Ellipticals are one of the most popular fitness devices that offer low-impact exercise, with no sudden stress or pressure on your joints. This makes them an ideal option for seniors that want to improve their cardio health and maintain muscle mass.
We’ve gathered and reviewed the six best elliptical machines for seniors, which will allow you to exercise effectively without putting too much pressure on your joints. If you’re in a hurry, our favorite elliptical for the elderly is the Teeter LT1 FreeStep Recumbent Cross Trainer and Elliptical.
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Best Elliptical Machines for Seniors: Reviews
1. Teeter LT1 FreeStep Recumbent Cross Trainer and Elliptical—Best Overall
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We will start our review by setting the bar high with this Teeter LT1 FreeStep recumbent cross trainer. Unlike traditional elliptical machines, you don’t have to stand up while you’re working out which is great for seniors with limited strength.
It is a zero-impact elliptical fitness device that’s suitable for all fitness levels. The patented stride technology helps to protect your knees by using a natural stepping stride. This way, you’ll follow a smooth and linear path.
The natural 3-level reclined seated position design also helps to eliminate the strain on your joints and back. A large number of seniors suffer from back pain or arthritis would love it.
Another good thing about this elliptical fitness machine is that it’s completely adjustable, so you can adjust it to fit your body height perfectly. Plus, it has a digital console that runs on batteries, so you can track your progress easily.
All of these features make it one of the best ellipticals for seniors on the market.
Pros
- Offers a zero-impact workout that’s safe for your knees, hips, and back.
- It can be adjusted to fit your body height perfectly.
- Very quiet.
- Has a digital console, device stand, and a water bottle holder.
- Transport wheels, so you can move the device easily around your apartment.
- It’s also suitable for those with arthritis or Parkinson’s disease.
Cons
- No built-in heart rate monitor.
- A bit bulky in size.
2. Body Rider BRD2000 Elliptical Trainer—Best 2-in-1 Elliptical Trainer
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The Body Rider BRD2000 elliptical trainer is the ideal fitness device for the elderly if you like to change up your workout routine.
What makes it apart from other models is that it combines two machines in one, as you can use it as an exercise bike with an adjustable seat or a regular elliptical machine. You could save more money and space at the same time.
The seat offers seven height options, and the handlebars can be set in three different height options, so you can adjust the machine to fit your body size and sit comfortably.
It offers a low-impact, full-body workout, so it’s perfect for seniors who suffer from back, leg, or hip problems, as it doesn’t cause any stress to your joints.
This elliptical trainer machine also features an electronic console that tracks your speed, time, distance, and calories burned.
Pros
- Two-in-one fitness machine that can be used as an elliptical trainer or exercise bike.
- Affordable.
- Adjustable seat and handlebars.
- Easy to use tension adjustment knob.
- Features built-in transport wheels, so you can easily move it around your home.
Cons
- Some customers report that it’s a bit noisy.
- It doesn’t offer enough tension for some users.
3. SCHWINN 430 Elliptical Machine—Best for Advanced Users
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Coming from a famous fitness equipment brand Schwinn, we recommend this elliptical for seniors who have strong body strength or exercise regularly.
The Schwinn 430 elliptical machine has 20 levels of resistance. This way, you can slowly build on it as you gain more stamina and muscle mass.
We like the ergonomically placed moving handlebars so that you could always find a good place for your hand. Also, the large cushioned footplates offer you a comfortable, low-impact workout that’s suitable for seniors with joint, leg, or back problems.
In another word, you will feel comfortable while using this machine which is very important for making exercise a habit.
Another great thing about this elliptical machine is that it has built-in Goal Track technology. With this, you can set individual exercise goals by tracking time, calories burned, distance, and your heart rate. You will know how good you are by comparing it with your previous workouts.
It is a relatively professional elliptical so that if you are beginner or on a budget, you could look for something else.
Pros
- Comes with heart rate control.
- 20 levels of resistance for a wide range of workout intensities.
- Large cushioned footplates for comfortable and low-impact exercises that don’t stress your joints.
- Ergonomically placed moving handlebars for flexibility.
Cons
- Can be a bit noisy for some customers.
- Setting it up isn’t easy and requires some assistance.
- It is expensive.
4. Sunny Health & Fitness Advanced Programmed Elliptical Machine—Best Value
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For seniors who are looking for a multifunctional elliptical machine with a relatively low price tag, this one would be a great option.
This elliptical machine offers 16 adjustable resistance levels and 24 built-in programs. You will always find a good point to start your exercise.
It features a floor stabilizer, so you don’t have to worry about tipping, rocking, or swaying on uneven surfaces. The non-slip foot pedals will ensure that you’re safe even when your workouts are more demanding and vigorous.
As you’re working out, you can grab onto the handlebars that have pulse sensors, so you can monitor and maintain your target heart rate. The device holder and water bottle holder are also built-in for your added convenience.
The weight capacity of this elliptical is 300 lbs which is good enough for most users.
Pros
- Very stable, thanks to the floor stabilizer and non-slip foot pedals.
- High weight capacity of 330 pounds.
- Built-in device and a water bottle holder.
- 24 built-in programs.
- Handlebars with heart rate sensors.
- Affordable price.
Cons
- Can be quite noisy.
- Some users report that the customer support isn’t good.
5. Cubii JR1 Seated Under Desk Elliptical Machine—Best Under Desk Elliptical Machine
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The Cubii JR1 is a compact elliptical machine that’s designed to be low to no impact on joints. With this device, you can exercise while you sit at home or at the office. We think it is an innovation between the traditional elliptical and pedal exerciser.
Simply place it under your chair or table and start working out on the spot. The smooth and gliding motion can be switched between eight resistance levels for varying workouts.
The machine is quiet, so you’ll not be bothered by any sounds, and can watch TV or read a book in peace while doing your exercise.
Although it’s super small, it has a built-in LCD screen, so you can still see your progress. You can track the calories you’ve burned, distance covered, and strides pedaled.
It’s perfect for the elderly who don’t have enough space for a bigger elliptical machine, plus it’s portable, so you can set it up anywhere around your house.
Pros
- Very quiet.
- Small in size and portable, so it can be used anywhere in your house.
- Has a small built-in LCD to track your progress.
- Can connect to a mobile app Fitbit and Apple HealthKit, for more precise tracking of results.
Cons
- Has only eight levels of resistance.
- Doesn’t provide a full workout.
6. Nautilus E618 Elliptical Trainer—Highest Weight Capacity
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The Nautilus E618 is an elliptical machine with dozens of workout programs. It even comes with a wireless heart rate chest strap to measure and maintain your heart pulse. It is the most advanced elliptical machine on our list.
There are 25 resistance levels, so it’s suitable for everyone, from beginners to advanced sports enthusiasts. You can even raise or lower the incline from 0 to 10 degrees, which will allow you to have a more diverse exercise.
What we like about this elliptical trainer is that you can sync it with the Nautilus Trainer 2 app and RunSocial app via Bluetooth. This will allow you to run alongside people from all over the world in real-time. This way, you don’t have to train alone and can find motivation running with others.
The weight capacity of the Nautilus E618 is 350 pounds, so taller or overweight people can use it without fear that it’ll not support their weight.
Pros
- 28 different workout programs.
- 25 resistance levels.
- Comes with a heart rate chest strap for accurate pulse measurements.
- Incline from 0 to 10 degrees.
- 350 pounds weight capacity.
- Can connect with Nautilus Trainer app and RunSocial app via Bluetooth.
Cons
- Can be slightly hard to use for some customers, as the leg resistance on level 1 is pretty high.
- Instructions don’t cover the workout program setup.
Things To Consider Before Buying an Elliptical Machine for the Elderly
The unique elliptical movement works on the whole body. Only 20 minutes of exercise on the elliptical machine a few times a week will improve your cardiovascular health, boost your flexibility, and improve your stamina.
But not all elliptical machines are suitable for seniors, as there are a few features to consider before getting one that’s best for your age.
Design
The first thing to consider when buying an elliptical machine that’s good for seniors is the design.
As you can see, we’ve picked six elliptical machines that are of different sizes, as it depends on how much space you have in your home. If you have a small apartment, a compact and portable under-desk elliptical machine like the Cubii JR1 is the best option as it doesn’t take a lot of space.
Another thing to consider is if you want to train standing up or sitting down. Although standing up will provide a more intense workout, the seated models take off the extra load of the body and are more suitable for those who have health problems with their legs or back.
If you don’t have these health conditions, you could also consider buying a treadmill for seniors.
It depends on which design you opt for based on your desires and capacity, as well as your overall health and current body activity.
Display Console
Since seniors aren’t always great with new technology but probably still want to track their fitness progress, it’s good to opt for an elliptical trainer that has an easy-to-use monitor console.
The console will help track the speed, time, and calories burned, and some of our top picks also feature a heart rate monitor. If possible, a console with large print would be a better choice.
Weight Capacity
Every elliptical machine has its weight capacity, so it’s critical to check that before buying. Make sure that the machine is strong enough to support your weight.
Resistance Levels
Higher-priced ellipticals often offer much more resistance levels (usually around 20) than the lower-priced ones, which usually have up to eight resistance levels.
While working out with no resistance might sound great, slowly adding higher resistance levels will help to make your workout more effective over time. It’s better to opt for models that have a higher number of resistance levels.
The Winner
Our winner of the best elliptical machines for seniors is the Teeter LT1 FreeStep Recumbent Cross Trainer and Elliptical because, unlike most traditional elliptical machines, you don’t have to stand up while you’re working out.
The natural reclined seated position design and the patented stride technology work together to reduce stress and strain, so you can use it even if you have any health problems with your legs or back without worry.
If you’re looking for a smaller device that can easily fit anywhere in your apartment, then we would recommend you opt for the Cubii JR1 Seated Under Desk Elliptical Machine. Finally, if you’re looking for something more affordable but still very effective and easy on your joints, knees, and back, you can also check out the Sunny Health & Fitness Advanced Programmed Elliptical Machine
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