A good elliptical can give you a challenging cardio workout at home without requiring the floor space of some larger fitness machines. But there is a big difference between a lightweight budget elliptical and a substantial machine built for long-term use.
As a female Personal Trainer and Health Coach who has worked with women for more than 20 years, when considering the best home elliptical for women, I look for a reliable and robust machine that gives you enough resistance to progress, a comfortable movement pattern, straightforward controls and a realistic footprint for a home gym.
Before choosing an elliptical, I have outlined the features I think you should consider the most.
Make Sure There Is Enough Resistance to Progress
An elliptical shouldn’t only suit your current fitness level. You want enough resistance options to gradually make your workouts harder as you become fitter. It is important to look for a machine that gives you a wide range of workout intensities.
You might begin at a lower setting and gradually increase the resistance as your fitness improves. And if you’re already fit, it’s even more important to find a wide range of resistance options.
Look for Full-Body Movement
One reason many women enjoy elliptical training is that it can involve both the upper and lower body. Look for an elliptical designed to engage both through its elliptical pedals and moving handles. That gives you a different cardio experience from a stationary bike, where the emphasis is primarily on the lower body.
You can use your arms actively rather than simply holding onto the machine and you can place more emphasis on the upper or lower body according to your fitness goals and workout preferences. This allows for more versatile workouts.
Check the Console Features
You do not necessarily need an enormous touchscreen to get a good workout. But it’s important to find a clear display that shows your essential workout metrics, such as time, distance, speed, calories burned, and heart rate. This simple information helps you track your workouts more efficiently, without making the machine dependent on an entertainment platform or subscription.
Consider the Size
Some ellipticals can take up a surprising amount of room. For home use, it’s best to look for a more compact model. Before you buy one, look at the actual assembled dimensions rather than judging it from photographs.
Ensure the Machine is Easy to Get on and Off
Getting onto an exercise machine should not feel unnecessarily awkward. Some ellipticals can feel bulky and overwhelming for some users, especially older women. Look for a treadmill with easy access – an easy step-up height can make a real difference.
Look at User Weight Capacity
Weight capacity is another specification worth checking. Even if you’re well below the limit, the specification can help give you a sense of how robust the machine is.
Cost
Cheaper isn’t better, certainly not where ellipticals are concerned. The level of resistance, features, and durability is often reflected in the price. That’s not to say you can’t buy a decent machine on a budget, especially if you only want to use it lightly. Just be sure to really check the features and warranty.
Look for a Strong Warranty
Ellipticals contain moving parts and electronics, so warranty coverage matters.
A good warranty should look something like this:
Frame & Welds — Lifetime
Parts — 5 Years
Electronics — 2 Years
Wear Parts — 6 Months
Labor — 1 Year
My Pick for the Best Home Elliptical for Women: Body-Solid E100 Endurance Elliptical
For women who want a substantial, compact home elliptical, the Body-Solid E100 is my premium choice for the best home elliptical for women.
What I particularly like is that it has a wide resistance range, easy step up design, it’s sturdy and comfortable, and it combines several features that matter for consistent at-home use:
- 16 resistance levels
- Robust design for heavy use
- Full-body movement
- Compact footprint
- Easy step-up height
- 275 lb user capacity
- Straightforward LED console
- Strong residential warranty
Tenacity Fitness Price: $1,699
If you know that elliptical training is going to be a regular part of your fitness routine, I would rather invest in a machine that will last, while giving you plenty of room to progress.
SHOP THE BODY-SOLID E100 ELLIPTICAL
My Second Choice: Best Fitness BFCT1B Elliptical
This budget friendly option is my second pick for best home elliptical for women. It’s not as heavy duty as the E100 and it features less resistance levels, but it’s a good choice if you are looking for a more affordable home elliptical for lighter workouts.
- 8 levels of magnetic resistance
- 5 panel feedback LCD display
- Contact heart-rate feedback
- 225lb weight capacity
- 3′ x 4′ footprint
Tenacity Fitness Price: $649
Shop the Best Fitness BFCT1B Elliptical by Body-Solid
E100 vs BFCT1B: Which Should You Choose?
Choose the E100 if:
- You expect to use your elliptical regularly
- You want more versatile workouts
- You want a premium model
- You value a compact center-drive design
- You want an easy step-up height
- You want more room for progression
- You are buying for long-term use
For someone who has the budget and knows she will use the machine consistently, I would recommend the E100.
VIEW THE BODY-SOLID E100 ELLIPTICAL
Choose the BFCT1B if:
- You want a straightforward home elliptical
- You want a more basic machine for lighter workouts
- You want a more affordable entry into home elliptical training
VIEW THE BEST FITNESS BFCT1B ELLIPTICAL
Is an Elliptical Good for Women Over 40 or 50?
Yes. The value of the elliptical is that it gives you low impact full-body workouts. And it’s a convenient way to perform cardiovascular exercise at home while controlling the resistance yourself. For women in midlife and later years, an elliptical can be a more convenient form of cardio training than jogging on a treadmill.
How Often Should You Use an Elliptical?
That depends on your overall fitness program, current fitness level, workout intensity and other activities.
You might use an elliptical for:
- Shorter cardio sessions
- Longer steady workouts
- Resistance intervals
- Easier recovery-day movement
- Cardio alongside a strength-training program
There is no need to perform exactly the same workout every time.
The Bottom Line
The best home elliptical for women is the one that fits your space, feels comfortable to use and gives you enough resistance to keep challenging you as your fitness improves.
For women who want a premium home elliptical without an enormous footprint, the Body-Solid E100 is my top choice.
Its combination of 16 resistance levels, full-body movement, compact dimensions and strong residential warranty makes it a machine I would feel comfortable investing in for regular long-term cardio training.
SHOP THE BODY-SOLID E100 ELLIPTICAL
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best home elliptical for women?
For women looking for a premium compact home elliptical, my pick is the Body-Solid E100 Endurance Center Drive Elliptical Trainer because of its 16 resistance levels, full-body movement, easy step-up height and compact footprint.
How many resistance levels does the E100 have?
It has 16 levels of magnetic resistance.
How much space does the E100 require?
The E100 measures approximately 48″ L × 30″ W × 66″ H.
What is the maximum user weight?
The E100 has a 275 lb user weight capacity.
What does the E100 console display?
The LED console tracks time, distance, speed, calories and heart rate.
Is the E100 low impact?
Yes. Body-Solid’s E100 a provides a low-impact cardio workout for the upper and lower body.