BowFlex announced plans to discontinue its Max Trainer SE, a hybrid elliptical and stairstepper machine, during our testing period.<\/p>\n
The Horizon EX-59<\/a> is a solid option if you don\u2019t want to spend over $1,000 for one of our electric picks<\/a>, but are looking for an elliptical that provides an upgraded workout experience compared with our budget pick<\/a>. Our testers enjoyed the fluid movement of its handlebars, the placement of the console (which has blue, digital numbers for metrics), and its mostly quiet sound. Three testers thought the stride felt short, with one person also noting, \u201cThe pedals have a bounding quality and are more up-and-down than horizontal.\u201d The EX-59 machine has 10 resistance levels, but a majority of our testers did not go above level one or two. If you\u2019re seeking an elliptical with strong resistance, the EX-59 model offers a heart-pumping workout.<\/p>\n The self-powered Niceday Smart CT11<\/a> was unsteady compared with our budget pick<\/a> \u2014 I had to insert shims underneath its base to prevent it from wobbling. Even with that assistance, it still moved around too much during a workout for many testers\u2019 liking. You change resistance by turning a knob located at a spot equal to most people\u2019s waistline, another dealbreaker. Two testers referred to it as feeling \u201ccheap.\u201d<\/p>\n The NordicTrack X16<\/a> was the most intriguing machine we tested and also drew the most polarizing opinions. It\u2019s a hybrid machine that the company says combines the strides of an elliptical, treadmill, and stairstepper, not to mention a -10% decline \u2014 the most of any machine we tested. It takes some time to adjust to each new motion, and some testers didn\u2019t like the learning curve. But after several tries on the X16 elliptical, I came to appreciate its multifunction capabilities. One tester said it \u201cfelt like I was on a pair of skis,\u201d adding that \u201cit made for a good workout for my glutes and quads because it felt like I was stretching with every stride.\u201d At $2,700, it\u2019s around double the price of our picks<\/a>. The X16 model is probably best for someone wanting a customized workout or a high-level athlete looking for something more challenging than a traditional elliptical workout.<\/p>\n Several testers described the ProForm Carbon EL<\/a> as feeling \u201cnatural,\u201d but less than half of our testing panel said they would actually consider purchasing the machine. While it offers a solid and pretty quiet workout, there\u2019s not much that stands out about the Carbon EL elliptical. It doesn\u2019t have specially designed handles, decline functions, or a fan. The console is a bit difficult to understand at first, with some buttons having no numbers or labels. \u201cI like to go backwards on ellipticals, and that was super tricky to do on this,\u201d one tester said. This machine has the lowest recommended maximum user weight of any machine we tested, at 275 pounds.<\/p>\n