Our favorite elliptical machines for your home gym -- all under $500 - CBS News

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Woman performing workout on elliptical trainer at home — Westend61

Your local gym is busier than ever this time of year. Whether you'd prefer to avoid the gym or want to save some cash by working out at home, consider investing in a home elliptical.

These cardio machines allow you to select your own pacing and level of resistance, while their poles offer an upper body workout as well. Running on an elliptical is less stressful on your knees, hips and back than running on a treadmill. Many ellipticals can also be pedaled backward, offering more of a calf and hamstring workout.

Top products in this article

Bowflex Max Total 16, $2,199 (reduced from $2,499)

Sunny Health & Fitness advanced programmed elliptical, $352 (reduced from $480)

Body Power 3-in-1 exercise machine, $209 (reduced from $279)

Ellipticals can easily run upward of $1,000, but we've found some reviewer-loved options from Walmart, Amazon and more for under $500 to add to your home gym. Options in this price range offer only the basics, but you can make an inexpensive model feel a lot more luxe and high-tech if you add an affordable tablet holder, such as this one from Amazon.

Body Rider 2-in-1 fitness machine with elliptical

This wallet-friendly elliptical and exercise bike combo comes with a monitor that displays the time, speed, distance and average calories burned. Its attached adjustable seat turns it into an exercise bike. A manual knob adjusts tension, and the machine has a 250-pound weight capacity.

"My husband and I both use it every day and find it very sturdy and easy to use," wrote a reviewer. "It took a little bit of time to put it together but I did it all by myself and only had to ask my husband a simple question to complete the assembly."

Body Rider 2-in-1 fitness machine with elliptical, $156 (reduced from $177)

Sunny Health & Fitness advanced programmed elliptical

For more features, pick up this elliptical with a media device holder and a backlit display that tracks speed, time, distance, calories burned, RPM, exertion (in watts) and resistance level. It offers 24 workout modes and has a 330-pound weight capacity.

"My husband and I are so happy with this elliptical," said an Amazon customer. "We have a small condo, so I was worried about the space, but it really doesn't take up too much at all. It also has these little plastic sliders, so we keep it along the wall when not in use, and it's very easy to move across our wood floors so we can watch TV while we work out. It's very stable and doesn't bob or rock us around even if we're going fast."

Sunny Health & Fitness advanced programmed elliptical, $352 (reduced from $480)

Sunny Health & Fitness magnetic elliptical

Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E905 Magnetic Elliptical — Amazon

This simple elliptical has an eight-level tension controller to customize workout difficulty. It has a digital monitor that displays time, speed, distance, calories and heart rate. It's a small machine intended for users up to 220 pounds.

"This is not a gym-quality elliptical by any means, but for the price, it offers everything I could ask for," a reviewer said.

Sunny Health & Fitness magnetic elliptical, $143 after coupon (reduced from $179)

Stamina InMotion under-the-desk elliptical

If you're short on space or want a more affordable option, go for half the elliptical instead with this machine. You can use it while sitting or standing and its tension is adjustable. Its monitor displays the number of strides per minute; total number of strides; exercise time; and calories burned. It supports a maximum of 250 pounds.

"I love this strider," wrote a Walmart customer. "I would recommend this to anyone looking to stay active while at a desk job!"

Stamina InMotion under-the-desk elliptical, $121

Body Power 3-in-1 exercise machine

If you're looking for versatility in your workouts, pick up this 3-in-1 machine that functions as an elliptical, upright bike and recumbent bike. It has an electronic console that tracks calories burned, time, speed and distance. A 28-day meal plan is included.

"It takes a bit of time to put together, but once it's all set up it's a very reliable workout machine," said an Amazon customer. "Just as promised, it offers three types of cardio workouts in one, the computer is basic but useful, and it's sturdy and fairly portable."

Body Power 3-in-1 exercise machine, $209 (reduced from $279)

Unbrand elliptical

This affordable elliptical has eight levels of resistance, heart rate sensors and an LED screen. The screen displays time, speed, distance, calories burned and pulse rate. This elliptical has transport wheels and a weight capacity of 300 pounds.

Unbrand elliptical, $290

Snode elliptical

SNODE Magnetic Elliptical Machine — Snode via Amazon

This elliptical has eight resistance levels and an LCD screen that displays time, speed, distance, heart rate and calories burned. A set of wheels makes the machine easy to move, and it also has a tablet holder. Its weight capacity is 265 pounds.

"It is sturdy, surprisingly so, and looks like it will last a typical home user for many years," wrote an Amazon customer. "It is quiet enough that it won't disturb other people in the house, even if you use it in the early morning."

Snode elliptical, $379 (reduced from $400)