Want to buy an elliptical? Before you buy, you might want to look at a few elliptical trainer ratings to get an idea of which ones are best for you.
Before you look at elliptical trainer ratings, though, you should know a few things about how they are rated:
#1: There are different price ranges for elliptical trainers.
There are really three types of elliptical trainers: those that are cheap, those that are in the middle, and those that are made for commercial use.
Between $300 and $1000, you can get things on the cheap. Mid-range ellipticals cost between $1,000 and $2,000. High-end or commercial elliptical trainers cost between $2,200 and more than that.
When experts compare elliptical trainers, they usually look at ones in the same price range.
So, just because a cheap elliptical trainer gets 5 stars and a mid-priced elliptical gets 4 stars doesn't mean that the cheap elliptical trainer is better. It just means that compared to other cheap elliptical trainers, that one is better.
#2 Experts Value Elliptical Features Differently
Ever wonder why some experts give some elliptical trainers high marks and others don't? Because different people who rate elliptical trainers put more weight on some features than on others.
So, for example, Consumer Reports might put more emphasis on long warranties and stability, while Consumer Guide might put more emphasis on how smooth the ride is or how easy it is to use.
It doesn't mean that one elliptical trainer is better than another; it could just mean that they are rated using different criteria.
#3: Be careful when reading user ratings with ellipses.
Expert ratings of ellipticals are available, and there are also websites where people can write their own reviews of their elliptical. Even though these ratings can be helpful when shopping for an elliptical, you shouldn't make your choice based on them alone.
Exercise equipment is a big business, and some companies don't mind if one of their employees writes bad things about a competitor.
Also, no elliptical brand has a perfect track record. Even the best brands sometimes make machines that don't work well. Most of the time, these are the people who go online to write a bad review. People who like their elliptical machine are less likely to leave a comment.
Bottom Line? When choosing an elliptical trainer, don't put too much stock in user reviews. Instead, compare them to what you've found out on your own.
So, keep these three things in mind when looking at ratings for elliptical trainers.
