If you are in a hurry and just want to find out what the best sit down Elliptical machine for low impact fitness, then we’d recommend the FreeStep® LT3 Recumbent Cross Trainer as the best one.
Getting the best sit down elliptical machine is a great idea if you want a low-impact exercise machine that the whole family can use.
These easy-to-use machines give you an effective cardio workout while being easy on the joints and back.
Plus, there are plenty of high-quality, affordable models that won’t break your wallet.
In this guide to the best sit down elliptical machine, you’ll learn everything you need to know about them, and I’ll give you my top five picks.
Here are the top sit-down elliptical machines we’ll be reviewing:
- Teeter FreeStep® LT1 Recumbent Cross Trainer
- The FreeStep® LT3 Recumbent Cross Trainer
- ProForm Hybrid Trainer
- HCI Fitness Physio Step HXT Recumbent Cross Trainer
- Body Rider Elliptical Trainer
Sit Down Elliptical Trainer Basics
When you’re shopping for a sit down elliptical trainer, your criteria for selection one needs to include more than “a seat and some foot plates”.
Not all machines are made well, and you can’t always go by price to determine which ones are good and which ones aren’t.
Use the criteria below to determine if a machine is worth your hard earned money.
Size and Weight Capacity
One of the first things you should check is the size of the machine.
If you have plenty of space to place a recumbent elliptical, this won’t be a big concern for you.
However, if you have limited space, you’ll certainly want to make sure the machine you choose will fit.
Recumbent ellipticals may not be the biggest exercise machine you can get, but they’re not small either and they don’t fold.
Weight capacity is the next spec you should check.
You need to make sure the machine can support the heaviest person that will be using it.
If you and whoever else will be using it weighs less than 200 pounds, you’ll probably be okay with any machine, even lightweight ones.
However, once you reach the 200 pound mark, that’s where things can get dicey.
A good rule of thumb is to choose a machine that exceeds the weight of the heaviest user by 20 to 40 pounds at least.
This way you aren’t pushing the machine to the max and it will last longer.
Quality and Build
Buying an exercise machine is an investment and it’s one that you would want to last a long time.
That’s why quality and build is so important.
It can be hard to determine the quality and build of a machine from a box, so if you’re shopping in person, check to see if the store has a machine on display that you can check out.
If you’re like most people these days, you’re probably shopping online, especially if you’re reading this guide. So, you’ll need to use clues about the quality.
Clue #1
One clue is the weight of the machine.
The heavier a machine is, the more likely the quality of the material is better.
This is because high-quality material is heavy. Low quality material is light.
For a recumbent elliptical, if it weighs less than 100 pounds, you’re probably looking at a lower-quality machine.
This doesn’t mean that all light machines are bad machines. It simply means that if you want the best sit down elliptical machine, you’ll probably end up with a heavier machine.
Keep in mind that if you’re a heavy person, say 250 pounds or more, you’ll be wasting your money on a lightweight machine. They’re not built to support heavy people.
Clue #2
Another clue you can use is how many plastic parts the machine has.
Manufacturers make certain parts with plastic to save money and keep costs low.
However, plastic isn’t as strong as metal. High-quality machines will have a few plastic parts, but none of the important, weight-bearing parts will be plastic.
Clue #3
A third clue is the diameter of the tubing used to make the machine.
Of course, you can’t measure a picture online, so you won’t know the exact diameters. However, you can see that some tubing is narrower than others.
The narrower the tubing is, the less sturdy the machine is.
Comfort and Adjustability
Let’s be honest – you’re probably interested in a recumbent elliptical because you need something comfortable and easy on your joints.
It wouldn’t make sense to get a machine for that purpose only to have the seat be uncomfortable and the fit feel awkward.
You should make sure the seat has plenty of padding and that it’s wide enough for you to sit in comfortably.
Even the handlebars should have nice, thick padding. As for adjustability, it just makes sense to have a seat that can adjust up and down because not everyone is the same height.
It’s rare to find a recumbent elliptical that doesn’t have at least a 2-way adjusting seat. If you’re lucky, you may find one with adjustable handlebars as well.
Console
While the console doesn’t necessarily affect the quality of your workout, it does have important information that helps you track your stats.
Consoles come in a variety of sizes and can have basic technology or be as advanced as today’s smart televisions.
The one you choose is more a matter of personal preference but keep in mind that the larger the console and the more advanced it is, the more the price will go up on the machine.
Top Five Best Sit Down Ellipticals
Teeter FreeStep® LT1 Recumbent Cross Trainer
The Freestep® LT1 Recumbent Cross Trainer is remarkably high in quality.
It’s manufactured with precision – every part fits perfectly and the whole structure is solid and sturdy.
It’s engineered to mimic a commercial-grade machine and designed so that even people with mobility issues can easily get on the machine and workout.
The seat not only adjust for height, but it also reclines for added versatility. It’s heavily padded and wide so it’s extremely comfortable.
Even the handle bars have a nice, thick foam-like padding on them. The handlebars are also extra-long, so you don’t have to stretch and bend your back to reach them.
The console is small and only provides you with basic stats, but it does have a media holder. The machine also has a bottle holder.
The Freestep® LT1 Recumbent Cross Trainer measures 54″L x 38″W x 52.5″H and weighs 110 pounds. It can support users up to 300 pounds.
Pros
- Designed so that seniors and people with mobility issues can use it comfortably.
- The curved design of the supporting legs adds extra stability.
- Uses a patented Stride Technology that reduces pressure on joints even more than the recumbent seat.
Cons
- Bottle holder is an open design and it’s easy to knock down the bottle.
- The console is far away and downward which may not be good for people with vision issues.
The FreeStep® LT3 Recumbent Cross Trainer
The FreeStep® LT3 Recumbent Cross Trainer is the big brother to the LT1 and it is, without a doubt, the best sit down elliptical machine you’ll come across.
The only reason the LT1 didn’t win the best overall title is due to the premium features that the LT3 has.
The LT3 costs a little more, so if you want to save you could forego the premium features and still get the excellent performance of the FreeStep® with the LT1.
One of the most important upgrades is the UltraGlide™ Bearings technology. This offers a fluid, almost frictionless motion at pivot points making the machine bearings last even longer.
The pedals have been upgraded to SoftStep™ Pedals which have a thermoplastic rubber (TPR) overlay for extra grip and traction.
The seat has also been upgraded to a ComfortSelect™ Seat. It has more surface area and more cushion.
It also has two mounting points on top of the height adjustments and recline positions. The last upgrade is the SureGrip™ Handles that has a high-grade rubberized coating.
This gives you a slip resistant and sweat resistant surface.
The LT3 has the same dimensions, weight, weight capacity, and height range as the LT1.
Pros
- Premium features add to comfort and durability.
- Footplates are oversized to fit any size feet.
- Offers ultra-quiet operation due to the UltraGlide™ Bearings technology.
Cons
- The open design bottle holder is in an awkward spot (like the LT1).
- The position of the console hasn’t been improved.
ProForm Hybrid Trainer
The ProForm Hybrid Trainer is a great choice, especially if you will have multiple people of multiple ages using the trainer.
One of the most impressive features is the adjustable pedals. They angle upward if you’ll be sitting and they can be laid flat if you want to stand while exercising.
That’s why it’s called a hybrid trainer.
The seat of the ProForm has a unique design. The bottom is wide and thoroughly cushioned for superior comfort.
The back is ergonomically designed and has an open-hole grid design that will allow air to circulate while you exercise.
If you’ve ever had a sweaty back after getting off an exercise machine you’ll understand how valuable this is.
The console is amazing. For one, it tilts up and down so you can find the perfect position for your eyesight. It’s a nice size and the LCD screen is backlit so you can easily read it.
It has Bluetooth capabilities to connect with your devices so you can use the built-in speaker and it has a media holder on top.
Right up under the console is a bottle holder which is conveniently located and easy to access. You can’t ask for a better set up.
The ProForm Hybrid Trainer measures 70.5”L x 24.5”W x 60.5”H and weighs 116.8 pounds. It has a weight capacity of 350 pounds.
Pros
- Has a high weight capacity.
- One of the best console designs on the market.
- Has Bluetooth capabilities.
Cons
- Support legs could be better.
- Transport wheels require you to lift the entire machine.
HCI Fitness Physio Step HXT Recumbent Cross Trainer
HCI Fitness Physio Step HXT Recumbent Cross Trainer is one of the most solid and sturdy machines on the market.
It’s built for heavy-duty use which makes sense because the manufacturer’s specialty is rehabilitation equipment.
One thing is for sure – this machine isn’t going to break down on you anytime soon. In fact, it has a lifetime warranty on the frame.
It may be hard to review all the positive things about this machine here. It could literally take up its own article.
The seat is highly cushioned and extra wide with plenty of adjustability. The handlebars are also adjustable and highly padded, and you have an additional set of handlebars on the sides of the seat.
The console is huge with a bright backlight so you can easily read it. The machine has a third set of stability legs so it will stay firmly planted on the floor.
The only reason this machine didn’t get the title of overall best sit down elliptical machine is because the price and weight are impractical for home use – it’s very expensive and very heavy.
However, if you have the means, it would be worth the money and the effort.
Pros
- Built like a tank.
- Lifetime warranty on the frame.
- Designed so that bigger users can fit comfortably and not feel cramped in.
Cons
- Very expensive.
- Very heavy.
Body Rider Elliptical Trainer
It wouldn’t be fair to include an insanely expensive trainer without also including a budget-priced trainer.
The Body Rider Elliptical Trainer is an affordable hybrid trainer. It’s not recumbent, but it does have a seat so you can sit and train.
It also has room for you to stand and train like you would on a standard elliptical.
An impressive feature is that the seat is a 4-way adjusting seat. It can go up, down, backwards, or forward so you can get the perfect positioning.
There are two sets of handlebars, both comfortably padded with a foam-like material. The frame is strong for a budget machine. It has welded joints that will add to the durability of it.
It’s safe to say that this is a barebones trainer. The console is little more than a small stopwatch and it doesn’t have a media holder or a bottle holder.
It measures 48″L x 28.5″W x 59.5″H and weighs 66 pounds. It can support users up to 250 pounds.
Pros
- Very affordable – fits almost any budget.
- It’s lightweight so it’s easy to move around.
- Has a 4-way adjustable seat.
Cons
- Doesn’t hold a lot of user weight.
- Fan flywheel is noisy.
Final Thoughts on the Best Sit Down Elliptical Machine
A recumbent elliptical machine is a great idea to get in a good cardio workout while taking it easy on your joints.
It’s also a great choice for heavier people or anyone who simply wants to sit while working out. If you get a good machine, you can push yourself as hard as you want.
The best sit down elliptical machine on the list is the FreeStep® LT3 Recumbent Cross Trainer. It’s an expertly built, high-capacity machine with premium features.
On top of that, it’s about mid-range when it comes to affordability. Whether you choose the FreeStep® LT3 or another machine on the list, you’ll be getting something you can be proud to invest in.
