Ellipticals

Elliptical exercisers have been gaining ground in the marketplace in recent years. Our testers pedaled on 19 machines, evaluating exercise range, ergonomics, construction, safety, and more. Like treadmills, the pricier ellipticals generally have sturdier designs and more features. The top-rated Diamondback 1260Ef, for example, was easy to use, but it also costs $2,600. But the NordicTrack Audio­Strider 990, a CR Best Buy, also performed well and costs just $900.

All ellipticals have pedals that run on an elliptical path. Most let you adjust the resistance to determine the intensity of your workout using an electronic resistance control. But some machines have mechanical controls that tend to be cumbersome and work poorly. We've begun seeing ellipticals with innovative design features that allow you to adjust the incline and stride length. Some machines, such as the Diamondback 1260Ef, allow you to adjust the incline enough to do a step-climbing-style workout.

Many also have inputs for MP3 players, and the LifeSpan EL 3000i offers the USB workout-tracking function. But many panelists found drawbacks in the lack of basic features, such as a book rest or a place for your water bottle.