Top 8 Best Ellipticals for HIIT Workouts

HIIT is an activity style where you work at close to max limit regarding brief timeframes and afterward rest (or exercise at altogether lower force) for a given period.

When the vast majority consider High-Intensity Interval Training (or HIIT) exercises, they frequently partner with the treadmill, bicycle, or outside running.

Training on the elliptical has several advantages over the treadmill. The first is that it has a very low impact on the joints and is highly recommended for weight loss for overweight people. The second is that it has a high caloric expenditure, equal to or similar to the treadmill since you move a large amount of muscle mass.

The HIIT elliptical exercise is an excellent choice for getting in your HIIT sessions and offers a few advantages that the other options don’t.

So, if you are looking for the best elliptical for HIIT, we did deep research to show you which are the best machines in the market.

In a hurry? Here are our top 3 picks of the best HIIT ellipticals. Check the overview, pros & cons below:

• Bowflex Max Trainer M8—Best Overall Elliptical for HIIT Workout
• ProForm PFEL05918 HIIT Trainer Lite 5.9—Best Budget HIIT Elliptical
• Proform HIIT Trainer—Best HIIT Trainer Elliptical

What Are the Benefits of Using a HIIT Elliptical?

The benefits of HIIT exercise are plenty: raising your metabolic rate, burning more fat and calories during and after the workout, increased aerobic and anaerobic pathways, increases in strength, and cardiovascular endurance.

And using an elliptical for HIIT is the fastest and easiest way to knock out a quick workout.

How to Choose the Best Ellipticals for HIIT?

Here are the most important factors when choosing the best elliptical for HIIT:

Durability

Like any piece of equipment, durability is crucial. It is needless to say that HIIT is a very intense workout. You are going to push yourself to the best.

This implies more pressure on the machine, and to withstand all the pressure, the elliptical must be durable.

Signs of a decent machine are it shouldn’t make any squeaking, rattling, or grinding sound, and the action should be smooth.

Another thing that you should look for in the frame materials, they must be solid, and you should see larger bearings fabricated from steel instead of plastic.

If the machine has wheels, choose large wheels on a large rail surface rather than the small ones.

There are different kinds of moving hand grips on the different machines, some of them provide multiple handgrip positions, and others provide just a single position.

Multiple handgrips are nice because they allow you to change where you’re gripping and your hand placement.

The heavier framework and larger materials will cost you a little more, but the advantage is that the machine will most like last more and is better built.

Movement Patterns

You must be compelled to seek a continuous change between each setting when you adjust the resistance.

You furthermore want a machine that gives a challenge for you in the middle of the resistance level.

That allows you to get better, and it additionally gives you some lower obstruction levels at the same time as great cardiovascular exercise.

Some elliptical machines come with power inclines, which allow you to challenge yourself even more.

Features

Features of a machine are a crucial element when choosing an exercise machine. Choosing a HIIT elliptical with large pedals that are intently spaced and rotated as you exercise is a must.

This will offer you a natural and pleasant walking motion. There are different types of elliptical machines: front-drive, center-drive, and rear-drive elliptical.

A rear-mounted flywheel creates a longer machine that takes up additional floor space. A front or mid-mounted flywheel makes for a shorter machine.

Other features to look for are grip-mounted heart rate monitors and large informative LCDs.

Some models feature many levels of electronic resistance and have built-in speakers with a music player dock. You should also check if there are built-in fans and water bottle holders.

Choose between dependent or independent pedal movement. With dependent stair steppers, the pedals are linked so that as one goes up, the other goes down.

While with independent movement, the pedals are not linked and more closely simulate the natural movement of ascending stairs.

Also, some models have extra features like music player inputs and pedals with straps.

Testing & Reviews

It is, in every case, better to investigate user feedback, surveys, and appraisals before reaching conclusions.

While the brand, materials utilized, and evaluation could give you a reasonable thought on the model, individual encounters are a superior adjudicator than the rest.

Avoid the machine that feels “unstable” or “cheap”—these are greater symptoms that the product won’t last long.

Brand

There are tons of elliptical exercise machine brands on the market; therefore, you need to choose wisely.

Some are only there to bring in cheaper options, and no sooner you get them than you begin encountering various issues with them.

Notwithstanding guaranteeing that you pick the correct brand, you ought to assure that you get them from the perfect place.

This is significant because it won’t guarantee that you are not abused monetarily and that you do not settle for fakes.

Top 8 Best Elliptical Machines for HIIT and Full-Body Workouts

Bowflex Max Trainer M8—Best Overall Elliptical for HIIT Workout

The Bowflex Max Trainer M8 is the best in class Bowflex. It is a cross between a stair stepper and an elliptical.

Bowflex Max Trainer M8 comes with 20 levels of restriction, which is a vast range of difficulty, more than enough for a beginner; however, it can fit well with advanced fitness enthusiasts.

It’s built on an artificial intelligence platform named Bowflex Max Intelligence. The inclusion of the AI platform adds another degree of challenge—in an inspiring and fun manner.

Bowflex’s AI will assess your fitness level, and it will intuitively suggest how to continue to get to your next level and, at last, your ultimate goal.

The data is then stored to have Max create dynamic exercises for the person’s needs.

For the precise reading of your heart rate, the machine has touch sensors at the small handlebars.

M8 has athletic foot pedals that will oblige a wide variety of foot sizes for different users and give you a strong grasp.

ProForm PFEL05918 HIIT Trainer Lite 5.9—Best Budget

ProForm 5.9 is only 43.4″ (110 cm) long and 26″ (66 cm) wide, ideal to fit in a smaller room.

The machine itself is fairly heavy enough, though. This front-drive trainer weighs 150 lbs (68 kg), and the maximum user capacity is 300 lbs.

ProForm 5.9 has significantly smaller footprints compared to conventional elliptical trainers.

Some of the best features of this machine are a 5-inch backlit iFit display, iFit Smart Bluetooth enabled 18 preset workout apps, 1-18 levels of digital resistance, etc.

A combination of elliptical and stepper movements will provide you with an effective and intense full-body exercise in no time.

ProForm 5.9 is geared up with two handlebars; one is fixed, and the other one is mobile.

Proform HIIT Trainer—Best HIIT Trainer Elliptical

The HIIT Trainer is the highest point-of-the-line mentor in a unique series from ProForm, the world’s top-selling brand of home wellness machines.

However, on the off chance that your hunger for high-power preparing has been kept down by likely joint torment, this one could be your optimal exercise accomplice.

Consolidation of the vertical elliptical footpath with upper body movement is a very effective exercise that will get your heart rate elevated and burn calories very quickly throughout a training session.

Concerning client fitness level, this machine is generally proper for rather dynamic individuals; however, it is exceptionally adjustable.

A couple of eye-getting specs for this specific trainer are 24 resistance levels, music speakers, a 10″ touchscreen, 34 preset projects, and iFit innovation.

The touchscreen helps take advantage of iFit’s video exercises, intelligent Google Maps exercises, details following, and different highlights.

Proform HIIT Trainer’s maximum capacity is 325 lb and has a 30 lb flywheel with Silent Magnetic Resistance (SMR) system for quiet and smooth operation.

It also comes with both grip and chest strap heart rate monitors.

Its oversized cushioned pedals provide extra comfort and allow users to reposition their feet mid-workout.

Proform HIIT Pro

The Proform HIIT Pro is capable of providing such complete and intense workouts. This model allows you to start training easily and then gradually increase the intensity at intervals, ideal for strengthening your bone and muscle mass, enhancing your cardiovascular system, and toning your body. And you are going to burn fat and get results in record time.

This machine has a total of 26 levels of resistance so that you go from less to more so that, in addition to strengthening your body, improving your balance, and losing weight, the heart is benefited.

The Silent Magnetic Resistance (SMR) system guarantees high-intensity training sessions with ultra-quiet and fluid movement. Undoubtedly, users of all experience levels will enjoy these 34 training programs, which are classified by objectives.

The Proform HIIT Pro offers a 10” LCD touch screen monitor capable of offering a color reading where it will provide all the information you need to know during training such as distance, speed, calories burned, resistance and heart rate.

The console also offers a bottle holder and has mobile support, which provides us with the possibility of viewing the multimedia content that we most want during our training, helping us benefit from iFit technology.

This state-of-the-art technology will be at our fingertips with just the payment of a subscription. Developed by Google Maps, it allows us to conduct intelligent training sessions and access a new universe. According to its warranty, the brand offers a lifetime warranty for its frame, 5 years for its parts, and 2 years warranty for its labor.

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Bowflex M3 HIIT Elliptical Trainer

The Bowflex M3 gives you the ability to do a cardio workout that increases your heart rate and blood circulation. It is one of the essential workouts that you can never miss in your fitness plan, and the best thing is that it is at a great price, even if it is a simple machine compared to other models of the brand.

Even so, if what you are looking for is the best HIIT elliptical machine, the M3 fulfills this function and allows your body to emulate the movement of running without causing a strong impact on your joints, as happens with other machines.

Also, if you have little space, then you should not worry since the M3 has a compact design (46″ L x 25″ W x 63″ H), so you can place it in any corner of your house. As for training, this machine has a built-in monitor with an LCD screen where it has integrated 2 training programs with which you will burn many calories if you change the resistance levels, which are 8.

These resistance levels must be changed manually to make your exercises increasingly challenging. Also, don’t forget to check your heart rate on the monitor, which you can see after putting on the chest strap.

If the machine is used by someone else, the monitor allows you to record 2 different user profiles. And as for the weight it supports, the M3 supports up to 300 pounds of weight.

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Bowflex M5

The M5 is the best HIIT cross trainer because, compared to the previous model, the M5 includes other improved features without changing its compact design and raising its price. That is why this machine is highly chosen by those who seek to lose weight from home.

What else does the M5 offer that makes it so special? The machine offers combined movements between a climber and an elliptical machine, i. e., and it can simulate different exercises to burn more calories in a short time, for example, in just 30 minutes, you can burn up to 600 calories, which you cannot do in a treadmill.

As for its features, the M5 provides resistance levels up to level 16, something great to exercise your thighs. You can increase your level by including interval training to burn many calories and even exercise your upper body.

While you exercise, you can see your progress on its monitor, including heart rate, you have to place your hands on the handles, and the monitor will offer you the reading and time, distance, etc. Speaking of the monitor, it offers a Bluetooth 4.0 connection in case you want to connect it to your device.

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Bowflex M7

Continuing with our best elliptical for HIIT series, with the M7 also from Bowflex, you can train in less time as it consumes more calories thanks to the post-workout burn that is increased up to 48 hours after the 14-minute HIIT training.

In other words, you solve the problems of lack of time with the 14-minute High-Intensity Interval Program (HIIT). It also offers a compact and modern design that combines two machines in one (elliptical + stepper).

This fitness machine with intelligent training control is built with the best components (steel), always taking care of your joints and offering you excellent features such as two mobile handles to train the upper body and two static handles, which include sensors to measure your cardiac rhythm, meaning that you can see on its LCD screen.

This screen is quite large, where you will also see your results such as time, distance, and the calories you will be burning when doing your HIIT training.

The M7 allows its user to create up to 4 user memories for the family to train and save their progress.

As for the workouts you can do with the M7, the machine offers 20 levels that you can control from the console. This console can also connect to your mobile device to enter an app called Max Trainer, where you can see different exercises that you can do at home.

Also, it should be noted that the machine includes a chest strap to check the heart rate in case you want to have your hands free, and in case you want to have water nearby, the M7 includes a bottle handler.

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Nordictrack FS14i

This model offers a 14″ Smart HD touch screen. It also offers you high-energy workouts with personal trainers that control the incline and resistance of your machine in real-time to match theirs to get the best workout out of your life.

Like the previous model, the Nordick also includes iFit technology with a one-year free subscription. The console also offers a Bluetooth connection to connect your devices and listen to music with its two 2″ digitally amplified speakers.

In terms of comfort, this HIIT elliptical machine is built with an AutoBreeze training treadmill and offers Soft Touch ™ upper body grips and oversized padded pedals.

The NordicTrack has a 20-pound effective flywheel, 35 training programs, and 26 digital resistance levels with a silent SMR ™ magnetic resistance and a self-adjusting 32” stride, all for a high-level workout, and do forget to mention that it has a 10% incline so that your exercises are challenging.

In terms of construction, the frame features commercial solid steel construction and oversized levelers.

On the other hand, this machine also offers integrated crank controls for the ramp and resistance, transport wheels to help you with its movement and transportation, a holder for water bottles, and yet its design remains compact.

It only measures 58.5″ L x 29.5″ W x 74″ H. In terms of its weight capacity, the FS14i allows users to weigh up to 375 pounds.

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The Verdict

Elliptical HIIT exercises can be an excellent addition to your wellness program, regardless of whether to lose weight, improve strength, or simply fitness.

HIIT exercises take less time than conventional cardio exercises and give the equivalent, if not more noteworthy, results.

Elliptical HIIT exercises are becoming very popular lately because they help you become more flexible, burn more calories, and lose weight while increasing strength, perseverance, and power.

We’d like to crown Proform HIIT Trainer as the best elliptical HIIT exercise trainer. It is durable, reliable, and has excellent features at an affordable price.

If you are looking for a more budget-friendly machine, the Proform HIIT Trainer Lite 5.9 would be the option for you.

Bowflex Max Trainer M8 is also a great choice with some incredible features and high-tech options but at a higher price range.

Read also:

• Top 8 Best Quiet, Compact, and Foldable Ellipticals for Apartments Review
• Top 8 Best Ellipticals for Full Body Workout
• Best Compact Ellipticals for Small Spaces