PROGRAMS
These provide variation in your workout. Most people never use them and the people that do typically pick 1 or just a few they really like and stick with them. A great option in regard to programs is when the elliptical will memorize your favorite workout and replay it. If you don’t know for sure that you will use programs, don’t pay extra for them.HEART RATE CONTROL (HRC)
This option is sold as a speedometer for the heart. Great in concept but poor in execution. Most require a gizmo strap that is uncomfortable for most people. The best option in this category is HR handgrips you can hold onto that determine your heart rate. The manufacturers have made this system much more accurate than it was in the past but they are still quite inaccurate on the low cost machines. That’s why Proform tells you to stand on the side while measuring heart rate…we know, it kind of defeats the purpose.FOLDING
Folding ellipticals are a new phenomena and they are typically made by only one company: Icon Health & Fitness. We are not convinced of the utility of this feature and we would not pay any additional money for it. If you like the feature and could get a good deal we would buy it.EXTENDED WARRANTIES
Don’t buy an extended warranty unless you get one from UTS (Universal Technical Services) or Moses tells you to do it. This is usually a BIG waste of money due to some shady companies. UTS is the best we have seen, and it is owned by Icon Health & Fitness which is another good reason to use the UTS warranties. On Icon machines, you are going to need it if you use the elliptical.WARRANTY & MAINTENANCE
A standard elliptical trainer warranty is lifetime on the frame, 3 years on parts, and 1 year on labor. This means that most people won’t need an extended warranty.That’s good because the track record of most warranty companies in the fitness business is not good. The only exception that we are aware of is Universal Technical Services (UTS). We don’t have any reservations about recommending them. Cheaper elliptical trainers usually have warranties as short as 90 days while usually the more you spend, the longer warranty you will receive.
Warranties lately have become crazy so don’t get carried away with the Lifetime warranties on this or that elliptical trainer. Ultimately, you want to make sure you get an elliptical that you like, is easy for you to operate, and feels good for use. If you don’t like it, you won’t need the warranty anyway because you won’t use the machine enough to break it.
In regard to maintenance, keeping it clean is the golden rule. To help with this, put it on an elliptical mat and periodically clean the entire elliptical.
