I have been working out for several months now, and I've lost a decent amount of weight and even better number of inches. But now my elliptical is broken. A few years ago, I got a cheapie model, which for ellipticals is still $400. I didn't realize that I was buying one made by the same company who made my erg (rowing machine). The erg looked decent, it felt solid, and as soon as my husband got on it, I realized I made a mistake. The reach was too short, and he snapped the cable that pulled the rider back to the front. It was easily repaired, but this wasn't going to be the heavy duty machine I used in my rowing days. A few months after I bought my elliptical, I found out it was made by the same people. The sports bottle holder broke off almost immediately, but I didn't take that as a sign that it was gonna give out on me.

Other than the drink holder, everything worked fine for a while. It was a little loud, but ellipticals were still a fairly new thing that people were still catching onto, and I figured that's how they work. Every other elliptical I tried was just as loud. Over the years though, this annoyance has turned into a major roar that wakes my son up at night. Considering his room is as far away from the machine as it is possible to get in my house, it became time to do something.

I leaned the machine over and tried to see if I could figure out why it was so loud. Everything was lined up properly. And that's when I noticed that there was black powder and metal shavings on my cream colored carpet. The machine was literally filing itself away. I sprayed some WD-40 on it to see if that would loosen everything up. It didn't help. And then I noticed the real problem. A wheel that the pedals slide on is broken off so that it can slide. In other words, it's guiding nothing.

So I spent all yesterday searching for a new elliptical. It isn't the worst time it could happen, but it's not a great time either. I cannot afford the quality machine that will last and provide a challenging workout like a Precor or Cybex. But I don't want to spend my money on the last brand I did, and I am VERY hesitant to trust something that is even cheaper than that one. I also am put off by the machines that bear someone's name. Denise Austin's elliptical is getting good reviews on Amazon.com, but it's under $200, and I know what kind of a machine that buys. And Tony Little? No, thanks. The dude scares me, and that is not even an elliptical, but some weird elliptical-ish contraption.

I have found a few I like, but I want some real world opinions. Anyone have experience with Horizon or the Ironman 520e? Or do you have an elliptical you really like? I am leaning towards the Ironman 520e, but reviews on it are scarce. I need something VERY sturdy. I am not easy on my machines, and I expect to be able to have a good workout when I get on, not some imitation of exercise. It's nothing for me to put on 9-11 miles a day, so I need something that is going to work and last. Also, I would prefer one that has a nice stride length and high weight rating, because my husband is a big guy and will need these features.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.