9 Best Elliptical Machines for Seniors (Review) In 2023

The elderly need to stay active one way or another to keep fit and protect themselves from illnesses. But we can’t ask them to go on for a run in the trail as an activity. They are more prone to injury while performing such high impact exercises than young people.

For seniors, the best way to get low impact, calorie-burning, heart pumping, and least prone to injuries workout is done for the whole body in the least possible time is to get them to work on elliptical machine.

If you are someone who is in the second innings of life or someone who is looking for a way to help the seniors to stay active at home, then you have arrived at the right place. Having an elliptical machine at home is a great start to an active lifestyle.

In this buying guide, we will provide you the information about the best elliptical machines that are suitable for seniors. We will explain everything you need to know about these before making the buying decision.

Best Elliptical for Seniors

We have described some of the best elliptical trainers for the elderly below. We have also included their features, specs, pros, and cons to make it easier for you to decide which one to buy for yourself. These are picked on the basis of performance, durability, suitability to seniors, etc.

Teeter LT 3 FreeStep Recumbent Elliptical Cross Trainer LT-3

This is a perfect elliptical trainer for seniors. The LT 3 FreeStep cross trainer from Teeter offers full-body workout with no impact load on the joints and ergonomic lumbar support.

Unlike the traditional elliptical machines, you don’t have to stand up while working out on this elliptical machine. The recumbent seat provides you a comfortable and well-supported platform, and the moving arms and pedals offer full-body workout concurrently.

Pros:

• Offers zero-impact exercise and protects the joints
• Dual power motion for fast fat burning
• Comfortable seat with adjustable height and recline angle
• Durable and comfortable handle with height adjustment
• Soft and durable pedals
• Strong commercial grade bearings
• Offers smooth and noiseless operation

Cons:

• No built-in heart rate monitor

This machine offers a comfortable and zero impact workout which makes it a great elliptical machine for elderly, the heart rate monitor can be bought separately if needed.

HCI Fitness Physio Step HXT Recumbent Compact Semi-Elliptical Cross Trainer

With a wide, comfortable, and adjustable recumbent seat and fully adjustable rotating handles, the HCI Physio Step HXT is arguably the best elliptical machine for seniors.

The features like user-friendly large display, large pedals with a grippy surface and adjustable strap, built-in heart rate monitor add much more value to this elliptical trainer. The machine has 17 programs and 16 levels of resistance to make your workout more interesting.

Pros:

• Strong and sturdy built
• Large readable display
• Built-in heart rate monitor
• Built-in workout programs
• Offers smooth and low impact workout
• Adjustable arms
• Comfortable recumbent seat

Cons:

• No tablet holder

This is a complete elliptical machine for seniors that has everything they need to keep active. The lack of a tablet holder won’t be much of an issue as you can easily place it in front of your smart TV.

Nautilus E618 Elliptical Trainer Series

If you are searching for an elliptical machine for seniors it doesn’t mean you should only go for the ones with a seat. The full elliptical machines like Nautilus E618 offer a smooth and impact-free workout experience that can help seniors to have full-body workout without stressing the joints too much.

This machine is loaded with advanced capabilities like compatibility to wireless heart rate monitor, many built-in programs, app compatibility, and Bluetooth connectivity. With long stride length and ergonomic handles, it can provide a pleasing workout to fit seniors.

Pros:

• 29 built-in workout programs
• Long stride length for natural feet movement
• Water bottle and tablet holder
• Has motorized incline ranging from 0-10 degrees
• Syncs with mobile apps
• Wireless chest strap is included in the package
• Strong and durable construction

Cons:

• Difficult to assemble on your own

You can opt for an expert assembly while buying this to avoid the complications of assembling. Post assembling, you would have a feature-rich elliptical for home use.

Bowflex M3 Max Trainer

This is an elliptical trainer for seniors who can handle a little higher intensity workout. The Bowflex M3 is a combination of elliptical and stepper that helps you burn the calories faster and work on your big posterior chain muscle groups.

With this machine, the seniors can get their full-body workout done in lesser time. The console of the machine displays the calorie burn rate along with the usual workout metrics.

Pros:

• Max calorie burn rate
• Easy to adjust resistance levels
• Chest strap included in the package
• Unique analog burn rate display
• Has mobile and water bottle holder
• Offers safe and low impact exercise

Cons:

• May generate knocking sound while in use

This high-performance machine is one of the best ellipticals in the market. The little sound it makes is often during high-intensity workouts, that won’t be of much concern if it is being used at low or moderate intensities.

Schwinn 430 Elliptical Machine 

With the dual display and goal tracking capability of Schwinn 430 elliptical machine, seniors can set their individual workout goal for the session and track their progress on the display.

The machine offers a wide range of workout intensity with 20 levels of easily adjustable resistance. the machine offers a smooth and silent workout with help of a high speed, high inertia drive system.

Pros:

• DualTrack display for better visibility and tracking
• Can set and follow the workout goal
• Many pre-set and quick start programs
• Smooth and noiseless operation
• Offers a wide range of workout intensity
• Long enough stride length

Cons:

• Machine does squeal a bit

Some users complain about squealing noise, but this machine is a strong elliptical trainer for home use.

Sunny Health & Fitness Advanced Programmed Elliptical Machine Trainer SF-E3912

This elliptical trainer for seniors from Sunny health and fitness is a simple, and strong piece of gym equipment. It has some built-in purpose-oriented programs and also has the ability to store user fed workout programs.

The back-lit display and programmable resistance make it easy to set the intensity of your workout and track the progress.

Pro:

• Multi-function performance display console
• Built-in pulse sensor
• Non-slip pedals
• Device and bottle holder
• Long handlebars

Cons:

• Operation is a little noisy

The elliptical machine might generate some noise at higher speeds, it won’t affect your performance or disturb you too much.

Cubii Pro Seated Elliptical Machine

This little under-desk elliptical machine for elderly is best suited where you don’t have a designated place for the gym set up. This needs very small floor space and storage space. You can put it under your work desk and exercise while working on the computer.

This portable, mini machine is whisper quiet in operation and almost doubles the calorie burn rate compared to resting or seating idle.

Pros:

• Very lightweight and easily portable
• Takes up little storage space
• Can sync with mobile apps
• Quiet operation
• Can attach resistance bands

Cons:

• Doesn’t offer full-body workout
• Resistance even at the highest level is too easy

This machine is specifically made for the elderly who want to perform some low-intensity leg workout. And it works best for them.

ATIVAFIT Under Desk Elliptical Machine

The ATIVAFIT under desk elliptical trainer for seniors allows you to exercise both in sitting and standing position.

It has wide grippy pedals and a small LCD monitor to display workout metrics.

Pros:

• Very light in weight
• Easy to assemble
• Easily portable
• Wheels to slide on floor for storage
• Anti-skid pedals

Cons:

• No provision for attachments
• Uses battery for display unit
• The outer body is made of plastic

This little machine can find a place at your home and offer you some low or moderate intensity workout whenever you need it.

Stamina 55-1602 Inmotion Under Desk Elliptical

This portable and quiet elliptical machine for elderly has adjustable tension and multiple movement options.

The Stamina 55-1602 elliptical is a small and portable home gym machine that comes in many vibrant color choices.

Pros:

• Comes in many colors to suit youth om theme
• Lightweight and portable
• Takes up very little space
• Adjustable tension

Cons:

• Not so durable
• No heart rate monitor
• No possibility of arms workout

This is a good elliptical for those who are low on space and looking for low-intensity leg workout.

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Are Ellipticals Good For Seniors?

Yes, ellipticals are a good option for seniors as they offer low impact or zero impact exercises that would help them stay active, burn the extra calories without putting extra pressure on the joints, or being exposed to the risk of injury.

What To Look For When Buying Ellipticals For Seniors?

Choosing the right ellipticals for seniors is a complicated task as buying any gym equipment. You need to look for many factors to check the compatibility and quality of the equipment. You should check the ellipticals, particularly on the following parameters if you are planning to buy one.

• Low impact: The elliptical must offer a continuous motion without jerky movements.
• Resistance levels and type: Availability of higher resistance levels would help make your workout interesting and effective.
• Display console: To be able to set and track your workout goals, the machine should have a functional display showing the relevant workout metrics.
• Weight capacity: the elliptical under consideration must be strong enough to easily support your weight.