Ellipticals can be a costly investment in your workout goals. Here is a look at how much each type of elliptical costs and how much to spend on one.
The elliptical machine is an excellent option for people who want a low-impact way to burn fat and lose weight.
That said, the elliptical trainer is not a cheap piece of fitness equipment.
Standard ellipticals start at around $1,000, with quality models like the Sole E95 and Nautilus E618 retailing for around $2,000. There are inexpensive options that retail for around $500 for people looking for a no-frills elliptical.
In this article, we will break down how much elliptical machines cost by brand and type.
We will cover standard ellipticals, recumbent ellipticals, and much more, so that by the end, you will have a crystal-clear idea of how much to spend on the best elliptical machine for your workout goals.
Let’s jump right in.
The Cost of Ellipticals by Type
Standard Ellipticals
The standard elliptical is most likely what comes to mind first when you think about ellipticals. They are stand-up ellipticals that have the elliptical moving in a horizontal direction.
These include both rear-drive and front-drive models, using an oval-shaped horizontal gait pattern that is a mix of running and cycling.
Standard ellipticals start at $300 for a no-frills, lightweight elliptical. Sturdier, commercial-grade ellipticals for home gyms cost between $1,000 and $2,500.
For a true commercial elliptical trainer like those found find at your local gym, expect to pay $5,000 or more.
Stepper + Elliptical Combos
This form of elliptical is a cross between an elliptical and a stair climber. The path of the elliptical is more vertical than horizontal, making it a more challenging workout.
Just how vertical the elliptical is depends on the brand.
The Bowflex Max Trainers, for example, have an adjustable vertical elliptical that can be increased for added difficulty, while the Pro-Form ellipticals are almost completely vertical, making them more of a stair climber than elliptical.
| MODEL | Price |
| Bowflex Max Trainer M6 | $1,499 |
| Bowflex Max Trainer M9 | $1,699 |
| Bowflex Max Trainer M16 | $2,199 |
| Pro-Form HIIT H14 | $1,799 |
| ProForm HIIT H10 Elliptical | $1,403 |
| Pro-Form Carbon HIIT H7 | $1,599 |
Recumbent Ellipticals
Recumbent ellipticals are an excellent option for trainees who have injured knees, or are just easing back into exercising, and want a way to get the benefits of an elliptical without bearing additional load on the knees and hips.
While there are not as many options when it comes to choosing a recumbent elliptical, there are some quality choices in the $340-750 range.
| Model | Price |
| Marcy Dual Action Recumbent Elliptical | $340 |
| Teeter FreeStep Recumbent Elliptical | $700 |
| ProForm Hybrid Trainer XT | $749 |
| Life Fitness SCIFIT Rex Recumbent Elliptical | $6,759 |
Under-the-Desk Ellipticals
These mini ellipticals can be used when sitting, and are highly portable, making them an excellent option for people who want to shred some extra calories at the office or on the go.
Under-desk ellipticals cost between $140 and $260.
| Model | Price |
| DeskCycle Under Desk Elliptical Machine | $259 |
| DeskCycle 2 Under Desk Elliptical Trainer | $229 |
| Sunny Health & Fitness Under Desk Elliptical | $139 |
| LifePro Under Desk Elliptical | $229 |
| Cubii GO Under Desk Elliptical | $240 |
Elliptical and Bike Combo
Elliptical and bike combo trainers are exactly what they sound like–a hybrid machine that allows you to quickly switch between a stationary or recumbent bike and a standing elliptical.
They are an excellent option for saving space and saving money (you are getting two cardio machines for the price of one, after all). They are best suited for users just starting their fitness journey or those who just want some light cardiovascular activity.
Elliptical and bike combo trainers are not built as durable as regular elliptical trainers (flywheel weight caps out around 15lbs) but are an excellent option for both saving money and doubling your exercise options.
| Model | Price |
| ProForm Hybrid Trainer XT | $599 |
| Teeter Freestep Recumbent Elliptical and Bike | $699 |
| Body Champ 3-in-1 Trainer | $399 |
Are elliptical machines worth it?
Elliptical machines are an effective way to get in shape, whether you enjoy doing longer bouts of fat-burning aerobic exercise or want to use the elliptical as an HIIT machine for short-and-sweet intervals.
Because elliptical machines are inherently low impact, they can be a far more effective tool for weight loss over the long term compared to running and other high-impact cardiovascular injuries, which are prone to incurring injuries.
If you consider the cost of the average elliptical machine, at around $1,000, it will take you just 20 months to pay off the machine (assuming your gym membership runs you $50 a month).
Many ellipticals have screens, bringing home the perks of working out in a group or at your local gym. The result is that you end up saving money from gym membership dues combined with the time savings of not having to commute to your local gym and wait for a machine in a busy cardio room at the gym.
How much should you pay for an elliptical?
Elliptical machines come in a range of price, with your basic, entry-level elliptical trainer costing a couple of hundred dollars.
For a commercial-grade elliptical machine, you should expect to pay in the range of $1,000 to $2,000.
And of course, there are actual commercial elliptical machines available for home gym owners, costing anywhere from $3,000 to $6,000.
One of the sneaky costs of elliptical machines are the subscriptions for workout programs, which can run as much as a few hundred dollars a year.
The Bottom Line
There’s no doubt that an elliptical machine can be a pricey investment.
That said, when you balance the trade-offs of being able to bang out tons of low-impact cardio in the comfort of your own home, with no gym line-ups and no commute to the gym, the elliptical trainer can start to pay for itself quickly.
More Elliptical Trainer Articles and Guides
What Muscles Do Elliptical Trainers Work? (and How to Build Muscle on an Elliptical). The elliptical trainer is an excellent machine for building cardio and muscle. Here’s a look at all of the muscles worked on the elliptical, tricks for changing muscle groups, and how to build muscle on the elliptical.
How Many Calories Do You Burn on an Elliptical? (and How to Burn More). Wondering how many calories the elliptical trainer burns? Here’s how much calorie burning you are doing, how the elliptical compares to other machines in the gym, and tips for how to burn even more calories on an elliptical.
3 Elliptical HIIT Workouts (Plus Benefits and How to Do Them Like a Champ). Ready to crank up the fat-burning and cardio on your workouts? Here are three HIIT workouts you can do on an elliptical, for beginners, intermediates, and experienced trainees.
