If you are in a hurry and just want to find out what the best recumbent elliptical cross trainer for weak knees, then we recommend the Teeter FreeStep® LT3 Recumbent Cross Trainer as the best one.
Exercising with weak knees can be tough because most gym equipment and machines aren’t designed with weak knee users in mind.
That doesn’t mean it’s impossible to find suitable machines, you’ll just have to put in a little more effort.
Recumbent ellipticals are one of the best types of machines that you can use if you have weak knees.
In this article, I’ll tell you why and list five of the best recumbent elliptical cross trainer machines you can get.
Here are the top recumbent elliptical cross trainers we’ll be reviewing:
- Body Champ 3-in-1 Exercise Machine
- HCI Fitness Physio Step HXT Recumbent Elliptical Cross Trainer
- Teeter FreeStep® LT1 Recumbent Cross Trainer
- Teeter FreeStep® LT3 Recumbent Cross Trainer
- Body Power Trio Trainer Exercise Machine
What You Need When Exercising with Weak Knees
Just because you have osteoarthritis of the knees or another source of weak knees doesn’t mean you can’t exercise to the best of your ability.
In fact, lower body exercise could even improve your knee strength or knee pain. You may just have to do things a little differently than everyone else or possibly avoid certain positions.
Avoid Excessive Pain
The first and most important thing you need to do is avoid anything that causes excessive pain in your knees.
Pain is not good.
Don’t get this confused with muscle burn.
There is a clear difference between pain and muscle burn. If you use certain machines at a gym and they cause you pain, you already have an idea of what not to get.
Avoid Putting All/Most of the Weight on Your Knees
While this is good advice for everyone regardless of whether their knees are weak, it’s especially important for people with weak knees.
You should avoid things like squats, lunges, or even fire hydrant kicks.
This doesn’t mean you can’t ever do these exercises. However, you may want to strengthen your knees first before doing these.
Work on Proper Form
Having proper form when doing exercises will help you tremendously.
Improper form is what causes pain and injuries. When you’re already dealing with weak knees, the last thing you want to do is injure them.
Not only will this hurt, but it will hinder the process of you making them stronger.
What Do These Three Tips Have to Do with a Recumbent Elliptical Cross Trainer?
A good recumbent elliptical cross trainer encompasses all three of these tips. It’s a low-impact machine so it won’t cause excessive pain.
You’ll be sitting down so you won’t be putting weight and pressure on your knees.
And you’ll automatically have proper form while sitting on the machine. The next section will give you some criteria to use for choosing the best recumbent elliptical cross trainer.
How to Shop for a Good Recumbent Elliptical Cross Trainer for Weak Knees
Size and Weight Capacity
Recumbent ellipticals are a mid-sized machine.
There are a few compact versions, but either way they’re going to have a noticeable footprint in your home.
Plus, they don’t fold so you probably won’t be able to stow it away. You’ll want to make sure it fits wherever you’re going to put it.
You should also make sure that the machine can support the weight of the heaviest user.
Try to get one that can support at least 20 pounds more than the heaviest user, so you aren’t pushing the machine to maximum capacity.
This will help it last longer.
Quality and Build
Most recumbent machines are high-quality because they’re designed to provide more support more than a standard elliptical.
However, if you choose a budget machine, it may not be as sturdy or supportive. This doesn’t mean to avoid cheaper models. It just means to be aware of what you’re buying.
One great way to determine the quality of the materials used for the machine is by the machine’s weight.
Higher quality, heavy-duty material weighs more than cheap material.
If the machine is lighter than 100 pounds (which is usually the case with budget machines), it’s not made from the best material.
Again, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get it.
However, if you’re a heavy person, do yourself a favor and get the high-quality machine because the cheap, low quality ones are just going to break down under your weight.
Comfort and Adjustability
You need to be comfortable while you’re working out.
This will help reduce knee discomfort and overall discomfort.
Make sure the seat has good, thick padding and wide seats. It should be adjustable at least two ways (up and down).
The handlebars should have good, thick padding otherwise the padding will just fall apart after using it for a while. Some trainers may even have adjustable handlebars.
Top Five Recumbent Elliptical Cross Trainers
Body Champ 3-in-1 Exercise Machine
If you’re looking for a trainer with versatility, the Body Champ 3-in-1 Exercise Machine is for you.
With three sets of handlebars and two different foot plate positions, you can use this machine as a recumbent elliptical, an upright bike, or a standing elliptical.
It’s truly the best way to get the most bang for your buck.
This machine has a nicely padded seat and handlebars with comfortable foam padding.
It has a decent sized console that lights up and has 21 preset programs. There is also a media holder for your smart devices so you can stay entertained while working out.
The trainer measures 60″L x 28″W x 64″H and weighs 110 pounds. It can support users up to 250 pounds.
Pros
- Three functions in one machine for a great price.
- Three sets of handlebars.
- Twenty one preset programs to choose from.
Cons
- A lot of plastic parts means less durability.
- The flywheel is a bit noisy.
HCI Fitness Physio Step HXT Recumbent Elliptical Cross Trainer
The HCI Fitness Physio Step HXT Recumbent Elliptical Cross Trainer is a heavy-duty machine that can handle tough workouts with no problem. The company that manufactures it, Health Care International, specializes in rehabilitation equipment.
Everything they make is intended to be able to handle commercial/professional use. If you get this for your home, you can expect it to work for a lifetime.
This is evident from the lifetime warranty on the frame.
The machine has a heavily padded wide seat that adjusts two ways and swivels so that you can sit down on it with ease.
The handlebars are also adjustable. The console is brightly lit and easy to read and it’s placed in a convenient spot, so you don’t have to struggle to see it.
It comes with 17 preset programs and 16 levels of resistance.
The Physio Step HXT measures 52″ L X 25″ W X 51″ H and weighs 165 pounds. It can support users up to 330 pounds.
Pros
- Has a high weight capacity.
- Commercial grade machine.
- Plenty of programs and resistance levels.
Cons
- Very expensive.
- Very heavy.
Teeter FreeStep® LT1 Recumbent Cross Trainer
The Teeter FreeStep® LT1 Recumbent Cross Trainer is all about making you comfortable while you work out. The seat is thickly padded and ergonomically designed to hug your back as you sit.
Not only is it adjustable for height, but it reclines as well so you can get the perfect positioning.
The extra-long, padded handles also adjust so you don’t have to strain your back trying to reach them.
All the adjustability options allow you to target certain muscle groups of your choice as you exercise.
If you want to target something else, simply change the adjustments. Pair that with the variable magnetic resistance and you’ll be able to get one of the best cardio and resistance workouts ever.
The Teeter FreeStep® LT1 has a patented Stride Technology that keeps your knees from going over your toes.
This reduces stress on your knees and joints, enabling you to get a good workout without being in pain. It’s the perfect machine for someone with weak knees.
The machine measures 54″L x 38″W x 52.5″H and weighs 110 pounds. It supports users up to 300 pounds.
Pros
- All the adjustable options make it great for people with joint and mobility issues.
- Large, oversized footplates fit any size feet.
- Curved design of support legs gives it added stability.
Cons
- The console is not particularly good for a machine of this price range.
- Bottle holder is an open design making it easy to knock the bottle over.
Teeter FreeStep® LT3 Recumbent Cross Trainer
The Teeter FreeStep® LT3 Recumbent Cross Trainer is an upgraded version of the Teeter FreeStep® LT1 Cross Trainer.
The build, size, and weight are all the same. The difference is that the Teeter FreeStep® LT3 has premium features.
The UltraGlide™ Bearings is one of the premium features. These are steel ball bearings that essentially create a frictionless operation making the machine one of the quietest you’ll find.
This also extends the longevity of the parts. The patented SoftStep™ Pedals have a thermoplastic rubber (TPR) overlay giving it extra grip.
This way your feet stay firmly planted with no problems.
The ComfortSelect™ Seat has extra thick padding. The bottom part is wider, so you’ll feel more comfortable and supported.
The SureGrip™ Handles have a high-grade rubber padding for comfort and superior grip. It’s also creates a sweat-resistance surface.
There is no doubt that the Teeter FreeStep® LT3 is the best recumbent elliptical cross trainer on the list.
It’s also the best one for weak knees since it was literally designed for this. The machine measurements, weight, and capacity are the same as the Teeter FreeStep® LT1 Cross Trainer.
Pros
- Has a lot of premium features.
- Super quiet operation.
- Isn’t priced too much more than the LT1.
Cons
- Still has the same bad bottle holder design.
- There was no console improvement.
Body Power Trio Trainer Exercise Machine
For people who have smaller budgets, I’ve included a lower priced machine, the Body Power Trio Trainer Exercise Machine, that still has outstanding quality and features.
You also get your money’s worth because, like the first machine in the list, it functions as a recumbent elliptical, an upright bike, and a standard elliptical.
It’s perfect for a family where people have different needs or for someone who is short on space but needs multiple ways to exercise.
First, I should point out that this is not a heavy-duty or commercial-grade machine like the others in the list (hence the price).
It has moderate padding, thinner tubing, and a boring console. It’s a bare bones trainer, but it’s sturdy and does what you need it to do.
I like the fact that it has three sets of handlebars to accompany the two-way adjustable seat. It also has a tension knob to increase resistance as you exercise.
The Body Power Trio Trainer measures 63″L x 25″W x 55″H and weighs 90 pounds. It supports users up to 250 pounds.
Pros
- Very affordable.
- It’s lightweight so it’s easy to move around.
- Three ways to exercise in one.
Cons
- Tubing is thin.
- Flywheel is a bit noisy.
Final Thoughts on a Recumbent Elliptical Cross Trainer for Weak Knees
Almost any recumbent elliptical is going to be great for weak knees because the whole idea of a recumbent machine is to take pressure off your joints.
However, that doesn’t mean to just purchase the first one you see. You still must make good decisions with the purchase.
With this guide, you don’t have to worry about what’s best because the work has already been done for you.
It’s evident that the Teeter FreeStep® LT3 Recumbent Cross Trainer is the overall best because of the adjustability, superior quality, and premium features.
However, any of the machines on the list would be worth purchasing, so no matter which one you get you’ll have a recumbent elliptical cross trainer that’ll go easy on your weak knees.
