If you are in a hurry and just want to find out what the best treadmill for seniors is, then we recommend the Teeter Power10 Elliptical Rower as the best one.
Elliptical machines first came on the scene in the mid- to late-90s.
They were marketed as a safe, low-impact workout for people with joint and knee issues. Since then, they’ve only grown in popularity, especially with the over-50 crowd.
Here we’ve narrowed down the five best elliptical machines for seniors.
Here are the top ellipticals we’ll be reviewing:
- XTERRA Fitness FS3.0 Dual Action Elliptical
- Nautilus E618 Elliptical
- LifeSpan E5i Commercial Elliptical Trainer
- Bluefin Fitness CURV 2.0 Elliptical Cross Trainer
- Teeter Power10 Elliptical Rower
The Benefits of Ellipticals
When people think of ellipticals, they often get hung up on the low-impact, easy-resistance benefits, and those are great benefits.
However, they aren’t the only benefits.
In addition to being easy on the bones, joints, muscles and knees, they also allow you to have a good cardio workout while also getting in some strength training.
Additionally, elliptical machines also provide both an upper- and a lower-body workout and allow you to burn plenty of calories.
This, in turn, can help you burn fat and lose weight.
They’re easy to use, and the very best elliptical machines for seniors can also help them improve their balance and recover degrading muscle mass and bone strength.
They can also help you recover from injuries.
Choosing a Good Elliptical for Seniors
When you’re looking for the best elliptical machines for seniors, there are definitely some key points to consider.
First and foremost, you want to make sure the machine you’re buying is sturdy and ergonomic.
Everyone, no matter his age, wants to exercise in comfort, but it’s even more important for seniors.
With that in mind, if you’re buying the machine for someone else, it would be best to take the senior shopping with you so that s/he can try out the machine before you buy it.
Let the person climb onto the elliptical and make sure it’s comfortable and that it doesn’t shake or wobble while s/he’s using it.
Also pay special attention to the handlebars.
Other Things to Consider?
Performance
Simply put, an elliptical’s performance refers to how the machine works and how it feels while in use.
For example, are the pedals aligned with your own natural stride, or do you feel like you’re having to force yourself to lengthen it?
Are the motions of the handlebars smooth and coordinated with the pedaling, or do you feel like you’re contorting your body to get your stride to match your arm swings?
Low-Impact
Furthermore, is the elliptical truly low-impact?
All ellipticals are marketed as low-impact, but if you find one that’s cheaply made, this can actually be untrue.
That’s why it’s so important that whoever will be using the machine tests it out thoroughly to make sure there’s no strain on the joints or pain in the knees.
Resistance/Incline
Different ellipticals have varying resistance levels – one, three, seven, 20 or more. Find the elliptical that matches the resistance levels you need.
Also, you’ll increase your strength and stamina as you use the elliptical, which means you’ll eventually need to go to a higher resistance level to get the same results.
The best elliptical machines for seniors – for anyone really – have at least ten resistance levels so that the machine “grows” with the user as s/he grows stronger.
Adjustable inclines are also good for increasing the potency of your workout. If you want a little tougher workout, look for an incline feature.
Weight Limit
If you’re buying the elliptical for someone who’s on the heavier side, check its weight restrictions before purchasing it.
Most ellipticals can accommodate users up to 300 pounds, but some can’t, and if you’re over 300 pounds, you may have to spend a little more for a more heavy-duty machine.
Value
The value of the elliptical isn’t just how much it costs or how much you’re saving buying one over another.
Value is a formula that includes the price of the machine, how long it lasts and how well it’s made.
A $200 elliptical may sound like a steal until you get home, use it once and have the handlebar break off in your hand.
Check out the machine’s construction. Is it made primarily from steel or plastic?
Plastic ellipticals are usually cheaper, but they aren’t made as well and aren’t nearly as durable as steel machines.
Also, don’t overlook the machine’s warranty. Traditionally, the more confident a company is in its product, the better warranty it’ll provide.
Features
Different ellipticals come with different features.
Most come with pulse monitors, but some also come with additional perks such as apps that keep track of how many calories you’ve burned or the ability to customize your workouts.
Still others come with embedded media players so you can play music while working out. There are even machines with designated holders for phones and/or tablets.
Figure out which features mean the most to you.
The 5 Best Elliptical Machines for Seniors
XTERRA Fitness FS3.0 Dual Action Elliptical
The XTERRA Fitness FS3.0 Dual Action Elliptical is easily one of the best elliptical machines for seniors on a budget. In fact, it’s the only one on our list under $500.
If money’s an issue, this is a great option.
It features 20 resistance levels, which means you should get a lot of use out of the machine even after you get your strength and stamina built up to higher levels.
However, the 16-inch stride is smaller than some people are comfortable using, and it isn’t adjustable.
The LCD screen is a nice five and a half inches and features a backlit display, which is great for exercising in low-light areas.
There’s a built-in heart rate receiver in the grips on the handlebars, and there are 14 other built-in programs to help keep you motivated.
The elliptical doesn’t have media or Bluetooth capabilities, but it does have built-in speakers and an audio input jack.
Pros
- Very affordable.
- 20 different resistance levels.
- 14 built-in programs.
- Features a built-in heart rate receiver.
- Backlit LCD display
Cons
- Not as durable as steel-framed elliptical machines.
- Loud when in use.
- Only accommodates users up to 275 pounds.
- Stride is short and not adjustable.
Nautilus E618 Elliptical
The Nautilus E618 Elliptical is another great option for seniors, but it’s definitely going to cost more than the XTERRA. It also comes with a lot more features as well.
It features Bluetooth connectivity, tons of free app-based tracking tools and dozens of training programs.
It has a motorized incline and 25 different resistance levels.
The 22-inch stride is a bit long and not optimal for shorter users, especially since it can’t be adjusted, but the handlebars are multi-position and feature both an integrated incline and resistance controls.
The warranty is good, and the machine can hold users up to 350 pounds. It’s heavy though, so it isn’t one of the easiest machines to move.
Pros
- Features 25 resistance levels and a motorized power incline function.
- Accommodates users up to 350 pounds.
- Features Bluetooth connectivity.
- 15-year warranty on frame
- Features wireless heart rate strap and grips for monitoring heart rate.
Cons
- Expensive.
- 22-inch stride isn’t optimal for shorter users.
- Heavy and hard to move; weighs 210 pounds.
- The stride isn’t adjustable.
- Somewhat difficult to assemble.
LifeSpan E5i Commercial Elliptical Trainer
Although the LifeSpan E5i Commercial Elliptical Trainer is one of the best elliptical machines for seniors, it’s also the most expensive. Even so, if you can afford the high price, it’s a great machine.
It’s easy to set up and use, and the 20-inch stride is fairly comfortable for most people between 5’3″ and 6’1″. It’s made of high-quality, incredibly durable commercial-grade components.
These sturdy materials can hold users up to 375 pounds and are backed with a lifetime warranty on the machine’s frame.
The machine isn’t Bluetooth enabled, but there’s a tablet holder and an audio jack so you can make your own media that way.
However, the tablet holder is poorly placed and covers up the display somewhat.
The display is large and backlit, but it’s also a little outdated.
It is, however, incredibly simple to use.
The machine runs entirely off self-generated power, includes 20 resistance levels and 21 pre-programmed workouts.
Pros
- Lifetime warranty on the frame.
- Holds users up to 375 pounds.
- 20 resistance levels.
- 21 pre-programmed workouts.
Cons
- Extremely expensive.
- No cooling fan, which is disappointing considering the price.
- The tablet shelf blocks the display.
- Display screen is somewhat outdated and low-tech.
Bluefin Fitness CURV 2.0 Elliptical Cross Trainer
The Bluefin Fitness CURV 2.0 Elliptical Cross Trainer is another elliptical that’s fairly affordable and pretty decent for the price, although if you’re taller than 6’0″, this may not be the best choice for you.
There’s no set stride length, but the extra-large pedals allow for a wide variety of foot placements, making it fairly comfortable for most users under six feet.
It features whisper quiet technology for a smooth, silent workout.
It has 24 resistance levels and 12 automatic programs, but there are no incline options, and some of the programs and resistance levels can be hard to figure out at first.
You’ll quickly catch on though. It’s a lightweight machine, so if you’re 250 pounds or heavier, you may want to consider a different option.
There’s nothing super tech-savvy about it, but it does have a tablet holder, so you can stream media that way.
However, if you use the tablet holder, you won’t be able to see the display.
Pros
- Reasonably affordable.
- Extra-large pedals.
- Whisper quiet workout.
- 24 resistance levels and 12 automatic programs.
- Included wheels make it easy to move.
Cons
- No clearly defined stride lengths.
- Can be difficult to operate at first.
- No incline options.
- Not optimal for use by taller people.
Teeter Power10 Elliptical Rower
You’ll immediately notice that the Teeter Power10 Elliptical Rower is different from the others on our list. That’s because it’s an elliptical rower as opposed to a true elliptical.
The most obvious difference between the two is that with the elliptical rower, you’ll sit while you use it.
This is a great option for seniors with severe mobility or balance issues because it gives them all the same great benefits as a regular elliptical, but they don’t have to worry about potentially falling.
It also takes the whole “low-impact” thing to a new level.
With this machine, you’ll have even less muscle fatigue than with a traditional elliptical, and you can gain more muscle definition and burn more calories.
It comes with a great, subscription-free training app to streamline your workout, and it features a heart monitor chest strap and a display that gives you all kinds of real-time feedback.
The downsides, aside from the price, are that it only features seven resistance levels, and the warranty isn’t great.
It can fit a wide variety of users though, accommodating people up to seven feet tall/300 pounds.
Pros
- Great for seniors with balance or mobility issues.
- Even more low-impact than regular ellipticals.
- Burns more calories and allows you to build more muscle.
- Accommodates users in a wide range of sizes.
Cons
- Expensive.
- Only seven resistance levels.
- The workout video can be hard to follow at first.
Which One Is the Best?
We would ultimately have to choose the Teeter Power10 Elliptical Rower. Even though it’s pricey, it’s an excellent machine.
It can be used sitting down, which makes it even safer for seniors than normal elliptical machines.
It also burns more calories and builds more muscle mass than other machines. All-in-all, it’s a great value for the money.
Plus, it holds heavier users, which are often the most common type of new users.
