According to the experts, the best exercise is that in which your body moves repetitively in an elliptical manner — that is, in the shape of a squashed circle. Generally, the best and most efficient elliptical exercise is machine-based. If you find yourself more than a little confused about what this means and how it can help your body, take a look at this Elliptical Trainer Consumers Guide. The good thing about elliptical exercise machines is that you get all the benefits of standard elliptical exercise (running, jogging, etc.) while staying indoors and avoiding the gym.

You may have noticed that there’s a wide variety of elliptical exercise machines on the market. Consider the Nordic Track, for example; it was one of the first elliptical machines. Treadmills — including the one you’ve got hidden behind the bookcase — are also effective elliptical exercise machines. Stair-steppers, exercise bikes, and those weird contraptions that jerk your arms back and forth or make you go up and down (or both): they’re all elliptical trainers, or ellipticals for short.

One of the best things about most ellipticals is that they provide an impact-free workout, which is gentle on backs, knees, hips, and joints, all areas that can suffer shocks in the course of a traditional workout. Clearly, then, exercise equipment that allows an elliptical workout — whether it’s some high-tech elliptical machine or a plain treadmill — is a godsend for those of us old enough to have acquired a few aches and pains along life’s journey. Rather than give up exercise altogether (admittedly a tempting option!), depend on a good elliptical machine to help you stay healthy.

There are so many elliptical options, though, that it can be hard to find the one that’s right for your pocketbook and lifestyle. Allow us to help you with that! These treadmill reviews ought to bring you up to speed. All it takes to find the perfect elliptical is a little homework.