The craze for exercise and staying fit has risen substantially, and a lot of people have hurt themselves doing something that’s supposed to be beneficial to their health. Did they overdo it? Should they immediately stop exercising to avoid complications or exacerbating the problems brought on by too much exercising? These are questions we’ll leave to doctors and therapists.
However, one thing we can state for sure is that everyone should get exercise and nothing should deprive anyone of this all important activity. It’s no wonder that many people with problems that have caused them to stop or drastically reduce the amount of exercise they do have turned to
indoor elliptical machines to help them stay fit. How exactly do elliptical machines help?
A lot of the problems people have with exercises like running, whether outdoors or on
treadmills, arise from the impact to their skeletal frame. Each time the feet pound on the concrete, dirt track or even the canvas of the treadmill, there’s an impact on the body that’s simply obeying the physics law that states that every action has an equal and opposite reaction. Over time, these impacts that are fed back to the body begin to result in knee problems, among other things.
To help with this, some people took up cycling using regular bicycles or
stationary bicycles. Though these have less impact, there were complaints of back and waist problems from bending over for long periods. There had to be a better solution, and this was presented in the form of elliptical machines. These solved a lot of problems for many. However, some people loved exercising outdoors - and thus were born outdoor elliptical machines, which presented the best of both worlds. Now you can exercise outdoors with low impact and yet have a full workout.
We know this is interesting and exciting, so we’ll help you choose what you’ll consider the best outdoor elliptical machine for your needs.
Price
There are so many different types of outdoor elliptical machines that it’ll be difficult to give a streamlined price range. Given the many different features available, we found that a good outdoor elliptical machine can cost anywhere between $125 and $3,500. Many things like design, construction, material, size and other factors can affect the price of each product. You may also consider who’s using the elliptical, as kids’ machines tend to cost a lot less than those designed for adults.
Despite the wide price range, we made sure that we included only products that’ll offer good value so that we could avoid cheap outdoor elliptical machines that were either of bad quality construction or design. Either way, you’ll be getting the best value for whatever you pay. If you need more features, then you may need to pay more.
Features
One thing that most outdoor elliptical machines have in common is that they offer fun fitness. To be sure that a particular brand or model is ideal for you, however, you need to consider some factors, which include:
- Age
- Weight capacity
- Ease of use
- Height
- Gear system
- Quality and construction
- Exercise intensity
Let us take a closer look at these.
Construction and Design
Many outdoor elliptical machines are age restrictive. Be sure to confirm the age range that should use the machine before you get it. The same applies to the height of the user and the height of the machine. This doesn’t apply to every outdoor elliptical machine, however; there are some that may not be the right size, causing you to maybe bend over to use it, causing waist and back ache. A good example is the Zike Saber, which some users complained turned out to be short, making them lean over to ride it. They had to take it to a repair technician to add a riser to the elliptical to bring it to the right height.
Another thing to look at is the gear system of the machine. Some don’t have any form of gear system, which tells you that it may not be ideal for long distance rides as you can’t control how fast you go aside from pedaling or pushing faster. There are others that have a robust gear system so you can use them for long distances and on different terrains. When climbing an incline, you simply push it into a lower gear for more power, and when on a plain you increase the gear for more speed.
These are just a few factors you need to consider, not to mention the quality of material and construction. You certainly want something that can take the kind of use you plan for it. The same goes for the weight capacity. Ensure it’s an outdoor elliptical machine that can support your weight comfortably. Take your time to review every feature and confirm how that feature will affect your use of the machine before making your final choice.
Performance and Ease of Use
Don’t just rush into getting an outdoor elliptical machine; find out how easy it is to use before you purchase it. Some of these machines require that you spend some time either learning how to ride them or getting used to them. This may be an issue for you depending on your age and the condition of your health. Younger users may not mind getting machines they have to learn how to use. In fact, this may even be part of the fun for them. Older users may view this differently, however.
The same goes for the intensity of the exercise. There are some outdoor elliptical machines that are suitable for persons who can only manage the most minimal of workouts. A good example is the Mobo Triton Pro which is a three wheeled cruiser that’s perfect for older users and persons with special needs. A lot of parents of autistic children have confirmed how this particular machine has been helpful to their kids.
Aside from this, people who have had previous issues arising from intensive exercises should be sure that whatever brand or model they choose will not cause a flare-up. Choose the outdoor elliptical machine that’s suited for your exercise needs and state of health. If you’re not sure of this, you could always consult a therapist or physician.
People have different reasons for wanting to switch to elliptical machines, whether indoor or outdoor ones. Your reason for wanting an outdoor elliptical machine will determine which is best for you. As we begin to review our top five selections, take some time to look at the features and from these determine what features are important to you and which are not. This will help you easily identify the outdoor elliptical machine that’s best for you.
It’s great that you’ve taken the time to go through this entire guide and review. We hope you’ve gotten enough information to help you choose the outdoor elliptical device that’s best for you. The next thing to do now is to simply go ahead and place your order!
