Wishing to improve the fitness level of your lower body minus having to go all the way to the gym? If that’s the case, you could use a glider exercise machine. Investing in a glider is brilliant when you wish to get fit but can’t spend time in the gym for workouts. This is why today, we’ll be telling you all about the glider exercise machine options and more.
Gliders, which also go by air walkers, have grown in popularity due to how lightweight they are compared to similar low-impact machines. With a glider exercise machine, you have an effective workout in the privacy of your own home since they also do not take up a lot of space.
Gliders are a great low-impact cardio exercise that burns calories, especially for beginners. Using a glider exercise machine is also a good form of cardiovascular exercise. This exercise is excellent for older people and those going through rehabilitation who need to avoid high-impact exercise.
As you can tell, a glider exercise machine would make an excellent addition to your at-home training program; that said, selecting one that meets all your needs can be complicated. However, there’s no need to panic since we have chosen some of the best glider exercise machine options currently available on the market, which have been reviewed and tested by users.
Glider Exercise Machine Reviewed In This Guide
- Best Overall Glider Exercise Machine: Sunny Health & Fitness Essentials Series Elliptical Machine
- Best Seller on Amazon Glider Exercise Machine: Elliptical Machine Glider
- Best Affordable Glider Exercise Machine: Sentuca Elliptical Machine Glider
- Best for Tracking Workout Glider Exercise Machine: Gazelle GEDGECAT Edge Glider Home Fitness
- Best with Thumb Pulse Monitor Glider Exercise Machine: Gazelle Freestyle Glider Training Exercise Machine
How To Choose The Perfect Glider Exercise Machine?
There are critical criteria to remember when in the market for a glider exercise machine. Most importantly, consider its size, frame, resistance levels, and versatility.
Durability and quality are also significant factors to analyze when shopping for a good-glider exercise machine. Hence, you must prefer a glider exercise machine with maximum build quality and durability.
The build quality of the glider exercise machine not only ensures durability but also offers an impressive workout experience.
Since this type of machine has to withstand extensive stress and wear, you can’t compromise the quality. In addition, quality plays a vital role in enhancing a machine’s performance.
Low standard and cheap glider exercise machines can break easily. This may cause both physical as well as financial damage. Keep an eye open for non-slip pedals that simulate a slow walk or entire run while maintaining continuous motion.
This would allow you to assign a specific place for an air walker in your gym before it arrives. On the other hand, choose the shape of an air walker that is more convenient to use.
Essentially, you want to go for an option that is more suitable to your workout needs and fits well in the available space. So, consider your requirements when buying an air walker of your choice.
Types Of Glider Exercise Machine
Neutral Grip Glider Exercise Machine
Gliders have padded foam handlebars at the top of the swing arms. Where you grab, the handlebars change how much work your upper or lower body gets. Gripping the middle of the handlebars in a neutral grip causes the upper and lower body to work equally, but holding the handlebars low by the crossbar makes the lower body work harder.
Front Bar Grip Glider Exercise Machine
Holding onto the crossbar instead of the handlebars is called a front bar grip, which places all the work onto the legs.
Glider Exercise Machine List
1. Sunny Health Glider Exercise Machine
Pros
- SunnyFit App
- Easy Setup
- Digital Monitor
- Smart Bluetooth Connectivity
Cons
- It Doesn’t Fold Up
With this glider exercise machine, you can easily adjust the intensity of your workout with the twist of the precise micro-controller equipped with eight levels of magnetic resistance.
Follow along with your workout progress on the digital monitor that displays your time, speed, distance, calories, and pulse.
Avoid the hassle of overly complicated setups. This convenient elliptical cross trainer has been partially preassembled.
What Our Testers Say
The machine is easy to move around, and it’s battery operated, so there are no cords. This machine gives you a great workout, even on the first resistance level. You will be dripping in sweat, and there are seven other levels, so you can really grow into doing more with this machine. You can also pedal in the reverse motion if that’s your thing. Love it.
Achieve smooth and even movement by leveling your elliptical bike with the onboard stabilizers. This compact machine is ideal for people looking to achieve an incredible workout but doesn’t have much space to work with.
Tips
If it gets too loud, spray WD 40 in the interior, where the tension cord is kept. Just make sure you have tile or something easy to clean under the machine when you do this; the WD 40 did leak out onto the floor a little bit.
2. Elliptical Glider Exercise Machine
Pros
- Steel
- Aerobic Training
- LCD Monitor
Cons
- Noisy
Sunny Health & Fitness Air Walk Trainer provides an aerobic workout, giving you all the benefits of stretching, walking, running, cross-country, skiing, and aerobic dancing without jarring impacts or damaging movements to your body.
This space-saving Air Walker trainer folds to half the size, making it easy to put away in your closet or in a tight space.
The striding motion delivers a slight twist to the midsection, engaging the upper and lower body. You’ll get a total body workout every time you workout!
What Our Testers Say
At first, I was skeptical, and it felt awkward, but once you get the hang of it and build a good momentum after 7 minutes, you begin to sweat. I’m 5’4″ and found that my best full stride was angling my knee a little outward but not too much, and that will ensure my knee won’t hit the metal bar.
At 20 minutes, you can feel your thighs and triceps putting in some work. I am definitely going to enjoy using this machine, and when I don’t want it out, it’s easy to secure and shift into the smaller position and place in a closet.
How To Use
If you want to eliminate the squeak, use a size 6 Allen key, remove the arms, and coat the posts and inside of the arms housing with good thick grease.
Check Latest Price3. Sentuca Air Glider Exercise Machine
Pros
- 260 LB Max Weight
- 30-Inch Stride
- EVA, Plastic
Cons
- Pricey
- Noisy
The Sentuca glider exercise machine trainer provides extra comfort and added stability with its high-density foam covered handlebars and nonskid foot platforms. The patented, dual-action split suspension gives a complete range of motion when you exercise.
What Our Testers Say
I really love this machine, the design is great. Overall, it serves its purpose.
Enjoy working out now without having to leave your home! The machine’s dual-action split suspension provides a complete range of motion and freedom of movement.
With a non-skid foot platform, you can enjoy a low-impact workout for less stress and strain on your body and fold quickly for easy storage.
Tips
It’s easy to move as long as you make sure it’s folded up first. Don’t let it fold up on you as I did.
4. Gazelle GEDGECAT Edge Glider Exercise Machine
Pros
- Dual-Action Suspension
- Easy To Use
- 5 Function Workout Computer
Cons
- Heavy
- Pricey
With this glider exercise machine, you can effectively tighten and tone every major muscle group in your body in this high-performance exercise glider for improved cardiovascular performance, making it great for all fitness levels.
A patented, dual-action split suspension provides a complete range of motion that goes from slow walk to full run with no sudden stops. The low-impact workout helps with less stress and strain on your body
What Our Testers Say
I am loving my Gazelle Edge. I received it a week ago and have worked out daily for a week. 7 days, almost 4 miles a day. About 45 – 50 minutes. I am a beginner. I never cared about exercising before, trying to lose weight and get healthier. Gazelle was perfect for me!
I feel surprisingly energized, and working out has become a fun time while watching some TV. I actually look forward to getting moving.
I wish I had known about this gem and some extra pounds ago.
Easy-to-use, 5-function workout computer keeps track of speed, distance, time, and calories burnt.
The extra-wide and non-skid foot platforms help with keeping your feet secure during workouts for added stability.
Tips
The footrests fold up against the vertical handlebars, and the whole unit then folds up to about 10 inches deep.
5. Gazelle Freestyle Air Glider Exercise Machine
Pros
- Thumb Pulse Monitor
- Comfortable
- Split Suspension
Cons
- Expensive
Offering ten great exercises in a single easy-to-use machine, the best-selling Gazelle Freestyle burns calories, tones your muscles, and improves your cardiovascular endurance.
The Freestyle is perfect for all fitness levels, with an unsurpassed range of motion that lets you go from a slow walk to a full run with no sudden stops so that you won’t put undue pressure on your joints.
What Our Testers Say
I love this Gazelle Freestyle Glider by Tony Little to walk on. It reminds me of swimming with no gravity around me by putting “no” pressure on any of my joints. You walk in the air. Less stress on your feet as you walk. Put your walking shoes on and go for it. I tried it barefoot, and the bottom part hurts. You do need your walking shoes on. lol… Enjoy, yours I do!
The resulting aerobic workout will thus challenge you without sacrificing your knees. Includes an easy-to-use workout computer that delivers immediate feedback on speed, distance, time, and approximate calories burned.
A built-in thumb pulse monitor for tracking your heart rate; extra-wide, non-skid foot platforms; a foldable footprint for easy storage; a maximum weight capacity of 300 pounds.
Tips
If you hold a button on the monitor that allows you to scroll thru the different readings, it’ll reset.
air walker Machine Buying Guide
What Is A Glider Exercise Machine?
A glider exercise machine, also known as air walkers, are exercise machines that provide a great way to get a full-body, calorie-burning, low-impact aerobic workout at home.
Though they might look a little unorthodox, air walkers offer an easy method for keeping fit, even if you only have 10 to 15 minutes a day for exercise.
Gliders are a good form of low-impact cardio exercise that burns calories, especially for beginners. However, these machines may not provide enough intensity or resistance to offer a challenging workout if you are already fit.
How Does A Glider Exercise Machine Work?
The glider exercise machine resembles a stationary bike, but rather than a pedal with your legs, you push and pull the handlebars toward and away from you to glide your body back and forth.
Along with getting your heart rate moving, this unique movement engages the arms, back, chest, and core.
You move the glider by positioning a foot on each footplate and holding a handlebar in each hand. You then swing your legs back and forth in a scissoring motion to glide.
Features To Look For In A Glider Exercise Machine
Material
The material of your glider exercise machine is among the most essential aspects to consider. A top-quality air walker consists of high-quality materials. Sturdy construction ensures the durability of the glider exercise machine. Hence, an air walker made of strong and durable material is always a suitable choice.
Therefore, make sure to look for air walkers made of industrial standard steel.
Weight Capacity
Before using any machine, you should double-check its weight capacity (sometimes called its “maximum training load”). Different machines can accommodate different weight capacities, and many gliders can support maximum training loads between 220 and 330 pounds.
Unfolded Dimensions
Gliders offer a space-efficient way to get a good workout. But before bringing one into your space, you’ll want to be sure it’s as small as you need it to be. Take a look at the length, width, and height before buying, just in case the glider happens to be bigger than you were expecting.
Folded Dimensions
Many gliders fold in half, making them particularly easy to store between workouts. The only downside? Some gliders get taller when folded in half. So if you’re interested in a folding glider, double-check its folded dimensions.
Size
You want one that accommodates your stride length and weight. Many models of the glider exercise machine fold up for easy storage, but if you plan on keeping it set up, make sure it fits your allotted open space.
Frame
One that’s strong, stable, and durable in build yet smooth and fluid in motion is ideal.
An in-built digital monitor is quite a necessity when choosing an air walker machine. It allows you to track your workout progress, including calories burnt, distance, time, speed, etc., thus motivating you to push your limits.
Resistance Levels
Some models come with adjustable levels of resistance, while others offer no resistance. My air walker has no built-in resistance, but I tie TheraBand resistance bands around the moving bars connecting the handles to the pedals to create resistance.
Full Range Of Motion
In addition to moving front to back, the foot pedals of some models move side to side for additional exercises. The best feature of these machines is undoubtedly the fact that they allow you to train how light or how heavy you want.
Space Efficient
It’s always good to consider the amount of space you can dedicate to keeping these home exercise machines. Always purchase a glider exercise machine that comes with a space-saving design or foldable dimensions so you can stash them in the corner of the room after exercise.
Ease Of Use
Choose an air walker that is versatile and convenient to use. A foldable air walker is always a good choice as it is convenient to use and requires less space when it comes to storage. Besides, this type of air walker is suitable for both home and commercial gyms.
Safety
People with a medical condition or injury also use an air walker for fast recovery. In this situation, the air walker must come with standard safety features. The air walker you are going to buy should be safe and comfortable to use. The parts of an air walker should be of high quality, which helps to avoid sudden breakdowns.
Common Questions About air walker Machine
Does the glider exercise machine work?
A glider exercise machine represents a good form of low-impact cardio exercise that burns calories, especially for beginners. However, these machines may not provide enough intensity or resistance to offer a challenging workout if you are already fit.
Is an air walker good for losing weight?
Yes. Although air walkers are designed for low-impact workouts, they help tone muscles, improve cardiovascular endurance, and burn calories. And you can increase your speed to make air walkers’ workouts challenging.
Is Air Walker better than elliptical?
Air walkers and elliptical cross trainers provide simultaneous upper and lower body workouts and minimize joint stress.
Compared to elliptical cross trainers, air walkers tend to be less expensive and do not produce as intense a workout. They are also not as durable and may have shorter warranties.
How many calories does a glider burn?
Your weight, the intensity of your workout, and which model of glider you’re using all come into play. According to manufacturers, a 150-pound person can expect to burn about 260 calories during a 30-minute workout on the air walker machine.
Is a glider exercise machine as good as a treadmill?
The faster you glide, the harder your cardiovascular system works. Because there’s no impact, Gazelle machines are a great option for people with joint pain. Machines like the stair climber or a treadmill are a higher impact and can be hard on your joints.
Is an air walker the same as a cross-trainer?
Yes, air walkers and cross-trainers are similar. Both machines involve moving handlebars and cyclical strides to move feet forward and back. However, cross-trainers tend to be a bit larger and bulkier than air walkers, which helps maintain balance.
How to use a glider exercise machine?
- Hold the hand bars, and step onto the foot platform, one foot at a time. Make sure that you feel balanced before starting the workout.
- Turn on the digital monitor and choose the workout level.
- Move one leg forward while moving the other leg back while keeping your hands on the handlebar. You can increase the intensity of the workout by adding more resistance and by enhancing your speed.
- Slow down your pace once you are done with the exercise. Step off the air glider slowly by moving one foot at a time, keeping your hands firmly on the handle.
Enjoy Your New Glider Exercise Machine
The glider exercise machines have become popular among those seeking to get in shape minus the pounding, making them suitable for those with a bad knee or people who experience popping and cracking in the joints, and even those recovering from injuries undergoing treatment.
Remember, the glider exercise machine promise to be low impact to the point where you can rest assured knowing it won’t affect your precious joints in any way.
It is our wish that you have found this information useful. Feel free to send us a message with comments or questions you may have.
