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An elliptical machine can be the perfect addition to your home gym, especially when you need a low-impact exercise that works multiple muscle groups. The best elliptical machines in Canada match the performance of gym options, from multiple resistance levels to speeds and exercise modes to keep your workouts diverse. We’ve selected a range of under-desk options and full-sized machines to meet your needs.

What We Looked For

There were a few key features we looked for when determining if we could recommend these ellipticals for you. First, we looked at a few different types of ellipticals, from under-desk models that can be used while sitting to gliders and full-sized machines. We selected the best options with a range of features, including multiple resistance modes, a variety of stride lengths, and machines with higher maximum weight limits. 

This allowed us to choose only the best elliptical machines in Canada, especially for those 

Best Elliptical Machines in Canada: Our Best Gift Picks

1. Cursor Fitness Under Desk Elliptical Machine
2. Sunny Health & Fitness Air Walk Elliptical
3. Niceday Elliptical Machine
4. Sunny Health & Fitness Upright Elliptical
5. Cubii JR1 Seated Under Desk Elliptical

Best overall elliptical machine in Canada: Cursor Fitness Under Desk Elliptical Machine

Cursor Fitness Under Desk Elliptical Machine
Credit: Amazon

Pros:

  • More speeds and modes than most under-desk elliptical machines
  • Forward and reverse function to work all of your muscle groups
  • Mute button for an ultra-quiet workout

Cons:

  • It might be too heavy to move from location to location

The Details:

  • Type: Under Desk
  • Resistance: Magnetic
  • Max Weight: 136 kg
  • Max Stride Length: 15″
  • Dimensions: 43.2 x 38.1 x 22.9 cm

The Cursor Fitness Under Desk Elliptical machine is a seated and under-desk elliptical that allows you to get a workout in while you sit in comfort. If you need a little extra boost to your leg exercises or need to sit for other reasons (such as work), this elliptical can be a great way to stay fit and keep blood flowing. It uses 12 different speeds and 12 training modes to help you reach your goals. 

Even when you’re working towards your goal, you can be kind to your joints. Though standing elliptical machines also qualify as a low-impact workout, this sitting elliptical is about as low-impact as they come. Those with joint problems might want to break into mobility exercises a little easier, and that’s where this elliptical comes in. 

Magnetic resistance makes it a little more effective than options that use manual resistance. The screen in the middle of the elliptical tracks calories burned, speed, time, and few other helpful metrics so you can keep track of how you improve. The Manual mode allows you to adjust your workout time, speed, and direction, so you can set it to go in reverse if needed. 

The standout feature for us was the mute option. This option dampens sound and keeps the machine quiet, with no beeping or alerts while this mode is activated. This means that you can work out while others are sleeping, resting, or focused on their own activities around you. You can get your exercise in without disturbing anyone, which is more than we can say for the larger, noisier models on our list.

Our Expert Opinion: “This under-desk elliptical is one of the best we’ve seen. It’s far from the basic, barebones seated ellipticals that have dominated the Canadian market in the past. It’s a great choice for those who want to start tackling their goals but may be held back by mobility.”

Customers Are Saying: “Good seated workout with a ton of variety, and I didn’t have to put it together. It’s a lot more comfortable than a lot of the other options I’ve tried over the years.”

Cursor Fitness Under Desk Elliptical Machine in Use
Credit: Amazon

Who is the Cursor Fitness Under Desk Elliptical Machine for? 

  • Canadians who want to exercise at work. This is the perfect compact under-desk elliptical machine for working in your office or at home. 
  • Those who want to track goals gently. This elliptical encourages gentle, low-impact exercise that still makes a difference. It’s a good place to start if you want to get started on your goals.
  • People who need additional leg exercises. If you just need to get some extra leg exercises in, this is the perfect elliptical for the job. 

Who should avoid the Cursor Fitness Under Desk Elliptical Machine?

  • Those who want a full-sized elliptical. If you’re looking for a full-sized elliptical machine with multiple modes and programs, this isn’t the option for you. However, there are plenty of other options on our list that are full-sized or near enough to it. 

Instead, choose… the Niceday Elliptical Machine.

The Niceday Elliptical Machine is a full-sized model with a longer stride length, more resistance levels, and a higher weight limit. It’s a more robust machine for all of your exercise needs, particularly if you want to stand while using the elliptical. 

Features Breakdown

  • Type: Under Desk
  • Resistance: Magnetic
  • Max Weight: 136 kg
  • Max Stride Length: 15″
  • Dimensions: 43.2 x 38.1 x 22.9 cm
  • Programs: 12
  • Resistance Levels: 12
  • Tracked Metrics: Calories burned, speed, time
  • Unit Weight: 5.44 kg

Best glider elliptical machine in Canada: Sunny Health & Fitness Air Walk Elliptical

Sunny Health Fitness Air Walk Elliptical
Credit: Amazon

Pros:

  • Manual/air resistance glider is perfect for beginners
  • Long maximum stride distance for taller users
  • Smooth exercise that simulates walking without intensity or impact

Cons:

  • Doesn’t offer resistance like a full-sized machine would

The Details:

  • Type: Glider
  • Resistance: Manual/Air
  • Max Weight: 99.79 kg
  • Max Stride Length: 76 cm (29″)
  • Dimensions: 64 x 48 x 145 cm

The Sunny Health & Fitness Air Walk Elliptical is a glider-style workout machine that excels at what it does. Glider-style trainers are some of the least popular, but this one offers a nice, high-quality alternative to larger ellipticals. Sometimes, you simply don’t have the space in your home for a full-sized machine. If you want to get more from your workouts but don’t want to choose an under-desk elliptical model, a glider is a nice middle ground.

It’s also really low impact in the same way that most ellipticals are. There are no resistance levels, so you create the resistance that you need. While this might not be the right machine for those who want to build a full-service home gym that rivals your local membership gym, it’s a great place to get started for those who need to work up to more intense workouts.

There is a small screen that tracks your progress, and you can track metrics like counts, total count, calories burned, and time. There’s no way to save these, so make sure that you write them down after your exercise so you can keep track of how you are performing. The large, non-slip pedals work well with most workout shoes, and the machine comes mostly put together. There’s very little for you to do in order to get started with it. 

Our Expert Opinion: “Glider elliptical machines often get a poor reception, but this one is actually a really solid choice. It’s great for beginners and those who need gentle exercise, but don’t quite get what they need from a seated elliptical.”

Customers Are Saying: “It’s very easy to put this together. I have bad knees and needed a machine to help with cardio, so this ended up being the perfect choice for me. It’s very sturdy and well-designed for what it is.”

Sunny Health Fitness Air Walk Elliptical in Use
Credit: Amazon

Who is the Sunny Health & Fitness Air Walk Elliptical for? 

  • Canadians with long strides. A stride length of up to 29″ makes this a great option for those who are too tall to use smaller at-home workout machines.
  • Those who are just getting started on their fitness journey. Beginners who need to build strength and stamina will love the design of this elliptical machine.
  • People who need a super low-impact way to move. The gliding motion of this elliptical makes it ideal for those who need low-impact exercise, especially if walking is too much for their joints.

Who should avoid the Sunny Health & Fitness Air Walk Elliptical?

  • Canadians who want a challenge. Though this glider is perfect for low-impact walking exercises, those who want a challenge might want to choose an elliptical that does a little more.

Instead, choose… the Sunny Health & Fitness Upright Elliptical.

This upright elliptical is made by the same great company as the Air Walk model. However, this one has an app, magnetic resistance, and a belt drive system for more intense workouts. When you want a challenge, you can graduate to this elliptical. 

Features Breakdown

  • Type: Glider
  • Resistance: Manual/Air
  • Max Weight: 99.79 kg
  • Max Stride Length: 76 cm (29″)
  • Dimensions: 64 x 48 x 145 cm
  • Programs: None
  • Resistance Levels: None
  • Tracked Metrics: Time, Count, Calories Burned, Total Count
  • Unit Weight: 12.7 kg

Best full size elliptical machine in Canada: Niceday Elliptical Machine

Niceday Elliptical Machine
Credit: Amazon

Pros:

  • 15 resistance levels to test your strength
  • High weight limit
  • Magnetic drive ensures stable tension for better workouts

Cons:

  • Expensive and heavy

The Details:

  • Type: Full-sized
  • Resistance: Magnetic
  • Max Weight: 181.44 kg
  • Max Stride Length: 15.5″
  • Dimensions: 99.1 x 53.3 x 152.4 cm

The Niceday Elliptical Machine is the largest and most feature-heavy elliptical machine on our list. While it doesn’t feature any exercise programs (and there are no apps to track your progress), it has an extremely durable commercial steel frame that can support up to 400 pounds without any issues. It also uses 16 magnetic resistance levels that get harder and harder to work with as they move up.

If you want to improve your overall fitness, increasing these resistance levels is a great way to do it. Find one that gets your heart racing and work on getting good at it, and you’ll hit your goals in no time! The magnetic drive is extremely quiet as well, so you can work on your goals while you watch TV, listen to an audiobook, or hold a conversation without any excessive noise.

This elliptical is ideal for users up to 6’0″ tall and tracks metrics like pulse, speed, distance, calories, and time. While it doesn’t keep these metrics on board to compare your progress over time, you can write them down and see how you improve with subsequent workouts.

Our Expert Opinion: “The Niceday Elliptical Machine is one of the only full-sized options here. We loved how powerful it felt compared to the other options, but it’s quieter as well. You can get your workout done with the smooth glide you need, especially if you don’t want to disturb other members of your household.”

Customers Are Saying: “It’s a bit smaller than I expected, but it’s no less powerful. It’s so quiet and extremely easy to set up, so I’d recommend it to people who need those features above all else.”

Niceday Elliptical Machine Before Assembly
Credit: Amazon

Who is the Niceday Elliptical Machine for? 

  • Those who want more metrics. This elliptical tracks more metrics than just about any of the other options on our list.
  • Canadians with more to spend. If you have more to spend on your new workout machine, this is the perfect option. You’ll get a better return on investment as a result.
  • Heavier Canadians. This elliptical can accommodate users up to 400 lbs, or 181.44 kg. That’s more than some of the other options on our list for sure.

Who should avoid the Niceday Elliptical Machine?

  • People with limited space. If you don’t have a lot of floor space in your workout room, you aren’t going to like this machine. 

Instead, choose… the Sunny Health & Fitness Air Walk Elliptical.

The Sunny Health & Fitness Air Walk Elliptical doesn’t have magnetic resistance levels, but it’s small enough that you can store it away when you aren’t using it. It doesn’t take up a lot of room, so you can fold it up and store it when not in use. This will save you a lot of floor space compared to the Niceday Elliptical Machine.

Features Breakdown

  • Type: Full-sized
  • Resistance: Magnetic
  • Max Weight: 181.44 kg
  • Max Stride Length: 15.5″
  • Dimensions: 99.1 x 53.3 x 152.4 cm
  • Programs: None
  • Resistance Levels: 16
  • Tracked Metrics: Pulse, time, calories, odometer, distance, speed, time
  • Unit Weight: 45.4 kg

Best affordable elliptical machine in Canada: Sunny Health & Fitness Upright Elliptical

Sunny Health Fitness Upright Elliptical
Credit: Amazon

Pros:

  • Affordable for a magnetic belt drive system
  • Easy to assemble
  • Smaller than some of the other options we’ve covered

Cons:

  • Smaller stride length

The Details:

  • Type: Full-sized
  • Resistance: Magnetic
  • Max Weight: 100 kg
  • Max Stride Length: 28 cm
  • Dimensions: 104 x 64 x 153 cm

The Sunny Health & Fitness Upright Elliptical is a solid in-between type elliptical. It doesn’t have the same lack of features as a glider, but it doesn’t do as much as a more expensive machine does. If that’s the niche you’ve been shopping for, you’ve found the perfect elliptical. 

The small footprint makes it ideal for those without much space to spare, and it’s easy to store it in a corner and move it out of the way when you need to reclaim the space. The smaller stride length h is a consequence of this compact size, so taller Canadians may have issues here.

It tracks important metrics like Time, Speed, Distance, and Calories. Plus, it has a built-in pulse reader to let you know how hard your heart is working. That alone makes this elliptical machine stand out. It’s one of the best options for those who need some additional cardio, with 8 resistance options to keep you on your toes.

Our Expert Opinion: “If you want a solid workout or want to build stamina, this machine is one of the best ways to do it. It’s quiet and smooth, with enough resistance levels to get you in shape.”

Customers Are Saying: “This is an excellent elliptical machine for the price. If you aren’t expecting to get a full gym-style experience, it’s a great option to keep you busy until you work up to going to the gym.”

Sunny Health Fitness Upright Elliptical Monitor
Credit: Amazon

Who is the Sunny Health & Fitness Upright Elliptical for? 

  • Those who want to test themselves. The way this machine tracks metrics makes it easy to see how you improve over time.
  • Canadians with limited floor space. If you don’t have the space for a truly full-sized elliptical machine, this one is a nice alternative. 
  • Those who want an affordable full-sized machine. This machine is more affordable than a host of other options, making it perfect for those who don’t want to spend too much on a larger machine.

Who should avoid the Sunny Health & Fitness Upright Elliptical?

  • Tall Canadians. This elliptical supports a relatively short stride length, so taller Canadians may struggle to use it comfortably.

Instead, choose… the Niceday Elliptical Machine.

The Niceday Elliptical Machine is a similar magnetic resistance full-size elliptical machine. However, it has a longer stride length and can accommodate Canadians up to 6′ tall. That isn’t the case with the Sunny Health & Fitness Upright Elliptical machine, which requires a much shorter operator for its full potential and comfort.

Features Breakdown

  • Type: Full-sized
  • Resistance: Magnetic
  • Max Weight: 100 kg
  • Max Stride Length: 28 cm
  • Dimensions: 104 x 64 x 153 cm
  • Programs: None
  • Resistance Levels: 8
  • Tracked Metrics: Time, Speed, Distance, Calories, Pulse
  • Unit Weight: 27.6 kg

Best seated elliptical machine in Canada: Cubii JR1 Seated Under Desk Elliptical

Cubii JR1 Seated Under Desk Elliptical
Credit: Amazon

Pros:

  • Lightweight, so you can take it between home and the office
  • 8 manual resistance levels to test yourself and increase strength
  • Tracks metrics like calories burned and distance traveled to keep track

Cons:

  • Doesn’t have as many settings and options as other options

The Details:

  • Type: Under Desk
  • Resistance: Manual
  • Max Weight: 13 kg
  • Max Stride Length: 18″
  • Dimensions: 44.6 x 58.8 x 25.4 cm

The Cubii JR1 Seated Under Desk Elliptical is one of the nicest options for those who have to get their exercise done while seated. Whether you prefer to exercise at work or have restrictions that keep you from using a standing elliptical, this is a solid option. It works well for most users, especially considering the 8 manual resistance levels that are simple to operate and help you reach your goals. 

You can track a lot of metrics through this elliptical, too. This includes calories burned, distance traveled, and rotations per minute. It also keeps track of the number of minutes you’ve been active, which is great for smashing through daily activity goals.

You can adjust the resistance levels as you gain strength and confidence. It’s very quiet, so you can use it at your desk while on work calls. It won’t drown out your TV when you use it in your living room, too. It’s portable, so you can take it wherever you need in order to get the most out of your exercise routine. 

Though this elliptical machine is perfect for those who have mobility issues, it’s still ideal for those that just need to get in a few extra burned calories while they work or watch TV. It’s simple and approachable for all, so there’s no headache when you’re getting it set up. 

Our Expert Opinion: “The Cubii JR1 Seated Under Desk Elliptical is compact and easy to use while seated, so it’s the perfect under desk elliptical. Though it doesn’t have as many resistance options as some of the other options we’ve seen, it works well for those who need to get their exercise in while they are busy.”

Customers Are Saying: “This is perfect for getting my exercise in in the winter. I love using it while I watch TV or use my computer, so I can feel productive even when I’m relaxing.”

Cubii JR1 Seated Under Desk Elliptical in Use
Credit: Amazon

Who is the Cubii JR1 Seated Under Desk Elliptical for? 

  • Seniors and Canadians with disabilities. This elliptical is so easy to operate while seated, even those with limited mobility can get some exercise in.
  • Those who work at a desk all day. If you work at a desk all day, put this elliptical under the desk to keep blood flowing and get extra exercise in. 
  • Canadians who need extra leg exercise. If you need to get a little more exercise in, you can use this elliptical while you read, watch TV, or chat with family. 

Who should avoid the Cubii JR1 Seated Under Desk Elliptical?

  • Those who want a more comprehensive seated workout. This is one of the simplest under-desk ellipticals we’ve seen, so those who want more options and resistance levels may want to look elsewhere.

Instead, choose… the Cursor Fitness Under Desk Elliptical Machine.

The Cursor Fitness Under Desk Elliptical Machine has the same idea as the Cubii model. It’s a small, under-desk elliptical that you can use while seated. However, the Cursor Fitness model has 12 speeds, 12 workout modes, and forward and reverse directions. The LCD monitor tracks a wide range of metrics, too.

Features Breakdown

  • Type: Under Desk
  • Resistance: Manual
  • Max Weight: 13 kg
  • Max Stride Length: 18″
  • Dimensions: 44.6 x 58.8 x 25.4 cm
  • Programs: None
  • Resistance Levels: 8
  • Tracked Metrics: Calories burned, RPM, distance traveled, minutes active 
  • Unit Weight: 12.5 kg
How much should you spend on an elliptical machine?

A high-end elliptical machine can start around $1,500. However, most of the options we recommend are a lot more compact and ready for home gym use. They start much lower than some of the more expensive luxury elliptical brands on the Canadian market.

How do I choose an elliptical machine? 

You should choose an elliptical based on the space you have available, balancing the size of the machine with the features you want. You may want to look into integrated apps that track your progress, as well as pre-defined programs for the type of workout that you want. 

How long do ellipticals usually last? 

A high-quality elliptical machine can last up to 10 years. The models here are suited for home use, and those ellipticals may last up to 6 years with regular use, though more rigorous and long-term use may mean they won’t last quite that long. 

Is using an elliptical machine a low-impact workout?

Yes, elliptical machines are considered low-impact workout machines. Since the machine moves your body, you aren’t striking down hard on any surface. This means that your joints won’t feel the vibration of heavy impacts like they would with running (whether on the treadmill or in any other setting). 

This Post Has 5 Comments

  1. Ron L.

    The Niceday one looks like a full-sized machine, but it’s still compact. That’s an interesting combination.

  2. Chloe D.

    The under-desk ellipticals look like a healthy way to direct all of my fidgety energy. I think I’ll get one to try it out.

  3. Victoria S.

    I’ve had the Sunny Air Walk for a while now. It’s smoother than you’d think. I love it!

  4. Chantel M.

    I just need something that’s gentle on my knees. I hope one of these can help.

    1. kimberly

      The Sunny Health & Fitness Air Walk is gentler on the knees than some of the other options here. The gliding motion is smooth and low-impact for your knees and back.

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