7 Best Commercial Ellipticals in 2024

Ellipticals are always occupied in gyms because they’re excellent low-impact cardio machines. Recent studies estimate that by 2024, such machines will account for 65% of the total US fitness market.

You’ll find an elliptical trainer of every size and budget. However, go for the commercial quality if you want to beat it for years, multiples times a day. Following is the tried-and-tested selection of the best commercial ellipticals.

1. SUNNY HEALTH & FITNESS Motorized Elliptical Machine – Top Pick
2. BOWFLEX Max Trainer M8 – Runner-up
3. SCHWINN FITNESS 430 Elliptical
4. NAUTILUS E618 Elliptical – Premium Pick
5. SOLE FITNESS E35 Elliptical
6. NORDICTRACK Commercial 14.9
7. PRECOR EFX 546i Crosstrainer

Top 7 Best Commercial Ellipticals Reviewed

Product	Total	Adjustability	Durability	Monitor Functionality	Portability	Multi Functionality	Value for Money
Sunny	59.5	10	10	10	10	9.5	10
Bowflex M8	58.5	9.5	10	10	10	10	9
Schwinn	58	10	9.5	9.5	10	9	10
Nautilus	58	9	10	10	9.5	10	9.5
Sole E35	57	10	10	8.5	10	9.5	9.5
NordicTrack	56.5	10	10	10	9	9.5	8
Precor 546	55	10	10	10	8.5	8	8.5

Sunny sells a variety of strength and cardio equipment. It’s one of the few suppliers popular at domestic and industrial levels alike. You can browse all their products and services on the official website.

E-3875 is the company’s best-selling gym grade elliptical for good reasons. It’s crafted from heavy-gauge steel in a small frame size. It comes with tilt and roll wheels for hassle-free transportation.

Moreover, the bottle holder is strategically placed right below the full-motion handlebars, so you can juice up without climbing down its non-slip footplates.

The machine has no shortage of tech features either. You can toggle between an array of resistance levels or preset routines with a screen swap. If not plugged in, it will use the last setting. The monitor is wide enough to display all stats together.

You can slot your mobile device above, following certified fitness tips and lessons (or watching some shows).

The pedal can go up and down by 9”. Its horizontal stride length is 19.5″ max. You’ll have a good time squeezing in cardio for the day, regardless of your height and health. There are plenty of financing options and warranties attached.

Bowflex is a brand of Nautilus, Inc. In fact, it's a group of brands – such as SelectTech, Schwinn, JRNY, and others. They might be out of someone's budget, but never out of liking.

M9 and Total 40 have recently replaced M8. You can get it from Amazon and Bowflex's clearance sale. It's a wondrous cross-trainer, mixing up the motion of an elliptical with a stepper’s cardio boost. The manufacturer claims it delivers better, faster results.

For example, the 14-minute Max program (a hallmark interval training) is supposed to burn 2.5x as many calories as a traditional gym quality elliptical. Max is Bowflex's AI model that adjusts your workout intensity and duration while giving real-time tips and insights.

It's an expensive machine. Sunny Motorized Elliptical lacks some bells and whistles, but costs the same as its base M3. With M8, you'd get a chest strap for wireless pulse rating in addition to handlebar-mounted contact grips.

There are multiple interactive modes and target-zone indicators. It’s more compact, requiring a smaller space and lower ceilings to operate. It's also the winner of the Plus X Award.

Schwinn has a long history, dating back to the 1800s. Sharing the parent company with Bowflex, it's synonymous with road bikes in the US. Lately, they have been producing a lot of other cardio equipment too.

The 430 is a medium-range Schwinn elliptical. It feels sturdy and solid thanks to a 17.3 lb heavy flywheel. It’s surrounded by a series of magnets to control resistance and momentum.

The footplates are oversized and equipped with a patented Precision Path stride technology for natural running motions. The drive and stride are two main highlights of this commercial grade elliptical. It doesn’t give you a Bluetooth connection or in-app controls.

You can manually adjust the ramp’s incline or fan speed. There are 22 pre-loaded regimens with quick keys. They are categorized as beginners and advanced. It has a DualTrack LCD screen system for better visibility and goal tracking. It also has a charging port, device holder, and MP3 audio input.

Its performance doesn’t catch up with Sunny or Bowflex. But its frame has a 10-year warranty, with the cost of labor and parts covered for a shorter period.

Nautilus keeps things simple. It only manages three models (viz. 614, 616, and 618) of ellipticals, treadmills, and bikes. All start with their initial (i.e., "E" or "T"). This streamlined approach makes it the best.

E618 is a top-rated commercial elliptical machine. It's hefty, weighing over 200 lbs and indicating the finest build quality. Its weight capacity is also impressive. Workout programs as well as resistance levels are the most you’d see.

Additionally, the application package consisting of My Fitness Pal, Nautilus Trainer 2, Run Social, and Explore the World make training easy and enjoyable.

The stride boasts Precision Path motion like Schwinn. You can adjust the ramp incline by 10⁰ – electronically! However, the length has been increased to 22”, which is above average. This long stride will be as unnatural for vertically challenged people as a choppy stride is for taller ones.

The all-new full-motion handlebars are padded and designed for multiple grips. They also have quick access buttons for resistance and incline settings. Tapping the console may break the tempo. Let's not forget the 15 years of warranty on the frame, 5 years on the motor and other parts, and 2 years for labor expenses.

Sole is a recognizable North American gym equipment seller. It prioritizes performance and power over price. However, you can rely on it blindfolded if the quality is your concern.

The E35 precedes E55 and E95 high end ellipticals. There are twenty resistance levels and as many power incline options. Built-in programs have automated these settings. You can control them manually from handles too.

All in all, the workouts are well-rounded and sweat-breaking for all fitness levels. Instead of two, there are four glide wheels on rails. Never doubt the fluid performance of its whisper-quiet 25 lb flywheel.

From the handlebars to the footplates, you can adjust everything for optimal posture. Sole’s engineers have innovated pedals with a 2⁰ inward slope to reduce knee and ankle stress.

There is literally no external content available, app or whatever! Also, the monitor could use a revamp. The 7.5" display is lit up with white LEDs. But the counter goes back to 0 after a 999 calorie count. The fans are weak.

Also, the tablet ledge is a bit misplaced. One point where it topples the competition is after-sales support. The frame is covered for a lifetime.

NordicTrack manages a line of interactive and professional elliptical machines. It ranges from home-use SpaceSavers to Commercial and FreeStriders. The 14.9 is right in the middle.

The 14.9 also has its flywheel at the front. However, it's a 32 lb inertia-enhanced SMR variant. It packs unparalleled power. It never rocks or wobbles. You don't have to worry about waking others up.

Combined with up to 26 digital resistance and 20⁰ incline levels, you can customize your training from a brisk walk to a tough hike. The stride length also adjusts from 17.5” to 19”.

The 10” FHD display is an all-rounder. It shows workout stats, allows features control, and streams trainer-led classes for you.

With your purchase, you get a 30-day iFit trial. Not only can you follow lessons, but you can also explore (virtually) different parts of the world. You must put in your credit card info beforehand. If you don't want to get charged, cancel it before the free pass ends.

There are no built-in programs or a media rack to keep your mobile device. The auto-breeze fan is super effective, nonetheless. At this price point, you may not be ready for such compromises. Also, the warranty maxes out after 10 years.

Precor is a world-class fitness designer brand. It's famous for its cardiovascular and strength training equipment. The EFX Series includes 544, 556, and 576, along with the personal favorite 546.

Precor innovated multi-incline industrial ellipticals. The ramp’s angle synchronizes with contributed resistance. If beginners walk up the incline with too much resistance, it might result in muscle overuse.

This technology is dubbed as CrossRamp. The incline setting goes from 13-40 degrees with 18-720 watt resistance. Stride lengths also vary, from 21.2” to 24.7”.

It’s a rear-wheel elliptical, known for smoother motions and larger sizes. You’ll get ten programs, including a fitness test, if you don’t know where to begin. Its console has a biofeedback corner, recording your heart rate in relation to the target zone.

You can enter commands with a numeric keypad. Similarly, a cardio theater asks for entertainment outputs.

The EFX falls short at two points. You'll get only a 7-year warranty, subpar for a luxury product. Then, there are no full-motion handlebars. You'll get stationary handles, but the activity resides in your lower body.

Apart from these pet peeves, it's built to last. The glide wheels are polyurethane-coated with steel axles and sealed bearings, moving on precision extruded aluminum tracks.

What Are the Benefits of Using Commercial Elliptical Machines?

✅ Low-Impact, Total-Body Workout

An elliptical trainer has many benefits over its fellow cardio machines. It is more competent than a stairmaster, but less dangerous than a treadmill. Your feet always remain in contact with the pedals. There is a minimum chance of inflicting joint pain or injury.

Furthermore, it has a pair of fixed as well as swinging handles to tone and tighten your upper body.

✅ Cardiovascular Endurance

Elliptical training improves your aerobic capacity. It helps your heart pump blood and nutrients across vessels efficiently. With consistent jogging on a cross-trainer, your stamina and mood will elevate.

Harvard Health estimates that a 30-minute session kills off 270-378 calories, depending on weight and physical exertion. You can reach your body recomposition goals pretty quickly.  

✅ Various Intensity

Spending on a gym quality elliptical gives you state-of-the-art controls. Hopefully, you'll get many resistances, incline, and speed options – smooth and silent ones!

Instead of a knob, you can switch the settings with the tap of a button. It’s up to you whether you want to mimic a morning walk, stair climb, steep hike, or game-changing HIIT. This lets you burn more calories in less time.

✅ Balance and Mobility

An underappreciated advantage of having adjustable intensity is that you can treat patients in rehab. From osteoporosis and arthritis to ankle or knee cramps, elliptical movement may lend a helping hand. It improves muscle coordination as you're working up your legs, core, and arms together. Injured athletes and seniors will also value the additional flexibility and agility.

✅ A Great Home Fitness Tool

Along with endless health benefits, there are many practical upsides to owning the best commercial elliptical. You don’t need a vast empty space, as in the case of a treadmill or cable machine.

Most ellipticals are compact, innocuously sneaking to your bedside. You shouldn't care much about power output, either. Maintenance and cleaning are also a breeze.

What to Look For in Commercial Ellipticals?

1. Front-Drive vs. Rear-Drive

As you may have noticed from our commercial elliptical machine reviews, most of them are front-drive. Precor patented the rear-drive mechanism on launching the first-of-its-kind EFX 544 in 1995 and has licensed it to a handful of suppliers since. Regardless, the flywheel’s drive should feel smooth and natural.

2. Resistance System

The flywheel also creates resistance as it spins. Magnets get closer to increase the tension. The heavier, the better. When you're investing about $1000, target at least 15 lb flywheel. Also, the manual system is quite noisy and high-maintenance. Gym owners prefer eddy current or electromagnetic induction brake systems.

3. Stride Length

If your pedals only move a few inches vertically, it would create a stair-stepper motion instead of a circular elliptical path. 19-20" is the ideal-bespoke stance for people with various heights. Top-notch models allow a certain degree of adjustability by moving pedals. Another aspect is the Q-Factor, which is the distance between footplates.

4. Monitor Functionality

A basic console doesn’t seem right on a high end elliptical device. You deserve a few extras, such as more electronic controls than manual or high-definition, touchscreen-enabled display. The thing is, you should be able to read all the feedback. A few standard metrics are your speed, distance, time, heart rate, calories, and current profile.

5. Tech Features

Companies outsource a lot of programming features to third-party apps like JRNY, iFit, or SunnyFit. There are some exploring apps to run, hike, and ski the actual routes. You may have to renew your membership after a while. Many ellipticals like Bowflex Max Trainer have developed their own AI training software.

6. Ergonomics

Adjustability is the key factor in ergonomics because different people suit different dimensions. Therefore, handlebars, ramp incline, pedals, and stride should be adjustable.

Also, these contact points are mostly padded for a comfortable experience. For example, the footbeds are ridged from three corners, bumped from the middle, and textured on the surface.

7. Linkage

The frame is the skeleton of your elliptical. Glide wheels are smoother, while the suspension system is more stable. Look for the quality of the steel. Item weight and load capacity will give you a fair idea. The industry standard is 300 lbs. Wherever you see two pieces joined together, ensure they have full welds instead of spot welds or bolts.

8. Portability

Front-drive ellipticals are generally more compact because the entire mechanical setup finishes at the front. Precor and other rear-mounted flywheels take up more space.

Check out the footprint. It'll tell you the floor area you need to vacate. Then, see the height of the ceilings. Add about three feet of clearance to get up and down the machine. 

9. Conveniences

If you've gotten used to accessory holders in your gym, you will have difficulty settling without a device stand, cupholder, or magazine rack. Other add-ons may be cooling fans, especially if you live in hotter climates or tend to sweat buckets. Speakers and USB charging ports are also nice. You'll have to read the product summary in detail. 

10. Price/Quality

Commercial grade ellipticals aren't cheap. They start from $800 and stretch all the way to $3000 or more. It's not about the price tag, but the value for your money. Do the benefits justify the cost? Are there any long-term assurances from the manufacturer? What is the overall experience? The average warranty on frames lasts for about five years.

How to Use a Commercial Elliptical Right?

• Make sure the machine stands on an even surface.
• Adjust handlebars and pedals for your height.
• Jump to your favorite program or resistance level.
• Set your target heart rate to gauge the progress.
• Don’t slouch or lean too much on fixed handles.
• Observe a five-minute warm-up at low tension.

FAQ

Does the Elliptical Burn Belly Fat?

Yes and no! It's possible if you burn more calories than you consume. The secret to weight loss is a balanced diet along with elliptical exercise. If you want to target your love handles and reduce belly fat, then the answer is no! Spot reduction is a myth. You'll drop midsection fat along with the entire body. 

Is the Elliptical Healthier Than Running?

Elliptical mimics running outdoors. With an elliptical, you get a controlled environment, a steady pace, and adjustable resistance. It's best for preparing for a race. Also, your joints receive less pressure and stress than jogging in a beautiful park.

This 2019 study puts overground workouts ahead when it comes to mental health. Check out this detailed elliptical vs. running guide.

Is 30 Minutes of Elliptical Enough?

You burn 270 to 378 calories in half an hour of elliptical training (speed and weight dependent). It's sufficient for most people. This much lengthy workout with two rest days also completes 150-minute weekly physical activity guidelines.

Conclusion

You might be a gym owner or at-home fitness geek looking to stock the best commercial elliptical that gives a lasting and memorable performance. We found Sunny's Motorized Elliptical unbeatable in our price/quality parameter. If you have a little more to spare, there are unique offerings from Nautilus and NordicTrack.

What do you think is the best for home use? A commercial or budget model?

Name your favorite elliptical in the comment section.

Also read:

• Arc Trainer or Elliptical
• Best Recumbent Elliptical
• Best Budget Elliptical
• Best Rated Elliptical Under 1000
• Best Quiet Elliptical For Apartment
• How to Use an Elliptical

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