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When is a cheap elliptical machine a reliable deal or just a waste of your money? There are definitely some cheap elliptical trainers available. However, there are some in the AKA reduced price range ($100-$300) and also in the budget price range ($1000 or less) that could be a full featured sound machine.

$100-$300 Low cost cost tier

Of special mention at this level of cheap elliptical trainer is Tony Little’s Gazelle. More comparable to a glider than an elliptical, it trains by moving your arms and legs back and forth. Consumers enjoy this unit because of the tremendous workouts they experience and the great price of $199 for the Freestyle model. Also available in the Tony Little models are the slightly more expensive Power Plus, priced at $299, and the less expensive Edge model, priced at $100.

Another good and cheap elliptical trainer is the Stamina. This is the same manufacturer that makes the Tony Little line of machines. The Stamina model, called the Fitness Silent Magnetic Resistance Cross Trainer Elliptical, retails for $240. That is an attractive price for customers, and the quality is not unfavorable. Features include; 6 programs, 8 stages of resistivity and pulse rate monitoring on handgrip sensors. One negative factor is the 14″ stride length, plus this is an advantageous unit that doesn’t hurt your wallet.

Weslo is also in this budget elliptical market with two models, the 610 and 620. Both are under $180, which lands you squarely in the budget machine cost bracket. Although, the stride length is concise on both units (12″ and 13″), so you need to be a small adult to use this unit comfortably.

Budget less than $1000

Elliptical Trainers Elliptical Trainers Entering the budget price range of elliptical machines, the Eclipse built by Fitness Quest of Ohio, sells 2 models, the 1100 at $395 and the 2100 at $495. The Eclipse 4100 HRA is another serious machine in their lineup and is priced at $550.

If you’re looking for an affordable elliptical and require it to provide a space-saving feature, check out Proform’s line of elliptical trainers priced from $550-$800 (including shipping!)

Also an extraordinary producer of budget elliptical models is the Horizon line. With a front flywheel and a price ranging from $600 to $1000, the top-of-the-line ellipticals are commercial grade. While the Horizon EX76 is your best deal for an incline elliptical under $1,000. Featuring an 18″-19″ adaptive stride, 16 resistance levels, 16 programs, and a 14.3 lb. industrial flywheel, up to 16% power incline, and the same incline motor Horizon puts into its treadmills. This unit is tough, robust and reliable!

Small cost vs. Comfort?

A very prominent factor when deciding whether or not to buy a unit has to be how comfortable you feel when exercising with it. All the features and benefits mean nothing if your stride length is too small to be comfortable, or if you’re too big and the machine too small to switch. When shopping for elliptical trainers at a good price, make price and comfort your first prerequisite, not features.

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