Best Ellipticals of 2025
We enlisted people to evaluate exercise intensity and assess user comfort for a wide range of body sizes
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An elliptical can be a helpful addition to a home gym for anyone worried about stress on their joints. Exercising on an elliptical gets you an aerobic workout without the impact that comes with running.
Best Ellipticals
How CR Tests Ellipticals
For our ergonomics testing, we use a figure proportioned to a man in the 95th percentile and a woman in the fifth percentile to evaluate comfort and reach for a wide range of users.
To evaluate the range of exercise intensity each machine provides, we have people of varying fitness levels assess how easy or challenging they find pedaling at the lowest resistance setting, at 75 percent of the maximum resistance, and at the maximum level.
Our user-safety tests look at potential pinch points, pedal sizes, and coverings, as well as the design of the elliptical handles. If positioned poorly, they can cause accidental eye injuries.
Maintaining Your Exercise Equipment
No matter what kind of exercise equipment you have, a little regular cleaning helps to keep it in tip-top shape. It also helps prevent the spread of germs.
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