Ellipticals

Elliptical exercisers are part stair-climber, part cross-country-ski machine. Workouts approach the cardio levels you can reach on a treadmill and are good for those with lower-body joint problems where the impact from running is a concern.

These compact models allow you to exercise while sitting in a chair and, perhaps, working at your desk. Our tests evaluate the convenience, ergonomics, and range of motion—which is limited compared to full-sized elliptical machines.