Moving into the high end of the elliptical market now, these elliptical machines have more features and are a higher grade than the lower priced ones (kind of stating the obvious there...), but these are getting into the "club quality" that many people are looking for.
The prices quoted below are the approximate price. Of course, you can always find a deal online, especially at places like eBay. Even though they are an "auction" many quality stores use eBay to move their products because of the its popularity. If you are curious, try Elliptical Live. It has the current eBay listings for ellipticals.
OK. Back to our best ellipticals between $2000 to $3000.
Smooth Fitness CE Plus
Price: approx. $2799
(Shopzilla's Fitness Equipment
Positive:
- 19inch oval stride
- Choice of heart rate monitors - either hand grip or chest strap
- Whole body workout
- Small size-great if you're limited for space-55 inch footprint
- 48 programs; 75 resistance levels
- Lifetime warranty on frame and braking system; 5 yrs on parts; 1yr service
Negative: Some may be put off by the price, but you can always try to find a lower price online. Elliptical Live has all the current eBay elliptical listings.
Precor EFX 5.17i Elliptical
Price: approx. $2799
Positive:
- Stride length 19 inches
- 4 programs and 20 resistance levels
- Adjustable incline: 12 to 25 degrees
- Prevention magazine rate it as one of the most durable on the market
- Lifetime warranty on frame and welds; 10 yrs on parts and wear; 1 yr labor
Negative: This model does not have an upper body workout. Instead it has the adjustable incline. If you want the upper body workout in a Precor, then see the Precor EFX 5.19 below. With Precor machines they either have the adjustable incline or upper body workout, so you would have to choose. You have to add an optional heart monitor if you want one. Precor machines tend to be large and heavy, but this is why they are one of the more stable machines today. Bear in mind that Precor makes the most respected and highly rated ellipticals around right now, hence the higher price range. As they say, you get what you pay for...
Precor EFX 5.19 Elliptical
Price: approx. $2799
Positive:
- Fixed ramp at 20 degree incline
- Full body workout
- Forward and reverse striding
- 4 courses to work: hill climb, manual, weight loss and optional heart rate control
- Lifetime warranty on frame and welds; 10 yrs on parts and wear; 1 yr labor
Negative: Possibly because it's large and heavy, but remember, it's the weight and dimension that make it one of the more stable ellipticals. Make sure you have enough space if you decide on a Precor. This particular model's dimensions are: Length 80ins; Height 61ins; Width 32ins; Weight 197lbs. And again, you will need to add the heart rate monitor if you want one.
