Men’s Journal aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission. The products featured here have been independently reviewed. This article has been edited and published by Men's Journal. Learn more here.
Buying cardio machines for your home gym can quickly add up, but these investments for your health don’t have to be expensive. If you love exercising on an elliptical trainer for the many health benefits or for the low-impact workouts, there are numerous high-quality elliptical machines on the market that you can purchase for your home gym for $1,000 or less. Investing in an elliptical trainer comes with numerous perks: Elliptical cardio workouts can promote weight loss, boost your stamina, strengthen your leg muscles, and even help you recover from injury.
If you’re considering adding an elliptical to your home gym but don't want to break the bank, our best elliptical under $1,000 guide will highlight our favorite budget-friendly buys of 2024 and details about what makes them worthy of a spot on our list. We’ll dive into their features, capabilities, design and more to help you find an elliptical trainer that meets your needs, and most importantly, your budget.
- Best Interactive Elliptical Under $1,000: ProForm Carbon EL
- Best Elliptical under $1,000 for Beginners: Horizon Fitness EX-59
- Best Under-Desk Elliptical: LifePro FlexStride Elliptical
- Best Full-Body Workout Elliptical under $1,000: Cubii Total Body+
Best Interactive Elliptical Under $1,000: ProForm Carbon EL
The ProForm Carbon EL is compatible with iFit, which unlocks a world of interactive classes and locations.
ProForm
Specs:
- Price: $799
- SmartAdjust technology auto-adjusts resistance
- 18 QuickSpeed digital resistance buttons on console
- Front-mounted transport wheels for easy moving
- Silent magnetic resistance for quiet workouts
While it may be true that many ellipticals with interactive features tend to be higher-end (and, therefore, more expensive), the ProForm Carbon EL proves otherwise. This front-drive elliptical is iFit compatible, which means it has the ability to tap into interactive technology to help keep your workouts entertaining and fun.
An iFit subscription for the ProForm Carbon EL will net you interactive training sessions that use SmartAdjust technology to auto-adjust your resistance alongside the program. You can also stream global and studio class workouts, which include guided classes in scenic locations. Lastly, iFIT will unlock access to connected fitness tracking, which auto records and adjusts fitness plans based on your fitness level. The only drawback is iFit is an additional cost. At $15/month, it’s something to factor into the overall price of the machine.
Still, there’s plenty this elliptical trainer offers without iFIT. It has an impressive 18 levels of resistance, Bluetooth connectivity, an inertia-enhanced flywheel for smooth gliding, and a 19-inch power adjustable stride. You can easily use this machine as a cross trainer for different muscle groups or for HIIT workouts, thanks to its wide range of resistance and adjustable features.
Pros:
- 18 levels of resistance are good for HIIT workouts or cross-training
- 19-inch adjustable stride and adjustable ramp up to 20 degrees
- Convenient built-in device holder and water bottle holder
- Connected fitness tracking tailors workouts to your fitness level
Cons:
- iFIT membership required for all interactive features
- Users report difficult assembly
Best Elliptical Under $1,000 for Beginners: Horizon Fitness EX-59
The Horizon EX-59 is designed to promote proper form.
Horizon
Specs:
- Price: $999
- Rapid-charge USB port
- Bluetooth speakers and connectivity
- Setup takes 30 minutes or less
- One-touch keys for resistance changes
If you’re a new elliptical user (or new to working out in general), this beginner-friendly machine can help you achieve your goals and steadily increase your fitness level. The Horizon Fitness EX-59 is our favorite elliptical under $1,000 for beginners because it’s designed to promote proper form, has a tighter distance between pedals for less stress on your hips and back, and includes 10 levels of magnetic resistance you can easily change via one-touch keys on the console. This elliptical is designed with an ergonomic frame that encourages your body to go into the ideal position for elliptical training. This can help keep you in good form, but it also makes exercising much more comfortable.
In addition to being beginner-friendly, we love this machine for its connectivity features. t only does it have Bluetooth speakers that can sync to your devices, but it also has a rapid-charge USB port so you don’t have to worry about your tablet running out of battery in the middle of streaming classes on your favorite fitness apps. The 4.5-inch LCD display also keeps track of metrics like calories, distance, heart rate, speed, and more. Beginners can enjoy five built-in workout programs that include weight loss, interval training, and distance, among others, so you can easily change up your workout until you find a program you like.
Pros:
- Lifetime warranty on frame
- Ergonomic design promotes proper exercise form
- Five built-in and beginner-friendly workout programs
- Easy on hips and back
Cons:
- 10 levels of resistance may not be challenging enough for advanced users
- interactive workouts
Best Under-Desk Elliptical: LifePro FlexStride Plus Elliptical
Users can get a workout under their desk or on the couch with the FlexStride Plus.
LifePro
Specs:
- Price: $300
- Portable with a built-in handle
- Eight levels of adjustable tension
- Includes resistance band and mat
- Powered by two AAA batteries
Rather than purchasing a full-sized elliptical machine, there are numerous under-desk ellipticals small enough to fit comfortably under your workspace—and help you get in some physical activity as you work. Our favorite under-desk elliptical is the LifePro FlexStride Plus Elliptical, a compact and mini piece of fitness equipment that weighs just 26.5 pounds and measures 18.5 inches across. This elliptical trainer—which includes two foot pedals and an LCD screen that displays your metrics—has eight levels of adjustable tension and a non-slip rubber surface to help keep your feet secure. It’s also portable with a built-in handle, so you can easily take it from your desk to your couch to keep your physical activity going all day long, no matter where you are.
As the most cost-effective buy on our list, this under-desk elliptical costs just under $300 and also comes with a handful of accessories, including a yoga resistance band and an exercise mat. It’s powered by two AAA batteries, so you don’t have to worry about plugging this machine in. Plus, LifePro offers a lifetime warranty on this product, which can help you feel confident in your purchase. While this mini elliptical can only support up to 110 pounds per foot pedal (or 220 pounds total), it supports significantly more weight than many comparable under-desk ellipticals.
Pros:
- Allows for seated workouts
- Easy dial knob for tension control
- n-slip rubber surface for added safety
- Lifetime warranty
Cons:
- Lower user weight capacity than full-sized machines
- handlebars for upper body training
Best Full-Body Workout Elliptical Under $1,000: Cubii Total Body+
Cubii's Total Body+ has integrated handles which users can pull out to use for a rowing motion.
Cubii
Specs:
- Price: $449
- Includes arm pulleys for rowing workout
- 12 remotely adjustable levels of resistance
- Bluetooth compatible
- Activates six muscle groups
The Cubii Total Body+ is an innovative machine that offers an upgraded take on traditional under-desk ellipticals. This mini compact machine generates a full-body exercise, while remaining small enough to tuck under your workspace (or, really, anywhere in your home). Like LifePro Elliptical, it features a base with two pedals, but what makes this machine different is its pulley system for your arms that recreates a rowing workout. You can choose to use these features together, or individually for just rowing or elliptical only. This machine also comes with 12 remotely adjustable levels of resistance you can control directly from the Cubii App.
Like many under-desk ellipticals, this trainer is battery-powered for anytime use. It weighs 19.3 pounds and includes both a handle and wheels for easy transport. While this compact elliptical is close in price to some of the lower-priced, full-sized models on our list, it can be a worthwhile investment for those who want to use an elliptical trainer for under-desk purposes, or individuals with injuries or mobility concerns who have a hard time standing on a machine. Cubii promises users of this little device can burn around 150 calories per hour, and 85 percent of its daily users reported improved joint range of motion and flexibility, according to an independent survey.
Pros:
- Full-body workout that targets arms and legs
- Resistance can be controlled via Cubii app
- Can be helpful for rehabilitation
- Weighs less than 20 pounds
Cons:
- Higher price point for miniature machine
- Requires charging batteries
Benefits of an Elliptical
Exercising on an elliptical comes with a host of physical and mental health benefits. Here’s what you can expect an elliptical machine to do for your health, wellness and fitness levels.
Boost Cardiovascular Health
A regular exercise routine that includes elliptical training can have tremendous benefits for the heart. Physical activity can lower blood pressure, reduce inflammation, and slow your heart rate. It can also increase HDL, or “good” cholesterol, and reduce stress hormones that can negatively impact the heart. In addition, exercise can help prevent your heart from working too hard. If you’re seeking out the heart-healthy benefits of cardio workouts, an elliptical trainer is an excellent machine to consider adding to your home gym.
Low-Impact Workouts
Exercising on an elliptical machine is one of the best low-impact workouts you can do. Since your feet are essentially gliding forwards and backwards, you aren’t actively taking steps like you would on a treadmill, or pounding pavement as you would by running outside. This low-impact workout puts less stress on your joints, making it a great option for people of all fitness levels and many people with injuries or mobility issues. Another great low-impact machine to consider is a stair stepper, which while challenging, puts less stress on joints. A handful of ellipticals also come in a stair stepper-like design that blends both workouts.
Increase Your Calorie Burn
Exercising on an elliptical can be an effective way to increase your calorie burn. Thirty-minute elliptical workouts can burn anywhere from 270–378 calories, while walking on a treadmill for 30 minutes burns only 135–150 calories (these numbers, of course, depend on your weight and how hard you exercise). However, if you’re looking to maximize your calorie burn, an elliptical trainer should be one of your top cardio machines of choice to purchase for home gym use.
Lose Weight
If you’re on a weight loss program, investing in an elliptical trainer can help you reach your goals. Aerobic exercise like elliptical workouts can be an effective way to lose weight, and studies show 10 months of regular aerobic exercise promoted significant weight loss in both men and women.
Reduce Your Stress
Studies have long proven exercise can be a key component to fighting symptoms of anxiety or depression. Research shows moderate physical activity, including working out on an elliptical, can reduce depression risk amongst young adults. A review of studies done over the last 20-plus years also determined exercise is just as effective as standard antidepressant treatments. This review also found every study, with the exception of one, discovered patients who were using exercise as part of their treatment for depression showed a significant improvement in symptoms after exercising. So, if you’re feeling stressed or anxious, hopping on an elliptical machine can boost your brain’s production of endorphins, or feel-good hormones.
Improve Sleep
In addition to reducing stress, physical activity like exercising on an elliptical machine can actually help you get more shut-eye. A review of 29 studies found exercise improved sleep quality or duration, or how long you sleep for. While you may have heard exercising at night could lead to poor sleep, newer research shows evening exercise before bed does just the opposite and can actually help you fall asleep faster and for longer, as long as the exercise isn’t done within one hour of hitting the mattress.
How We Chose the Best Elliptical Under $1,000
We chose the machines that made our best elliptical under $1,000 list based on a number of factors. While price was a key driving factor, we looked at much more than just cost. Our choices were determined by overall construction and build, machine durability, features, functionality, Bluetooth capabilities, resistance range, and customer reviews. We carefully assessed what each machine included—and didn’t include—before making a decision.
Learn more about our fitness review process.
How to Choose the Best Elliptical Under $1,000 for You
There are many important factors to consider in order to find a machine that best fits your needs, workout space, budget, and interests. Here’s how to choose the right elliptical trainer.
Resistance
An elliptical trainer’s resistance range will determine how light or challenging you can make your workouts. A higher resistance range will allow you to crank up the difficulty, and it will also make it easier to do high-intensity interval training that requires quickly changing your workout from easy to hard. Some machines even offer auto-adjusting resistance that changes your resistance to match your workout program, but this feature is usually part of a paid fitness subscription.
Size
Elliptical machines come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Depending on the size of your home gym and how much space you can afford to dedicate to an elliptical machine, it’s important to find a product that won’t overcrowd your workout area. A safe rule of thumb is to have five feet to each side of you to guarantee you have enough space to comfortably exercise. Remember elliptical strides move horizontally, so the area behind your machine is especially important to consider. For a more space-saving solution, you can also consider mini or under-desk ellipticals.
Stride Length
Stride length is a surprising factor that makes a big difference in your elliptical experience, so be sure not to overlook this important detail. A longer stride length will essentially put more distance between your feet as you glide on the elliptical; this can create more burn and a more challenging workout. A shorter stride length, on the other hand, is easier on your legs and takes some of the stress off of your back, hips, and knees. Consider your overall fitness level and how challenging you want your workouts to be. If you’re not sure or if you want to bounce between a longer and shorter stride length, you can also look for a machine with adjustable stride length.
Build and Quality
Build and quality matters, especially when you’re investing hard-earned money into an elliptical trainer. Whether you’re paying $300 or $3,000 for cardio equipment, you want a machine that’s designed to last and won’t break down on you in a couple of months. While a lower-priced purchase runs the risk of being made with lower-quality materials, you can avoid these issues with a bit of careful research. Most product pages include specs that tell what their machines are made out of. Look for products built with steel or aluminum, as these are more durable than plastic. Machines that contain plastic products or parts may run the risk of breaking, and this can cause issues down the line since most elliptical trainer warranties include just one year for parts.
In addition, consider the overall build style and shape of the elliptical machine. For a more traditional experience, you can seek out a standard elliptical machine with or without moveable handrails (stationary handrails won’t offer an upper-body workout, so keep this in mind). Older adults or individuals with mobility issues or injuries can also try recumbent elliptical machines, which are seated, or under-desk ellipticals that can be used at a workspace or on a couch.
Cost
With any major fitness investment, cost is often the most important factor behind a decision. Be sure to consider your budget from several different directions. First and foremost, how much you’re willing to pay for the elliptical machine. Then, factor in any additional shipping, delivery or installation costs. Lastly, add up costs for any further investments, like workout shoes, fitness accessories, or subscriptions to online personal trainers. To get the best price, check back during sale seasons, like Black Friday or Memorial Day.
Extra Features
If a standard elliptical trainer without any bells and whistles is all you need to achieve a good workout, then you may not need extra features. However, if you’re looking for a more interactive experience, Bluetooth connectivity, or certain accessories, it’s important to seek out a machine that covers most of these bases. Determine what will make your workout more enjoyable and effective—perhaps that might be integrated accessory holders, like media racks, or a cooling fan to keep you comfortable. While it may not be possible to get every extra feature you’re looking for in a budget-friendly purchase, a machine that meets most of your needs is worth trying.
Related: Best Diets for Weight Loss in 2024
FAQs
Here’s everything else you need to know about elliptical trainers.
How much does a good elliptical machine cost?
A good elliptical doesn’t necessarily have to be an expensive buy. Most standard ellipticals start around $500, but keep in mind these machines likely won’t have any high-end features. Instead, you’ll get a basic workout and a machine that gets the job done. For a more interactive experience or additional features, like Bluetooth connectivity or touchscreens, ellipticals can easily get into the thousands range, with the most expensive models costing upwards of $6,000 or more. However, don’t be put off by this price range. You can buy an excellent elliptical for less than $1,000, while still getting an interactive experience.
Can you find high-tech features on an elliptical under $1,000?
Yes, you can find a number of high-tech features on an elliptical that costs less than $1,000—and if you don’t believe us, just check out our list. Many elliptical machines on our best elliptical under $1,000 guide come loaded with features like scenic workouts, pulse grips, auto-adjusting resistance and integrated fitness apps. Some machines require a subscription to paid fitness platforms to access all features, but others include them with the machine at no extra cost.
Final Thoughts
There’s a reason elliptical machines are a favorite choice for cardio amongst the fitness community. These machines offer numerous health benefits such as weight loss, stamina boost, strengthening of leg muscles and injury recovery. While it’s true cardio machines tend to be some of the most expensive buys for a home gym, purchasing a high-quality elliptical trainer doesn’t have to be a major investment. Our best elliptical machine under $1,000 guide proves more budget-friendly elliptical trainers can be worth the purchase, and you don’t have to lose out on high-tech features in exchange for a lower price point. Before making a purchase, be sure to consult our list to learn which models are available and what features they offer.
Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.
