The Third Annual Treadmill Sensei 2009-2010 Ichi-Ban Best Buy Awards for Ellipticals

Ohiyo!

New Best Buy Ellipticals: Just as the Best buy treadmills list, the elliptical list considers affordability. As we all know, there are some folks out there with unlimited budgets, if so, choose the most expensive on the list and you cannot go wrong!

Most Comfortable Elliptical:

Number 5: Avari GX 8 Elliptical Cross trainer (MSRP $2,273)…. a surprisingly good elliptical trainer from Stamina . The Avari® GX8 Elliptical Trainer features the patent pending Up-Link technology for a more balanced elliptical workout. Up-Link lets you work harder with your upper body or emphasizes your lower body. And you control your workout.

Number 4: Spirit XE 500 (MSRP $2,299) The Spirit Elliptical Trainer XE-500 is an elliptical trainer featuring a great stride for a natural jogging motion, it also offers 20 levels of resistance, and many standard features to encourage a great total body workout.

Number 3: Proform 780CSE ($999) another Icon product with a good feel and price. Many of these units have been sold and I believe most of the bugs have vanished. Give this one a try if price is a concern?

Number 2: Smooth CE 7.4 HR ($1,999) from our pervious writings you will see this unit has come a long way! Smooth is one of the oldest companies selling on the internet. This product has earned its legs!

The Quietest Treadmill Winner:The Sole E35 ($1,299) great offering from Sole with stride to fit everyone. The adjustable ramp from 15 to 40 degrees adds to the comfort.

Best Programming for Ellipticals

Number 5: Horizon EX 68 (MSRP $999) for less than $1k you get a great machine. Programming includes 11 program options with on-the-fly changes plus Advanced Goal Center™ Not very pretty, but you buy this one to Buda-fy yourself!!!!

Number 4: Life Fitness X 7 ($3,999) Remarkable product for the price! Whisper eStride technology provides remarkably quiet, fluid electronic stride adjustments from 18 to 24 inches. This advanced elliptical cross-trainer with Advanced Workouts Console provides synchronized upper- and lower-body movement. 15 programs with 2 user levels. Pricey over $3K for a life time of elliptical training…. Club quality for your home!

Number 3: True ESXt ($4,999) another masterpiece from a company that offers the Bentley of Fitness Products. The level of customization is remarkable, Manual, Quick Start, One Big Hill, Easy Intervals, Sport Intervals, Variable mix3, Custom mix3, Upper-Body Only, Glute Buster. If you have the bucks for this unit buy it! Big Buda award!!!!!

Number 2: Horizon GS 1050E ($799) simple machine with a lot of features 9 program options with on-the-fly changes plus Advanced Goal Center™ with 3 targets (Time, Distance, Calories) and 3 workouts (Rolling, Mountain, Reverse Train), 1-31 day goal tracking. A great value for less than $1K.

The Best Cushioned Treadmill Winner: Esprit EL 555 ($902) Spirit has come a long way in the past few years. Although they have been around a while, they did not hit their stride until Dyaco purchased them six years ago. The Esprit lineup offers 5 preset programs, 2 user programs, and 2 Heart Rate Control programs for great value.

Fits in the Home Best- The Best Looking Ellipticals

Number 5: Schwinn 431 E ($999) this unit is a great value for the $$$ price. By emulating the natural motion of your foot while supporting your heel throughout the stride, elliptical trainers are much easier on your knees and joints. Attractive but functional!

Number 4: Horizon EX 58 ($799) Derived from extensive biomechanics research and user panel testing, SIXstar Certification™ is a unique combination of the six key elements needed to deliver the smoothest, most natural elliptical feel and appearance available. One eye pleaser to impress your friends.

Number 3: Lifespan EL 3000i ($1,399) The centerpiece of the EL3000i, however, is the multicolored LCD console, which offers several simultaneous readouts and exercise programs to help you achieve your health and fitness goals. As a bonus, when you purchase a LifeSpan EL3000i elliptical trainer, you automatically receive a membership for the LifeSpan Fitness Club. This comprehensive online health management program, powered by the Interactive Health Partner, lets you select exercise programs, track and manage your fitness and health results, and receive motivating support as you work toward achieving your goals. Buddha is very happy with this unt…..

Number 2: Sole E 55 ($1,499) This step up design from Sole has been one of their crown jewels. It look is second only to the Smooth DMT. Clean lines and space effectiveness makes this a winner.

The Best looking Treadmill Winner: Smooth DMT X1 elliptical trainer ($1,999) this is the Sensei’s most beautiful pick this is a “Katsushika Hokusai “work of art. Beautiful in any décor. The function is great with many programs for you entertainment.

Best Feel Ellipticals

Number 5: Smooth DMT x2 Agile trainer ($2,499) as written earlier this is a work of art and it’s functional. You do get the I-pod docking station with a few added features not found in the programs of the DMT1. Great value!

Number 4: Schwinn 430 E ($799) not to rehash a product from above, but this unit is a great value for the $$$ price. By emulating the natural motion of your foot while supporting your heel throughout the stride, elliptical trainers are much easier on your knees and joints. This unit is attractive and functional!

Number 3: Precor EFX 5.25 Elliptical Crosstrainer ($3,399) Precor is passionate about fitness. It all started with a desire to create a better kind of exercise equipment, one that mirrored human movement: fluid, natural, and dynamic. The 5.25 is another example if price is not a problem.

Number 2: Spirit Esprit EL 7 ($2,099) Good unit it has a couple of years in the field and the Sensei hasn’t heard a lot of weeping. Great stride range and smooth flow. Good value for in the $1,250 price range.

The Strongest Motor Treadmill Winner: Epic EL 2980 ($1,500) Another hit from Icon. The oversized pedals allow you a number of different foot positions and provide great stability as you exercise. With a stainless steel glide track and upgraded bushing, this heavy-duty elliptical operates much smoother than your average elliptical. A great value in the $1,500 price.

The Best for NON Foot Numbness

Number 5: Free Motion S5.6 Elliptical ($1,699) The FreeMotion pattern travels in an Inverted Arch to increase range of motion, flexibility and strength. It moves the way you move, naturally. Human movement can only be designed into a machine using an Inverted Arch. The FreeMotion maximizes joint angles for dynamic mobility. Shorter strides fire calves and gluts, mid strides work gluts and quads, and longer strides burn hamstrings. It’s training with this natural movement that increases performance in Sports and Life. This unit is a bit pricy but if you can afford the price tag buy it!

Number 4: Nordic Trac Free Strider 35S ($1,299) 35 inch stride length range-longest stride available. More of a stepper than elliptical trainer the price is in the $3K range, but not a bad machine for the price. Get a complete workout with the NordicTrack FreeStrider 35 S. This fitness solution combines the high-calorie burn of incline training with the low-impact stride of an elliptical to give you the top-of-the-line in performance training

Number 3: Xterra FS420e (1,499) Great curb appeal on this unit. It’s a new product from an old company Dyaco. Parts and warranty will be good from their parent company. This machine is positioned to be the Spirit of the big box world. Time and Dyaco energy will tell, but overall a good solid machine.

Number 2: Smooth CE3.2 ($1,399) again larger foot stance means less numbness. Smooth is second to Sole only because of the lack of tilt on the pedals. The CE3.2 is a great value for years of fitness goals.

The Best Programmed Treadmill Winner: Sole e 95 ($1,699) the feet / pedals of all Sole elliptical trainers are tilted 2 degrees to insure the proper stance. This is very important. Why? Most people think elliptical machine are linear in travel not the case. The pedals of an elliptical trainer are very similar to cross country skiing; you are pushing on the ski / pedals outward not sliding back and forth. This means fewer traumas on the ankles and less numbness over an extended workout.