If you are in a hurry and just want to find out what the best seated elliptical for home fitness, then we’d recommend the FreeStep® LT3 Recumbent Cross Trainer as the best one.
If you’re new to having an exercise routine, looking to try out something new, or find most types of exercise too intense, then a seated elliptical is worth a look.
Sitting ellipticals provide many of the benefits of a full-body workout without nearly as much strain on muscles or joints.
When it comes to suiting individual needs, finding the best seated elliptical can be a definite challenge.
Not only are there a lot of options out there, but there are so many variables to consider.
Affordability, accessibility, personal preference, look, feel, and maintenance needs all play a role in what equipment is most appropriate for you.
In the event that you’ve seen some ellipticals that pique your interest, but are having some trouble deciding which one to buy or whether to buy one at all, then this comprehensive guide will provide you with all the information you’ll need to know.
Here are the top seated ellipticals we’ll be reviewing:
- Teeter FreeStep LT1 Recumbent Cross Trainer
- HCI Fitness PhysioStep HXT
- Octane Fitness xRide xR600 Seated Elliptical
- Bodycraft SCT400g Seated Elliptical
- Teeter FreeStep LT3 Recumbent Cross Trainer
The Importance of Staying in Shape
Everyone knows that exercise is a good thing.
It’s constantly recommended by medical professionals, scientists, and everyday people to get plenty of exercise in order to remain healthy and happy.
However, people have a habit of underestimating its real impact; in fact, having a regular workout routine is probably one of the most important things you can do to ensure your well-being.
Regular exercise is correlated with a multitude of personal benefits, including:
- Reducing depression symptoms
- Relieving anxiety
- Improving mood
- Improving sleep
- Helping with losing/maintaining weight
- Improving discipline
- Giving a sense of purpose in the form of goals
- Boosting confidence
- Helping prevent common ailments like diabetes and heart disease
- Improving concentration
How You Can Pursue Fitness Goals at Home
Commercial gym memberships are considered to be the premiere way to get into shape, but the truth is that in most instances you can get the exact same results at home.
There are any number of exercises you can do without access to a gym that provide excellent outcomes by themselves, such as push ups, crunches, and lunges.
You can also find creative ways to make your own equipment at almost no cost like filling old bottles with heavy materials (water, sand) to create weights.
When combined with a goal-setting plan, exercising can be done successfully almost anywhere at any time.
If you develop a disciplined routine with an established reward system, you’re bound to get the results you want a lot sooner that you would expect.
Although at-home workouts can be done without equipment, the reality is that workout tools still offer superior results.
Affordable and high quality exercise machines can be delivered to your home with relative ease.
The primary advantage of using most machines is that they simplify the exercise process by working out multiple parts of your body at once without adding any extra strain or complicated routines.
Additionally, some equipment, like treadmills, are usually impossible to replicate in a home environment, so having a machine is the only realistic option.
Why Low-Impact Equipment Is Underrated
Of all the equipment out there, one type that frequently gets overlooked are machines that are labeled “low-impact.”
Low-impact is reference to how certain exercise equipment is designed to distribute the force of impact when your body presses into a hard surface.
When you run on a treadmill, every time your feet land on the machine it puts stress on your legs and your joints, which can cause pain and, in some cases, lasting damage.
With something that’s low-impact, this stress is more evenly distributed throughout your body and through the machine, relieving many of the negative side-effects of routine exercise.
Low-impact equipment is often considered to be sub-par for getting people the physical results they want, but that’s not really the case.
All low-impact machines do is make exercise less stressful on certain parts of your body. Most of the muscle-building and cardio benefits of regular exercise are still present and you can still easily get the results you want without having to deal with excessive amounts of pain or the risk of long-term injury.
Why Seated Ellipticals Are Some of the Best Options Available
One of the most common low-impact exercise options are ellipticals.
Elliptical use resembles many aspects of a full-body workout as it affects muscles in the arms, legs, back, torso, and shoulders.
It’s a very good way to target the most critical parts of your body while building stamina overall.
However, better than a regular machine is a seated elliptical.
These types of ellipticals allow you to sit down while you exercise and doesn’t compromise the benefits of using a regular elliptical.
As a result, a seated elliptical exerciser is a great choice for those looking to completely minimize bodily strain while trying to get into shape.
They’re especially useful for those looking to have a more casual workout experience and are well-suited for those who might have some sort of physical impairment.
Given how seated ellipticals are appropriate for all sorts of demographics, it’s a pretty decent go-to option.
Of course, the many different machines available out there vary considerably in terms of quality and have all sorts of advantages and disadvantages, which is why I’ve compiled a list to help you find the best seated elliptical for your needs.
Top Seated Elliptical Reviews
Teeter FreeStep LT1 Recumbent Cross Trainer
The Teeter FreeStep LT1 Recumbent Cross Trainer is a very affordable elliptical option which has zero-impact stride technology and comes equipped with numerous customization options, including adjustable handles, an adjustable seat, and a magnetic resistance adjustment dial that can be used to change the intensity of workouts.
The machine is designed to maximize calorie burning potential without the added stress to joints and comes with patented linear path technology to ensure comfortable exercise sessions.
Pros
- Excellent back support
- Can be assembled very quickly
- Good at toning muscle
- Very good price
- Pretty decent warranty
- Not noisy at all
- Supports many different forms of exercise
- Very responsive customer service
Cons
- Prolonged workouts can cause knee pain
- LED display can be hard to read and sometimes glitches out
- Magnetic resistance adjustment can be difficult
- The seat is kind of small
- Handle shape isn’t the most comfortable
- Not great to use if you’re a tall person
HCI Fitness PhysioStep HXT
Possessing a semi-elliptical motion, the HCI Fitness PhysioStep HXT comes with 17 different exercise programs and offers 16 levels of resistance for a highly modifiable workout experience.
The HXT is designed to provide a cardio workout that covers several different muscle groups around the body.
Many parts of the machine are adjustable, with the rotating hand grips being the most notable, and length between the user and the handlebars is minimized to prevent excess arm strain.
Pros
- Good value for your money
- Has good back support
- Easy to assemble
- Easy on your body
- Is compatible with both light and heavy exercise
Cons
- Heart monitor doesn’t really work
- Can sometimes hear a squeaking noise
- Gets delivered in a giant, cumbersome box
- Lack of maintenance can impact functionality
- Seat isn’t super flexible or accommodating
Octane Fitness xRide xR600 Seated Elliptical
Modeled to be a vastly superior version of a recumbent bike, the Octane Fitness xRide xR600 Seated Elliptical excels at building major muscle groups and increasing calorie burn.
Many different exercise options are available with the xR6000 and settings can be adjusted to provide users with their preferred exercise level.
The xR6000 comes with specialized programs which target chest or legs muscles and improve endurance in such a way that it rivals the benefit of having a personal trainer.
Users can also measure a litany of exercise-related statistics such as heart rate and the amount of electrical energy they are generating.
Pros
- Very comfortable overall
- Very good for heavy workouts
- Good warranty
- Is very customizable
- Well-designed and advanced LED
- Comes with a lot of useful exercise tips
Cons
- Comparatively heavy
- Takes up a lot of room
- Will have to pay extra to get one of the better LED models
- Quite expensive
Bodycraft SCT400g Seated Elliptical
A completely no-plug system, the Bodycraft SCT400g Seated Elliptical is designed to be an ergonomically sound and easy to use machine that can fit into even the tiniest of spaces.
The elliptical uses spring step technology to make sure that each leg movement is followed through in a uniform fashion, ultimately resulting in less joint stress.
It’s made with very durable, high quality material and comes with many useful features, including an adjustable seat, tablet holder, water bottle holder, and a reading rack.
Pros
- Magnetic resistance system is mostly sound-free
- Has a pretty decent warranty
- Provides users with the ability to pedal forward or backward
- Accurate heart rate monitor
- Attached chair has the ability to swivel
- Gives users the option to create their own built-in exercise program
Cons
- Expensive
- Pretty heavy
- Assembly can be a bit complex
- Limited compatibility with bluetooth and similar devices
- Changing resistance levels isn’t easy
Teeter FreeStep LT3 Recumbent Cross Trainer
The Teeter FreeStep LT3 Recumbent Cross Trainer is a seated elliptical that is designed with ease of use, fluid motion, and impact distribution in mind.
Top of the line features include a tablet holder, a reclining chair, digital tracking of exercise statistics, extra cushioned seating, and sweat-resistant handles.
The LT3 targets muscle groups all across the body as it combines the benefits of a traditional leg press while defining the upper body.
Users have the option of adjusting their workout routine to be compatible with either light or intense exercise.
Pros
- Reasonable price
- Can easily be augmented to improve experience
- Very attentive customer service
- Included instructions for assembly are easy to follow
- Good material quality is apparent
- Excellent for achieving good muscle tone
- Doesn’t take up too much room
- Provides a high quality workout without physical pain
Cons
- Upper body workout isn’t as good as it could be
- Prolonged use can cause knee pain
- Seat adjustment can be difficult
- Back support is lacking
- Noise isn’t dampened enough
> > Check out our full review of the Teeter Freestep LT3 here < <
Which Option Is the Best Seated Elliptical?
There are a lot of machines out there that can contend for being the best seated elliptical, but the reality is that there is definitely a clear winner.
The best seated elliptical has to provide the ability for users to get the exercise results they want, has to be generally reliable, has to be customizable to suit unique needs, and ideally be available at a reasonable cost.
Many of the seated ellipticals mentioned on this list have their own strengths and weaknesses, but ultimately the Teeter FreeStep LT3 Recumbent Cross Trainer takes the cake.
The Teeter FreeStep LT3 is a comparatively inexpensive machine that doesn’t lack in quality. It can easily be outfitted with additional accessories or equipment to increase its value exponentially; matching the standards of physical therapy-grade equipment.
It’s easy to store and maintain, with there being very easy to follow step-by-step instructions on how to assemble it.
In terms of effectiveness, the Teeter FreeStep LT3 Recumbent Cross Trainer is great for giving your muscles a decent level of definition without it causing too much physical pain and risks for injury are largely negligible.
Customer service support is also stellar most of the time, so it’s a good choice if you anticipate that you’ll have issues with having your seated elliptical delivered or getting it set up.
