer’s payroll.

Bear in mind, also, that firsthand feedback is the best kind. You can’t take it as law if enough people go “Hey, I hear this product is even better than that product!” because manufacturer hype can easily cause such talk. An example of this happening is when new gaming hardware comes out. You hear “New and Improved Features!” trumpeted throughout the media. The hype basically bombards your senses and builds up anticipation. This is not a review! A review — a good one, incidentally — is something written firsthand by someone who has tried a product exhaustively, has weighed the pros and cons of each feature, and has come up with a final opinion about the product that will serve as a guide for future buyers.

Also, look through tried and tested sites, ones that have been around for a while and are sure to attract good reviewers. Among these sites are Epinions.com, Amazon.com, and consumerreports.com. By comparing and contrasting reviews and ratings from different Web sites, you can see which of your prospective buys is worth your money and your time.

Consumer protection laws may be in place, but consumers also have to protect themselves — and each other. Just as buyers do their research online, they endeavor to make things easier for other researchers by leaving input that may be useful for buyers-to-be. There are kind people out there, writing elliptical trainer reviews, who can help you make sure that you’re getting the best value for your long-term investment.